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I want to read engineering in uni, especially Cambridge. Advices needed!

Sorry if there were many other similar threads.

I am doing AS, taking M, FM, P, C, and critical thinking, took the Physics AS competition and Chemistry Olympiad, and got bronze in both. I am an international student, has been in england since Jan 2010.

I want to read engineering at uni. I will apply for Cambridge. I want to ask which other uni are good for engineering. As I don't know much, so can u tell me some more details, like which uni should i take as firm or insurance. I know I have to decide, but I still need some basics ideas about them.

As said above, I want to apply for Cambridge. If I get bad grades in critical thinking, will I get less chances to get in there? (I chose it because I thought universities don't care about it much, and hope it will improve my English, and help me with TSA). Is it true that which college I choose won't affect my chances to get in? (I have the feeling that it's more difficult to get in Trinity college than others). Should I read more about engineering to broaden my knowledge? (I heard that it's not necessary, as they don't look for know-it-all students, but I am not sure) If I should read more, then what exactly should I read? I know that it's better to have work experience, but how can I have it? how necessary is it? and finally do you have any tips for interview and PS?

Thank you, and sorry for making you all read such a long thread.
Reply 1
Anyone? Please help!
Most universities don't offer an "Engineering" degree course as such; more often you'll find more courses offered that specialise in a field of Engineering - mechanical, chemical, civil etc. Of course, at universities like Cambridge, you do end up specialising in the final years of your degree; it's just that the modules are more general when you start. Other good universities that offer "Engineering" include Oxford and Edinburgh but other universities have very good mechanical, chemical etc courses that should not be ignored. Do some reading and discover which fields of engineering interest you; I'm sure you also have some ideas yourself. Other universities to consider include Imperial College London, UCL, Manchester, Loughborough and Bristol; they are also very good universities for engineering.

In terms of Cambridge colleges, the university claims they make the application procedure as fair as possible so that your choice of college does not affect your chances of being offered a place; this is true to large extent, but in reality you'll find that in applying to some colleges, such as Trinity, where the competition is even greater, you're slightly more likely to be rejected. However, sometimes rejected applicants get put into "the pool", if the interviewers saw potential, and you may get accepted by another college. This doesn't happen a lot, but quite a few applicants are accepted this way each year.

In regard to books on engineering, you might find this Cambridge University Department of Engineering reading list useful:

http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/teaching/teachoff/pre-residence_reading.html

Regarding grades, each year many people apply with AAAB so considering you're taking 5 AS levels, you should be fine if you don't get a good grades in critical thinking; also, it's not at all an essential subject to studying engineering so it will probably be overlooked. As long as you achieve good grades in maths, FM, physics and chemistry; have at least an AAA prediction for A2; have an impressive personal statement; and have a good school reference, you're very likely to get an interview. From there, it's up to you to shine and show the interviews you have what they want: passion, ability and potential.

Good luck with your application.

I hope some of this helps. :smile:
Reply 3
Robincognito
Most universities don't offer an "Engineering" degree course as such; more often you'll find more courses offered that specialise in a field of Engineering - mechanical, chemical, civil etc. Of course, at universities like Cambridge, you do end up specialising in the final years of your degree; it's just that the modules are more general when you start. Other good universities that offer "Engineering" include Oxford and Edinburgh but other universities have very good mechanical, chemical etc courses that should not be ignored. Do some reading and discover which fields of engineering interest you; I'm sure you also have some ideas yourself. Other universities to consider include Imperial College London, UCL, Manchester, Loughborough and Bristol; they are also very good universities for engineering.

In terms of Cambridge colleges, the university claims they make the application procedure as fair as possible so that your choice of college does not affect your chances of being offered a place; this is true to large extent, but in reality you'll find that in applying to some colleges, such as Trinity, where the competition is even greater, you're slightly more likely to be rejected. However, sometimes rejected applicants get put into "the pool", if the interviewers saw potential, and you may get accepted by another college. This doesn't happen a lot, but quite a few applicants are accepted this way each year.

In regard to books on engineering, you might find this Cambridge University Department of Engineering reading list useful:

http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/teaching/teachoff/pre-residence_reading.html

Regarding grades, each year many people apply with AAAB so considering you're taking 5 AS levels, you should be fine if you don't get a good grades in critical thinking; also, it's not at all an essential subject to studying engineering so it will probably be overlooked. As long as you achieve good grades in maths, FM, physics and chemistry; have at least an AAA prediction for A2; have an impressive personal statement; and have a good school reference, you're very likely to get an interview. From there, it's up to you to shine and show the interviews you have what they want: passion, ability and potential.

Good luck with your application.

