Interviews, auditions and portfolios
Applying through Clearing?
If you are interviewing through Clearing you will need to follow a slightly different process.
Find out more information about interviewing through Clearing
Once you’ve sent your form in to UCAS/DfE Apply you may need to attend an interview or audition, or show your portfolio, depending on the course you’ve applied for (you can see if this applies to you from the course listings). We’ve put together some information for you about these – but don’t worry, when you are invited you will be given full details of what will happen, including if your interview, audition or portfolio will be online.
Help us get to know you
The important thing to bear in mind is that your interview or audition is a two way thing. As well as tutors checking you can handle the course, it is your chance to check us out, to make sure that Huddersfield is the right place for you. There are no trick questions and we won’t be trying to trip you up. We just want to find out what makes you tick. If you’ve never had an interview or shown a portfolio, don’t worry, it’s not too formal – it just helps us get to know you and assess your application.
The friendly staff in the Student Recruitment Team will be happy to give you guidance on the process, or put you in touch with a subject-specialist who can answer your questions. You can give us a call on 01484 472625.
Architecture
Interview information for Architecture courses.
Art and Design
Interview information for Art and Design courses.
Drama
Drama courses
Fashion and Textiles
Interview information for Fashion and Textiles courses.
Health Professional and Social Work Courses
Interview information for Health and Social Work.
History
Interview information for History courses.
Music
Music and Music Technology
Pharmacy
Pharmacy MPharm
Science
Science Extended Degree leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree
Teaching
Teaching courses
Portfolio review for Architecture
As part of your application we would like to see a brief portfolio to include pieces of your work which you feel best demonstrate your range of skills and interests as well as ideas development.
We understand you might still be working on your portfolio, we are looking for passion and commitment as well as general knowledge or interest in your chosen subject area, so please do bring what you have developed so far.
The below information includes details for Architecture/Architecture (International) (RIBA Part 1) BA(Hons) and Architectural Technology.
Portfolio:
Please prepare a portfolio (15 - 25 images) of your work. It is useful to include photographs from your sketchbooks that show a range of skills and idea development.
For guidance purposes, the content of your portfolio may include some, but not all of these areas: design research, idea generation, sketch work, 2D and 3D development work, model-making, presentation work, life drawing, CAD work, photography and personal sketchbooks.
If your recent experience has not included the development of a creative portfolio, you should prepare a number of freehand drawings and well-presented photographs of places you have visited. You should be prepared to discuss these in relation to your interest in studying architecture.
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Drama
What are we looking for?
We want passionate, enthusiastic students who can work well in groups and are interested in developing their practical skills along with the ability and desire to engage in critical and reflective thinking.
What will happen on the day?
The day will include a 90 minute workshop where we will warm-up and then work collaboratively to create a piece of performance. Afterwards, there will be some light refreshment and a tour of the Drama facilities, followed by a discussion
of the courses in an open forum
Dress code:
Comfortable clothing to wear or change into plus light footwear, for the workshop (barefoot is fine for this).
Recommendations for Your Audition
We do not require you to prepare a formal audition piece. We are more immediately interested in your ability to work effectively with others, your response to ideas and creative problems and your level of concentration and focus and your
critical engagement with all aspects of
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Music
BMus Music; BMus Music Performance; BMus Popular Music; BMus Music Technology and Composition; BA Creative Music Production; BA Music and Sound for Screen
Dress code
Smart / casual. Casual if your particular event is online.
What do I need to bring?
If you are a BMus Music Performance applicant then we need to hear you perform to gain entry to this course. If you are a BMus Music or BMus Popular Music applicant wishing to audition for the optional Solo Performance module, then we also need to hear you.
If the above applies to you, you need to bring your instrument and music / backing tracks to play two contrasting pieces. Please note that an accompanist will not usually be available for auditions. If you are a popular music performer backing track playback will be provided.
If you opt for an online audition, then please make sure you test your set-up for sound quality prior to the day.
BA Music Technology and Composition, BA Creative Music Production, and BA Music and Sound for Screen applicants are welcome to bring a sample of your work to discuss with tutors if you would like to and for our on campus workshop, bringing your own headphones is recommended.
