Interviews, auditions and portfolios

Nursing interviews using Shortlister

Your Child Nursing interview will take place online through our interview platform, Shortlister. As your interview is online, we highly recommend visiting us at an Open Day or Taster Day to get to know ARU.

Below, you'll find some helpful information about your interview and some of the things we'll be discussing.



Upload documentation

You will need to upload copies of all requested documents, including qualifications and your ID. This must be done before the interview.

Before you can register as a student, all documentation will be checked for authenticity. If found not to be genuine, applicants will be immediately withdrawn and will not be able to reapply. All relevant authorities, funding bodies and professional bodies will be informed accordingly.

Shortlister interview

  • You will receive an invitation from us to access your online interview portal on the Shortlister platform. Once you have been invited, you will have six days to complete the interview task. 
  • Your interview will be completely virtual, and you won’t meet an interviewer or member of staff in real-time. Instead, you’ll be presented with a series of pre-recorded questions from the ARU community. These questions are designed to assess your understanding and motivations for pursuing a career in nursing. Your responses will be reviewed by members of the teaching team. 
  • It takes approximately 30-45 minutes to complete. You can step away between questions and rejoin the interview later; however, we recommend completing in one sitting where possible.
  • You can access our Practice Hub at any time, and complete as many practice interviews as you wish before starting your actual interview. 
  • Please monitor your emails (including any junk/spam folder). If you haven’t done so already, please add @aru.ac.uk to your safe sender list.
  • Please ensure you are at a device with a camera and a microphone with a reliable internet connection; we will need to be able to see and hear you clearly. We recommend accessing the interview from a laptop rather than a mobile phone or tablet if you can.
  • It is essential that you remain visible on camera throughout the entire interview process. If you are not present on camera, or if there are any technical issues with your video or microphone that prevent us from seeing or hearing you clearly, your interview will be considered failed. Please ensure your technology is working properly before starting the interview to avoid any disruptions.
  • You will need to have your ID ready before you start your interview. Please ensure that both your name and picture are visible and clear. If we are unable to verify your ID, we may be unable to assess your interview which would lead to an automatic fail.
  • Telling us about any learning support needs you may have is a positive step and will help us to provide the support you need. Due to the online nature of the interview, we hope that you will have the resources you need to complete your interview. However, if you do feel that there are other learning support needs, you can request this through the Shortlister portal, or by getting in touch with us at [email protected]
  • Remember, this is your opportunity to introduce yourself to our Admissions panel. Be yourself and impress us with your understanding of the role of a nurse, and why you would make a good candidate.

Technical support

Technical support is available through Shortlister. You can find useful advice on the Shortlister website and contact their support team if you want further assistance.

What happens next?

You’ll be notified of the outcome of your interview within ten working days.

What next if I am offered a place?

  • Accept your offer.
  • Arrange your accommodation.
  • Complete your DBS and Occupational Health information.
  • Notify the Admissions team of any changes to your circumstances.

What next if I am unsuccessful at interview?

  • Please consider the areas which need improvement and ask for written feedback to prepare for future interviews.
  • You will not be able to reapply to our University for the same course until the next application cycle.

Above all, you need to be certain that this is the profession you want to join. Consider visiting us at an Open Day, if you haven't already. Then commit yourself to learning as much as you can before your interview day.