Cambridge interviews: a practical guide
6 min read · updated 2026-10-02
Cambridge interviews most applicants it is considering. For 2027 entry, the main interview period is 7 to 18 December 2026, and the format depends on the college: some interview online, some in person.
Format
For most subjects there are two interviews of about 20 to 30 minutes each; some subjects use a single longer interview. Colleges decide whether to interview online or in person; at Sidney Sussex, for example, applicants living in the UK attend in person and those outside the UK are interviewed online. Check your college's own page.
Timeline
- ✓ 15 October 2026: UCAS deadline for Cambridge
- ✓ November: most interview invitations
- ✓ 7-18 December 2026: main interview period
- ✓ 27 January 2027: decisions for applicants interviewed in December
How to prepare
Like Oxford, Cambridge interviews test how a student reasons with new material. Practise working through unfamiliar problems aloud, know your personal statement well enough to extend it, and for subjects with written work or assessments, revisit what you submitted.
FAQs
When are Cambridge interviews in 2026?＋
The main period is 7 to 18 December 2026.
Are Cambridge interviews online or in person?＋
It depends on the college and sometimes on where the applicant lives. Check the college's page.
When do Cambridge decisions come out?＋
On 27 January 2027 for applicants interviewed in December 2026.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-02.
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