Oxford Master's in Computer Science Interview + Questions

[matzika]

Hi all,

 

I have asked the questions below as a reply to another topic.There was no response, therefore I have created a new topic regaring Oxford's Master's in Computer Science. 

 

I received an e-mail a few days ago with 4 questions I had to answer within 48 hours. The first two questions was about my interest in the program and my background in mathematics, logic and programming. The other two were two problems I had to solve : one required a mathematical solution and the other to write an algorithm that finds an optimal solution to the given problem. 

 

Has anyone else that has applied to Oxford's Master's in Computer Science received a similar e-mail ? Do you know the importance of answering the above questions in the application process? 

 

I also noticed in the results table of the forum, that many of those who were admitted to the program had an interview. Does the interview follow when one has successfully answered the above questions or is it conducted when the applicant is seriously considered for acceptance? 

 

I am worried that I received those questions because I did not seem eligible  to pass to the next stage for an interview... Nevertheless, I answered thoroughly  all of the questions and solved the problems correctly. 

 

What do you think my chances of acceptance are? Lot of questions - Hope one of you with a similar experience can help!

[Kleene]

I applied to the MFoCS course. For this course interviews are conducted for those living in the UK.

By the way, I am already killing myself over not applying to straight CS, seeing all the results coming in...

 

If you look at the results page, only one or two people got an interview so far (not clear whether or not it is the same person). You could hardly call one or two out of nine results "many". I wouldn't worry if I were you. I believe getting the email with questions is pretty common. You should check out The Student Room, about UK university life. Perhaps someone there could answer your questions.

[matzika]

thanks Kleene What i MFoCS btw? 

[Kleene]

Mathematics and the Foundations of Computer Science

[ashriv]

Hi Decaf,

 

Have you applied for the January deadline?

I had applied for the November deadline, and was asked 4 questions (similar to what you wrote) in December. And was eventually interviewed by telephone. And last week I received my accept, so you needn't worry about your chances being slim.

 

According my understanding, it's more like a shortlisting process. It might be so that they send an acceptance to amazing candidates directly, skipping these two steps. (Although I have no concrete proof of that!) But for everyone else, it's pretty much how it works!

 

Good luck with your application!

[matzika]

thanks Ashriv, that's what i was hoping for!

[Jahan]

Hi guys,

Me too, will be interviewed in these days. Hope all of us be group mates next year. Can you please, tell me about the phone interview? What kind of questions did the interviewer asked?

 

Thanks,

[matzika]

Jahan you got an interview ? They did not send me anything after the email with the four questions.. 

 

Could you please tell me the dates of when you applied and when they send you the email with the question/ asked you for an interview , to check if they have rejected me? Thanks... 

[Jahan]

Hi Matzika,

They sent me the questions on 9th of January and email for interview 28th. It took nearly 20 days.

wish you the best )

[matzika]

Thanks a lot! Still have time (hopefully!). 

 

Good luck with the interview!

[matzika]

Jahan or anyone else who had an interview for MSc in Computer Science at Oxford,

 

could you please describe the experience and the type of interviews they asked you? 

 

Thank you 

[Jahan]

Hi again. 

Actually my interview was behavioural? Not technical. But there are some guys were asked technical questions. Mine was almost about my final year project. Discussed 15 minutes about it. Total interview last for 18 minutes.  

 

Good luck with yours )

[matzika]

Thanks for the reply Jahan!  

 

Btw did you get a decision for your application ? Should I congratulate you ?

[vivkot]

Hi,

Did anybody receive a decision after the interview?

 

[matzika]

I haven't yet! I had my interview on mid February. When did you have yours ?

[Scrubs]

Hi guys, i am having my interview tomorrow! How did yours went? Do you have any tips? That would be much appreciated

[gradaspirant1]

@Scrubs....How was you interview? Did you get your result? What deadline did you applied for??

 

@All: Did anyone yet got their results? I applied for the March 14 deadline. I submitted my application for MSc in Computer Science at Oxford on the 13th of March. i got the mail about the 4 questions within 4 days. I submitted the answer to those within 2 days and have not yet heard from them regarding interview. Isn't it too late and I should have got my interview call by now if I had a chance?

[CMRaj]

@All: Did anyone yet got their results? I applied for the March 14 deadline. I submitted my application for MSc in Computer Science at Oxford on the 13th of March. i got the mail about the 4 questions within 4 days. I submitted the answer to those within 2 days and have not yet heard from them regarding interview. Isn't it too late and I should have got my interview call by now if I had a chance?

 

Don't worry, I hope we are in the same boat then. Even I haven't heard anything from them yet......

Edited April 30, 2014 by CMRaj