Additional documents and interview information
Discover all the information and guidance you need for your postgraduate or health CPD interview, portfolio, or task after applying. For undergraduate applicants, details about interviews, auditions, and chats are available on our dedicated webpage.
Postgraduate and Health CPD Application, Interview, and Portfolio Guidance
Below you can find information regarding application forms, interviews, tasks, and portfolios for postgraduate courses.
Courses
- MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
- Postgraduate Diploma Clinical Practice
- Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Practice
Modules
- Advanced Assessment and Consultation Skills (NURM145)
- Applied Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (NURM146)
- Assessment and Management of Minor Injury (NURM078)
- Assessment and Management of Minor Illness (NURM089)
If you are completing one of the courses or modules listed above, you must complete the WBL Agreement Form to further your application; your management must sign the form. You also need to present your Manager with the WBL Manager letter. We cannot proceed with your application until the WBL Agreement Form is fully completed and returned to the Admissions Office via the application portal. For queries or further information regarding the work-based learning for this module, please contact the course team via email at advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk.
- WBL Agreement Form (Word, 65KB)
Required for Application
The forms below are in addition to a formal application and are required as part of the application process:
- Complete DBA Research Area form
- PGR Reference form (Word, 24KB)
Interview Information
Congratulations on being invited to your DBA interview! We’re thrilled to have you take this important step with us. Please read the following information carefully as it contains essential information.
Required interview Preparation
- Accept the interview invite (all time is UK time).
- For online interview, use your laptop and not your phone.
- Make sure the internet is good and no noisy background, please.
- Test your teams before the interview to be sure that it is working.
- For face-to-face, arrive early on campus and wait for our representative at the Senate Building. For information on parking on campus, please visit our Visitor Parking page. If you are a Blue Badge holder, please specify this on the Waterside booking form and access will be given to cover all four car parks at Waterside – you can then liaise with the course representative as to which car park may be the most appropriate for your trip.
- Know your research proposal, personal statement, and CV thoroughly.
- Familiarise yourself with seminal literature and key research articles on the topic.
- Understand your chosen methodology and have clear justifications for your choice.
- Emphasise your experience and passion for contributing to knowledge (theory and practice).
- Practice common interview questions.
- Ensure you’re comfortable with the interview platform/technology.
- Have good and solid reasons for wanting to do a DBA in your chosen area and at the university.
- Provide convincing answers why you feel that you are the best candidate to be selected.
- Clearly articulate the skills and experiences that you are bringing on board and how it will be useful during the course.
- Be honest and professional and be yourself.
About the Interview
Location and Format
Our interviews are conducted either virtually on Teams or face-to-face on the university campus. The format of your interview (virtual or face-to-face) will be decided and communicated to you via email prior to your interview. If you do not receive the joining guidance for your interview, please contact the course team directly as soon as possible, send your email to: DBAAdmin@northampton.ac.uk.
Inclusivity and Support
We are committed to an inclusive interview process. If you require any special assistance, please reach out to us at DBAAdmin@northampton.ac.uk, at your earliest convenience.
Interview details
The interview will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and will consist of three main sections:
1. Introduction and Eligibility Discussion: The interview will begin with a general introduction and a discussion of your eligibility. This section will include a set of formal questions designed to assess your motivation and passion for pursuing a PGR (Postgraduate Research) degree.
2. Research Proposal Discussion: In this section, you will be asked to give a brief presentation of your research proposal, followed by a Q&A session. You are expected to prepare a short talk outlining your proposal and be ready to defend its aims and approach. The panel will use this discussion to understand how your project will be carried out and to consider which areas of expertise could best support your research.
3. Closing the Interview: At the end of the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the panel any questions you may have. Please note that no decision will be made during the interview itself.
After the interview
On conclusion of the Interview the admissions office will be notified of the Panel’s decision (1-2) weeks.
Entry Criteria
Please refer to the guidance on our DBA Course page to prepare for your interview in regard to our entry criteria.
Additional information
For any queries regarding the course, interview day or selection process please email DBAAdmin@northampton.ac.uk
We look forward to meeting you!
Kind regards,
The DBA Team
Faculty of Business and Law
We invite you to complete the following Admissions Task for your chosen course. Please submit your essay within 21 days from the date you received your Admissions task request email via the application portal. The maximum file size is 5MB, and we recommend using either a PDF or Word document, or similar file type. We are unable to accept HEIC files. Your timely submission is essential for us to proceed with your application.
Essay Task Questions and Information
As part of our admissions process, we ask that applicants complete a written essay. Therefore, please can you write a maximum of 1,500 words, answering one of the following questions:
Question 1
- Are antidepressants overprescribed among the adolescence in your country, what are the solutions?
OR
Question 2
- Does social media impact on our body satisfactions? Can we utilise it positively?
Useful FAQs about what to include in your essay and what happens next:
1) Do I need to support my answer with research?
Yes, as part of this response, you need to conduct some research and support your argument with references.
2) How many articles/books do I need to include?
There is not a minimum, or a maximum – this is down to your personal judgement.
3) Where can I access research?
Google Scholar is a useful resource to find articles.
4) Do I need to include a reference list?
Yes, please include your references at the end of your submission.
5) What happens next?
Once your essay task has been received by Admissions office via the online portal, it will be sent onto the Admissions tutor for their consideration along with your completed application.
Zhimin He
Zhimin.He@northampton.ac.uk
Programme Lead for MSc Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Interview Information
Face-to-Face group task Interview Preparation
If you are attending a face-to-face interview, please prepare a brief statement (5 minutes maximum) about your personal life, including your childhood, relationships with family past and present, and any significant experiences. Explain how these have influenced your desire to become a counsellor. You will share this with a group of other applicants and a member of staff, so include only what you are comfortable sharing.
OR
Virtual Interview Preparation
If you are attending a virtual interview, please complete the following reflective essay for your MSc Counselling interview. Submit your task within 7 days via the application portal. We must receive your task a week prior to your interview date. The Admissions Tutor will review your task alongside your completed application and interview. We cannot proceed with your application until your interview task has been received by the Admissions Office. The maximum file size is 5MB, and we recommend using either a PDF or Word document, or similar file type. We are unable to accept HEIC files. Your timely submission is essential for us to proceed with your application.
Reflective Essay
Please complete the following (up to 1000 words total):
a) Reflect on your personal life, including your childhood, relationships with family past and present, and any significant experiences. Explain how these have influenced your desire to become a counsellor.
b) Considering what you know about counselling and this course, discuss the unique challenges you might face on a counselling course compared to a traditional academic course.
To facilitate your application, please complete the following interview task for your chosen course. Submit your interview task within 7 days from the date you received your interview task request email via the application portal. We must receive your interview task a week prior to your interview date. The Admissions Tutor will review your task alongside your completed application and interview. We cannot proceed with your application until your interview task has been received by the Admissions Office. The maximum file size is 5MB, and we recommend using either a PDF or Word document, or similar file type. We are unable to accept HEIC files. Your timely submission is essential for us to proceed with your application.
Written Task (up to 1000 words):
Imagine you have been accepted onto the course and are participating in a group discussion with four other people (A, B, C, and D). A, B, and C are female; D is male. A is an extrovert and is dominating the proceedings, talking over everyone else and not listening to others. B is very quiet and says nothing, looking at the floor. D is asking C intrusive questions about her upbringing and religion, making C uncomfortable.
Please explain:
a. What contributions you would make to the group;
b. How you would feel about it and why you would feel this way.
Required for Application
The forms below are in addition to a formal application and are required as part of the application process.
- How to write a Research proposal.
- PGR Reference Form (Word, 24KB)
Interview Information
Congratulations on being invited to your interview! We’re thrilled to have you take this important step with us. Please read the following information carefully as it contains essential information.
