Coventry campus
outside londonCity of Coventry in the West Midlands. About one hour by train from London Euston.
Coventry.
Interview Agent
Knowledge Brain
A complete, navigable map of the credibility-interview readiness brain — six pillars, UKVI fact base, and the agent's own behavioural rules.
Owner
Crizac Interview Readiness
Version
1.0
Last updated
2026-06-30
Placeholders
[Course] · [Campus]
Purpose
Knowledge base for the AI interview agent that tests an applicant's readiness across six pillars before the UKVI credibility interview. Course agnostic and campus agnostic. The agent uses the topic catalogue to generate or sample interview questions, the expected_content to score answer quality, the red_flags to detect refusal-risk patterns, and the ukvi_reference block to validate factual claims the applicant makes.
Scoring model
Each pillar totals 100 weighted points. The Interview Team assigns weights to topics within each pillar. The agent samples topics for each session in proportion to their weight, so higher-weighted topics appear in nearly every interview.
01 — Context
University context
UK public university with a strong post-92, modernist, industry-facing identity
Coventry University London campus
inside londonCentral London. UKVI London maintenance rate applies.
CU Scarborough
outside londonCoastal town in North Yorkshire.
Campus model · Coventry University operates a multi-campus model. The applicant's campus determines the UKVI maintenance rate that applies to them, so the agent must always confirm campus before scoring financial answers.
Stable strengths the agent can probe against
- Industry-linked teaching and applied learning
- Employability focus and graduate outcomes orientation
- Strong engineering, design, computing, business, and health subject clusters
- Large international student community and dedicated international support
- Modern facilities and simulation environments in technical disciplines
- Sandwich and placement-year options in many programmes
Agent caution
Do not assert league-table ranks, exact REF positions, or specific scholarship amounts as facts unless the applicant cites them. Probe for evidence rather than confirm.
02 — The Brain
Six pillars of readiness
6 pillars · 94 topics. Each pillar totals 100 weighted points; the agent samples topics in proportion to the Interview Team's weights.
I16 topics
Visa and Legal
Know-how of the visa process and rights and restrictions
Explore →II15 topics
Academic Intent
Why this [Course]?
Explore →III15 topics
University Fit
Why Coventry University?
Explore →IV16 topics
Financial Readiness
Who is funding the studies and are the funds available?
Explore →V15 topics
Post-study Clarity
What does the student plan to do after completing the [Course]?
Explore →VI17 topics
Logistics
Why the UK, is accommodation secured, and is the student ready to manage life in the UK?
Explore →Purpose · Test whether the applicant understands the legal basis of their stay, the conditions attached to it, and the consequences of breach. This is the foundational pillar. Confusion here is a strong refusal signal in the real UKVI interview.
- 01
Correct visa category and reason it applies
p1_t01_visa_categoryProbe areas- ·Name of the route
- ·Why this route applies to the applicant
- ·What the route does and does not authorise
Expected content- ·Identifies the Student Route by name
- ·Knows it was previously called Tier 4 General
- ·Explains the route covers study at degree level at a licensed sponsor
Red flags- ·Confuses with Skilled Worker or Visitor
- ·Cannot name the route
- ·Believes a Visitor visa allows study
Validates againstukvi_reference.student_route_overview - 02
CAS: what it is and how it is used
p1_t02_casProbe areas- ·Definition of CAS
- ·Who issues it
- ·What information it carries
- ·How long it is valid
Expected content- ·CAS issued by sponsoring institution
- ·Used on the visa application
- ·Lists course title, fees, start and end dates
- ·Has a six-month validity from issue
Red flags- ·Believes CAS is a visa
- ·Cannot explain what CAS proves
Validates againstukvi_reference.additional_facts_for_validation.cas_definition - 03
Validity period of the visa
p1_t03_visa_durationProbe areas- ·Course length plus buffer
- ·Pre-sessional period
- ·Post-completion period
Expected content- ·Visa typically valid for the course duration plus a short period before and after
Red flags- ·Believes the visa lasts indefinitely
- ·Believes the visa extends automatically
- 04
Permitted work hours during term time
p1_t04_work_hours_term_timeProbe areas- ·Hour cap for degree level
- ·Week definition
- ·Whether averaging is allowed
Expected content- ·20 hours per week for degree level or above
- ·Monday to Sunday week
- ·Cannot average across weeks
Red flags- ·States 40 hours, claims weekly average is acceptable, or believes hours reset by employer
Validates againstukvi_reference.work_rights_during_study.degree_level_or_above - 05
Full-time work during official vacations
p1_t05_work_hours_vacationProbe areas- ·What counts as vacation
- ·Whether dissertation writing-up counts
- ·Who defines vacation periods
Expected content- ·Full time permitted only during institution-defined official vacations
- ·Dissertation period is typically term time, not vacation
Red flags- ·Believes personal calendar defines vacation
- ·Plans full-time work during dissertation phase
- 06