I hope some of this helps. :smile:


Thank you so much! I thought that nobody would help me
Reply 4
Robincognito
Most universities don't offer an "Engineering" degree course as such; more often you'll find more courses offered that specialise in a field of Engineering - mechanical, chemical, civil etc. Of course, at universities like Cambridge, you do end up specialising in the final years of your degree; it's just that the modules are more general when you start. Other good universities that offer "Engineering" include Oxford and Edinburgh but other universities have very good mechanical, chemical etc courses that should not be ignored. Do some reading and discover which fields of engineering interest you; I'm sure you also have some ideas yourself. Other universities to consider include Imperial College London, UCL, Manchester, Loughborough and Bristol; they are also very good universities for engineering.

In terms of Cambridge colleges, the university claims they make the application procedure as fair as possible so that your choice of college does not affect your chances of being offered a place; this is true to large extent, but in reality you'll find that in applying to some colleges, such as Trinity, where the competition is even greater, you're slightly more likely to be rejected. However, sometimes rejected applicants get put into "the pool", if the interviewers saw potential, and you may get accepted by another college. This doesn't happen a lot, but quite a few applicants are accepted this way each year.

In regard to books on engineering, you might find this Cambridge University Department of Engineering reading list useful:

http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/teaching/teachoff/pre-residence_reading.html

Regarding grades, each year many people apply with AAAB so considering you're taking 5 AS levels, you should be fine if you don't get a good grades in critical thinking; also, it's not at all an essential subject to studying engineering so it will probably be overlooked. As long as you achieve good grades in maths, FM, physics and chemistry; have at least an AAA prediction for A2; have an impressive personal statement; and have a good school reference, you're very likely to get an interview. From there, it's up to you to shine and show the interviews you have what they want: passion, ability and potential.

Good luck with your application.

I hope some of this helps. :smile:


I think I'd like to do mechanical engineering, so which universities r good for it?
Reply 5
Ahh I'm currently an international student also studying in the UK, I advice that you take the AEA and possibly STEP if your maths is quite good, it can never hurt to try. If you do well it will give you an extra advantage and look very good on your PS. By the way its great your doing further maths.
Reply 6
Dibs_anim
Ahh I'm currently an international student also studying in the UK, I advice that you take the AEA and possibly STEP if your maths is quite good, it can never hurt to try. If you do well it will give you an extra advantage and look very good on your PS. By the way its great your doing further maths.


Maths is my favourite subject :yep: . And I will take the AEA this June, and STEP I, too! My tutor told me that as I am still doing AS so I should take STEP I only. It does hurt a bit to take it, as it's so expensive.
Zuzia Bulu
I think I'd like to do mechanical engineering, so which universities r good for it?


I'm probably not the best person to ask. Outside of Cambridge, Imperial College London is arguably the best UK university to study mechanical engineering. However, the application process is very competitive and they often make A*AA or A*AAA offers. Sometimes they'll make AA offers but it really depends on the other aspects of your application - personal statement, interview (if they invite you for one), reference etc).

You may find this rankings table for mechanical engineering useful. However, rankings should always be taken with a pinch of salt; you should never base your choice entirely on a university's position in the table. You can, however, research the higher rated courses and see if any of them interest you.

http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php?AC_sub=Mechanical+Engineering&x=27&y=5&sub=43

If you want further advice, try making a new post titled "Which university to apply to for Mechanical Engineering" or something similar and I'm sure others will offer you their help. :smile:
Reply 8
Robincognito
I'm probably not the best person to ask. Outside of Cambridge, Imperial College London is arguably the best UK university to study mechanical engineering. However, the application process is very competitive and they often make A*AA or A*AAA offers. Sometimes they'll make AA offers but it really depends on the other aspects of your application - personal statement, interview (if they invite you for one), reference etc).

You may find this rankings table for mechanical engineering useful. However, rankings should always be taken with a pinch of salt; you should never base your choice entirely on a university's position in the table. You can, however, research the higher rated courses and see if any of them interest you.

http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/tol_gug/gooduniversityguide.php?AC_sub=Mechanical+Engineering&x=27&y=5&sub=43

If you want further advice, try making a new post titled "Which university to apply to for Mechanical Engineering" or something similar and I'm sure others will offer you their help. :smile:


Thank you so much!
I did have a look at league tables before, but as you know, the second one is Bristol, not Imperial. I heard that Imperial is very good, so I think league tables are not very correct. The only uni I know are Oxbridge and Imperial :frown: . I will try making a new thread, but not sure if anyone will help :frown: , I made this thread 4 days ago and received just a few replies. Where do u suggest I should put that thread? I have the feeling that I put this thread in an unpopular section and that's why only 2 people replied.
Reply 9
Zuzia Bulu
Thank you so much!
I did have a look at league tables before, but as you know, the second one is Bristol, not Imperial. I heard that Imperial is very good, so I think league tables are not very correct. The only uni I know are Oxbridge and Imperial :frown: . I will try making a new thread, but not sure if anyone will help :frown: , I made this thread 4 days ago and received just a few replies. Where do u suggest I should put that thread? I have the feeling that I put this thread in an unpopular section and that's why only 2 people replied.

They've got Nottingham Trent in 12th place. lol.

So yes, ignore it.