Preparing for your interview: undergraduate online degrees
This page contains information about the interview process for applicants to our online undergraduate degrees. For applicants to our on campus undergraduate degrees, visit the Preparing for Your Interview page.
At Falmouth, studying online means you’ll be part of a vibrant community of curious minds, with bold ideas centred on creative collaboration. That’s why we invite applicants to an online interview or audition.
This is your chance to:
- Share your imagination and creativity, beyond what your application can capture
- Explore your work in a supportive, conversational setting – get feedback from an academic on your work
- Ask questions about the course and your future with us
- Gain feedback and guidance to help you grow as a creative
What happens during an interview for an online degree?
When you apply for an online course, you’ll be invited to an online interview via the Applicant Portal. If your course additionally requires a portfolio, you will need to upload a link to your portfolio before we book an interview slot for you.
These interviews are held on Microsoft Teams. While we recommend you join on a computer for the best experience, you can also join on a tablet or mobile phone. If you have access requirements, please let us know. We're happy to make adjustments to the interview format to ensure the process is as comfortable as possible.
Your interview will include a friendly conversation with one of our student ambassadors, who will also be studying an online course. They can answer your questions about studying online with Falmouth and help get you set up for the rest of your interview.
Then, you will meet a member of the academic team, who will want to understand you, your work and your ambitions. Get prepared by thinking of ways in which you would look to develop your skills on the course, and what you can bring.
Preparing for your interview or audition
Take a look at your course below for guidance to help you get ready for your interview or audition.
What do I need to do before my interview?
There is nothing specific you need to do before your interview with us.
Relax! Please think of the interview as a chat – we want to make sure we're the right fit for you as much as we're making sure you're the right fit for our programme.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Please read the information under 'What are you looking for in a successful applicant?' as it will help you prepare for the interview and understand how we assess your potential.
We recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the Business & Marketing (Online) course page.
What will happen at my interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team. It is an informal chat which will allow you to get to know the course and the course team. You may be asked to talk about yourself and your work, or about something you have written in your personal statement. You can ask the interviewer about the course and what it is like to study online.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
We are looking for people who show:
- Commitment and enthusiasm for the subject
- Knowledge of business and marketing literature
- Analytical skills
- Potential to succeed in this subject area at HE level
- Independence and initiative
What do I need to do before my interview?
There is nothing specific you need to do before your interview with us.
Relax! Please think of the interview as a chat – we want to make sure we're the right fit for you as much as we're making sure you're the right fit for our programme.
It can be helpful if you are able to talk about books/media you have enjoyed and what type of writing you like to do.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Please read the information under 'What are you looking for in a successful applicant?' as it will help you prepare for the interview and understand how we assess your potential.
We'd also like you to start to think about the following questions that we'll be asking you in your interview. We don't expect you to have memorised your answers to these, but it'd be good if you could do some research and start to think about your answers before the day.
- Which module are you most excited about and what would be your contribution? (please see the 'What you'll learn' section of the course page on the Falmouth University website for details of the modules).
- What have you seen or read that has changed your way of thinking – this may or may not include books/films etc. that you have studied.
- What do you do beyond your studies that contributes to your community?
- Why do you want to study an online BA in Creative Writing?
We recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the Creative Writing Online course page.
What will happen at my interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team. It is an informal chat which will allow you to get to know the course and the course team. You may be asked to talk about yourself and your work, or about something you have written in your personal statement. You can ask the interviewer about the cours eand what it is like to study online.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be able to evidence their skills, their enthusiasm and commitment to their subject according to the following criteria:
| Criteria to be assessed | Evidenced by |
|---|---|
|
Interview conversation |
|
Personal statement |
|
Interview conversation |
|
Personal statement Interview conversation
|
|
Personal statement Reference Interview conversation |
Following the interview and assessment of your portfolio (or equivalent) the Course Team will consider whether your chosen course will likely suit your needs as a student. In some cases they may consider an alternative course more appropriate based on your conversation or the work within your portfolio. Examples where this might happen include:
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests your academic interest might be better suited by an alternative course (e.g. you apply for BA(Hons) Photography, but your interest and portfolio have a strong focus on fashion and may align closely with BA(Hons) Fashion Photography).
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests that you may need more time to develop your academic interests and/or technical skills in the subject in order to succeed on your chosen award. In this instance we may offer you a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year. This is sometimes the case where students have not had sufficient time to practice relevant creative skills as part of their compulsory education or wish to switch to a creative route.
