Oxford and Cambridge Music Mock Interviews
I run online Oxbridge mock interviews for students applying to read Music at Oxford or Cambridge. Each session works like a real Oxford or Cambridge Music interview, and you get written feedback afterwards. Interviews take place in December, so book early.
About me
I read Music at Exeter College, Oxford, where I achieved first-class marks in analysis and popular music and held a choral scholarship at Merton College. I then took an MMus at Royal Holloway as the Headley Trust Scholar, with the highest overall mark in my cohort. I am now a DPhil researcher and Clarendon Scholar at St Hugh’s College, Oxford.
As a Tutor in Music at Oxford (opens in a new tab), I teach undergraduates across the University in analysis, popular music, jazz, keyboard skills, and conducting. In 2025–26 every finalist I taught for Musical Analysis and Criticism achieved a First or a 2:1. I have also taught jazz keyboard skills and composition on the University’s Opportunity Oxford programme.
What happens in an Oxford or Cambridge Music interview
Oxford
Oxford interviews Music applicants online in December. Every shortlisted candidate has at least two interviews at two different colleges, and some have a third. By 10 November you send two pieces of marked written work, a harmony and counterpoint exercise, and a five-minute performance video. There is no admissions test for Music.
Cambridge
Cambridge interviews run from 7 to 18 December 2026. Most applicants have one or two interviews, lasting 35 minutes to an hour in total, and each college decides whether to hold them online or in person. You can expect to comment on a piece of writing about music and on a score, and some colleges add short tests in aural, keyboard, harmony, or essay writing.
My sessions use the same kind of material, so the real interview feels familiar.
Sources for 2027 entry: Oxford Faculty of Music (opens in a new tab), Cambridge Faculty of Music (opens in a new tab), and Cambridge admissions (opens in a new tab).
What a session covers
- Discussion of an unseen score or extract.
- Questions drawn from the applicant’s personal statement and the written work they submitted.
- Listening to a short piece of music and talking about it.
- Written feedback after the session on what went well and what to work on.
Prices and booking
| Package | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| Single session One hour-long mock interview with written feedback | £130 | Book single session |
| Two sessions A mock interview and debrief, then a second mock on new material | £240 £120 per session | Book two sessions |
| Four sessions A full programme, one session a week (see below) | £440 £110 per session | Book four sessions |
To book, send me a message with the package you’d like and a few dates that suit you. All sessions take place by video call.
Booking in December? The two-session bundle fits the time left.
The four-session programme
- Personal statement and written work
- Analysis: unseen score and listening under interview conditions
- Full mock interview with written feedback
- Final mock on new material
Not sure yet?
Ask for a free 15-minute call to talk it through first. Parents are welcome too.
Questions
Are Oxford and Cambridge Music interviews online?
Oxford holds all its Music interviews online. At Cambridge, each college decides whether to interview online or in person. All my sessions take place by video call, so you can book from anywhere.
Is there an admissions test for Music?
Oxford does not set a test for Music. Cambridge has no central test, but some colleges set their own short tests in aural, keyboard, harmony, or essay writing.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can. Two or more sessions work best about a week apart, so there is time to act on the feedback before the real interview.
Do you prepare Cambridge applicants too?
Yes. The sessions suit applicants to either university.
What should the applicant have ready?
A copy of their personal statement and any written work they submitted. I bring everything else.
Can you review a personal statement?
Get in touch through the contact page and we can talk about it.
What if we need to reschedule?
Let me know as soon as you can and we’ll find another time.