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Successful Personal Statement For Engineering At Oxford

Last Updated: 3rd August 2020

Author: Adi Sen

• Engineering

Table of Contents

Welcome to our popular Personal Statement series where we present a successful Personal Statement, and our Oxbridge Tutors provide their feedback on it. 

Today, we are looking through an Engineering applicant’s Personal Statement that helped secure a place at Oxford University. The Engineering Course at Oxford is based on a unified course in Engineering Science, which integrates study of the subject across the traditional boundaries of engineering disciplines.

Read on to see how this candidate managed to navigate the many disciplines of Engineering. 

Here’s a breakdown of the Personal Statement:

SUCCESSFUL?

The universities this candidate applied to were the following:

Enrolling on our Oxbridge Engineering comprehensive Programme will give you access to Personal Statement redrafts. 

With our  Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme, your tutor will give you regular actionable feedback with insider tips on how to improve and make your Personal Statement Oxbridge quality for the best chances of success.  

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Engineering Personal Statement

I have always considered myself creative; much of my youth was spent designing and building with my Dad in his workshop. I would read encyclopaedias on cars and watch design-related TV programmes such as BBC’s Robot Wars, analysing the strengths and weaknesses of each robot and thinking about how they could be improved. This background, combined with a genuine enjoyment of mathematics and physics, has given me a desire to read engineering at university.

Reading Marcus du Sautoy’s “The Music of the Primes” and Simon Singh’s “Fermat’s Last Theorem” has shown how individuals have dedicated their lives to solving seemingly simple problems. The main attraction of these books and mathematics more widely, is problem solving, which is also what draws me to engineering. Solving a wide variety of problems is something I really enjoy; in the most recent UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, I was awarded a gold certificate, also the best score in my year at school.

Studying physics at A-Level has helped me to understand the world, and answered questions I had as a child; why does a satellite stay in orbit? How does gravity work? Why does a clock pendulum keep in time? My favourite aspect of physics is mechanics, complemented by my maths mechanics modules. The application of physics and mechanics to engineering was obvious from the outset; it is a fundamental skill set which bridges the gap between science and invention. I also enjoy studying Further Pure Mathematics, in particular calculus, and am interested in how the solutions of second order differential equations apply to problems in mechanics.

Projects including designing and making a desk lamp, a torch and bench vice grips in GCSE Engineering gave me an initial insight into the discipline. The course gave me hands on experience with equipment typical of an engineering department. Considering the benefits of materials was important too; from an economic, aesthetic, and practical perspective. I also secured work experience at a BMW Mini Plant in the ‘Whole Vehicle Analysis’, section. One project involved heating up a Mini’s bonnet to address complaints from customers in hot countries that the bonnet scoop sagged. I used CNC measuring equipment and helped to write up one of a series of reports, resulting in an alloy being added to the scoop so it retained its structure. The week introduced me to engineering in the real world, the importance of quality control and precision and the cost of a company’s mistakes.

Aside from my studies, I have always had a musical interest and am working towards grade 7 piano. I completed work experience at the local ‘Yamaha Homeworld’ music shop specialising in top range digital pianos. I am constantly impressed at how a digital piano can look, feel, and respond exactly like a real piano. I like being part of a team and am a keen rugby and cricket player. Being elected as prefect and head boy has further helped me to work well, and get on with others, as well as improving my public speaking. This has been complemented by taking Grade 8 ‘Speaking in Public’ last year, in which I achieved a distinction. I now feel confident talking in front of large groups and being able to communicate my ideas easily. Reading Steven Johnson’s “Where Good Ideas Come From” discussed the theory that “ideas are generated by crowds where connection is more important than protection” and for me this epitomises the importance of team work and communication within engineering.

Ultimately, I would like to play a role in the future of our rapidly developing world; studying engineering at university will not only give me the skills to do this, but will also stimulate my passion for mathematics and science.

For more inspiration, take a look through our other successful Personal Statement a nalysis articles:

Successful Personal Statement For Natural Science (Physical) At Cambridge

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Download our Free Personal Statement Starter Guide 

Good Points Of The Personal Statement

This is an excellent statement.

