A-Levels taken other than in Year 13

The standard minimum entrance requirements outlined deliberately do not specify that your A2-levels, Advanced Highers, IB HL subjects, or equivalents should all have been obtained in the same examination period.  However, based on our consideration of all relevant information available to us, such a requirement may form part of a conditional offer for an individual candidate.

Does it matter which college I apply to?

You can apply to a specific college stating the preference in the UCAS form, or can submit an Open Application, in which case the college is designated by the University Admissions Office. The admissions office does not tell colleges which candidates submitted an open application. If you do not have a particular preference for a college then making an open application is the best thing to do.

What should I say in my personal statement?

This is the opportunity to say why you want to do engineering - what it is that specially interests you about engineering, and what you have done about pursuing that interest. You may have an engineering-related hobby (e.g. building combat robots, or beading) so as well as explaining what pleasure it gives you (beating up other robots, or making bead necklaces) you should also say if you can what engineering principles you have learned from it (optimum relative mass of hammer head, or what it is that limits the maximum rate you can increase a peyote stitch).

Whilst we recognise that it is not possible for everyone to get on a Headstart course or get some engineering-related work experience, if you have managed to do this say so - and don’t forget to include what personal and engineering lessons you have learned from it.

Be careful not to succumb to the temptation to overstate or fake your interest, or dredge up an indolently pursued hobby from the past in order to impress. If you are invited to interview it is likely, if you mention them, that you will be asked about your hobbies and work experience. If your avid interest in building combat robots turns out never to have progressed beyond watching battles on TV then that will not create a good impression.

What happens at interview?

You will have two interviews. The first, usually in the morning and lasting between 30 and 45 minutes, will be at your preferred college (or the one that has been allocated to you). The second will be at another college in the afternoon will last 30 minutes.

The morning interview will explore your interest in engineering and also test how well you can develop your ideas in mathematics and physics. The maths question will be based on what you have done at school. The questions on physics will usually centre round an electrical or mechanical situation chosen to match the particular subjects you have covered at school. You will be asked to explain the physics of what is going on and, with help from the interviewers, will be expected to develop the physical arguments using simple maths to see how good you are at expressing physical concepts mathematically. A typical example can be found here.

The afternoon interview will usually be shorter and may consist of the mathematics and physics questions only.

How can I prepare for the interview?

The purpose of the interview is to find out how good you are at explaining your ideas and how quickly you can pick up and develop new ones. To some extent this is does not depend on how much you know, but clearly the more you do know the more concepts you will be able to call on to explain what is happening. The questions will always start from material you will have covered in your school courses, so we will expect you to be familiar with all the maths and physics you have covered in school – even if you ‘have not done it since last year’. Don’t cram for the interview though. If you get stuck or are unsure about anything, you can (and should) ask the interviewer for some help – do not be embarrassed about this, it is expected that you will need some help at some time.

Where should I look for information about funding?

Listed below are a number of the major scholarships available to engineering undergraduates in the UK - they are a fantastic source of financial assistance.

IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology)

• The IET offers an impressive range of scholarships both for students just starting university (of up to £3,000 per annum) and those commencing the second, third, or final years of their degrees (of up to £1,000 per annum).
• See the website for details and a full list of scholarships: http://www.theiet.org/about/scholarships-awards/ambition/undergraduate/index.cfm
• The deadline for applications is usually June.
• The IET also offers various other forms of undergraduate financial assistance. The website further contains the comprehensive PDF document: ‘Alternative Sources of Financial Assistance’.

IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers):

• The IMechE offers a number of undergraduate scholarships for students about to embark upon their degree (of up to £1,000 per annum.)
• See the website for details: http://www.imeche.org/about-us/scholarships-and-awards/undergraduate-and-apprentice/scholarships
• The deadline for applications is usually June.
• The IMechE also offers some forms of financial assistance for those already studying for their degree.
• Please note to be eligible for these scholarships your degree course must be accredited by the IMechE which, with the Oxford course, means certain choices in the later years as detailed in the Course Handbook.

ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers):

• The ICE offers a number of QUEST Undergraduate Scholarships for students about to start the first year of their degree (of £3,000 per annum)
• See the website for details: http://www.ice.org.uk/Membership/Scholarship-and-Awards/QUEST-Awards
• The deadline for applications is usually June.
• A QUEST Undergraduate Scholarship involves partnership with a civil engineering or construction company.
• Please note to be eligible for this scholarship your degree course must be accredited by the ICE which, with the Oxford course, means certain choices in the later years as detailed in the Course Handbook.

Oxford Opportunity Bursaries

Oxford Opportunity Bursaries were established in 2006 to assist UK students from lower income households with the cost of undergraduate study at the University of Oxford. Details can be found on the University's web site at http://www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/ugcurrent/university/oob/

Where can I get a brochure?

A booklet about Undergraduate Courses in Engineering is available from: