University Interview Questions

Interview questions for university to study special effects makeup

1. Tell me about yourself.

I am a 20-year-old student at Grimsby Institute currently studying Level 3 extended diploma in art and design. I’ve always enjoyed the arts from dancing, singing and acting to fine art and textiles. I also took art and design as a GCSE in school where I achieved a grade B.

2. Why do you want to study this course?

I would like to do this course because I want to progress my future career path onto special effects makeup and prosthetics. This field of study has always interested me and I feel this course would benefit my future whether that is to work for a company or start my own business.

3. What can you bring to this course? Why should we accept you onto it?

I am a highly motivated individual who strives for the best result in anything I do. I am persistent to achieve the greatest outcomes in both practical and written work and understand that both aspects are a very important part of the course. I feel that I can bring my own identity and creativeness to the course which would help gain a positive impact on my work.

4. What do you know about our course?

I know that the course is a BA(Hons) special effects and makeup design and prosthetics programme that runs full time for 3 years. To be accepted onto the course you need 80 UCAS points along with a minimum grade of a C in both maths and English. It is a very versatile and modern degree which develops your skills and knowledge in special effects makeup ready to work in the theatre or film industry as a special effects makeup artist.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What are your career goals?

In 5 years’ time, I am hoping to have achieved the highest grade possible in both UAL level art and design and the BA(Hons) degree in special effects makeup. This will then allow me to advance onto a career pathway in special effects makeup. I am hoping to have my own business set up by this time however I also have plans on working with a company for a few years to gain experience.

6. Why did you choose this field/career path?

The arts have always been a big part of my life. I started dancing from the age of 5 and progressed to musical theatre and acting. I enjoyed art growing up so decided to take it as a GCSE to further my knowledge on the subject. I feel I progressed well through GCSE art and onto my current course where I have been able to work more with 3D materials. For me, art is a way to express yourself and the emotions within us. I often use traits of my identity throughout my work and use it as a kind of

therapy. I feel it's important to enjoy your career or it won't be very successful. This career path allows many avenues to go down while staying in the field of study I enjoy the most.

7. Can you tell me about your role in your current place of work?

I am currently studying level 3 extended diploma in art and design at Grimsby Institute. This course requires a large amount of coursework which has taught me to manage time wisely. I have handed each unit in on time and to the best of my abilities.

8. What are your strengths/weaknesses?

I feel my biggest strength is persistence and determination. No matter how difficult I find something I won't give up and I will strive for the greatest possible outcome. My biggest weakness would possibly be my confidence. I often judge my own work very harshly causing me to not be confident with the result.

9. Tell me about a time when you worked in a team? Were you a leader/coordinator/etc.?

My previous employment was a retail assistant. This job type requires team work in multiple ways to get the job done to the best standard possible. The shop floor required a team of employees to maintain the highest standards. Each retail assistant would have a specific section of the shop floor to maintain and if you didn’t work well then you let the team down.

10. Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge. What was your reaction? How did you solve it?

I feel the biggest challenge of my life is happening right now, I'm currently studying a fulltime course with a small toddler to look after. I have been able to balance college work and looking after my son well and managed to keep my work to the best of my abilities. All work has been handed in on time and I have passed each unit so far without needing any resubmissions.

11. Tell me about an accomplishment you are most proud of.

My biggest accomplishment would be returning to college after leaving school 4 years ago. I went to college straight from school, but it wasn't the right time for me. I have now returned to study and developing my knowledge and skills into a career.

12. What motivates you?

My biggest motivation is the life I can achieve for myself and my family. Doing this college and university course helps my career take off and eventually create a better life for my family. Striving for the best results and achievements in life is a goal of mine and taking these steps in my career path motivates my willing to do well for my future.

13. What was your biggest failure? What did you learn from it?

I feel like my biggest failure would be allowing people to knock my confidence over the years. I learnt that other people's opinions aren't always reality and picking yourself back up along with the right support around you helps to make a stronger person.

14. What was your biggest mistake? How did you fix it?

My biggest mistake would be letting other people opinions of colleges shadow my judgment of what is best for me. When leaving school, it was said that equivalent to A Levels weren't as good as A Levels and that specific colleges were better than others. I attended a college I wasn't fully happy with and took on too many courses. After 4 months I left the college as it wasn't right for me and I now attend Grimsby Institute and couldn’t be happier.

15. Are you willing to relocate/travel?

With the career choice I am wanting to pursue it is almost inevitable that I will need to relocate eventually. Somewhere like London or Manchester have a higher percentage of available jobs in the subject area I am wanting to do. For University I am wanting to stay local at Grimsby Institute as I know it has the Degree I am wanting to do.

16. Do you have any hobbies? What are they?

I have many hobbies, one of which is musical theatre. I have been doing musical theatre shows with a company called Blaze Youth Musical Theatre for around 6 years, performing shows such as les Misérables, Sweeney Todd and fame. Along with Blaze, I have performed many amateur shows at parkway cinema with a company called Class Act. I have always had a passion for dancing and started when I was 5 achieving many awards and exams up to vocational graded levels.

17. What are your computer skills/technical skills?

I achieved a grade merit in ICT at school showing simple skills in computers. I have a knowledgeable understanding of both windows and apple computers and programmes such as photoshop and illustrator.

18. How did you hear about this Degree?

While my mum was attending Grimsby Institute, she knew someone doing the special effects makeup degree course and thought she would tell me as she knows it’s a field of study which I would enjoy. Since being at Grimsby Institute doing a level 3 art and design course, I have been made aware of the degrees possible when furthering my career path into university and this was one of them. This course stood out most for me as I would be able to be creative and artistic while also expressing myself through the artwork.

19. What are your salary requirements?

N/A

20. Do you have any questions for me?

How many days of the week does the course run over?

What attributes does someone need to be successful on the course?

What are the career paths available once the degree is completed?

How long have you been teaching this subject for and do you enjoy it?

Is there anything else I need to provide for you?