What will happen on the day?
If you attend an on campus event, you will be welcomed and given a presentation about our courses by one of our specialist tutors. You’ll have a chance to meet staff and some of our current students, who will then take you on a tour of our facilities.
BMus Music, Music Performance, and Popular Music applicants will then either have a one-to-one audition for Solo Performance, or a short informal interview and chat about your musical interests and experience. Auditions and interviews are all conducted by academic staff members and give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions and find out more about studying at Huddersfield.
BA Creative Music Production, Music and Sound for Screen, and Music Technology and Composition applicants will attend a computer composition workshop in one of our iMac labs. These are led by academic composition and production staff and give you a chance to get hands-on experience of some of our specialist facilities, ask questions, and get an insight into studying with us.
For an online event, we will replicate much of the above, including a live presentation and interviews, auditions and workshops. The facilities tour will most likely be done with a pre-recorded video.
What are we looking for?
Enthusiasm, ability, interest and potential.
Additional information
This is a great opportunity to meet staff and students and to see our facilities, as well as to ask any questions about the courses and environment here at Huddersfield. For the 2023/24 academic year we will still offer a mixture of online and on campus events but with a shift now towards many more in-person opportunities. Although we think that visiting in person is the best way to experience what we offer, we understand that it might not always be possible for everyone. We will aim in this case to match the same high-quality experience online and also allow online options for any auditions that might be required.
Applicants are invited to participate in an online test. This test includes, calculations, a summarising, situation judgment (picture station) and a professionalism station. The applicants are given a 24-hour window to find 30 minutes to complete the test. Successful applicants are then invited to a 10-15 min online (MS Teams) interview with an academic member of staff where an article from the Pharmacy Journal is discussed (applicant is sent the article in advance of the interview) as well as aspects of their personal statement to assess understanding, listening and communication skills.
Your application will be considered and should you meet our entry criteria you may be invited to do an online interview and test. You will be sent some revision material attached to an email confirming a date and time for you to complete this online and further information about the interview and test. How you perform will determine if you are made an offer.
Teaching
Primary and Early Years Education with QTS BA(Hons)
How are interviews taking place this year?
Interviews are taking place in person on campus. You’ll be sent further information and a map in your invitation email.
What will happen on the day?
Your interview invitation will include information on what will take place on the day. The interview will include a 1-1 interview with one of our tutors. We’ll ask you to bring an object that could be used to help children learn. We’ll ask you to give an explanation and demonstration of your chosen object. We’ll also ask you to bring a children’s story book. You’ll be asked to explain your choice of book and read a short section of the book. You will complete an online literacy and numeracy task to assess your written communication and mathematics skills. The literacy task is a short piece of writing on a topic given to you at the interview. The numeracy task is a multiple-choice mathematics test. Both tasks are completed on the day of the interview.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for you to demonstrate good personal skills and knowledge appropriate to the course. We’ll refer to your personal statement and expect you to show your passion for teaching. We will send you further specific details if you are invited for interview – our aim isn’t to surprise you or put you on the spot. We want to get to know you and consider whether you’re right for the course. It’s also a great opportunity for you to think about whether the course is right for you.
What happens after the interview?
Your UCAS Track will be updated with the outcome of your interview as soon as we’ve made a decision. If you are offered a place and accept this, we will send further information about things that need to be completed before you start your course, such as your Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which is a requirement for working with children.
If you have any questions about interviews, please contact sepd@hud.ac.uk.
Certificate of Education - Lifelong Learning
Interviews are taking place in person on campus. You’ll be sent further information and a map in your invitation email.
What will happen on the day?
The interview will begin with a presentation by a course tutor. You will then give a short presentation to the interviewer. You will then have an interview with the course tutor and you will be asked to complete a short writing task. We will send you further specific details about preparing for the tasks if you are invited for interview.
What are we looking for?
Good personal skills and knowledge appropriate to the course. We would like you to demonstrate awareness of the lifelong learning sector.
Health Professional and Social Work Courses
Interviews are an essential requirement for our health professional and social work courses and the format of these varies depending on the course you would like to study.
