Oxford - Masters in Computer Science Interview

[extracrunchy]

Hi guys,

I just received an interview request from Oxford, and I'm freaking out already!

Has anyone had a chance to interview for the Masters in Computer Science? From the top of my head, a few questions (general, and a little more specific). Would appreciate if someone can help me out with these:

1. The email mentioned the name of the professor who would be conducting the interview. Does it make sense to email the professor beforehand (to break the ice or ask him for what he'de be looking for in the actual interview)

2. If anyones been through this interview, what kind of questions should I expect? Technical or behavioural?

Appreciate all the help I can get on this one!

Thank you!

[Davidde94]

Hey,

I got an email inviting me to interview as well! When is yours?

I don't have a massive amount of information unfortunately, but I've spoken to someone at Oxford who said we can expect to be asked some technical questions, but also they'll ask questions to assess our suitability to our course. I'm expecting to be asked things like "Why computer science?", "Why a masters?", future career, etc. So kind of a mix between behavioural and technical. I was also told that it should last around 30 minutes.

Have you found any extra information?

David

[extracrunchy]

The person I talked to said he didn't get any technical questions, just questions to determine why he wanted to do the coure and what his future plans were. The interview lasted around 15 minutes. Other than this I really haven't found anything useful yet.

Mines this Friday (and I'm super nervous!) When is yours?

EC

[Davidde94]

I hate getting conflicting information

Mine is this Wednesday and I'm slowly beginning to freak out haha

How are you preparing?

David

[extracrunchy]

I'm brushing up on my programming/computer science concepts (just in case!) - other than that I'll go over my statement and make sure I can talk on any of those points.

Could you please update us when you're done with your interview? Hopefully we'll meet up at Oxford in the Fall  Good luck!!

EC

[Davidde94]

Yeh I'm doing the same! The professor who will be conducting my interview carries out research in algorithms, so I'm revising things such as Time Complexities as that may come up. Have you researched your professor? 

I also just had a read of my statement of purpose and it's dreadful! I genuinely cannot believe I got an interview with how bad it is haha

Yeh I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes, and good luck to you too!

[extracrunchy]

haha, I had the exact same thought when I was reading my statement last night

The professor who is conducting my interview has tons of research in security protocols - not my area, so I'm not sure how much studying/revising will help there.

EC

[extracrunchy]

Hey man, do let me know how it went. I'm super nervous

Thanks,

EC

[Davidde94]

Ugh.

That's all there really is to say.

[nchoosek]

Hey David.

What was your interview like? Technical?

I hope you done well.

Cheers

[Shady Aftermath]

Hey everyone! 

Can anyone tell us more about the interview questions? how did it go? have you guys also received emails from Oxford with a problem sheet to answer?

[Feanor]

When I did it last year most questions were non-technical, but they did ask a few (somewhat trivial) ones, mostly related to one of my past undergraduate projects and the things I claimed to be interested. 

It was not nearly as scary as I'd imagined. 

Sorry guys, I would have replied sooner but I haven't logged in for ages. 

 

Good luck to all of you