Prohibited employment categories
p1_t06_employment_restrictionsProbe areas- ·Self-employment ban
- ·Professional sportsperson and entertainer ban
- ·Permanent vacancy rule
Expected content- ·No self-employment or freelance work
- ·No work as professional sportsperson or entertainer
- ·Cannot fill a permanent vacancy
Red flags- ·Plans to freelance, register a business, or do gig-economy delivery as a sole trader
Validates againstukvi_reference.work_rights_during_study.prohibited_activities - 07
Dependant eligibility under current rules
p1_t07_dependant_rulesProbe areas- ·Whether applicant's course type permits dependants
- ·Maintenance requirement for dependants
Expected content- ·Awareness that undergraduate and taught postgraduate routes do not allow dependants
- ·Knows research postgraduate and government-sponsored students are the exceptions
Red flags- ·Plans to bring spouse on a taught course without checking eligibility
Validates againstukvi_reference.dependant_rules - 08
eVisa and BRP collection after arrival
p1_t08_evisa_brpProbe areas- ·Activation steps
- ·Timing
- ·What share code is used for
Expected content- ·Activates eVisa or collects BRP after arrival
- ·Uses share code for right-to-work and right-to-rent checks
Red flags- ·Has never heard of eVisa
- ·Believes the vignette in the passport is the full visa
- 09
ATAS awareness for relevant subjects
p1_t09_atasProbe areas- ·Whether the [Course] requires ATAS
- ·Where the certificate comes from
Expected content- ·Has checked whether their [Course] requires ATAS
- ·Knows ATAS is obtained before visa application
Red flags- ·Sensitive subject with no awareness of ATAS
- 10
Healthcare access through IHS and NHS
p1_t10_healthcare_ihsProbe areas- ·IHS payment
- ·GP registration on arrival
Expected content- ·Has paid IHS at application stage
- ·Plans to register with a GP after arrival
Validates againstukvi_reference.fees_and_charges.immigration_health_surcharge_per_year_gbp - 11
No access to public funds
p1_t11_public_fundsProbe areas- ·What public funds means
- ·Knowledge that benefits and housing assistance are excluded
Expected content- ·Will not access any state benefits during the stay
Red flags- ·Plans to claim Universal Credit, housing benefit, or council tax support
- 12
Consequences of breaching visa conditions
p1_t12_breach_consequencesProbe areas- ·Curtailment
- ·Removal
- ·Effect on future applications
Expected content- ·Aware that breaches can cancel the visa, lead to removal, and harm future applications
- 13
Sponsor reporting obligations
p1_t13_sponsor_obligationsProbe areas- ·Attendance
- ·Engagement
- ·Address changes
Expected content- ·Sponsor monitors attendance and reports non-engagement to UKVI
- ·Address changes must be notified
- 14
Graduate Route post-study work awareness
p1_t14_graduate_route_awarenessProbe areas- ·What it allows
- ·Current duration
- ·2027 reduction
- ·Whether the applicant plans to use it
Expected content- ·Knows the Graduate Route allows unsponsored work for two years for Bachelor's or Master's graduates currently
- ·Knows the route reduces to 18 months for applications from 1 January 2027
- ·Knows the PhD route remains three years
- ·Knows the route cannot be extended
Red flags- ·Believes the route leads automatically to settlement
- ·Confuses with Skilled Worker
Validates againstukvi_reference.graduate_route - 15
Student visa is not a settlement route
p1_t15_not_a_settlement_pathProbe areas- ·Settlement misconceptions
- ·Skilled Worker as longer-term route
Expected content- ·Recognises the Student visa as a temporary study route
- ·If long-term UK plan exists, names Skilled Worker as the intended transition
- 16
Documents to carry at port of entry
p1_t16_port_of_entry_documentsProbe areas- ·CAS
- ·Financial proof
- ·Accommodation evidence
- ·TB certificate where applicable
Expected content- ·Plans to carry CAS, financial proof, accommodation evidence, and TB certificate where required
03 — Fact Base
UKVI reference
The authoritative facts the agent cross-checks applicant answers against.as_of 2026-06-30
Note to agent · These figures are the ground truth the agent uses to validate applicant claims. If the applicant states a number that contradicts these, treat it as a knowledge gap and probe further before marking down. All amounts are in GBP.
Student Route overview
- Name
Student Route (formerly Tier 4 General)
- Minimum Age
- 16
- Requires Cas
- Yes
- English Language Required
- Yes
- Credibility Interview
UKVI may invite the applicant to a credibility interview after submission. The interview tests genuine intention to study, knowledge of course and institution, financial credibility, and post-study intent.
Maintenance funds
- Effective From
2025-11-11
- Rule
Applicant must show outstanding tuition for first year plus living costs for up to nine months.
- London Per Month Gbp
- 1529
- London Max 9 Months Gbp
- 13761
- Outside London Per Month Gbp
- 1171
- Outside London Max 9 Months Gbp
- 10539
- Accommodation Offset Cap Gbp
- 1529
- Twenty Eight Day Rule
Funds must remain at or above the required minimum for 28 consecutive days. The closing balance date of that 28-day period must be no more than 31 days before the visa application date. A single dip below the threshold breaks continuity and is a frequent refusal reason.
- Course Shorter Than 9 Months
Multiply monthly rate by the number of months, rounding partial months up.
