FAQs

What writing sample should I send?

• The writing sample should be an essay. We are not able to accept scripts or stories
• The essay should discuss either a film or a piece of television or literature that interests you and should be no more than 1500 words in length
• We are looking for evidence of your ability to analyse and interpret the text in question and how you express your ideas
• If you have written a suitable essay as part of your current studies, as we expect you may have, you can send us this rather than preparing something from scratch

• Please note that you must send the essay to us within 14 days of the date of your email. A discussion of it will be a key component of the interview. We will not be able to interview any applicant who hasn’t provided a written sample. If you will have difficulty meeting the response deadline, please ensure that you let us know via email to ugadmissions@warwick.ac.uk. Your application may otherwise be marked as unsuccessful by default.

Your online interview

Online interviews will take place online using Microsoft Teams, a safe and secure programme which is data is encrypted. If you already use Microsoft Teams, you will need to log out of your account before joining the meeting as a guest. Please note: This interview will not be recorded.

Before your interview date, you’ll be sent a calendar invitation via email – this will include a link to an online video call at the time that you booked. This will be sent to the email address in your application form.

Please join your video interview using the link provided in the calendar invitation email, around 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment. Please bear in mind that the interviewer may not join at the exact time and you may have to wait before the interviewer joins the video call.

Please follow the below guidance on how to join your interview:

Desktop Computer or Laptop

• To join the Video call, please ensure that you have a web cam and microphone set up and working on your device before the interview to avoid problems joining.
• At the time of your interview, select the link in the email and the Video call will open in your web browser. You do not need to download anything, select ‘Continue in browser’.
• Please be aware, the Video Interview will not work in Firefox. Please use alternative web browsers; Chrome, Internet Explorer, Edge or Safari. If you are using Safari, you will need to download Microsoft Teams prior to your appointment.

Smartphone or Tablet (Apple iPhone, iPad or Android)

• Please download the Microsoft Teams app prior to your appointment. This can be done via the Apple App Store or Play Store. You do not need to set up an account.
• At the time of your interview, select the link in the email and this will automatically open the app, whereby you can join as a guest.
• NOTE: the appointment details may appear as an attachment within the email for Apple Mail users. To reveal the Join Microsoft Teams Meeting link, click on the notes section of the invitation to reveal the Microsoft Teams link. You need to download and install the Teams app first.

If the Video call is unsuccessful on the day, the interviewer will attempt to contact you using the telephone number you provided on your application form. If you require an alternative telephone number to be used in this event, please let us know.

What will happen on the day?

We are planning to host additional events, including an in-person/online Welcome Talk from a senior member of the academic team, and offer to meet current students and ask any questions that you might have. These events will be optional, and your friends and family will also be welcome to attend. We’ll provide further information about these nearer the time.

When will I receive the decision?

We must give equal consideration to all applications received by the UCAS deadline of 31st January 2024 and will be conducting interviews until early April. We expect to release most decisions during the spring. Some individual applicants may hear from us before this point, but you should not be worried if your decision takes a little longer. If your application was submitted by 31st January 2024, we will make a decision by 16th May 2024 at the latest.