Required interview Preparation
- Accept the interview invite (all time is UK time).
- For online interview, use your laptop and not your phone.
- Make sure the internet is good and no noisy background, please.
- Test your teams before the interview to be sure that it is working.
- For face-to-face, arrive early on campus and wait for our representative at the Senate Building. For information on parking on campus, please head to Visitor Parking. If you are a Blue Badge holder, please specify this on the Waterside booking form and access will be given to cover all four car parks at Waterside – you can then liaise with the course representative as to which car park may be the most appropriate for your trip.
- Know your research proposal, personal statement, and CV thoroughly.
- Familiarise yourself with seminal literature and key research articles on the topic.
- Understand your chosen methodology and have clear justifications for your choice.
- Emphasise your experience and passion for contributing to knowledge (theory and practice).
- Practice common interview questions.
- Ensure you’re comfortable with the interview platform/technology.
- Have good and solid reasons for wanting to do a research degree in your chosen area and at the university.
- Provide convincing answers why you feel that you are the best candidate to be selected.
- Clearly articulate the skills and experiences that you are bringing on board and how it will be useful during the course.
- Be honest and professional and be yourself.
About the Interview
Location and Format
Our interviews are conducted either virtually on Teams or face-to-face on the university campus. The format of your interview (virtual or face-to-face) will be decided and communicated to you via email prior to your interview. If you do not receive the joining guidance for your interview, please contact the course team directly as soon as possible, send your email to: fbl-phd@northampton.ac.uk.
Inclusivity and Support
We are committed to an inclusive interview process. If you require any special assistance, please reach out to us at fbl-phd@northampton.ac.uk, at your earliest convenience.
Interview details
The interview will last approximately 30 to 45 minutes and will consist of three main sections:
1. Introduction and Eligibility Discussion: The interview will begin with a general introduction and a discussion of your eligibility. This section will include a set of formal questions designed to assess your motivation and passion for pursuing a PGR (Postgraduate Research) degree.
2. Research Proposal Discussion: In this section, you will be asked to give a brief presentation of your research proposal, followed by a Q&A session. You are expected to prepare a short talk outlining your proposal and be ready to defend its aims and approach. The panel will use this discussion to understand how your project will be carried out and to consider which areas of expertise could best support your research.
3. Closing the Interview: At the end of the interview, you will have the opportunity to ask the panel any questions you may have. Please note that no decision will be made during the interview itself.
After the interview
On conclusion of the Interview the admissions office will be notified of the Panel’s decision (1-2) weeks.
Entry Criteria
Please refer to the guidance on your relevant course page to prepare for your interview regarding our entry criteria.
Additional information
For any queries regarding the course, interview day or selection process please email fbl-phd@northampton.ac.uk.
We look forward to meeting you!
Kind regards,
The Research degree Team
Faculty of Business and Law
For more information and FAQs about your PGCE interview, please view our applicant interviews, auditions and tasks webpages.
Your Interview: Format and What to Expect
All interviews for the MSc Physiotherapy course are conducted online via Microsoft Teams.
The format has been updated to a one-to-one (1:1) individual interview with a member of the academic panel. The group activity has been removed.
- Duration: Approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Platform: Microsoft Teams.
- Purpose: The interview is designed to gauge your understanding of the broad spectrum and scope of physiotherapy practice and your motivation/readiness for Master’s level study.
Preparing for Your Online Interview
You will receive a separate email with your specific date, time slot, and an MS Teams link to join.
- Equipment: Please ensure you have a device (computer, laptop, or tablet) with a stable internet connection, a camera, and a microphone/headset ready for your interview.
- Joining: Please join the MS Teams link a few minutes before your scheduled time to ensure your technology is working correctly.
- Contact: If you do not receive your joining guidance or MS Teams link, please contact the course team directly at physioadmissions@northampton.ac.uk as soon as possible. If you have technical issues on the day, please also use this email.
What We Will Discuss
To prepare, please be ready to discuss and reflect on the following topics:
- Your knowledge and awareness of the scope of Physiotherapy practice.
- The relevance of your degree and any previous work or academic experiences to physiotherapy.
- Your reasons and motivation for studying this course specifically at the University of Northampton.
- Your reasons and motivation for studying at a Master’s (Level 7).
Please Note: Conditions of Offer
As a reminder, all offers of a place on the MSc Physiotherapy course are conditional and subject to:
- A successful interview.
- A successful Occupational Health (OH) screening.
- A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report.
- An Overseas Police check for those who have resided outside of the UK at any time in the five years prior to the course start date.
Support and Professional Conduct
Inclusivity: We are committed to an inclusive interview process. If you require any special assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at physioadmissions@northampton.ac.uk at your earliest convenience.
Professionalism: Professional conduct is expected at all times. All elements of the interview will be graded, and this informs our final decision. We recommend you review the HCPC guidance on conduct and ethics for students, which is available on the HCPC website.
Feedback: We will offer feedback to all applicants about their performance following the interview process.
For any further queries regarding the course, interview day, or selection process, please email PhysioAdmissions@northampton.ac.uk.
We look forward to meeting you!
Kind regards,
The Physiotherapy Admissions Team, Faculty of Health, Sport and Behavioural Sciences
You have been invited to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education international (iQTS) Interview.
Here you can find outline information about what to expect during your interview. Please read this carefully as it contains important information.
Interview Preparation
You will need to prepare a five-minute verbal presentation for your interview.
Select a resource that you would like to use in teaching, for example a story book, an artefact, or a painting. Have this resource with you to share as part of your presentation. You should be able to demonstrate:
- why you have chosen the resource.
- who you would use it with
- how you would use it
You should also be able to explain how it links to an area of the primary school National curriculum.
Location and Format.
Our online interviews are undertaken using Microsoft Teams. Make sure you have a device with video capability to join in. Your interview invite email will include all the details you need to access Microsoft Teams. Please ensure that your webcam, microphone and connection are working, ahead of your interview which can be conducted on a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Instructions on how to use Teams
Once you have downloaded Microsoft Teams, it is a good idea to test this out with friends/family to ensure it is working and you are familiar with the platform. We will send you an individual Microsoft Teams link, once the interview time and date has been confirmed.
Additional Guidance can be found on the following links:
- Join a meeting in Microsoft Teams
- Join a meeting without an account in Microsoft Teams
- Microsoft Teams: Join a meeting as a guest via Desktop
- Microsoft Teams: Join a meeting as a guest via Smart phone
About The Interview
What do I need to bring with me to my interview?
You will need to present a form of identification at your interview (driving licence, passport, or visa).
What to expect on the interview day?
At the start of the interview, we will ask you to present your photographic ID. Acceptable forms of ID would be a passport, photo driving license, citizen card or student card which show your full legal name alongside a clear photo of you.
Our interviews are online and will consist of two stages.
- Stage 1 will include a formal interview conducted by two members of the academic staff team. This will be in the form of professional conversation where we will be talking to you about the experience you have had to date, enable you to demonstrate your subject knowledge, and explore your understanding of the role of a teacher.
- Stage 2 will include a short presentation for approximately 3-5 minutes on a teaching resource and how it would be used to develop children’s learning.
How long will my interview take?
Your interview with the interview panel will last approximately 30-40 minutes.
You will also need to:
- Please ensure that your camera is working as this is a requirement for online interviews so that we can verify your identity.
- Check your microphone and camera is working and find a quiet place free from interruption.
- Join your interview using the link that has been sent to you.
