Engineering

Cambridge Engineering graduates are always in great demand and find themselves in all branches of Engineering and Engineering consultancy as well as the City and academic institutions.

The flexibility of the Cambridge Engineering course means you don't commit yourself to one particular area before first trying it out at degree level.

Whilst a few students graduate after three years with the BA Hons degree, most successfully complete the fourth year which leads to the BA and MEng degrees. Progression to the fourth year (and all years) is dependent on examination achievements in previous years.

Magdalene normally aims to admit around 12 students for Engineering each year, making it one of the largest subjects at the College. Our record for Engineering is one of consistent academic excellence. 

While lectures for your first and second year courses will take place in the Engineering Department, the majority of your learning support happens in College. Engineering at Magdalene provides exceptional support, which includes the following and more besides:

• Mock exams are provided in both first and second years (only possible due to the large size of the supervising team who mark the exams) which our students feel is a hugely useful source of feedback and almost certainly helps many in raising their grade.
• Additional support and resources are provided to assist students through the periods between terms, when most will be away from Cambridge. Our years of experience at teaching the course and obtaining good results mean we know what problems most people will have before they have them, so we can cater accordingly.
• Students will meet with their Director of Studies regularly during term time to ensure that any problems with their studies are identified and can be worked on without delay.
• Practice exam questions are set, taken in and marked regularly throughout the whole academic year to continuously assist students in identifying their strengths and areas to which they need to devote more time.

In later years, greater levels of specialism mean that all supervision support for all colleges is provided centrally by the Engineering Department. However, Magdalene will still ensure you receive regular and bespoke guidance from your Director of Studies, with whom you will have regular meetings and from whom you will receive additional support materials.

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Department of Engineering website. 

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate an outstanding academic track record, demonstrating diligent study in a range of relevant subjects. They will show particular enthusiasm for physics and mathematics, and their interest in Engineering will be self-evident.

To apply for Engineering at Cambridge you will need Mathematics and Physics at A-level (or equivalent), as well as Further Mathematics at AS or A-level if your school offers it.

If Further Mathematics is not available to you, or you have recognised its desirability too late, we would advise you to take as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible. You could study AS Further Mathematics content independently or use online resources covering advanced material. If you would like further guidance, please ask the Academic Office for advice. 

For applicants taking the IB, Higher Levels in Mathematics and Physics are compulsory, and we would normally expect to see a further science subject as the third Higher Level, if possible at your school. 

Applicants starting the new IB Mathematics syllabus are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches'. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the Academic Office for further advice and guidance.

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*A*A

IB: 42 points overall, with 7,7,6 or (less commonly) 7,7,7 at Higher Level

We usually require an A* in A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics and will often ask for A* in A-level Physics.

We usually require a 7 in IB Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches) and 7 in Physics.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have two interviews of around 20-25 minutes each.

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We do not require a written work submission for this subject.

Candidates are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT). The ESAT is a pre-registration required assessment. This means that you will have to register to sit the assessment at an assessment centre near to you. Registration for the pre-registration required assessment is separate from your UCAS application and it is essential that you are registered by your centre before the deadline. 

For further details see the ESAT website  and the University ESAT page, including details of when you must sit the test and which options you must take in order to apply for Engineering at Cambridge, and what to do if those options conflict with ESAT test requirements for another institution to which you are applying.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.