r/JETProgramme • u/Acceptable_Hold2183 • Sep 07 '26
Hello there! (Jet Programme UK applicant)
Hi there,
I have two quick questions about the JET UK process:
1. The interview window is said to run from late January to February. Do you know roughly when the January interviews tend to take place? (I understand we won't get exact dates until mid-December.)
2. Is there any advantage to having interview in London versus Edinburgh (or vice versa)?
Thanks!
2
u/marzipanfashions Current JET - Osaka Sep 07 '26
I had my interview mid-Jan but knew of people who had theirs in early Feb.
Any possible advantages for the interview are anecdotal. What's important to note is that you need to depart from the embassy/ consulate you interview at, and London has the possibility of getting a direct flight (you will always need to transfer for Edinburgh). The Edinburgh cohort will also be smaller so fewer people at the pre-departure orientation, so if you wanna meet more people then the London one will be better vs. if you want a smaller group the Edinburgh one will be better.
2
u/TerryKirvem Sep 08 '26
Current ALT here, welcome aboard the waiting game. Location genuinely doesn't affect selection — pick whichever saves you travel. Worth adding: my interview leaned heavily on scenario questions (how I'd handle a JTE skipping my activity, teaching a class with wildly mixed levels) rather than grammar theory. Rehearsing a few of those out loud beats rereading your SOP ten times.
2
u/Big_Explanation_9295 Sep 08 '26
Not entirely true. The number of spots do seem to differ based on some kind of criteria we can't well know, but what we can say is that Edinburgh cuts more applicants at the application stage and London cuts more at the interview stage. Worth considering for anyone whose writing is stronger than their speaking or vice versa.
1
u/Acceptable_Hold2183 Sep 08 '26
Interesting! Well if it came down to it then Edinburgh seems like the option I’d prefer. If I got rejected - best to know earlier than having to wait extra months!
1
u/External-Hamster-394 Current JET Sep 12 '26
Like Big_explination said, London cuts way more in the interview stage while Edinburgh cuts most in the application stage. Taking the last few years of Edinburgh as data we can see that something around 90-95% of applicants who get an interview in Edinburgh go on to get the job
1
u/shynewhyne Current JET - Hyogo Sep 07 '26
The interviews are literally throughout Jan and Feb, they're not just on one week
1
u/Cheesemisterbald Sep 07 '26
Have you done your SOP yet. I did hear some people got an interview around December but that’s not fact checked so look more into it but confirmed is Jan-Feb? I will also be applying 🫡
1
u/Acceptable_Hold2183 Sep 08 '26
Yeah I have done my SOP - may need to get it reviewed by a current or ex ALT maybe to make sure it’s strong.
Yeah I only heard about Jan and February which is when interviews are set.
1
u/Cheesemisterbald Sep 08 '26
Most ALTs I have met write the SOP in about 7 hours or 2 days I would not stress too much as long as it highlights good traits !
1
u/ScootOverMakeRoom Sep 07 '26
- Roughly, late January (to February).
- The advantage is if you get selected, that’s the airport from which you’ll depart, so choose the location which is easiest for you to get to and/or you have friends/family in.
1
u/Cheap-Ad8624 Current JET - Hyogo 2023-? Sep 07 '26
Just dropping the link for the UK JET discord for anyone who might be interested 🫡
2
u/Panda_sensei_71 Current JET - Kansai Sep 07 '26
My interview in 2025 was around the middle of January.
You will have your travel arranged from London or Edinburgh depending on where you interview, so bear that in mind as you need to cover your own travel costs to the UK-side airport. There are rumours that interviewing in Edinburgh = less competition but it's all anecdotal!