GuidesUpdated 1 November 2026
The Oxford and Cambridge Biology interview
Shortlisted Oxford Biology applicants are always interviewed online at two different colleges in December, and Oxford Biochemistry applicants are interviewed by two colleges too. Expect to discuss why biology, a biological problem new to you and, very likely, a data figure.
At Cambridge, biology is studied through Natural Sciences, which requires the ESAT; your interview depends on whether you apply for the biological or physical stream. Below are the formats, the questions Oxford tutors have published (cacti, stripes and ladybirds included), a worked example and how to prepare.
The three courses compared
| Oxford Biology | Oxford Biochemistry | Cambridge Natural Sciences | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions test | None listed by Oxford for 2027 entry | None | ESAT |
| Interviews | Always at two colleges, online, in December (7 to 11 December in 2026) | Online at two colleges on Teams, possibly with a Miro whiteboard (mostly 7 to 10 December in 2026) | Usually one or two; questions depend on your biological or physical stream |
| Shortlisting | Based on who shows the greatest potential as biologists | Roughly three applicants per place; 41% interviewed, 12% successful, intake 100 (2023-25 average) | 5 applications per place; 576 accepted (2025 cycle) |
| What comes up | Why biology, a new biological problem, your UCAS form, a data figure | How you apply what you know to something new; an informed interest in biochemistry | Subjects you've studied at school |
Oxford's Biochemistry department adds that the final decision uses everything about you, and that interview performance is "frequently not decisive".
Questions Oxford biology tutors have published
From Oxford's sample interview questions page (source: University of Oxford, sample interview questions):
| Question | What the tutor says |
|---|---|
| "Why do some habitats support higher biodiversity than others?" | Look for patterns, then propose how you'd test your idea |
| "Why do many animals have stripes?" | Group examples (warning, camouflage) and speculate about advantages |
| "Here's a cactus. Tell me about it." | Observe in detail, then deduce what each structure is for |
| "Ladybirds are red. So are strawberries. Why?" | Resolve the paradox: red can mean "don't eat me" or "eat me" |
| "Why do lions have manes?" | Fine to use what you've read, but expect "how would you test that?" |
| "Would it matter if tigers became extinct?" | Most say yes; the "because" is what counts |
| "Would you expect this compound to be more soluble in octanol or water?" (Biochemistry) | Getting the answer isn't important; applying chemistry to a new problem is |
A worked example: "Ladybirds are red. So are strawberries. Why?"
- What a strong answer does: notices the paradox out loud. The same colour seems to send opposite messages: a ladybird wants not to be eaten, a strawberry wants to be eaten so its seeds spread.
- The key move: asks who is looking. Red is easy for birds to see, so both signals could work on the same viewers, one as a warning and one as an invitation.
- Weak answer: "Red is a bright colour that stands out," which explains neither case.
- What usually comes next: "How would you test whether birds avoid red insects because of the colour?"
How to prepare for a Biology interview
- Practise describing before explaining. Pick up a leaf, a shell or a photo and describe it for two minutes before saying what anything is for.
- Always add a test. For every explanation you give, say what experiment or data would check it. Several tutors use this follow-up.
- Read graphs aloud. Oxford Biology says you're likely to discuss a data figure: practise saying what the axes show, the trend and the outliers.
- Know your personal statement. Oxford's Biology department warns you may be asked about anything you mention.
- For Biochemistry, revise chemical bonding. The published question builds on the interactions between molecules you met at school.
AdmitMock is an AI mock interview app for Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL and US college alumni interviews: an AI interviewer asks the questions out loud, follows up, and shows you what to fix.
Frequently asked questions
How many interviews do Oxford Biology applicants have?
Oxford's Biology department says shortlisted candidates are always interviewed at two different colleges, which gives you two chances.
Is there an admissions test for Oxford Biology?
Oxford's 2027-entry test list doesn't include Biology. Biomedical Sciences uses the ESAT. Biochemistry has no test.
Will I be shown a specimen or data in a Biology interview?
Quite possibly. Oxford tutors say they often use plant or animal specimens, and the Biology department says you'll likely discuss a data figure.
Is the Oxford Biochemistry interview decisive?
Oxford's Biochemistry department says final decisions use all the information about an applicant and that interview performance is frequently not decisive.
How do I study biology at Cambridge?
Through Natural Sciences. All applicants take the ESAT, and your interview depends on whether you apply for the biological or physical stream.
Related guides
Sources
Checked 1 November 2026.
AdmitMock is not affiliated with the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge or any of their colleges. We use published formats and questions, not insider information.
