Interview Coaching

Interview invitations are usually sent by email 1-3 weeks prior to the interview. Because the notice period can be as short as one week, it is important to start preparing in advance rather than waiting until you receive an invitation. Check your email inbox regularly, including your spam folder, to keep an eye out for an invitation.

In recent years, some students may be invited to complete self-recorded interviews (for example for BBA programmes). You will typically be given a time window (e.g. several days) during which you must record your responses. Once you click the interview link, you have to complete the interview in one sitting. You will be asked multiple questions, and some interviews may be timed per question.

Before recording your interview, please note that in most cases, you can only submit the interview once. Treat it like you are attending an in person interview - prepare beforehand and practice your answers. Check your computer network, audio and video settings in advance, and dress appropriately.

If you know how much time you have for each question, rehearse speaking within that time limit. It is also helpful to record yourself during practice, to review how you sound and appear through the camera.

Preparing for the content - during the interviews, interviewers are typically looking to understand who you are and whether you are a good fit for the course. Thus, be ready to discuss your past experiences, personal interests and strengths confidently and clearly.

It is equally important to demonstrate your enthusiasm and understanding of the field you are applying to. Finally, do some research on the programme so you can explain why you want to study it.

For example, if you are applying for Engineering programmes in Hong Kong, be prepared to talk about your aspirations for studying engineering, such as to solve real life problems using mathematics, as well as experiences related to engineering. For instance, if you have joined the school’s robotics team, explore what projects you have done, challenges you have faced, and skills you have gained. Reflect on your experiences and how that connects to your motivation. You can also research the programme’s focus areas, such as electrical or computer engineering, and discuss a module or research area that interests you.

Preparing for the presentation - for many students, half of the challenge is managing nerves and presenting themselves with confidence. Practice answering questions out loud, ideally in front of others. We recommend doing mock interviews with teachers or our consultants, so you become familiarised with the interview format and expectations.

For non-JUPAS applicants, HKU (University of Hong Kong) medicine interviews are split into two parts: an individual interview and a group interview. For the individual interview, you will usually face one question in Cantonese and one question in English. You will be assessed on areas such as general knowledge, personal insight, critical thinking, and language skills. For the group interview session, there are 4 candidates per group. You will have 8 minutes for an English-based discussion. The focus is on areas such as communication skills, teamwork and collaboration, as well as time management.

For CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong), the medicine interview is usually a panel-style interview. The interview is typically around 20 mins, conducted by two admissions staff or faculty members. The interview is generally hosted in English, but be prepared that the interviewers may switch to Chinese to test your proficiency. Common topics may include your interest in medicine, experiences as outlined in the CV, general healthcare knowledge, and opinions about ethics.

To prepare well, be ready to talk about what you have included in your personal statement and CV. Also, read up on Hong Kong news, especially general affairs and healthcare related updates, and try to understand recent changes and trends in the local healthcare system. Finally, practice interview questions out loud in both English and Cantonese, since we find some non-JUPAS students may not be as confident speaking Cantonese formally.