The student begins with personal reasons as to why they are interested in engineering, and by the end of the introduction, the reader is left in no doubt that the student is absolutely sure they want to pursue engineering at a higher level. The student successfully describes a range of experiences and interests covering several engineering disciplines and keeps the application general enough to be relevant to a general engineering degree. The statement is well-structured with a clear introduction, main body, and end.

Bad Points Of The Personal Statement

Although the student mentions several experiences/interests covering several engineering disciplines, they fall short of naming a specific engineering discipline that captures their interest.

Whilst this is not a requirement, naming a particular field of engineering as capturing one’s interest above other fields would demonstrate a level of decisiveness to the reader. Many universities do not offer general engineering degrees, and it is possible a student who is applying for engineering at Oxford or Cambridge will also make several applications to universities for specific engineering disciplines.

It is important to keep the statement general enough for applications to general engineering courses but also specific enough for applications to individual engineering disciplines. This would have been possible by stating an interest in a particular engineering discipline.

UniAdmissions Overall Score:

This is an excellent statement, one that is well-written and well-structured. The student’s motivation to study engineering is clear, although the student falls short of naming a specific field of engineering which capture’s their interest above all others.

Because of this one negative, we’re awarding this statement 4/5 stars. However, it’s important to note this rating is based on the overall strength of the statement. Although it had potential to be a little stronger, this had no impact on the number of offers the candidate received.

And there we have it – an Oxford Engineering Personal Statement with feedback from our expert tutors. 

Remember, at Oxford, the Admissions Tutors are often the people who will be teaching you for the next few years, so you need to appeal directly to them.

Check out our Free Personal Statement Resources page for even more successful personal statements and expert guides.

Our expert tutors are on hand to help you craft the perfect Personal Statement for your Oxford Engineering application.

With our  Oxbridge Engineering Premium Programme we help you craft the perfect  Personal   Statement , achieve a highly competitive PAT score and teach you how to  Interview effectively.

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Oxbridge Engineering Personal Statement: Composing Guidance and Samples

Your engineering personal statement carries significant weight when it comes to Oxbridge engineering admissions. It’s no longer just a formality but a chance to shine among highly qualified applicants.

This blog covers everything you need to write an Oxbridge engineering personal statement, from what to include to how to shape it; then, you’ll clearly understand how to compose a statement that grabs interest and sticks.

I. Importance of an Engineering Personal Statement

Admission for engineering at Oxbridge is highly competitive, and your engineering personal statement is vital in determining your prospects. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, passion, and suitability to study engineering at Oxbridge. And it’s the admissions committee’s first glimpse of you beyond your grades and qualifications. Let’s dive right in!

And it should be noted that UCAS released the FUTURE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS in January 2023, indicating that it will reform five aspects of the undergraduate admissions process. UCAS will be reframing the current format of the personal statement into a series of questions:

• Motivation for course – Why do you want to study these courses?
• Preparedness for course – How has your learning so far helped you to be ready to succeed on these courses?
• Preparation through other experiences – What else have you done to help you prepare, and why are these experiences useful
• Extenuating circumstances – Is there anything that the universities and colleges need to know about, to help them put your achievements and experiences so far into context?
• Preparedness for study – What have you done to prepare yourself for student life?
• Preferred learning styles – Which learning and assessment styles best suit you – how do your courses choices match that?

However, at present, a personal statement is still required for students applying in the 2024 application cycle.

II. What to Include in Your Engineering Personal Statement

• Start your engineering personal statement with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. Please explain why you are interested in studying engineering at Oxbridge and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Tell us about your academic experience and any previous engineering experience you may have. Describe any relevant work or internships that demonstrate your talents and expertise.
• Explain your academic accomplishments and describe your favorite engineering topics or modules. Then, emphasize your educational achievements and abilities applicable to the field, including excellent grades in math and technology and relevant coursework. If you excel in those areas, it demonstrates your solid understanding of fundamental engineering principles.
• Work experiences and internships related to engineering can significantly enhance your engineering personal statement. Discuss the skills and knowledge you’ve gained and how they’ve shaped your aspirations. Remember to describe instances where you implemented your engineering expertise and showed your ability to solve problems and innovate.
• Describe your interests and skills relevant to engineering, including problem-solving abilities, creativity, critical thinking, or management experience. Also, mention any extracurricular activities that demonstrate those abilities.
• An engineering personal statement should also include extracurricular activities and hobbies that show your passion. Whether collaborating in robotics competitions, volunteering for STEM initiatives, or developing your invention, displaying your dedication to engineering outside academic settings shows your determination and vitality for the field.
• Describe your long-term engineering goals and aspirations. And explain how studying engineering at Oxbridge will help you achieve those goals.
• Reflect on your experiences and personal development. Then, discuss a challenging situation, how you overcame it, how you’ve grown academically and personally, and how this has shaped your engineering approach.