If you are invited to interview you will be sent an email from our Admissions Team detailing your interview date and time, platform eg Microsoft Teams (for online interviews), the format (Individual or group), photo ID you are required to show and tasks you may be required to complete prior to interview.
What are we looking for?
We want enthusiastic students who have a passion to work in their chosen health or social work profession, as well as knowledge and understanding of what the profession involves and the skills and attributes required.
Dress code
Be smartly dressed.
Portfolio review for Art and Design
As part of our application we would need to see a brief portfolio to include pieces of your work which you feel best demonstrate your range of skills and interests as well as ideas development.
We understand you might still be working on your portfolio, we are looking for passion and commitment as well as general knowledge or interest in your chosen subject area, so please do bring what you have developed so far.
The below information includes details for the following subject areas within Art and Design:
Animation Production BA(Hons), Contemporary Art BA(Hons), Contemporary Art and Illustration BA(Hons), Graphic Design BA(Hons), Graphic Design and Animation BA(Hons), illustration BA(Hons), Interior Design BA(Hons), Photography BA(Hons), Product Design BA/BSc(Hons)
Portfolio:
Please prepare a portfolio (15 - 25 images) of your work. it is useful to include photographs from your sketchbooks that show a range of skills and idea development.
Additional portfolio guidance for Interior Design BA(Hons)/Product Design BA/BSc(Hons)
For guidance purposes, the content of your portfolio may include some but not all of these areas: drawings, paintings, design projects, model-making, craft and photography, design research (mood boards, product analysis etc.), idea generation, sketch work, 2D and 3D development work, presentation work, life drawing, CAD work, photography and personal sketchbooks.
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Portfolio review for Fashion and Textiles
As part of your application we would like to see a brief portfolio to include pieces of your work which you feel best demonstrate your range of skills and interests as well as ideas development.
We understand you might still be working on your portfolio, we are looking for passion and commitment as well as general knowledge or interest in your chosen subject area, so please do bring what you have developed so far.
The below information includes details for the following subject areas within Fashion and Textiles:
Costume with Textiles BA(Hons), Fashion Marketing BA(Hons), Fashion Design with Digital Technology BA(Hons), Fashion Design with Marketing BA(Hons), Fashion Design with Textiles BA(Hons), Textiles BA/BSc(Hons).
Portfolio:
Please prepare a portfolio (15 - 25 images) of your work. it is useful to include photographs from your sketchbooks that show a range of skills and idea development.
Applications for Fashion Marketing BA(Hons), we do not expect you to have a portfolio, but we encourage you to bring work you are working on or have completed or an image, news story or perhaps a fashion campaign you have found interesting.
History
History BA, English Literature and History BA, Economics and History BA, Film Studies and History BA, History and English Language BA
Your interview
In the History department, we interview all our applicants. We want to get to know you a little better, and to give you the opportunity to ask us questions. Our interviews are friendly, informal conversations which last about 15 minutes. We’ll talk about your current studies, your historical and other interests and your future plans. You can ask us questions too. You’ll be interviewed by one of the lecturers from the History department.
What will happen on the day?
We want you to get the most out of your visit to us. You will arrive and register in the Barbara Hepworth Building. After a welcome from the Dean, you’ll listen to a short presentation about our History courses by one of our lecturers. You’ll meet some current History students, and you’ll get to take part in a mini-seminar with one of our historians. After that, you’ll go for your interview.
We’d like you to arrive at the Barbara Hepworth Building for a 13.00 start and we hope to be finished by about 16.00. You’ll be sent further information, a map and reminders.
Do I need to bring anything?
No.
What are we looking for?
We love History students who share our passion for the events, people and objects of the past. We certainly won’t be testing your knowledge of facts and dates – don’t worry! We want to hear about your interests and fascinations, what you’ve been reading and watching, historical sites or museums you’ve visited, and which periods, places and people have grabbed your attention over the years.
What happens after the interview?
Your UCAS Track will be updated after the interview.
Any questions?
Email history@hud.ac.uk and we’ll get back to you.
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