Full details will be emailed to you in your interview invite.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Kind Regards,
Devon Rossetti BA (Hons), QTS, PgCAP, MA, FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Education
PGCEi (iQTS) Programme Leader
Course
- Postgraduate Certificate Urgent Care
Modules
- Advanced Assessment and Consultation Skills (NURM145)
- Assessment and Management of Minor Injury (NURM078)
- Assessment and Management of Minor Illness (NURM089)
If you are completing one of the courses or modules listed above, you must complete the WBL Agreement Form to further your application; your management must sign the form. You also need to present your Manager with the WBL Manager letter. We cannot proceed with your application until the WBL Agreement Form is fully completed and returned to the Admissions Office via the application portal. For queries or further information regarding the work-based learning for this module, please contact the course team via email at advancedpractice@northampton.ac.uk.
- WBL Agreement Form (Word, 221KB)
- WBL Manager letter (PDF, 67 KB)
To assist with your application, please complete the Admissions task below. You will need submit your essay via the application portal in PDF or Word format within 21 days of receiving your Admissions task request email. Remember, the maximum file size is 5MB, and we can’t accept HEIC files. Your application will be on hold until we receive your completed task. The Admissions Office will reach out if any further action is needed. Please wait for our request before completing this task. Good luck!
Essay Question
As part of our admissions process, we ask that applicants complete a written essay. Therefore, please can you write an essay between 800-1000 words, answering the following question:
- To what extent can we rely on eyewitness testimony as ‘evidence’ – critically discuss.
Before attending your interview, you are required to prepare and be ready to answer questions on the following scenario:
Maisie is 8 years old, she has a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Maisie has difficulty with co-ordination, her movements are often jerky. Maisie walks independently, without any walking aids, however, when she runs, she often loses her balance.
Maisie enjoys spending time with her friends, she likes going to the park and playing in the garden. Maisie enjoys playing games, she often plays active games with her younger brother at home.
Maisie is finding it difficult to participate in PE at school and sometimes has to watch instead. Maisie’s parents and teachers are concerned that she is being left out, and this is affecting her motivation, self-esteem and social relationships. Maisie does not like to ask for help, she finds it difficult to communicate when she is upset. Maisie is very quiet in classes on the day of PE, she often requests not to go to school on these days.
Preparation tips:
- Read about the condition
- Think about what the problem is
- Identify what the person enjoys doing
- Can you think of anything that might help?
Additionally, in preparation for your interview, you may want to complete some research into the role of the occupational therapist and the occupational therapy profession.
Interview questions will be related to your understanding of the profession and your skills related to working with others. As part of the application for a professional programme, your professional behaviours are assessed from the point of application onwards.
For further research, you may also want to look at:
During your Interview
Your interview will be held online, using a platform called Microsoft Teams, and will take approximately 30 minutes. You will be interviewed individually by an Occupational Therapy academic.
For your online interview, you will require a device with video capability, and internet access to participate. We recommend that you log in five minutes before your interview time to check that your microphone and camera are working. When you join, you may be placed on hold in a waiting position – please wait for the academic to welcome you as they may be on another call.
Please have a form of photographic ID (passport/driving licence/college card/visa) ready to present, and make sure that you’re in a quiet place free from interruption, as we may be unable to interview you if there are other people in the room.
As demand for this course is high, please let us know as soon as possible if you cannot make this date. Reschedule requests will be limited to 3 requests per applicant.
If you have any questions, please contact the Occupational Therapy academic team: otadmissions@northampton.ac.uk
Required for Application
Personal Statement Instructions
Please accompany your application with a personal statement of between 500 and 800 words in length explaining why you would like to return to practice. You will need to include a brief outline of your past nursing experience, and a summary of how you have spent your time in the interim.
Please note that this personal statement is an important part of your application. It will need to comply with The Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) standards for education which require that all applicants provide evidence of the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing.
Please include information regarding your numeracy capability and / or your preparations to update this skill.
How to obtain a current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Statement of Entry for your University application
With your application you must provide us with a copy of your current NMC Statement of Entry letter (dated within the last year) for the Admissions department to be able to process your application.
If you do not have a current Statement of Entry letter please contact the NMC on 0207 6377181 or go to their website and go to the Registration section, then click on Statement of Entry. Whether you are NHS funded or sponsored by KGH or NGH you will need to provide this to the University.