III. Structuring Your Engineering Personal Statement Effectively

Follow these steps to shape your engineering personal statement effectively:

1. Start of your essay

Create an engaging opening. A vivid assertion or story should demonstrate your fascination with engineering and try to make it memorable. Avoid clichés and the most obvious opening sentences so that you stand out from the first line. Refer to the most common opening lines published by UCAS:

From a young age… For as long as I can remember… I am applying for this course because… I have always been interested in… Throughout my life, I have always enjoyed…

2. Developing the plot

• Prepare your engineering personal statement logically with a logical structure. Describe your educational achievements, skills, interests, and plans in engineering especially. Then finish by reflecting on your learning experience and conclusion.
• Explore Oxbridge’s values and articulate how your aspirations align with theirs. And examine the aspects of the college that resonate with you, such as its modern study opportunities, close-knit community, or commitment to social responsibility.
• Explain why you’re interested in studying engineering at Oxbridge and why the university appeals to you. From present-day research projects to specific programs offered by Oxbridge, you can explain how each element aligns with your career dreams and how they will contribute to your professional development.

3. End of your engineering personal statement

An impressive end of your engineering personal statement may leave the admissions tutor with a strong lasting impression – one that will leave them no choice but to make you an offer. How to do this? There are several suggestions:

• Avoid famous quotes. Like the start of your engineering personal statement, try to avoid cliches, quotes, or asking rhetorical questions you’re not going to answer.
• Connect to your content above. Revisit the key points mentioned in the main body and emphasize them again.
• Talk about the future and your university expectation. Looking to the future is an optimistic way to finish. It shows you’re goal-oriented and carefully thought about how this course fits into your plans.

IV. Polishing the Proof

• Keep your writing concise and lively: Use straightforward language and a positive voice to convey your ideas effectively. Don’t use jargon or complicated language that distracts from your main points.
• Be edited with your statement: Ensure your engineering personal statement is proofread and edited without grammatical, spelling, or typographical errors; cause following these pointers and crafting a strong personal statement can boost your chances of securing an engineering place at Oxbridge.
• Understand the course structure: Familiarize yourself with the course structure. Look at the modules and subjects that appeal to you most. Explore the official websites of Oxford and Cambridge for detailed information on physics course.
• Feedback and Iteration: Seek feedback from teachers, mentors, or peers, especially those with insights into the Oxbridge application process. Be open to critiques and willing to revise your statement for clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Don’t be modest or shy: You need to show your enthusiasm for engineering.

V. Sample Engineering Personal Statement and Comments

1. engineering personal statement sample.

