Subjects

Engineering

What makes the Cambridge Engineering course so special?

Having chosen Engineering, you don’t have to specialise further during the first two years of the course. This gives you time to make an informed decision about which area interests you most and best suits your academic strengths, whilst providing a firm grounding across the whole breadth of the course. You will choose a professional area for your final two years, which may be Mechanical, Civil and Structural, Energy, Aerospace, Electrical and Electronic, Information and Control, Engineering for the Life Sciences, or Manufacturing. But you can if you wish keep a broad range of interests by choosing up to 40% of your courses from outside your own specialism. Besides all the engineering courses, a range of topics in management, business studies, economics and language are offered. When you graduate, you have the same detailed knowledge and understanding as someone who studied your specialisation from the start at another university, but you also understand its context within the field of engineering.
To learn more about the course, go to http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/

Why choose Newnham for Engineering?

About 28% of the 300 engineering undergraduates in each year are women. By choosing Newnham, you gain the same educational experience as everyone else, with the added advantage of the excellent library facilities offered by the College. Current students comment particularly favourably on the encouragement they receive in Newnham’s supportive atmosphere.

How many students take Engineering at Newnham and what options do they choose?

We aim to take about 8 students a year, but numbers do fluctuate. Students spread themselves quite evenly through the different areas of specialisation.

How will I be taught at Newnham?

Your teaching is divided between the Engineering Department and the College. Lectures, examples classes and laboratories are in the Department, but small-group teaching (supervisions, often called tutorials at other universities) may be either in College or in the Department. On weekday mornings you generally have four hours of lectures and laboratories. You usually do laboratory work in pairs; in your first two years you will normally have a partner from Newnham. Some laboratory sessions continue in the afternoon, but most afternoons are free for private study or other activities. Supervisions are most often scheduled in the afternoon or early evening.

There are normally two students and one supervisor, and supervisions last one hour. In them, you work through problem sheets set by lecturers, and your supervisors help you to gain a full understanding of the lecture material.

In the first two years, all your supervisions are in Newnham groups with carefully-chosen supervisors who include Newnham Fellows and graduate students. We sometimes include students from two other Colleges with whom we have close links, Wolfson and Sidney Sussex.

Once you have specialised in the third year, supervisions are department-based, and you may be partnered with students from any other college.

Can you tell me more about the Engineering Fellows?

• Dr Claire Barlow (Director of Studies, Engineering Part IIB, Manufacturing Engineering Parts IIA and IIB) is a materials engineer, specialising in manufacturing technologies and sustainability.
• Dr Luis Garcia-Gancedo (Director of Studies, Parts IA and IIA) is a physicist specialising in nanotechnology-based sensors for biomedical and healthcare applications.
• Ms Alice Moncaster (Director of Studies, Part IB) is a structural engineer specialising in different aspects of sustainable construction.
• Dr Ajith Parlikad works on Asset management and maintenance.

What jobs do Newnham Engineering students go on to do?

Newnham students go on to be successful in all sorts of jobs. One recent graduate is working in the technical department of the BBC; another is production manager in a food manufacturing company. A steady stream decide to enter teaching, sometimes directly from University but more often after working for a time in industry. The lure of highly-paid jobs in finance or consultancy takes some to the City. And a proportion of graduates continue for higher degrees such as Doctorates, either at Cambridge or elsewhere in the world.

Are there any A-level subjects that are particularly useful?

Applicants are expected to be taking Physics and Maths at A Level or equivalent. Further Maths is also very useful. Please see http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/admissions/information/faqs.html for more details. The course is mathematical and very analytical. The more maths you have done before you start the course, the more enjoyable it will be. Applied Maths is particularly helpful, since it provides the foundations for the Mechanics part of the Cambridge course; topics in Pure Maths are also valuable. A bit of knowledge of statistical methods is good, but this has the least relevance to Engineering. Click here for details of which topics are most relevant.

Can I take a gap year?

A gap year spent doing something which broadens your experience is encouraged: the greater maturity and independence you have before starting the University course, the better. Schemes are available to set you up with a year in Industry, or you can apply directly to companies which offer such placements. Another worthwhile thing to do is to travel and work abroad for a year. But you should only aim to take a gap year if you have definite ambitions and plans for what to do: it’s important not just to sit about at home!

How should I prepare for interview at Newnham?

The assessment at Newnham normally consists of two technical interviews, a short written test, and the Thinking Skills Assessment on-line test. We’re interested in finding out whether you have the aptitude and enthusiasm for a demanding University course, rather than whether you can remember what you’ve been taught at school. The written test contains open-ended problem-solving questions on engineering topics. In the interviews, we will discuss some issues relating to engineering and mathematics, but it will be a dialogue rather than a quiz. We’re interested in finding out about you as a person, as well as exploring your academic potential. Most people quite enjoy the interviews!

In summary, you can best prepare for the interview by being yourself. Try to arrive in the interviews relaxed and alert, and ready to think hard about a range of technical issues.

Where can I find out more?

Look at the Engineering Department website and see what is going on in the Department.
Come to one of the Department Open Afternoons (normally the first Thursday and Friday in July), have a look around and talk to people.
Come to an Open Day at Newnham.
And if you have specific questions, do contact either the Engineering Department or Newnham College admissions (contact details on websites).

Take a look at the profile of a current student.