Credibility Interview Guidance - Arden Manchester Campus

Published on Dec 22, 2025
Credibility Interview Guidance - Arden Manchester Campus

As part of the UK Student visa process, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) may conduct a credibility interview to assess whether applicants are genuinely intending to study in the UK. These interviews are selected at random, so being invited to one does not mean there is a problem with your application.

This guide focuses specifically on Arden University – Manchester Campus and is designed to help students feel confident and well-prepared. It includes examples of questions you may be asked during your UKVI credibility interview. These questions are not guaranteed, nor asked in a fixed order, but they reflect the type of information UKVI expects students to know.

The interview also allows UKVI to assess your English language ability, so remain calm and answer clearly. If you do not understand a question due to accent or connection issues, you may politely ask the interviewer to repeat or speak more slowly.

It is very important to answer all questions honestly. Do not give answers just to please the interviewer—your responses should reflect your genuine academic and career intentions.

Intention to Study Questions – Manchester Campus

Q) Why do you want to study in the UK?

  • You might want to talk about what you have learned about the British education system and how this will enhance your education.
  • Why would you like to live and study in the UK and in particular Manchester?
  • How will this experience benefit you?

Q) What are the benefits of studying in the UK compared to your home country or other countries?

  • What attracted you to the UK?
  • How would study in the UK differ from studying in your home country?
  • Why did you decide to come to the UK rather than, for example, Australia or the USA?

Q) How did you choose which university to study at in the UK?

  • What research did you carry out?
  • Have you applied to other universities aside from Arden?
  • It’s ok if you have. UKVI expects students to research multiple universities.

Q) Did you use an agent? If so, what drew you to their recommendation to study at Arden?

  • Is the course that you are going to study particularly well taught at Arden?

Q) Why have you chosen to study at Arden University?

  • Here you could talk about the University or about the city and its location within the UK.
  • You can find out more about Manchester here: https://www.visitmanchester.com/

Q) Which other universities did you consider?

  • Did you look at other options? Mention here.
  • Why did you choose Arden over other universities?

Q) Where is Arden University, Manchester Campus?

Q) Do you know roughly how large the University is?

Q) Do you know anyone who has studied in Manchester?

  • The Home Office would not expect this to be the main reason that you come to Manchester to study, but your friends or family may well have told you more about the city, making your choice easier.

Course-Related Questions

Q) Why did you choose to study this course and how does it relate to your previous study?

  • What attracted you to study this course?
  • What do you hope to achieve by studying it?
  • How will it enhance the subjects that you have already studied?

Q) What qualification will you receive?

Q) How is your course assessed?

Q) How long does your course last?

Q) How will the course you have chosen help you in your chosen career path?

Q) Is it necessary to have this qualification for your career?

Q) Do you know what level your course is?

  • Bachelor’s level (BA or BSc) (RQF Level 6)
  • Master’s level (MA or MSc) (RQF Level 7)

Q) Did you consider studying any other course?

  • It will be fine to say that you did, but you must then be able to justify what made you decide on your final choice.

Q) What are your plans for the future after completing your course?

  • After you have completed your course, do you think you will stay in the UK to complete another higher level course of study?

Accommodation & Living in Manchester

Q) Will you need help finding accommodation?

Q) Have you looked into accommodation options in Manchester?

Q) Do you know how you will travel to the University?

Gaps in Study or Work

Q) Can you explain any gaps in your years of study or work?

Q) What were you doing during this period?

Q) Why are you now ready to return to study?

Q) How will this study benefit your future prospects?

Student Visa Responsibilities

Q) Do you understand what your responsibilities will be as a Student visa holder?

You are advised to refer to UKCISA guidance on protecting your Student visa status.

https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Visas-and-Immigration/Protecting-your-Student-status

Financial Questions

  • What is your current occupation (if employed)?
  • How does your chosen course relate to your current or previous work?
  • Do you have relatives who have studied overseas? Hint: It may be that a family member has studied overseas and they have recommended this to you. If not, explain why you are the first from your family to want to take this route.
  • Do you think your course is appropriate? Hint: If you are a mature student, you may be required to explain why you are choosing to continue your studies at this point.
  • Who is financing your studies and living costs in the UK? Hint: You or your parents? If your parents are financing your studies, you may be asked to discuss how they are able to do this. Remember documents confirming their financial status may be included with your application.
  • What is the profession of your financial sponsor? Hint: You may be asked what job the person who is sponsoring you has, in an effort to justify how they can continue to support you in this way.
  • Do you have evidence of the financial status of your financial sponsor? for example, bank statements for the last 6 months, bonds, investments etc.
  • Are you able to verify the genuineness of these documents? Hint: If the Home Office contact the school, college or bank that produced the documentation submitted, would the school, college or bank be available to confirm that they are genuine?
  • Can you prove that this money is available for your study? Hint: You should already have documentation in the form of bank statements, or your parents’ bank statements (with proof of their relationship to you) ready to form a part of your application.
  • Are these original documents?
  • Will the Home Office be able to contact the bank to verify these statements?
  • Would you be able to pay your tuition fees in one full amount? If not, what arrangements have you made to ensure that you can pay at the appropriate times?
  • Have you checked the University refund policy? This may be asked and you can obtain a copy of the refund policy online: https://arden.ac.uk/about-us/our-policies-standards
  • Do you know how much accommodation and living expenses will cost in Manchester? Hint: https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/Information--Advice/Studying--living-in-the-UK/How-much-will-it-cost-to-study-in-the-UK

Living Expenses
International students in the UK should budget around £1,100-£1,400 monthly outside London and £1,300-£1,600+ in London, covering rent, food, transport, and personal items, with major costs being accommodation and the required visa proof of funds (£1,171/month outside London, £1,529/month in London for up to 9 months). Your actual costs vary by city (Sheffield, Nottingham cheaper; London pricier) and lifestyle, but shared housing and cooking at home save money.