Engineers build societies. More specifically, mechanical engineers apply fundamental maths and physics laws to construct mechanical devices that we use every day, despite sometimes going unnoticed. For this reason, I would like to pursue a career in engineering, as it is such a key component in societies. It combines my fascination of how things work and the mechanics behind devices, with the ability to apply maths and physics concepts to real-life situations. Studying Maths Mechanics at A-level has given me experience with calculus and more advanced mathematics, including differential equations, creating a firm grounding for the mathematics I should encounter at degree level. Physics has given me an understanding of fundamental notions and reinforced the mechanical aspects of maths, while through Chemistry I have gained hands-on practical experience through regular experiments. Economics at AS level allowed me to develop knowledge on economic practices, as I recognise that many engineers move on to positions involving management responsibilities. Being invited to partake in the A2 British Physics Olympiad enabled me to gain a deeper understanding of physics principles including Newton’s Laws of Motion and the Laws of Thermodynamics, especially those entwined into everyday tasks. Participation in the Physics Olympiad also provided me with the means to develop my critical thinking skills, as there are usually multiple paths which can be taken to reach the same answer. In addition to this, it required me to think logically about a problem while also being creative. Over the summer holidays, I had the opportunity to undertake masterclasses offered by the University of Liverpool, where I was able to enhance my practical problem-solving experience and apply familiar concepts to strange and unfamiliar problems. One of the masterclasses was engineering movers & shakers, where we engaged in a group structure building task and learnt about the levels of stress structures can withstand. To broaden my engineering knowledge I conducted personal online research, with youtube channels Engineering Explained and Learn Engineering, partnered with regularly assisting my dad in repairing and restoring old Land Rovers providing a wealth of knowledge. Here I have been able to develop awareness of underlying concepts within motorised vehicles, such as the differential which allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds while transferring power to both wheels through the use of the spider gear. Allowing for two different types of rotation and so creating variable power output to the wheels. Last year, as part of the Welsh baccalaureate I volunteered at my old high school’s maths department, where I tutored a group of year 11 students guiding them through the additional maths course. This was beneficial as it allowed me to develop my interpersonal skills, as I had to alter my teaching approach in order to convey the content as effectively as possible to suit each individual student. Completing the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award has meant I have gained valuable skills including teamwork, leadership and confidence, allowing me to work with a diverse range of people, this is useful as an engineer because you will encounter and have to work alongside various types of people to achieve common goals. In my spare time, I joined a rowing club for several months, demonstrating my commitment and organisation skills as we often trained multiple times per week including early mornings, together with communication skills as team cohesion is an important factor when being part of a crew. Studying mechanical engineering will allow me to contribute to new life-changing technologies for numerous industries; including construction, transport, and health-care. My motivation and diligence along with my ability to study independently will make me as I believe it an asset to the course.

2. Comments

• In addition to the achievements of the engineering course, the statement describes the applicant’s studies in math, physics, chemistry, and other courses.
• A detailed list of the grades and awards proves the applicant’s outstanding learning ability and talent.
• Various extracurricular activities and volunteer activities are listed to prove the applicant’s enthusiasm and teamwork ability.
• Closely integrate the applicant’s ideals with the university’s education and concepts.
• The statement is logical, and the language is easy to understand. The connections between the parts are smooth.

VI. Conclusion

Writing a compelling engineering personal statement emphasizes storytelling, problem-solving skills, and alignment with Oxbridge’s values. Follow the suggestions provided by Oxbridge and UCAS, proofread your engineering personal statement carefully before submitting it. Wish you success with your application!

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Our 10 Top Tips for Writing a Standout Oxbridge Personal Statement to Get You an Oxbridge Interview

Oxbridge personal statement 101: top tips for writing by oxbridge graduates.

You've sat your exams, chosen your top 5 Universities to apply to, you've registered with UCAS. Now what? Oh yes, you've got to write a personal statement - 4000 characters to encapsulate why YOU are suitable for your course. 

You know the standard pitfalls, you know you won't be in the 1779 candidates each year on UCAS who begin their statement with 'From a young age I have always been...', you know not to begin with a motivational quote or to include too many 'I love''s or 'passions'. You also know that the personal statement is not the be all or end all of your application - yes, admissions will look at it, and certainly it matters for some subjects and Universities more than others, but at the end of the day your exam results and interview, if you have one, will speak louder than 4000 characters can.

Still, you might as well get it right - done well, your personal statement can demonstrate what motivates your study of your given subject now and give an insight into your academic ability , which can only boost your application. U2 has curated 10 top tips, based on the advice of Oxbridge alumni in over 20 subjects, to help you overcome this often daunting task. Do also check out the abundance of articles we have published on subject-specific personal statement content creation and writing - we have written articles for an array of subjects including Dentistry , Politics , Biological Natural Sciences , English , History , Veterinary Science and more via our Free Resource Library ! These include reading and wider subject exploration recommendations, as well as information on preparing for interviews for your course of application.

1) Less is More When it Comes to Your Personal Statement

Try to be specific and DON'T waffle. Tutors hate it when you try to sound over the top of use overly-complicated words. One of the most frequent pitfalls admissions tutors see when assessing Personal Statements are students trying to fit as much as possible into their statement. LESS IS MORE. Don't write about every book you've ever read, but choose one or two to illustrate your enthusiasm for the subject. Make sure to go in-depth in your analysis of the book/ article/ experience you mention - showcase your opinion and link back to how this demonstrates your motivation for wanting to study your course of application. This also means that when it comes to interview, you have loads more to draw on than the content of your personal statement as you won’t have mentioned every single activity you have undertaken on the A4 page.

