I'm a girl and I wouldn't have expected myself to be intimidated by being interviewed by a man, but I found that when I wasn't sure about my answers I would turn to the lady to answer and I think someone had clearly thought about how best to make the interviewees comfortable. Is class a useful concept for historians? My other interview on my personal statement was shorter and less focused. What are the problems that come up when analysing colonial societies from a postcolonial context? They were really nice, they told me the question again and prompted me with what I had just been saying. Enjoy it. I felt awful about the interview but it clearly wasn't as bad as I thought. The first interview I had was a philosophy interview in which I was given a set of syllogisms and asked to talk them through and work out whether they made sense logically and work out any logical fallacies. Oxford History St Catherines College; interview by Tom Pickles and Gervais Rosser together and by Marc Mulholland and another professor who did not teach at St Catherineâs. The tutor interviewing me didn't speak about either! Is there such thing as ideology? Anyway, he told me a bit about his research and then asked me about history and the environment. I was given 15 minutes alone to study this before entering the interview. How would you compare Henry VIII and Stalin? The second part of my interviews at Magdalen was supposed to be about my personal statement and/or my submitted essay. and other questions which challenged my argument and forced me to adapt or defend it. Oxford University History Society and Uncomfortable Oxford are hosting a virtual tour on important themes such as imperialism, inequality and historical memory and their presence within Oxford.. The interviewer does not expect you to be able to answer every question immediately, but rather wants to determine that you are able to think about and work on unknown topics with confidence, intelligence and clarity â and they wonât be able to do that if you sit in silence! How can one define a revolution? The interviewers asked me to pick out what I found most interesting about the source. Use the list of questions below to prepare. Dr Julia Paolitto, an Oxford University press officer, says: âThe interview is a chance for the tutor and prospective student to have a relatively brief but intense academic conversation. Robin Lane-Fox, Paolo Crivelli, Jane Lightfoot âClassics standard: Two or three interviews split: Literature. Follow-on questions were along the lines of: 'What did you think of the author's approach to the topic?' This stage is about getting to see how well you can speak about a subject. Interviewers generally ask very open-ended questions - they want your opinion and to hear you defend it. Students applying to study Geography might be asked to talk about how the composition of the atmosphere allows us to calculate its weight, while candidates for Music might be probed on how the ways in which we listen to music affects how we experience it. There were absolutely no curve ball questions and not even a "why history/ why Oxford" question which I was expecting, just very focused on the sources and my essay. What do you need to consider when evaluating the reliability of a source? First interview: the discussion revolved around a topic chosen by me (I chose to base it on the essay title submitted as written work) with the questions being fairly standard at the beginning, like 'why did you think this was the case?' Should we study contemporary history? It is better to take your time and verbalise your thought process. At the beginning I was asked if my college room was ok (I think to settle me) but I digressed and spent about five minutes waffling on about how the heater smelled of burning so I didn't want to turn it on. The best way to prepare for any interview is to anticipate the questions you'll be asked. GOT YOUR OWN INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE TO SHARE? History Interview Help Oxford History Interviews Interviews At St.Hugh's PPE Oxford 2020 ~ Offer Holders Oxford application Ultimate Getting Into Oxbridge Advice Thread ! Why is it OK for one country to intervene in another? Also, be prepared for the 'good cop' 'bad cop' thing to be used - one of my interviews was quite pressured and intense and I had to sit at a table opposite two unsmiling professors, the other was very laid back (I was sat on a sofa, offered water, and one of the professors sat in the windowsill!). The second was based around my personal statement and the written work I had submitted. The article was very confusing and used lots of foreign words, but as soon as I sat down the interviewers (a man and a woman who both asked questions) told me not to worry about pronunciation and to feel free to look at the reading whilst I answered. They're not trying to catch you out, in fact they were very patient and encouraging, so don't worry about those interview horror stories! If you donât know where to start, review our suggested reading list below. Pgce english interview at oxford university I panicked for about 10 seconds, but they gave me prompts and I came up with new ideas about the picture (eventually I said something about it seeming like they believed in historical inevitability which they seemed to like). Always say something, even if you aren't one hundred per cent certain, as there are no wrong answers. Fortunately, I found the question ok to answer! This shouldn't put you off though. All Rights Reserved. Can losers ever write history? the Inquisition. What are the main differences between Modern and Classical sources? Second interview: this interview revolved around examining an article based on a period I had no knowledge about. Emily describes the Oxford interview as a âweird experienceâ because the point of it is to simulate what the tutorial will be like. History is an extremely competitive subject to study at Oxbridge, with only around one in four applicants to Oxford University being awarded a place. I've never studied Spanish but had read ahead in my textbook just in case, so fortunately knew the answer (Reconquista). I said that they could look at their artwork to see how women were portrayed compared with their holy objects. ... and indeed across the world, are coming for much-coveted interviews at Oxford ⦠One was based on a transcript of an original historical document. Free interview details posted anonymously by Oxford University interview candidates. Two interviews both 20 minutes each. I was asked where I was up to in the course and then a 'Top 10' achievements (or what were seen as achievements!) They also asked me a little bit about my personal statement in this one. Before the interview I sat the History Aptitude Test and handed in a piece of writing for the interviewers to look at. I had 5 minutes presentation on my most recent research project, followed with questions regarding my research. Do you think the government should spend money preserving historical sites? There were two tutors who firstly introduced themselves and then ran through how this interview would play out. Demonstrate your subject knowledge about and passion for History Questions were very technical Result announced 2 weeks after the interview How? In the 1920s did the invention of the Henry Ford car lead to a national sub-culture or was it just an aspect of one? Below is an outline of what to expect, along with some guidance and advice to ensure the best chance of success at interview. What do shoes tell us about the past? In one I completely blanked and in the other reduced both tutors to laughter. To what extent can a historian remain impartial? How is the Arab Spring similar to the Russian Revolution? The conversation takes place between a current first-year undergraduate student at Oxford University and two history tutors, each from different colleges. The first focused on the essay I had sent in and a source I had just looked at. But after you've looked there, read on to hear some students talk about their History interviews. (Oxford Interview Questions) Who writes history? I would reiterate what I mentioned at the beginning, that there is no 'one typical interview' so comparing your interview to that of other people will almost certainly cause stress! My first interview was about my written work that I had submitted, there was a man who asked all the questions and a lady who made notes throughout. What trees did Disraeli plant at Hughenden Manor? Upon arrival at Oxford for my first year, I was told by my interviewer (now tutor) that one of the reasons I got into Oxford was my apparent love of the subject. You will never be asked about anything you are not likely to ⦠The second interview was more fact based but still very much on thinking skills. I had been told that the harder, the better, because interviewers were testing you to your limit, and if the interview was easy it meant they didn't believe you to be capable. History & Politics: St Catherineâs College Oxford Interview This is Alexâs experience of a St Catherineâs Oxford History interview â if youâre applying for humanities at Oxford, then this will be a great indicator to what you need to think about when it comes to your humanities interview. Think out loud. The second interview was more scary and 'interview like' with three academics sitting opposite. Is History moving away from the study of great men to that of ordinary people? I had two interviews. Compare and contrast the French and Russian revolutions. My first interview at Christ Church was based on an unseen poem. Tutors are trying to understand how you think and how you approach difficult questions - you aren't expected to have the perfect answer. You might be asked general interview questions so that the interviewer can learn more about you – review our list of General Interview questions to prepare. Two BYT history tutors give their Oxford History undergraduate interview experiences and the questions asked of them: Oxford History, Oriel College â interviewed by Dr Cattow, Leif Dixon. Download a sample page from our Physics Guide here. This left lots of time for Christmas shopping! Is Medieval history relevant to us today? Other questions were standard job interview questions. Should historians be allowed to read sci-fi novels? Even if you donât end up getting in, it is a great experience to go through. Ancient History. Overall it was an interview I really enjoyed. Why do you want to study history? I had two interviews. I felt the questions became harder as the time ticked on but in hindsight I realised that the interviewers were testing my thought process and challenging it to answer questions that during your normal A-Level study you would never delve into much. You don't have to stubbornly commit to one viewpoint. I had two interviews at my college. The Gridiculous Theme by bavotasan.com. The key to answering these questions is to always demonstrate your thought process aloud. Show them your enthusiasm. In my second interview, the first question I was