Engineering
- UCAS Code: H100 MEng/E
- Campus Code: 4
- Duration: 4 years
- Places per year: 8-9
The strengths of the Engineering course at Cambridge are its breadth and its quality. The course lasts four years (leading to both MEng and BA degrees) and covers almost all disciplines of engineering (aeronautical, mechanical, civil, manufacturing and information), with specialisation not starting until the final term of the second year. The advantage of this approach is that real-world engineering problems are inherently multi-disciplinary in nature and the course provides a rigorous foundation across all subjects; the final two years allow enough time for students to develop skills in their chosen field up to specialist level.
Engineering
Looking for something specific? Use these quick links to get to where you want to go…
Course Overview
Part I (Years 1 and 2) provides a broad education in engineering fundamentals, enabling you to make a genuinely informed choice about the area in which to specialise from your third year (many students change direction as a result). Part II (Years 3 and 4) then provides in-depth training in your chosen professional discipline.
The following specialisations are available within our Engineering course:
- Aerospace and Aerothermal Engineering
- Bioengineering
- Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Electrical and Information Sciences
- Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Information and Computer Engineering
- Instrumentation and Control
- Mechanical Engineering
How You Learn
A typical week would involve 10 to 12 lectures on perhaps five different courses. Each course issues a series of problem sheets and these are the backbone of the small group supervision sessions (usually only 2 students); you can expect 3 or 4 supervisions per week.
As well as lectures, problem sheets and supervisions, the week also has several sessions for coursework activities. These could be experiments and demonstrations, group design projects, computer programming sessions, drawing exercises, or communication skills workshops.
In year 4, the structure of the course changes with about half of your time being spent on one project. Students normally choose from a large range of projects offered by the Department, often on state-of-the-art research topics, but it is also possible to suggest your own project (perhaps in collaboration with an industrial sponsor).
Entry Requirements
Minimum Offer Level
A-Level: A*A*A
IB Diploma: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
Other: See the University’s Entry Requirements page
Subject Requirements
You will need A levels/IB Higher Levels (or the equivalent) in:
- Mathematics
- Physics
If you’re studying IB, we ask for Analysis and Approaches for this course.
A level Further Mathematics is very strongly encouraged. If unavailable or you’ve recognised its desirability too late, we’d advise you to do as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible, e.g. by studying advanced material or Further Mathematics AS level. A level candidates without Further Mathematics have a lower success rate than candidates with Further Mathematics to at least AS level.
We will normally require A*/7 in Mathematics or Further Mathematics, and Physics.
Admissions Process
Written Work
None required.
Admissions Assessment
All applicants for Engineering for 2025 entry are required to take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) at an authorised assessment centre. You must register in advance for this test.
Please see the University’s admissions test page for more information.
Interviews
Two interviews of about 25 minutes each.
