Engineering

Studying Engineering at Cambridge

UCAS Code: H100
How many are admitted to Cambridge every year: 333
Minimum offer: A*A*A at A Level or 41-42 points at IB with 776 at Higher Level
Essential subjects: Mathematics, Physics; Analysis and Approaches if taking IB
Useful subjects: Further Mathematics, Chemistry
Course length: BA (Hons), 3 years full-time; MEng, 4 years full-time

The Engineering course at the University of Cambridge normally lasts four years and leads to two degrees: BA (with Honours) and MEng.

The first two years of the course are essentially the same for all students and aim to give a broad overview of the subject, covering mechanical and structural engineering, as well as materials, electrical and information engineering. Students are taught through a mix of lectures, labs and supervisions.

In the second 2 years, students experience more variety depending on the modules chosen. The modules will have a varying level of emphasis on coursework and end of year examination. There is also an option to enrol in the specialised Manufacturing Engineering Tripos programme.

Roughly half of the final year in the general engineering programme will be spent working on a major individual project. Students may propose projects to a supervisor or select preferences from a list of projects proposed by supervisors.

Cambridge has excellent facilities to support you in your studies; these include the Dyson Centre for Engineering Design as well as the Design and Project Office. You will also benefit from the departmental library and Cambridge University Library.

What can I do with a degree in Engineering?

The Engineering course is accredited by the Engineering Council and by all the major institutions. Cambridge engineers are sought after by a range of sectors including engineering consultancy, research and development, manufacturing, product design, defence, and IT.

For more information, please visit the University Careers Service website at: Using your degree: Engineering | Careers Service

What we look for

As we are a mature and proudly international college, we invite applications from a range of disciplinary and cultural backgrounds. There is no set template that we look for. All we ask is that you demonstrate an enthusiasm and passion for engineering and indicate that you can think critically and are eager to learn.

We look for candidates who demonstrate sufficient technical grounding and the learning capacity to complete the Engineering course. This can be achieved through meeting the minimum entry requirements alongside performing well in the interview.

Studying Engineering at St Edmund’s College

The Engineering cohort at St Edmund’s is small with around 2 to 4 students in each year, but it is close-knit and we have the advantage of being able to provide students with one Director of Studies for the duration of their course. There is much to share and learn from each other. It is likely that you will end up continuing conversations based on your lectures in the college’s dining hall or the CR (Common Room). What better way to learn than to discuss with your peers!

Away from these scintillating conversations in the common areas, the college also offers several spaces where you can study and work on your essays such as the Paul Luzio Library building, the Norfolk library, study desks in the Mount Pleasant Halls Common room, the comfortable couches of the CR, in Edspresso, our café that serves excellent coffee and cakes, or the benches in our lovely apple orchards!

We also have six study rooms (2 in the Luzio building, 2 in Norfolk building, and 1 in Mount Pleasant Halls), where college supervisions typically take place, and which can also be booked by students for their private study time or group projects.

Our college also has an extremely supportive Welfare and Wellbeing Department, which is happy to lend an ear and provide support should a student feel anxious or overwhelmed with the academic year.

How to Apply

Applications for all courses are made through UCAS. You must apply by 15 October 2025 to be considered for entry in October 2026. Applications for 2025 entry have already closed.

Requirements

Admissions Assessment

Written work

Interviews

Deferred entry

Affiliated Students

If you have already completed or are in the process of completing a first undergraduate degree, you can apply for this course as an affiliated student. This means that you will complete the course in two years instead of the standard three. (Please note that this does not mean that you can go directly into the second year of the course.)

To apply as an affiliate student, you need to have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2.1 or higher in your first undergraduate degree. International equivalents can be found on the University website.

People

Dr Kristen MacAskill, Director of Studies
Professor Peter Guthrie CBE, Emeritus Fellow