- Where you have applied for a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year but the conversation/portfolio suggests a depth of understanding/skills that suggest the three year honours degree course would be more appropriate for your needs.
All interviewed applicants can request feedback and, if we choose to offer you a different course to the one you applied for we will explain our rationale.
What do I need to do before my interview?
Before allocating you an interview date, you will need to send us a link to your online portfolio.
Please provide examples of work that range from ideas generation and progression (visual problem solving), experiments with a range of materials and processes, evidence of a drawing practice (from both observation and imagination) and finished pieces.
If you don't have a suitable portfolio then you can choose to answer one of our Falmouth Creative Projects instead in the form of a portfolio. Upload your portfolio online and send us a single link (the link needs to be accessible without a username or password or specific software) through the Applicant Portal. Once we have received it, we will then book a time and date for your interview.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Please also prepare by thinking about your responses to questions such as:
- Why have you chosen to study illustration at Falmouth?
- How does your work provide evidence that you can think conceptually?
- What is illustration and how does it differ from other creative practices?
- What do you see yourself doing after graduation?
We recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the BA(Hons) Illustration course page
The Falmouth Illustration subject promotional website is here. It's recommended you take a look and do some research on our alumni: http://www.wunderkammeronline.com.
What will happen at my online interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be able to evidence their skills, their enthusiasm and commitment to their subject according to the following criteria:
|
Criteria to be assessed |
Evidenced by |
|---|---|
|
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Development sketchbooks Worksheets |
|
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Development sketchbooks Worksheets |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation |
Following the interview and assessment of your portfolio (or equivalent) the Course Team will consider whether your chosen course will likely suit your needs as a student. In some cases they may consider an alternative course more appropriate based on your conversation or the work within your portfolio. Examples where this might happen include:
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests your academic interest might be better suited by an alternative course (e.g. you apply for BA(Hons) Photography, but your interest and portfolio have a strong focus on fashion and may align closely with BA(Hons) Fashion Photography).
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests that you may need more time to develop your academic interests and/or technical skills in the subject in order to succeed on your chosen award. In this instance we may offer you a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year. This is sometimes the case where students have not had sufficient time to practice relevant creative skills as part of their compulsory education or wish to switch to a creative route.
- Where you have applied for a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year but the conversation/portfolio suggests a depth of understanding/skills that suggest the three year honours degree course would be more appropriate for your needs.
All interviewed applicants can request feedback and, if we choose to offer you a different course to the one you applied for we will explain our rationale.
What do I need to do before my interview?
There is nothing specific you need to do before your interview with us.
Relax! Please think of the interview as a chat – we want to make sure we're the right fit for you as much as we're making sure you're the right fit for our programme.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Please read the information under 'What are you looking for in a successful applicant?' as it will help you prepare for the interview and understand how we assess your potential.
We recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the Integrated Master's Combined Arts MA (Online) course page.
What will happen at my interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team. It is an informal chat which will allow you to get to know the course and the course team. You may be asked to talk about yourself and your work, or about something you have written in your personal statement. You can ask the interviewer about the course and what it is like to study online.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be:
- Someone who has an interest or a passion for creative artistic disciplines but wants a broad educational experience.
- Someone who is interested in problem-based learning to build experience, knowledge and skills, rather than being told what and how to learn.
- Someone who will see challenges as exciting to dive in and think through.
- Someone who is self-motivated to work independently and is able to organise and manage their study time around their other commitments
- Someone who is willing to explore, investigate and look beyond the obvious to present creative ideas and work towards proposing solutions to complex challenges, evidenced by:
|
Criterion to be assessed |
Evidenced by |
|---|---|
|
Awareness of what Problem-based learning is, as a way to learn |
Personal statement Interview conversation |
|
Awareness of and enthusiasm for, creative disciplines (could be either broad or specific) |
Personal statement Interview conversation |
|
Good communication skills including ability to talk and think through an example at interview |
Interview conversation |
|
Examples of problem-solving and/or critical thinking in any other context |
Interview conversation Personal statement |
|
Motivation, independent thinking and ability to sustain engagement |
Interview conversation Personal statement Reference |
What do I need to do before my interview?
Before allocating you an interview date, you will need to send us a link to your online portfolio.
Please provide examples of work that range from ideas generation and progression (visual problem solving), experiments with a range of materials and processes, evidence of a drawing practice (from both observation and imagination) and finished pieces.
