Said MBA Interview: Format, Questions & Tips

Interview format

The admissions committee reviews each complete application and tells applicants whether they are shortlisted for an interview after applications close for their stage. Interviews are conducted by a faculty member, a senior member of the administrative staff, or an industry adviser. They take place in Oxford, overseas (subject to availability), or by video conference (Zoom or similar), and last about 30 to 40 minutes.

What to expect

The school states that you will be asked questions about your background, aspirations and how the MBA programme fits with your plans. It recommends preparing as you would for a job interview and being ready to provide more information about any aspect of your application.

Online assessment

The interview is separate from the online assessment, which every applicant completes after submitting the application: three randomised competency-based questions on the Kira Talent platform, taking up to 30 minutes.

After the interview

After all interviews for a stage are complete, the committee decides which candidates receive offers. Final decisions for the 2027-28 cohort are emailed by each stage's final decision deadline, from Friday 16 October 2026 for Stage 1 to Friday 23 April 2027 for Stage 5. Admitted applicants pay a GBP 9,800 deposit and then state a college preference. In the final stage, applicants may be waitlisted if the class is full. The programme starts in September 2027.

Sources

1. 1. Saïd Business School, Oxford MBA: How to apply
2. 2. Saïd Business School, Oxford MBA application requirements (2027-28 cohort)