Key Stylistic Points:

Write in simple, straightforward, everyday English.

Express yourself as succinctly as possible using short sentences.

Do not get weighed down in jargon or complicated terminology – and if you do use some, make sure that you use it properly. 

2) Don’t Try to Tell a Grand Narrative

In the subject paragraphs of your personal statement, do not try to tell any form of grand narrative about either you or the subject e.g. “the first moment I realised I wanted to study Philosophy was” or even “Philosophy is the most important subject because”; these come across as pompous and insincere. Likewise, admissions tutors don’t wish to know that from the time you were a young boy, you loved playing with lego, which led to a love of engineering, they want to know what motivates you in your course of interest NOW. It is much better to simply write about the ideas, concepts and theories that have captured your attention through your work at school and how you’ve explored them in your own reading or other activities.

Personal Statement Introduction Example Structure:

‘My interest/curiosity in materials science first emerged following XYZ. This led me to pursue further research, reading, etc., including taking a biomedical engineering course at […]. These experiences have only increased my enthusiasm for the subject, and I am now keen to engage with it more deeply by studying for a MEng (or whatever the course might be…) in Materials Science at the University of XYZ’

3) Think Outside the School Curriculum

To impress Oxbridge admissions tutors, it's essential to demonstrate a genuine passion for your chosen subject beyond the school curriculum. Utilise your personal statement as an opportunity to showcase evidence of your interest, such as additional reading or relevant work experience. The best candidates often exhibit a wealth of knowledge they've gathered in their own time, reflecting their proactive approach to learning. Show resourcefulness by seeking information from various sources, including podcasts, lectures, books, critical articles, and even visits to museums. Mentioning these diverse avenues of learning highlights your intellectual curiosity and willingness to explore beyond the confines of the classroom. Additionally, participating in essay competitions can be a valuable way to showcase your dedication and self-motivation. Select a couple of reputable essay prizes, like the Keble College Essay Prize, and challenge yourself to produce well-researched and thoughtful essays within the specified word limit. Discussing your experiences with these prize essays in your personal statement reveals your commitment to academic excellence and willingness to engage deeply with your subject.

Participating in essay competitions not only demonstrates your commitment and self-motivation but also showcases your ability to engage in independent research and critical thinking. These competitions often require you to delve into specific topics, conducting your own reading and analysis. By discussing your involvement in prize essays in your personal statement, you present evidence of your intellectual curiosity and willingness to take on academic challenges. Admissions tutors will be impressed by your proactive approach to learning and your ability to synthesise complex ideas into well-structured essays. It shows that you are willing to go above and beyond what is expected and that you are well-prepared to embrace the rigorous and intellectually stimulating environment that Oxbridge has to offer.

We regularly update our co-curricular division website, Minds Underground, with top choice essay competitions to enter. We also run our own yearly Minds Underground Essay Competition (e.g. in Medicine, Politics, Law etc.) if you want to have a go!

4) Think About Your Personal Statement Structure

When crafting your university personal statement, it's essential to treat each point as a mini argument, providing evidence and meaningful connections to strengthen your case. Mere assertions like "I'm interested in X" lack substance without delving into the why and how of your interest. Instead, showcase your inquisitiveness by relating X to Y, highlighting the knowledge or experiences gained from this connection . By doing so, you demonstrate critical thinking and the ability to draw meaningful connections between subjects. For instance, if you express an interest in history, explain how exploring historical events shed light on current societal issues or how studying past political decisions can inform future policy-making. By presenting such thoughtful interconnections, you not only emphasise your passion for the subject but also showcase your intellectual curiosity and capacity for interdisciplinary learning.

A coherent structure is vital for your personal statement to have a strong impact on admissions tutors. Consider organising your statement into 3-4 main paragraphs, each focusing on a key topic area of interest . Start by introducing your primary interests and motivations, providing a clear roadmap for your readers. Subsequently, delve into the first topic area, weaving in relevant experiences and academic accomplishments that demonstrate your commitment to this subject. Then, smoothly transition to the next topic, establishing a logical flow that links the areas together. For instance, if you're passionate about environmental science, you could connect it to public policy by discussing your participation in sustainability initiatives and how this drove your interest in influencing policy decisions for a greener future.

