Modules

Year 1 (Part IA)

The broad foundation of the first two years (Part I) gives you an understanding of the basic principles of a wide range of subjects, together with an appreciation of the external pressures under which these ideas are likely to be applied.

In Year 1, you take four papers and sit a three-hour written exam in each:

Mechanical Engineering

Structures and Materials

Electrical and Information Engineering

Mathematical Methods

You also undertake several coursework activities and projects, on topics including structural design, product design, presentation skills, drawing, laboratory experiments and computer programming.

Year 2 (Part IB)

You study seven papers on core subjects at a more advanced level:

Mechanics

Structures

Materials

Thermofluid Mechanics

Electrical Engineering

Information Engineering

Mathematical Methods

In addition, in the third term, for an eighth component, you select two topics from seven engineering disciplines plus a language option. These topics emphasise engineering design and introduce the more specialised work of the third year.

Coursework includes laboratory experiments and computing exercises. Several experiments are linked around the common theme of earthquake-resistant structures. A highlight of the year is the integrated design project, a design project spanning multiple engineering disciplines, where you work in teams to design and build robot vehicles which are then tested against each other.

Year 3 (Part IIA)

Professional specialisation begins in earnest and you study 10 papers from over 40 choices. Usually, six of your paper choices will be associated with one of the following disciplines:

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

Alternatively, you can choose General Engineering, in which there are fewer restrictions on paper combinations.

In addition, you take an Extension Activity (selected from several topics, including both non-technical options, such as a language course, and technical options designed to introduce you to various measurement and test procedures in your chosen professional area) and, in the final term, choose two from a variety of design and computer-based projects or projects in a foreign language.

Year 4 (Part IIB)

Progression to Part IIB is dependent on achievement in Parts IB and IIA, and successful completion of Part IIB leads to the BA and MEng degrees.

In Part IIB, further specialisation is possible and you select eight papers from around 80 options which vary each year. These papers benefit from the Department’s research and are taught by experts in the particular field. As a result, you graduate with a Masters-level appreciation of theory and practice in your chosen area.

A major individual project occupies about half of your time. Many projects are associated with current Department research and have direct industrial input and application. Recent projects have included:

super-tall timber high-rise design

nanotubes and graphene for polymer optoelectronics

a fitness predictor for racing cyclists

use of thorium in a PRISM reactor

whole-system design of tidal turbines

remarkably shaped structures

preliminary design of a solar electric vehicle

strategy development for fuel restricted F1 races

medical imaging and 3D computer graphics

the aerodynamics of power kites

Requirements

ypical offers require

A Level: A*A*A

IB: 40-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level

Other qualifications: See Entrance requirements and International qualifications.

Subject requirements

All Colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level Mathematics and Physics

Some Colleges require: A Level/IB Higher Level in a third science/mathematics subject, STEP (STEP 2 may be requested by Peterhouse for some candidates – see the College website for details)

Further guidance:

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, eg by studying advanced material or Further Mathematics AS Level.

IB applicants are expected to take IB Higher Level 'Analysis and Approaches' for this course. If this option is not available at your school, please contact the College you wish to apply to for further advice and guidance.

All Colleges, except Trinity, welcome applications from students taking A Level Mathematics and a suitable vocational qualification, eg a BTEC Higher National Diploma in an engineering discipline. Applicants are expected to achieve the highest possible grades in A Level Mathematics and the vocational qualification. Those taking the Single Award Applied A Level in Engineering or the Principal Learning components of the Advanced Diploma in Engineering must also be taking A Levels in Mathematics and Physics.

T-Levels are not considered appropriate preparation for the Cambridge Engineering degree and are therefore not accepted for entry.

All Colleges welcome applications from students wishing to defer entry in order to pursue an Engineering-related gap year. Some Colleges are particularly keen to support such applicants, please see the Department website for details.