University Interview Dress Code

Feb 09, 2018

Written By Billy Sexton, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

So you have an interview to study law at university. This is the first of many hurdles you’ll encounter before you land the coveted training contract in a few years time. You’ve done your prep, know where you’re going, who to ask for and all that necessary info, but what do you wear to a university interview?

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How should I dress for my interview – like a student?

After all, that’s what the interview is for: a place to be a student. So, should you dress like the stereotypical student? Un-ironed shirt, jeans, scuffed Converse? Not to mention the new beanie you bought last week.

We’re sure your clobber is perfect for the student lifestyle that awaits, but you also want to make an impression at your university interview. You want to come across as an intelligent young person, keen to learn more and ready to use university as a springboard for a successful career. Whilst you love the odd episode of Fresh Meat, it’s best to not dress like you’re a part of the cast!

Okay, so typical student wear is out of the question. What other options do I have?

Should I dress like a lawyer?

Expensive three-piece suit, pricey watch, £300 haircut, one-of-a-kind cufflinks and the best shoes money can buy? We’re not going to lie, if anybody dressed like your stereotypical lawyer (and by stereotypical we mean like Harvey Specter from Suits) to an interview, they’d look like the best thing since sliced bread.

However, just because you look smart, doesn’t mean you’ve dressed appropriately. Perhaps save this look for a vacation scheme interview, but for your university interview you should aim at somewhere between smart-casual and formal.

For the fellas, this means perhaps wearing suit trousers and a shirt (we’ll leave the choice of tie up to you) and then perhaps a plain jumper over this. Oh and shoes, of course. No Converse!

For the ladies, don’t feel the pressure to wear a skirt or dress. If you feel more comfortable in formal trousers, go for this look with a blouse. If you do go for a skirt or dress, make sure it’s one that you’d wear to a family dinner, not one that you’d wear on a night out.

A smart jacket can complete the look for guys and girls, but remember, you can dress like the best future lawyer in the world, but if you haven’t practised responses and thought about questions the interviewer will ask, your looks will get you nowhere! It’s all about what you say, not how you look when you say it.

University Interviews