- Health CPD reference request form (Word, 30KB)
We are unable to proceed with your application until the above information has been received along with your application. Once your application and additional documents above have been received. The Admissions tutor will then assess your application, the Admissions office will then write out to you with the Admissions tutor decision.
Required for Interview
If you have been invited in for interview, you must complete the below form, prior to attending your interview. Any information provided in this form will be discussed at interview.
- Preparatory Interview form
- DBS and Overseas Police check application information
- Occupational Health Clearance application information with NGH
Please note for Nurses who qualified outside of the UK that you will be required to provide evidence of an English Language qualification through IELTS 6.5.
Please see our RTP Welcome Site where you will find some practice papers. We would also encourage you to explore the site, and hope you find the information there interesting and useful.
Interview
Location and Format
We are carrying out our Admissions Day virtually for this programme. There will also be an informal interview as part of the Admissions Day. It is very important to attend this session as there may not be another one before the course start date.
Instructions on How to use Blackboard Collaborate
For the interview, we will be using a video platform called Blackboard Collaborate. Watch the Blackboard Collaborate User Interface Tour.
Interview Link
To join the Virtual Return to Practice Admissions Day, please click on our Blackboard Collaborate link.
MA Social Work Interview Information
Invitation to Interview
You have been invited to an MA Social Work interview. Please read this carefully as it contains important information.
Location and Format
The interview will be conducted virtually.
Instructions for Blackboard Collaborate
We will use Blackboard Collaborate for the interview. Please Watch the Blackboard Collaborate User Interface Tour.
Interview Link
The link for the initial briefing is: https://eu.bbcollab.com/guest/cb3f9ffc4aa64b63a9d4f603fabe4b4c.
Please log on at 9am for morning interviews and at 1pm for afternoon interviews as this is when the briefing will start.
About the Interview
The interview day will consist of three parts: a short briefing, a written exercise, and an interview.
Briefing
The briefing will explain the process, the written task requirements, and what to expect during the interview.
Written exercise
To prepare for the written exercise, please:
- Explore the Community Care website to familiarise yourself with some of the key issues in social work in the UK.
- Explore the Professional Capabilities Framework webpages to see what is expected for people starting a social work course.
- Explore the Social Work England Professional Standards to see what the necessary threshold standards for safe and effective practice in England are.
The written task will focus on social work values. A week before your interview the tutor will email you with information surrounding the criteria for the written activity.
Interview Schedule
- Morning Interviews: The first interview will start around 9:30am and the last will finish by midday.
- Afternoon Interviews: The first interview will start around 1:30pm and the last will finish by 4pm.
Precise interview times will be provided during the briefing, depending on the number of attendees.
Additional Forms for Other Postgraduate courses
The forms below are in addition to a formal application for the courses listed.
Doctor of Professional Practice in Health and Social Care
- Complete Doctor of Professional Practice Research Area form
- PGR Reference form (Word, 24KB)
- How to write a Research proposal
Distance Learning
- Distance Learning Reference form (Word, 23KB)
The Examination of the Newborn
- The Examination of the Newborn Managers Support Form (Word, 34KB)
Health CPD programmes
- Health CPD Reference form (Word, 30KB)
MPhils, PhD’s and PhD’s by Published works
- How to write a Research proposal.
- PGR Reference Form (Word, 24KB)
MRes Sport and Exercise
- PGT Admissions Reference Request Form (Word, 33KB)
- Complete MRes Sport and Exercise Research Proposal form
Non-Medical Prescribing
- Non-Medical Prescribing Supplementary Information Form for Self-Employed Applicants Only (Word, 62KB)
- Non-Medical Prescribing Supplementary Information Form for employed NHS or Non-NHS Organisation or Partnership Applicants Only (Word, 64KB)
PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (SCPHN)
- Supplementary Information Form (Word, 58KB)
Postgraduate taught programmes
- PGT Reference form (Word, 33KB)