The dates at a glance
| University | Invitation | Interviews | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | Shortlisting email: A week or more ahead | Online interviews: December 2026 | Decision: 12 January 2027 |
| Cambridge | Interview invitation: Mostly November | College interviews: 7 to 18 December 2026 | Outcome: 27 January 2027 |
| Imperial | Shortlisting: After the admissions test | Interviews: November to FebruaryMedicine MMIs: January and February | Decision: Through UCAS by 31 March 2027 |
2027 entry
Oxford interview dates and format
For 2027 entry, Oxford interviews shortlisted applicants online in December 2026, and tells them the outcome on 12 January 2027.
- -All interviews for 2027 entry are online, in December 2026.
- -Oxford emails shortlisted applicants at least a week before their interviews.
- -Shortlisted applicants hear the outcome through UCAS on 12 January 2027.
- -Oxford Medicine applicants who are shortlisted are interviewed online in December 2026 by two colleges; the number and format of interviews can vary by college.
Checked against official university sources on 26 October 2026: Oxford: interviews, Oxford: admissions timeline, Oxford Medical Sciences: application process. Your invitation email has the details for your own course and college.
2027 entry
Cambridge interview dates and format
Cambridge holds its main interview period from 7 to 18 December 2026. Most applicants have one or two interviews, lasting 35 minutes to an hour in total, and Cambridge says applicants find out the outcome on 27 January 2027.
- -The main interview period runs from 7 to 18 December 2026.
- -Most invitations are sent in November, though some go out in early December.
- -Most applicants have one or two interviews lasting a total of 35 minutes to an hour.
- -Each college decides whether its interviews are in person or online: Churchill, Emmanuel, King's and Selwyn interview everyone in person.
- -Cambridge says applicants find out the outcome of their application on 27 January 2027.
- -Winter pool interviews take place around mid to late January 2027.
Checked against official university sources on 26 October 2026: Cambridge: interviews, Cambridge: dates and deadlines. Your invitation email has the details for your own course and college.
2027 entry
Imperial interview dates and format
Most Imperial departments interview shortlisted applicants, usually between November and February; Medicine runs Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) in January and February.
- -Most departments interview applicants whose UCAS application and admissions test show potential; Mathematics, Medical Biosciences and Biological Sciences generally do not.
- -Interviews usually take place between November and February, and some departments run them into March.
- -Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, for example, interview online for about 25 to 30 minutes with a member of academic staff.
- -Medicine uses Multiple Mini Interviews, typically held throughout January and February.
- -Decisions come through UCAS; universities aim to reply by 31 March 2027.
- -Imperial Medicine uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), typically held throughout January and February.
Checked against official university sources on 26 October 2026: Imperial: interviews, Imperial Medicine: MMI timeline, Imperial Mechanical Engineering: interview, Imperial Aeronautical Engineering: interview. Your invitation email has the details for your own course and college.
Plan your mock interviews around these dates
An example plan of ten mocks. Your own plan depends on your course and when your invitation arrives.
Mocks 1 to 4
Your personal statement, standard questions and first unseen problems.
Mocks 5 to 8
Tailored to your college and course once your invitation arrives.
Mocks 9 and 10
Full simulations.
Questions families ask
When are Oxford interviews in 2026?
For 2027 entry, Oxford interviews shortlisted applicants online in December 2026.
Are Oxford interviews online?
Yes. All Oxford interviews for 2027 entry are held online, in December 2026.
When will I know if I have an Oxford interview?
Oxford emails shortlisted applicants at least a week before their interviews.
When are Oxford decisions?
Shortlisted applicants hear the outcome through UCAS on 12 January 2027.
When are Cambridge interviews in 2026?
The main interview period runs from 7 to 18 December 2026. Most invitations are sent in November, though some go out in early December.
Are Cambridge interviews in person or online?
Each college decides. Churchill, Emmanuel, King's and Selwyn interview everyone in person; your invitation says how your own interview runs.
How long is a Cambridge interview?
Most applicants have one or two interviews lasting a total of 35 minutes to an hour.
When are Cambridge decisions?
Cambridge says applicants find out the outcome of their application on 27 January 2027. Winter pool interviews take place around mid to late January 2027.
Does Imperial interview every applicant?
No. Most departments interview applicants whose UCAS application and admissions test show potential, usually between November and February; Mathematics, Medical Biosciences and Biological Sciences generally do not.
How long is an Imperial Engineering interview?
Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, for example, interview online for about 25 to 30 minutes with a member of academic staff. Other departments set their own format.
What is the Imperial Medicine interview?
Imperial Medicine uses Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs), typically held throughout January and February.
When are Imperial decisions?
Decisions come through UCAS; universities aim to reply by 31 March 2027.