Sidney is a broad and friendly community and we are always keen to find new people and aspire to help them find out how they can make their contribution to Society through Engineering.

Important Note Concerning Interviews for 2023

Please note, all undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2023-24 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.

Engineering is all about how we apply science to change the world around us to improve the lives of everyone. This requires a diversity of people with the right knowledge and skills to work together in teams.

Sidney has always had a reputation for being a strong engineering College, because we foster such a community based on striving for excellence. We are not the biggest College in terms of numbers, but we are seen as being one of the most active. For example, we are large enough to sustain what is probably the most active College-based engineering society in Cambridge: the Stephenson Society (usually just called StephSoc). Run by our undergraduates, it meets every fortnight during the Autumn and Spring Terms for a talk and a dinner. Fellows, graduate students and some of our alumni come to these too.

Undergraduate Study

Our Engineering students are some of the most active in College life generally, and are quick to make their mark on the world beyond College by applying their Engineering skills to real world problems.

Written work

We will not ask you to submit any written work as part of your application.

Admissions assessment

Applicants are required to take a written assessment.

Interviews
  • All undergraduate admissions interviews at Sidney Sussex for the 2023-24 admissions round will be held online. Further details regarding interview platform will follow.
  • Two interviews. These cover your motivation for studying engineering, and both include working through problems.  If you have had any engineering-related work experience please include this in your personal statement. You might also want to use this to tell us what has inspired you to study engineering, as this information is particularly helpful to us for the interviews.
Subject requirements
  • Learn about our standard entry requirements for Engineering on the University website.
  • In addition to the standard entry requirements, at Sidney all applicants will also be taking Further Mathematics to at least AS Level, and preferably as a full A-level if this is available. The A-level work in Mathematics must have included Mechanics, unless you have some other means of studying this essential subject, in which case the College should be consulted beforehand. We also frequently receive applications from students offering Chemistry (which is essential if you intend to specialise in Chemical Engineering), languages, Economics or Design & Technology as well as other humanities and arts A-levels.
Industrial experience

Typically one or two of our Engineering students each year will have taken a Gap Year to gain industrial experience.

Chartered Engineer

Professional engineers will normally apply to be Chartered by the Engineering Council. This shows that you have obtained both the academic knowledge to become and engineer and have practiced this.  The course at Cambridge is accredited by the leading UK Engineering Institutions including the Royal Aeronautical Society, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Engineering and Technology and the Institution of Civil Engieers as being  sufficient to meet the academic requirement of becoming chartered.  You would normally apply to become a Chartered Engeer a few years after completing your undergraduate degree once you have had a chance to put your knowledge and skills into practice.

Beyond the syllabus

Are you excited to learn more about the subject by delving beyond the school syllabus? Explore our Beyond the syllabus resource hub to discover interesting websites, podcasts, videos, and books related to the subject you love!

Typical intake

10 - 12

Typical A-level offer

A*A*A

Typical IB offer

42 points overall, with 776 at Higher Level

Postgraduate Study

At the University of Cambridge applications for postgraduate study are processed centrally by the Postgraduate Admissions Office. The application form and supporting documents are submitted electronically via their website and the online self-service system, though academic decisions on applications are made by the Faculty or Department.

Funding

There are many funding opportunities at Cambridge from a wide variety of sources including the Cambridge Trust, Gates Cambridge, Colleges, Departments, Research Councils and central University funds. You can use the Postgraduate Admissions' Cambridge Funding Search to find out which type of funding you might be eligible for, and how and when to apply. They also operate a Postgraduate Funding Competition to co-ordinate some of these funding opportunities and make the process easier for you as an applicant.

To find information about the funds available for postgraduate students at Sidney, visit our Studentships and funding page.

Useful links

Course directory | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Funding | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

How do I apply? | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

International students | Postgraduate Admissions | University of Cambridge

Opportunities to work, travel, and study

The College is able to offer financial support for a number of student pursuits including:

  • Professional and research internships
  • Study awards
  • Vacation travel
  • Arts and music
  • Sport

While it will not be possible to provide support in all cases, current students are strongly encouraged to apply if they have a project which would benefit from financial support.

Discover more on our Opportunities to work, travel, and study page.