Who this is for
- Cambridge Economics applicants
- Oxford PPE or Economics-related applicants
- Students preparing for economics interviews
- Applicants needing mathematical and economic reasoning practice
Oxbridge preparation · Cambridge insider
Oxford & Cambridge
economics interviews
Dr Nicky Grant offers online Oxbridge Economics preparation for students applying to Cambridge, Oxford and related economics degrees. Support covers interview reasoning, mathematical economics, problem solving, personal statements and application strategy.
Cambridge economics interviews are not about what you know. They are about how you think. Preparation means learning to reason through unfamiliar economic and mathematical problems out loud, clearly, calmly, and without having seen the answer before.
- From £130/hour
- Enhanced DBS checked, November 2025
- I reply within one business day
Subject match
Who this support is for
A quick match for the students, topics and goals covered.
Topics covered
- Economic intuition and model-based reasoning
- Microeconomic and macroeconomic discussion
- Mathematical questions in economics interviews
- Personal statement content and reading discussion
- TMUA and problem-solving preparation
- Mock interview questions and feedback
Related pages
Credential match
Why the academic background matters for Oxbridge Economics
Oxbridge Economics applicants need structured, thorough preparation: mathematical reasoning, economic intuition, graph interpretation, interview clarity and unfamiliar problem solving.
Safe and trusted
- Safeguarding courses completed with the National College.
- Experience working in secondary schools.
- Enhanced DBS available to parents and schools on request.
Relevant background
- Cambridge BA, MPhil and PhD in Economics.
- Advanced economics, maths, statistics and econometrics background.
- Experience with university-level economic reasoning and quantitative methods.
- Credentials and public academic profiles are collected on the credentials page.
Useful checks
Get started
A free 30-minute consultation, with no obligation. The rate is confirmed before any paid session.
What I offer
Complete Oxbridge
preparation programme
A programme built around your specific application, college, course, and timeline.
01
Mock interviews with written feedback
Full mock interviews conducted exactly as a real Oxbridge economics interview, unseen problem presented, reasoning worked through live, feedback written up afterwards. Multiple rounds are recommended, with each round targeting the specific weaknesses identified in the previous one.
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02
TMUA preparation
Systematic preparation for the Test of Mathematics for University Admission, covering both Paper 1 (mathematical knowledge) and Paper 2 (mathematical reasoning). Most students make the biggest gains on Paper 2, where the reasoning skills used in economics are directly tested.
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03
Personal statement review
Detailed feedback on your draft personal statement, whether it demonstrates genuine intellectual curiosity, whether the books and ideas mentioned are engaged with in sufficient depth, and whether it opens the right conversations in interview.
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04
Economics beyond A-Level
Bridging sessions to build the conceptual economics knowledge that interviewers expect applicants to have engaged with, supply and demand, price elasticity, market failure, game theory, basic macro, beyond what is typically covered in A-Level Economics.
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The Cambridge advantage
Preparation from
someone who was there
There are many tutors who can teach economics. There are very few who can tell you what a Cambridge economics interview actually feels like, and what the interviewer is actually looking for.
Three Cambridge degrees
BA, MPhil and PhD in economics and econometrics from the University of Cambridge. The supervision system, the college culture, the style of economic reasoning Cambridge rewards, all of this is first-hand knowledge, not second-hand advice.
Knows what interviewers are testing
Cambridge economists are not looking for memorised answers. They are looking for students who can stay calm when they don't know the answer and reason their way towards one. Dr Grant's mock interviews deliberately present problems the student has not seen before.
Successful applicants to Cambridge, Oxford and LSE
Students Dr Grant has worked with have received offers from Cambridge, Oxford and LSE. The preparation programme has been refined across multiple application cycles, with 100+ selective applicants supported.
Online, flexible, and well before the deadline
All sessions online. Most students benefit from starting interview preparation in September or October, before the November and December interview dates. Slots fill quickly, get in touch early.
