This page is part of the Christ's College current applicants section, Stage 2 information.
Welcome to our Teams Support page! Here, you'll find advice and guidance for joining online interviews in Microsoft Teams (we just call it Teams). All interviews at Christ's will be on Teams. You may be new to Teams, which is fine - it's easy to use. Even if you already feel familiar with Teams, please make sure you read this page in full, as it is here to help you prepare well and reduce the chance of problems on your interview day - we'll help you to choose and check your set-up and to solve common technical issues in advance.
If you are reading this page before 20 November, note that we are developing the information, so please also re-read it at the end of the month!
Microsoft Teams is a free video communication technology. It can be used either on an app that you download, or via a web browser. You can use Teams on any device. Christ's will be using Teams for all interviews in December 2024.
Non-tech items
- A form of ID on your desk. You will be asked to show this at the start of each interview. Click here for the list of accepted ID.
- Pen and paper. You may not need this, but just in case you do then you are prepared! You should have two pens (in case one doesn't work) and a few sheets of paper.
Essential tech equipment
We recommend using a desktop computer or laptop with a working web camera and microphone (whether built-in or that can be plugged into the device). Your device should ideally have a screen size at least 12 inches wide (or 30cm, measured diagonally from corner to corner).
We do not recommend using a smartphone or small tablet - this may mean you need to use a device at (or borrowed from) school, such as a laptop.
For technical subjects, you may be asked to write on or interact with a shared online whiteboard. Therefore you should either have a set-up where you can use a touch screen or tablet (including graphics tablets, and with a stylus if you have one) OR a computer / laptop with a mouse - either wireless or wired, but a mouse will give you more dexterity for writing than a touchpad. Whatever you choose, it should be the minimum amount of faff, and you will need to be ready to join your interview at the time scheduled, not wait until you are already in your interview to set things up.
Using Teams
You can either use the Teams App or use Teams for Web (in a web browser). Whichever you choose, you will need to check your device is suitable to use it - see the next sections for more on this.
Please try not to worry about questions of software and set-up before you have received an invitation to interview (with the dates, times and details for your interviews).
You can download the Teams app for free. If using this option, please make sure you have downloaded the most recent version of the app. Click here to download the Teams app.
You also need to make sure your device is suitable to run Teams.
Devices using Windows
You will need to be using Windows 10 version 10.0.19041 or higher (including Windows 11). Ensure all available updates have been installed.
To find out which version you have installed, go to Settings > System > About. Here you will see a section on Windows Specifications; the OS build will be featured here. It just needs to be listed as 19041 or higher.
Mac Devices
You will need to be using one of the three most recent versions of macOS. You can check the list of the latest versions of macOS and how to upgrade your macOS here. Ensure you install any available updates.
To find out which version you have installed: from the Apple menu in the top left-hand corner of your screen, choose About This Mac. The window that opens will include the macOS name and version number.
Devices using Linux
It is not possible to use Teams Desktop on Linux. You will need to use the Web version (see below).
Mobile Devices
Wherever possible you should use a computer or laptop device for your interviews. Mobile devices are not recommended for use for interviews.
Android: the last four major version of Android are supported. This includes Android 15, 14 and 13.
iOS (iPhones): the two most recent major versions of iOS. This means your device must be iOS 17.7.1 or 18.1 (or higher).
If you don't want to or can't otherwise download the Teams App, you can still use Teams in a web browser.
We recommend using Teams in either Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox. We do not recommend using Safari - if you use a Mac device, please download one of the other browsers instead.
You also need to make sure that this web browser is up to date!
Updating Chrome: Open Chrome. Go to More 
in the top right of the browser. Click Help > About Google Chrome. If there is an update, it will say Update Google Chrome - if not, it will say you have the latest version. Once updated (if needed), click Relaunch.
Updating Firefox: Open Firefox. Click the menu button 
on the right side of the Firefox toolbar, then Help > About Firefox. A new window will open called About Mozilla Firefox. It will automatically check for an update and download it if available. Once complete, click Restart to Update Firefox.
Updating Edge: Open Edge. Go to the menu 
in the top-right and select Help and Feedback > About Microsoft Edge. If the About page shows it's up to date, you're all good! If not, it will give you the option to download the update - download and install, and once done, restart Edge.
Each of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox are supported in the three most recent versions for Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems. See the Using the Teams App section for guidance on how to check which operating system your device is using.
If you are invited to interview, your invitation to interview (the email with times and dates) will include separate links for each of your interviews (one link per interview). If there is invigilated pre-interview reading or problems to work on before one of your interviews (check the subject information), you will also have a different link for this.
You must be very careful to go to the correct link at the correct time! Don't confuse them!
Depending on whether you are planning to use the Teams App or a web browser to join your interview, the instructions are slightly different. We recommend the App if available to you, but it's worth testing both options so you know how to use them - this will give you flexibility if you meet any issues.
Click here for info on joining Teams via the App
Click here for info on joining Teams via Web Browser
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Section available in due course.
Section available in due course.
Section available in due course.