If you don't have a suitable portfolio then you can choose to answer one of our Falmouth Creative Projects instead in the form of a portfolio. Upload your portfolio online and send us a single link (the link needs to be accessible without a username or password or specific software) through the Applicant Portal. Once we have received it, we will then book a time and date for your interview.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Before your interview you'll need to prepare your portfolio. We also recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the Interior Design Online BA(Hons) page. Think about and be ready to discuss why you are applying fo this course and what you hope to gain from a degree in Interior Design. Write down some questions that you would like to ask the tutor about the course.
You should also think about your responses to questions such as:
- Why have you chosen to study interior design at Falmouth?
- What aspect of interior design at Falmouth really engages you?
- What are you looking forward to most?
We'll be asking you questions that will allow you to select pieces from your portfolio to talk about.
We'll be interested to know if there are interior design practitioners, or other artists or designers, whose work you have found particularly relevant to your practice, and if so how.
We'll also want to know a little about you, and what else you get involved in besides your current studies.
What will happen at my interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team. It is an informal chat which will allow you to get to know the course and the course team. You may be asked to talk about yourself and your work, or about something you have written in your personal statement. You can ask the interviewer about the course and what it is like to study online.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be:
- Someone who has an interest or a passion for Interior Design.
- Someone who is willing to experiment and look beyond the obvious to find a creative solution.
- Someone who will persist in spite of challenges to get the best outcome.
- Someone who is motivated to work independently and is able to organise and manage their study time with other commitments
- Someone who can evidence their skills, their enthusiasm and commitment to their subject according to the following criteria:
| Criterion to be assessed | Evidenced by |
|---|---|
| Visual investigation |
Sketchbook(s) Personal notebook |
| Awareness of and enthusiasm for the subject |
Personal statement Interview conversation |
| Good portfolio presentation |
Assessment of portfolio or creative project |
| Communication skills including ability to discuss portfolio work. Engagement with interview questions and ability to discuss contemporary design issues critically |
Interview conversation Personal statement Portfolio or creative project |
| Motivation, independent thinking and ability to sustain engagement |
Portfolio or creative project Interview conversation Personal statement Reference |
What do I need to do before my interview?
For all online interviews, before allocating you an interview date, you will need to send us a link to your online portfolio. If you don't have a suitable portfolio then you can choose to answer one of our Falmouth Creative Projects instead in the form of a portfolio. Upload your portfolio online and send us a single link (the link needs to be accessible without a username or password or specific software) through the *Applicant Portal. Once we have received it, we will then book a time and date for your interview.
How can I prepare for my interview?
Before your interview you'll need to prepare your portfolio. We also recommend you familiarise yourself with the information on the Photography BA (Hons) (Online) page and think about your responses to questions such as:
- Why do you want to study photography online at Falmouth?
- Who do you think are the most interesting photographers?
- What exhibitions have you seen and what did you think about them?
- What campaigns have you seen recently that have had a big impact on you?
You may be asked to pick out your favourite image from your portfolio and to discuss why you like it.
What will happen at my interview?
We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be able to evidence their skills, their enthusiasm and commitment to their subject according to the following criteria:
|
Criteria to be assessed |
Evidenced by |
|---|---|
|
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Sketchbooks Journals Notebooks Any work in progress that might include other media, drawing etc. |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation Workbooks Journals Notebooks |
|
Your personal statement Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Interview conversation Notebooks Journals |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation |
|
Your personal statement Interview conversation |
Following the interview and assessment of your portfolio (or equivalent) the Course Team will consider whether your chosen course will likely suit your needs as a student. In some cases they may consider an alternative course more appropriate based on your conversation or the work within your portfolio. Examples where this might happen include:
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests your academic interest might be better suited by an alternative course (e.g. you apply for BA(Hons) Photography, but your interest and portfolio have a strong focus on fashion and may align closely with BA(Hons) Fashion Photography).
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests that you may need more time to develop your academic interests and/or technical skills in the subject in order to succeed on your chosen award. In this instance we may offer you a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year. This is sometimes the case where students have not had sufficient time to practice relevant creative skills as part of their compulsory education or wish to switch to a creative route.
- Where you have applied for a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year but the conversation/portfolio suggests a depth of understanding/skills that suggest the three year honours degree course would be more appropriate for your needs.
All interviewed applicants can request feedback and, if we choose to offer you a different course to the one you applied for we will explain our rationale.
What do I need to do before my interview?
Before allocating you an interview date, you will need to send us a link to your online portfolio.