References & testimonials
What students say
Professional reference
“I have seen many students benefit from his guidance and secure offers from Oxbridge, G5 universities, and top US institutions. His professionalism, dedication, and commitment to student success make him an exceptional educator and mentor.”
Dr Saroj Kiran Velamakanni, PhD FRSA KCRDirector, SKV Consultants Ltd · Specialists in Oxbridge, G5 and Elite US University Admissions
Full references are available on request. This reference and all student testimonials can be verified directly with Dr Velamakanni at [email protected]. References for university teaching are also available on request.
“Dr Grant's mock interviews were incredibly realistic and helped me develop the confidence and analytical thinking needed for Cambridge. His personal statement guidance was equally valuable. His mentorship made a huge difference throughout my application, and I am delighted to have received my Cambridge offer.”
“Dr Grant's guidance throughout my LSE application was exceptional. His interview coaching and personal statement feedback strengthened both my confidence and my academic approach. I highly recommend him to any student applying for competitive Economics programmes.”
“Every mock interview with Dr Grant challenged me to think more deeply and communicate my ideas clearly. His feedback was insightful, encouraging and practical. I felt thoroughly prepared for my Cambridge interview and was thrilled to receive an offer.”
“Dr Grant helped me develop genuine economic reasoning rather than memorising answers. His realistic interview preparation and thoughtful advice gave me the confidence to perform at my best and secure my Cambridge offer.”
“Dr Grant is an outstanding mentor whose interview preparation closely reflected the real Cambridge experience. His support with both my personal statement and interview performance played a significant role in my successful application.”
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Dr Nicky Grant
BA, MPhil, PhD (Cambridge)
What to expect
- Safeguarding
- Full Enhanced DBS certificate on the DBS Update Service (November 2025), available for verification by parents and schools on request. Safeguarding courses completed with the National College, with experience working in secondary schools.
- Own record
- BA Economics, University of Cambridge, First Class Honours. MPhil and PhD in Economics, also at Cambridge.
- Teaching
- Teaching Supervisor, University of Cambridge, 2009 to 2012. Lecturer, University of Manchester, 2013 to 2019. Associate Lecturer in Economics (Education Focused), University of St Andrews, 2019 to 2025.
- Admissions
- Experience preparing 100+ students for Oxbridge and other highly selective university applications, including TMUA-style reasoning and interview practice.
- Sessions
- Online via video call with a shared digital whiteboard. Per-session booking, no upfront commitment. In-person sessions in the Manchester area may be possible for some students.
Pricing
| Oxbridge preparation | From £130/hour |
|---|---|
| Packages of sessions | Discounts available |
| First consultation, 30 minutes | Free |
Per-session booking, no upfront commitment. The exact rate is confirmed at the free consultation.
Send an enquiry from right here
Name and email are enough to start, add the exam board, target grade or deadline if you have them.
Dr Nicky Grant reads every enquiry and replies within one business day.
Email[email protected]
Phone+44 7393 352 331
WhatsAppMessage on WhatsApp
LocationManchester / Online International and UK-wide
FAQs
Oxbridge preparation FAQ
Ideally September or October of your application year, before interviews in November and December. Four to six mock sessions over that period are a typical programme. If your interview date is soon, intensive preparation over a shorter period is also possible, get in touch as soon as possible.
Typically four to six sessions: an initial diagnostic mock, two to three sessions targeting the weaknesses identified, and a final polish mock. Each session includes written feedback. The exact number depends on how much time there is before the interview date.
Yes. The economics and mathematics components of Oxford PPE interviews are covered. Philosophy components are not covered.
Yes, and the differences matter. Cambridge places more emphasis on mathematical economics problems; Oxford interviews can place more weight on broader economic reasoning. Sessions are tailored to which institution, and which college, if known, the student is applying to.
Free resource
How Cambridge Economics Interviews Actually Work
What interviewers are really testing, what they are looking for, and how to prepare, from someone who knows both sides of the table.
Start preparing
today
Free 30 minute initial consultation to discuss your application, your timeline, and how to structure preparation. Slots fill early, don't leave it late.
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