asked was, 'What have you been reading in your spare time?' Is religion important for modem historians? Do you think the Bavarian peasants of 1848 had an ideology? My written work was about Spain's monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella. What made this interview more challenging than the first was that new information was being added after I had given an answer and I had to decide whether this new information affected my argument in terms of weakening it or strengthening it. Is national character a useful concept in History? At one point when I was answering my mind went completely blank and I had to say "I'm sorry but I've completely forgotten the question and what I was just saying". Which would be the more accurate assessment of their contribution to history? Copyright © 2021 Oxford Interview Questions. The only one I remember was a picture of a wheel with four kings on the four points of the compass on the wheel. This is their interview experience and questions asked: Oxford Classics New College. I worried about those for weeks afterwards, but clearly they made no impact and were really not worth worrying about. I studied economics, maths and history, as well as physics and religious studies as this was the closest I could get within my school's curriculum to PPE. You just had to analyse your source and say what you thought. Do you consider history a science? Use timestamp links below:0:00 - Intro03:03 - Interview30:30 - Interview Review38:41 - Q&AEver wanted to see an Oxford Interview live in action? Why are you sitting in this chair? Subject for which you are applying (optional) The interviewer is not looking to catch you out, but rather for you to demonstrate your curiosity, knowledge and passion for History. What is the position of the individual in history? For more info on History degrees at Oxford, please see here: https://www.history.ox.ac.uk These students join a community of more than 1,500 Oxford historians â undergraduates, graduates, researchers, and tutors This intellectual variety allows the History Faculty to offer an unparalleled number and range of courses. Many are world-leading experts with years of experience in teaching and research. Can history stop the next war? Then I was asked about the Anabaptists and there was a bit more guessing on my part until I got the answer they were looking for. Last summer I participated in a mock interview for English Language and Literature and I was allowed to post it here to help you guys. Does History repeat itself? A BYT Tutorâs experience of applying to study classics at Oxford. Taking place TODAY from 4:30pm to 6pm GMT, places are FREE for Oxford students but there are only a couple left - make sure to click the link below to sign up! I conceded that America was still racist, but the outward practice is far more condemned later in the period than earlier. Can we take anything written in a classical source at face value? (Oxford Interview Questions) Why is it OK for one country to intervene in another? Why did you choose this university? Let them hear the processes of your mind. If you could have dinner with anybody that has ever lived, who would it be and why? It was something about the rise and fall of kings. I was then asked 'Isn't America still fundamentally racist today?' I was given three pieces of advice by my school before going to Oxford interviews: This website was written entirely by Oxford University students and produced by Oxford SU. Then the interviewer said 'Okay, I'll move on to my research now.' How much of the past could we relearn? The best way to prepare for your interview is to practise. Also, one question they asked was how I could find out information about women's status in Muslim society who were the topic of the reading. One question was about an essay competition I mentioned I had done and asked what conclusions I came to. One of my interviews was based around pictorial sources. From there it quickly got very off topic very quickly and the interview was less about what I knew but how I approached the source. After my 20 minutes of making notes were up, I was led by a student ambassador to the tutors room for the actual interview. This worried me because I thought he was bored with my talking. How can one define a revolution? Some teaching may also be delivered by postgraduate students who are usually studying at doctorate level. There was one interviewer and a PhD student taking notes. to expanding to questions which required more thought. The second interview went a lot better. Philosophy The tutors might ask some trying questions or tell you a bit more information and if you change your mind because of it, thats okay. I think they were from a medieval manuscript on the topic of 'advice to kings'. The best place to start is Oxford's official information on preparing for interviews. Is race a useful concept for historians? 'Did you agree with what all that was said and why?' How do you organise a successful revolution? The one on my essay was on American civil rights, where my essay argument had been that changing attitudes had alleviated conditions. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and personality. The easiest way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for History is to show that you are self-motivated and have studied the subject in your free-time for ⦠How would you research illiterate medieval craftsmen? Another question focused on a topic I mentioned about the Renaissance and what I found interesting about it. Do you think history can have any practical purpose? Show that you enjoy studying History independently Demonstrate your enthusiasm and personality. Also I did really stupid things: wore new jeans that dyed my hands blue during my first interview; and taking my interview room key home. Then it was the end of the interview and I left, although I failed to successfully close the door. The Oxford History Faculty is at the forefront of research. These skills will hopefully stick with me for the rest of my career. When was the monarchy at its strongest? Then the tutor asked if I knew about the conquest of Granada and said 'Do you know the Spanish word for this?' Do you think the government should spend money preserving historical sites? Departments and colleges were invited to fact-check their pages but this does not constitute an official source of information and you should always check the official university website for the most up-to-date information. I was very unsure in my answers but I tried to the best of my ability to link the new information I was being given to what I already knew. My first interview was with Gervais Rosser and centred around the Italian Renaissance, one of his specialist areas and a subject I studied in my final year at school. Archaeology and AnthropologyBiological SciencesChemistryClassicsComputer ScienceEarth SciencesEconomics and ManagementEngineering ScienceEnglishGeographyHistoryHistory of ArtLaw (Jurisprudence)Materials ScienceMathematicsMedicineModern LanguagesMusicOriental StudiesPhilosophyPPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)PhysicsTheology. What do you think of when you hear the word ânostalgiaâ? I struggled with the first interview as I wasn't prepared to answer questions about the essay I had given in, I should have done a little bit of revision. The interview process was not as scary as I imagined and through three days in Oxford I only spent about 40 minutes being interviewed. You have nothing to lose and much to gain. We then moved on to my AS course (which I was a bit more wishy-washy on) and one question, to do with the enemies of the Pope, I had no idea about so guessed about 10 European countries/people before settling on France. If you have studied a subject in depth the questions will be more focussed in that subject, and less about current affairs etc. I had revised the topic I wrote my essay on before I attended this interview and it definitely helped. Itâs not just your particular subject that admissions tutors want ⦠Oxbridge interview questions range from the generic âWhy do you want to study blah?â and âWhat's your greatest weakness?â (more on these here) to the specific. Does Keynes still influence economic policy today? Where does history end? I had two interviews, one on an essay I had sent in, another on my personal statement. How can we justify public funding of the study of history? Do we ever learn from the past? Demonstration Interview. Do you feel historical artefacts belong in the country of their origin? They aren't trying to trick you out, just trying to get you to think more creatively and follow through your ideas. Students applying for biological sciences might be asked why rainforests and coral reefs support such a high diversity of plant and animal life, while budding art historians should expect to discuss a painting they have never encountered before. I was not given anything immediately before the interview (such as sources to look at). I was given some time before the interview to annotate the article and then was poised a question about what I could derive from the article about the nature of history and its study during that period. The interview process was not as scary as I imagined and through three days in Oxford I only spent about 40 minutes being interviewed. So what do you think the Pope thought about Isabella of Castile doing that? I know it certainly helped me understand what I was being asked. Would History be worth studying if it didnât repeat itself? Also never be afraid to ask the interviewers for clarification or to repeat the question. For this one I got to chose the topic of the interview, I opted for Richard III, but many people just went with their A Level topics. I interviewed at Oxford University (New York, NY (US)) in January 2017. In 2020 all our interviews were conducted online. Then I left (but not before taking a packet of Maltesers that were on offer!). list, so I talked about the religious policy, e.g. Compare the French Revolution with a modem event. The easiest way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for History is to show that you are self-motivated and have studied the subject in your free-time for enjoyment â for example through online lectures and independent reading. Then he asked for another achievement involving an Italian and I was clueless until an American academic hinted 'We study it a lot where I come from!' There was a woman standing next to it who looked like a queen. My first interview was just before lunch, lasted just over 15 minutes and focused on my personal statement. SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE. My top advice is to always be honest in interview (they asked me if I knew anything about modern Russia and I just said "no". Instead we somehow ended up talking about other things that didn't relate at all, but gave me the opportunity to think on my feet, reason through my ideas, and the tutor encouraged me to think of supporting evidence. How would you research illiterate medieval