In this kind of portfolio you'll want to include observational drawings (digital or hand drawn) and a range of design processes and ways of working. You can even include GIFs that you've created as part of the portfolio. You can include a mix of still or moving image work that demonstrates your photography skills, drawing skills, design work and showcase your visual awareness, creativity and storytelling. Aim for about 15-20 pieces of work- show us your favourite work and the work that you think best shows who you are, where you're from and what you are interested in.
You may also include examples of essay writing or creative writing if you feel this is relevant.
Projects that show your process from brief to final outcome are great to include along with visual research and any sketchbooks or journals you might have.
Think of your portfolio like a good story. You'll want a beginning, a middle and an end. It'll showcase your process, including sketchbooks and preliminary work. It's worth putting in a variety of techniques and processes. Remember, it's about quality over quantity.
If you don't have a suitable portfolio then you can choose to answer one of our Falmouth Creative Projects instead in the form of a portfolio. Upload your portfolio online and send us a single link (the link needs to be accessible without a username or password or specific software) through the Applicant Portal. Once we have received it, we will then book a time and date for your interview.
How can I prepare for my interview?
As well as showing a selection of work, do some research - look at examples of visual communication around you. This could be magazine layouts; adverts; social media campaigns, photographs, exhibitions and identify some work that is the kind of work you would like to make. Its good to be able to talk about this in your interview as it will give us an idea of who you are and what you're interested in.
Think about your responses to questions such as:
- Why do you want to study Visual Communications at Falmouth?
- Who do you think are the most interesting image makers?
- What exhibitions have you seen and what did you think about them?
- What campaigns have you seen recently that have had a big impact on you?
What will happen at my interview?
Your interview will take place online. We'll send you full details a week before via email. You'll be welcomed by a student ambassador, who you'll have around 15 minutes to chat with before they virtually take you into your interview with a member of the course team.
Your interview will take place online with a member of the course team at the time given in the Applicant Portal, it'll last around 20-30 minutes. You'll have the opportunity to ask any questions and you can chat to our current students online using our Ask a Student page.
What are you looking for in a successful applicant?
A successful applicant will be able to evidence their skills, their enthusiasm and commitment to their subject according to the following criteria:
| Criteria to be assessed | Evidenced by |
|---|---|
| Visual Language: What skills knowledge and aptitude do you have for telling the visual story of your work? Quality of drawing/mark-making, typography, composition, and materials You may also have begun to think about the context of your work and the relevance it would have to a specific target audience |
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Sketchbooks Personal notebooks |
| Design Process: The journey of your projects Depth of your creative enquiry Quality of your ideas |
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Sketchbooks Personal notebooks |
|
Research: Critical thinking and ability to contextualise |
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Sketchbooks Personal notebooks Interview conversation |
| Entry requirements: Show us your attainment so far and that you meet the desired requirements to study at degree level |
Qualifications and/or experience Personal statement Reference |
| Communication: Demonstration of your emergent potential in both visual and verbal articulation |
Portfolio / Falmouth Creative Project Sketchbooks Personal notebooks Interview conversation |
Following the interview and assessment of your portfolio (or equivalent) the Course Team will consider whether your chosen course will likely suit your needs as a student. In some cases they may consider an alternative course more appropriate based on your conversation or the work within your portfolio. Examples where this might happen include:
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests your academic interest might be better suited by an alternative course (e.g. you apply for BA(Hons) Photography, but your interest and portfolio have a strong focus on fashion and may align closely with BA(Hons) Fashion Photography).
- Where the conversation/portfolio suggests that you may need more time to develop your academic interests and/or technical skills in the subject in order to succeed on your chosen award. In this instance we may offer you a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year. This is sometimes the case where students have not had sufficient time to practice relevant creative skills as part of their compulsory education or wish to switch to a creative route.
- Where you have applied for a four-year honours degree course that includes an integrated foundation year but the conversation/portfolio suggests a depth of understanding/skills that suggest the three year honours degree course would be more appropriate for your needs.
All interviewed applicants can request feedback and, if we choose to offer you a different course to the one you applied for we will explain our rationale.
Need help?
Talk to us about your application
If you need to speak to someone about your course, studying at Falmouth or your application, you can get in touch with one of our course advisors.
Ask us about what happens after you apply
If you have any questions about when you'll hear from us, about your application or what to expect from an interview, contact the Applicant Services team.
T: +44(0) 1326 213730
E: applicantservices@falmouth.ac.uk
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