Shortlister Interviews

If your application has been shortlisted, we’ll email you to let you know. Within 24 hours, you’ll receive a second email from Shortlister, our online interview platform, with instructions on what to do next. Please check your inbox, including your junk or spam folder.

To begin your interview, click the “Get started” button in the email from Shortlister. The email will also confirm the deadline for completion. If you haven’t received an email from Shortlister after 24 hours, please check your junk or spam folder, then email ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk.

Our courses are extremely competitive and largely involve working collaboratively with others in public facing roles. How you prepare and present yourself at your interview can demonstrate how serious you’re in pursuing this career path, so it’s important that you prepare in advance.

Before doing any preparation, you should read all the information in the welcome lobby in Shortlister.  This may contain specific information on what your interview will entail and may also include something to prepare or research in advance. Preparation resources, such as a mock interview, are available within the Shortlister platform.

The types of question topics that we may ask you during your interview may include:

• Why have you chosen this course or career path?
• Why Northumbria?
• What you understand about the role or profession that the course may lead to
• The skills or values you may need to have to work in that field
• Current contemporary issues in your chosen field
• There may be scenario-based questions to find out what you think about a topic or issue, or what you would do in a particular situation
• We may ask you to elaborate on your personal statement content

It isn’t just the content of your interview that you should prepare for but also your interview conduct and style. There are lots of resources on the internet which can help you with:

• Interview techniques
• Preparing how to answer questions effectively and articulate your points or thoughts clearly
• How to communicate effectively in individual or group settings

It’s often good practice to simulate an interview with a friend or family member in advance, particularly if you don’t have much or any experience being interviewed.

To get the most out of your interview you should consider the points below. Make sure you have:

• Dressed appropriately
• Your identification ready. Your first question will ask you to show photo ID to your camera, such as a passport or a driving or provisional licence
• A suitable device with a working camera and microphone. If you’re asked to share your screen, you’ll need a laptop or computer
• A reliable internet connection
• A quiet and private place where you won’t be interrupted
• Your Shortlister invitation and access information

Please don’t read from notes or scripts. We want to see you discuss the questions in your own words. You'll have up to 30 seconds thinking time ahead of answering each question Once an answer is submitted, you can’t re-record it. When you have answered every question, you submit your final interview. Before you record, you’ll be asked to agree to how your information is used. Our privacy notices page includes the Shortlister privacy notice, which explains more.

Please note: While you watch each interview question, the box in the bottom right of the screen that shows your own camera view and sound controls may cover part of the video, including the subtitles. The question is also written beneath the video, so you can still see what is being asked. When it’s time to record your answer, a toggle will appear at the top right of your camera view, which lets you move the box behind the video. We’re working with Shortlister to fix this.

We want all applicants to have a fair opportunity to take part in the interview process. Extra time is available for applicants who need it because of a disability or other circumstances, similar to the arrangements you may have had for exams at school or college.

You can ask for a reasonable adjustment in the Shortlister platform. Before you start your interview, select Request for a reasonable adjustment on the welcome hub. 

Our team will review your request and let you know whether it has been approved. If it is approved, you may receive up to 25% extra time.

• Check your internet connection.
• Check that your camera and microphone are working.
• Check if you have enabled access to your camera and microphone for your browser.
• Review the technical requirements in the welcome lobby
• Try accessing Shortlister again using a supported device or browser.

• Clear your browser CACHE and try accessing Shortlister again

Contact support@shortlister.com if you still can't complete your interview

If the problem occurs close to your deadline, contact us as soon as possible. You can also reply to your Shortlister invitation email.

Your Shortlister invitation confirms your deadline, so please plan to complete your interview in good time. We’ll send you reminders before your deadline. If you have any extenuating circumstances, or need to ask about a missed deadline or an extension, please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk as soon as you receive your initial invitation. You need to do this before you start your interview.

If you feel you’ll have difficulty completing your interview online through Shortlister, please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk in the first instance.

Your interview will be reviewed by our academic team. We aim to let you know the outcome within 5 working days, though this may take longer during peak times. Depending on your interview performance or score, we may not always be able to make a decision straight away. If your score is close to our decision point, we’ll let you know it needs further review by the academic team, and we’ll aim to get back to you as soon as possible with a final outcome on your application. We’ll let you know through the Northumbria applicant portal, UCAS (if you applied through UCAS), and your offer letter.

Please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk if you haven’t heard from us after 10 working days. In some instances, if we’re unable to offer you a place on your chosen course following your interview, you may be made a change of course offer, which is an offer on a different course. Any change of course offer will be communicated to you.

If you have completed a Shortlister interview, you’ll receive an email to confirm that it has been submitted. Shortlister doesn’t show your progress or outcome after you submit.

No. You record your answers to questions on the platform, at a time that suits you, before your deadline. Your Shortlister invitation confirms your deadline.

You can use a passport, driving licence or provisional driving licence.

That’s fine. An expired ID can still be used, as long as it is clearly readable and has a recognisable photo.

No. You complete your Shortlister interview online, from wherever suits you. If you feel you’ll have difficulty completing your interview online, please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk in the first instance.

Your Shortlister invitation confirms your deadline. You can complete your interview at any time before then. Each question will tell you if there’s a time limit for your response.

You can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a working camera and microphone. Where possible we recommend a PC, laptop, or tablet. If you’re asked to share your screen, you’ll need a laptop or computer.

If using an Apple device, we recommend using Google Chrome browser, as Safari may not work with the Shortlister platform

The questions play as videos, featuring a mix of staff, students, and experts by experience. You record your answers in your own time, before your deadline.

Yes. After logging in to Shortlister you’ll see a lobby area with guidance on using the platform, and a practice area where you can try a few sample questions. Preparation resources, such as a mock interview, are available within the platform.

You cannot retake the interview questions. You will have 30 seconds of thinking time before you answer each question and you can only take the interview once.

If you experience any technical or other difficulties, please contact us at ad.interviews@northumbria.ac.uk in the first instance.

Before you start recording, you’ll be asked to agree to how your information is used. Our privacy notices page includes the Shortlister privacy notice, which explains more.