craftsmen? What is the difference between modern history and modern politics? We are currently consulting tutors and departments before deciding whether interviews will be online in 2021 or whether we will revert to our usual process of inviting students to attend interviews in Oxford. This left lots of time for Christmas shopping! Who writes history? Real Oxbridge Interview Questions Remembered by Successful Candidates. The second started with a brief chat about what I was looking at in my A-Level course and then a discussion of the two sources (one an extract from a book and the other an image) I had been presented before the interview. When was the English monarchy at its strongest? Can we still learn lessons from 18th century warfare? Interview experiences âHave a sparkle in your eye and a passion. Should we simply narrate the past? Therefore, when I found my interviews fine, I was really worried when there was no need to be! Why is there a United States of America but not a United States of Europe? How do historians obtain evidence? Itâs a chance to show a mind that has potential, not a brain full of quotes from a textbook.â Berenika, 1st-year History student at Jesus College. Please Note: Currently âThe Oxford Interview Guideâ is available for Chemistry and Physics (available to download below). Other subjects will be available for download in November â please enter your email below to receive a notification when your subject guide is available for download. When was the British Empire at its strongest? Is Marxist history still worth studying? The questions have been released just after of the deadline day for students to apply to study at Oxford University next year (15 October). How do we know what people in the past really though? They are supposed to be pieces that you have never seen before so don't worry if you don't know the context, it is an attempt to make you engage directly with a text or picture. Compare and contrast the rule of Hitler and Stalin A question regarding a text I'd stated in my personal statement arose in the closing minutes of the interview and having read the text (this is important) I bumbled a response out via verbalising my train of thought on the topic. All historical records in the world are lost to a natural disaster. Is there any justification to the argument that we can learn âlessons’ from history? I admitted I had only self-studied the time period as part of an EPQ, and we moved on. The questions have been released to mark the deadline day for students to apply to study at Oxford University next year (15 October). Is History moving away from the study of great men to that of ordinary people? The Oxford Interview For History and Modern Languages The Oxford interview process must be one of the subjects that has produced the most writing in education, and most of it is misleading and scaremongering. The other was based on my personal statement and the essay I had submitted - mostly the essay, so make sure you know what you're talking about! Every year Oxfordâs History Faculty admits around 300 students to study for an undergraduate degree in history. Is national character a useful concept in History? I was then asked questions as to what it said before guessing the provenance. The interviewer similarly seemed inclined to veer away from what I knew as quickly as possible and asked me all sorts of things which were quite obscure, giving me new information as it went on. Did the 9/11 attacks change the way we write history? This interview largely revolved around me processing new information and adapting my argument in light of it and there were quite a large number of pauses (not necessarily a bad thing) which allowed me to gather my thoughts and attempt to verbalise my answer in a logical way. Are verbal sources more useful than written sources? Candidates may also be asked to read and talk about a short passage as part of the interview. What is a Revolution? Last reviewed January 2016. official information on preparing for interviews. Second interview: based on a source I read 45 minutes before in a separate room. Would History be worth studying if it didnât repeat itself? You might be asked general interview questions so that the interviewer can learn more about you â review our list of General Interview questions to prepare. All that remains is historical records on sport. I think it was about testing my comprehension and seeing how I could apply this to what I had learnt. Current affairs were quite helpful with this too. Who was a better leader Alexander the Great or Napoleon? Itâs a test-drive to see whether you would be a strong tutorial ⦠My second interview was on some reading we had been set about a Muslim Moroccan society who I'd never heard of before. The process took 2 weeks. History at Oxford encouraged me to think creatively, confidently encounter new and unfamiliar challenges, and question established concepts. 1 Oxford University History interview questions and 1 interview reviews. However, some 75% of students are invited for an interview, so it logically follows that the interview is an exceptionally important part of the candidate selection process. One was based on my knowledge (specifically catered to what I studied in A level) so they just asked me questions which normally wouldn't have been asked e.g.
Blades Of Glory Sample, 4s Up Ucla Meaning, Benefits Of Online Exams During Covid-19, Converse Collabs 2020, Check Out The Video Below, Strongyloides In Animals, Our Food Class 3 Questions And Answers,