- Previous Rates For Reference
- Applied Until 2025 11 10
- London Per Month Gbp
- 1483
- Outside London Per Month Gbp
- 1136
Dependant rules
- Summary
Most undergraduate and taught postgraduate Student Route applicants cannot bring dependants. This was a major 2024 policy change.
- Eligible To Bring Dependants
- Postgraduate research students on courses of nine months or longer
- Government-sponsored students on courses of six months or longer
- Dependant Maintenance
- London Per Month Gbp
- 845
- Outside London Per Month Gbp
- 680
- Cap Months
- 9
Work rights during study
- Degree Level Or Above
- Term Time Hours Per Week
- 20
- Vacation Hours Per Week
Full time during official institution-defined vacation periods
- Week Definition
Monday to Sunday, fixed. Hours cannot be averaged across weeks.
- Below Degree Level
- Term Time Hours Per Week
- 10
- Vacation Hours Per Week
Full time during official institution-defined vacation periods
- What Counts Toward The Limit
- Paid employment
- Unpaid work that is not formal volunteering
- Internships
- On-call hours
- On-the-job training
- All concurrent jobs combined
- Prohibited Activities
- Self-employment, freelancing, or running a business
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
- Work as a professional entertainer
- Filling a full-time permanent vacancy (except as a Students' Union sabbatical officer or recognised foundation programme)
- Work as a doctor or dentist in training outside a recognised foundation programme
- Common Misconceptions To Test
- Belief that hours can be averaged across weeks
- Belief that dissertation writing-up periods count as vacation
- Belief that working for a non-UK company while sitting in the UK bypasses the limit
- Belief that voluntary or unpaid work does not count
- Consequences Of Breach
Visa curtailment, removal, future refusal grounds, possible criminal liability, and impact on good character for any future settlement application.
Graduate Route
- Also Known As
Post-Study Work, PSW
- Current Durations Until 2026 12 31
- Bachelors Or Masters
2 years
- Phd Or Doctoral
3 years
- Durations For Applications From 2027 01 01
- Bachelors Or Masters
18 months
- Phd Or Doctoral
3 years
- Timing Critical Note
The reduction applies to the application date, not the course start date. Applicants completing in autumn 2026 must apply before 1 January 2027 to receive the full 2 years. Applicants who graduate after the cut-off receive 18 months.
- Must Apply From
Inside the UK before Student visa expires
- Work Rights Once Granted
Unrestricted. No hour limit, no skill threshold, self-employment permitted, no sponsor required.
- Cannot Be Extended
- Yes
- Does Not Lead Directly To Settlement
- Yes
- Common Next Step
Switch to Skilled Worker visa if a qualifying sponsored job is secured.
- Application Fee Gbp
- 880
- Ihs Payable Per Year Gbp
- 1035
Fees and charges
- Student Visa Application Fee Gbp
- 558
- Fee Effective From
2026-04-08
- Immigration Health Surcharge Per Year Gbp
- 776
- Priority Service Gbp
- 500
- Super Priority Gbp
- 1000
Post-arrival obligations
- Activate eVisa or collect Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) within the required period
- Register with the institution and complete enrolment
- Register with a local GP using the NHS access granted by the IHS
- Notify UKVI of any change of address, course, or institution
- Maintain attendance and engagement, since the sponsor reports to UKVI
Switching and extension
- Academic Progression
A new Student visa for a different course normally requires a higher RQF level than the current course. Same-level moves need a sponsor-justified statement.
- Cannot Switch To Student From
- Standard Visitor visa
- UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
Additional facts for validation
- Cas Definition
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. A reference number issued by the sponsoring institution that the applicant uses on the visa application. Contains course details, fees paid, and start and end dates.
- Atas
Academic Technology Approval Scheme clearance is required for certain sensitive subjects, mainly in advanced sciences and engineering at postgraduate level.
- Tb Test Required For Certain Nationalities
- Yes
- Police Registration Abolished
- Yes
- Public Funds Access
Not permitted on a Student visa.
04 — Operating Manual
Agent behaviour
How the interview agent generates, scores, fact-checks and converses — its own rules of engagement.
01Sampling
Question generation
For each session, sample topics from each pillar with probability proportional to the weight assigned by the Interview Team. Use the probe_areas array as the spine for question phrasing. Vary phrasing across sessions so no two interviews are identical.
02Rubric
Answer scoring
Score against expected_content. Award partial credit when an applicant covers some but not all expected items. Subtract weight when red_flags appear.
03Cross-reference
Fact checking
When the applicant cites a number, date, or rule, cross-check against ukvi_reference. If the applicant's figure contradicts ukvi_reference, do not correct mid-interview. Note the gap, lower the topic score, and surface the correction in the post-interview report.
04Conversation
Follow-up logic
If a topic answer is vague, ask one follow-up using a different probe_area before moving on. Do not ask three follow-ups on the same topic; that signals an interrogation rather than an interview.
05Voice
Tone
Calm, neutral, professional. Mirror the formality of an actual UKVI Entry Clearance Officer. Avoid contractions and idiomatic shortcuts.