Finally, ensure that your closing paragraph succinctly summarises your key points and highlights your enthusiasm for pursuing these areas at the university. Additionally, include a very short paragraph on extracurricular activities, demonstrating your well-roundedness and ability to balance academic pursuits with other interests, further reinforcing your suitability as a prospective student. This clear and cohesive structure will make your personal statement memorable and impactful, leaving a positive impression on the admissions committee.

5) Check and Double Check Claims of Knowledge

Crafting a compelling university personal statement is a critical step in the admissions process, allowing students to showcase their academic achievements, aspirations, and potential contributions to the academic community. However, exercise caution and diligence when including claims of knowledge in your statement . Making inaccurate or unsupported assertions can be an immediate red flag for admissions tutors, as it raises doubts about the applicant's credibility and attention to detail. Admissions professors and interviewers are well-versed in their respective fields, and they may thoroughly scrutinise a personal statement during interviews. Thus, if an applicant includes a questionable or unsupported claim, they should be prepared to provide a comprehensive explanation and back it up with evidence or examples. This scrutiny ensures that the university maintains its standards of academic integrity and selects students who possess genuine knowledge and intellectual curiosity. Therefore, double-check and verify the accuracy of any claims made in your personal statement, ensuring you present a truthful and compelling narrative that reflects your genuine capabilities and potential for academic success.

Suggested Exercise: When preparing for interview, take each sentence of your personal statement and imagine your interviewer asks you to explain what you meant by it. Brainstorm an answer, thinking about evidence you can bring in to back up any claims e.g. your analysis, further reading, statistics etc.

6) Work/ Research experience

Know when your work experience is relevant. An English tutor will be interested in your work as research assistant for a professor. They'll be less interested by your summer internship at Goldman. For some subjects, work experience is more crucial than others, namely the sciences and of course, Medicine. Don't just state it, explain what you learnt and how it's helped you.

Students with an interest in research fare well in Oxbridge applications as courses are research-heavy - you will be writing 1-2 essay each week for Humanities subjects, and science subjects require extensive independent research prior to tutorials. Therefore, demonstrating research experience is extremely beneficial to application - Back in the day, U2 Tuition’s Co-Founder, Camille (Oxford English graduate), worked as a research assistant on an Oxford professor’s project on the Oxford English Dictionary. She was asked about the experience at interview and was able to lead a fascinating discussion on the origins of language, the effect of Shakespeare in coining new terms etc.

If you would like help seeking research experience to include in your personal statement, visit our Minds Underground division’s Research & Work Experience page!

7) Subject-Specific Research/ Exploration

When composing your university personal statement, the importance of showcasing your knowledge of research in your subject cannot be overstated. While the relevance may vary across disciplines, being well-informed about past and current research papers can significantly strengthen your statement's credibility and demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence. Utilising resources like Google Scholar or JSTOR enables you to stay up-to-date with the latest theories, critical discussions, and key movements in your field. By engaging with scholarly articles, you gain valuable insights into the ongoing discourse within your chosen subject, allowing you to develop a more nuanced understanding of its complexities and challenges. When applicable, referencing these research papers in your personal statement can illustrate your engagement with the academic community and your ability to contextualise your interests within the broader scholarly landscape. This not only highlights your dedication to the subject but also reflects your potential as a future contributor to the field's advancement.

As you prepare for your university application, it is vital to cultivate breadth, depth, and independence in your reading habits . Reading widely exposes you to diverse perspectives and helps you appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of many subjects . It allows you to identify connections between seemingly unrelated topics, fostering a holistic and well-rounded approach to your studies. Simultaneously, reading closely and delving deeply into specific areas of interest allows you to develop specialised expertise and become well-versed in the nuances of your chosen field. This depth of knowledge showcases your dedication and passion for the subject, making you a more attractive candidate to university admissions. Additionally, pursuing your own interests within the subject demonstrates initiative and intellectual curiosity, indicating that you are capable of self-directed learning and are genuinely invested in your academic pursuits. By striking a balance between broad exploration and focused inquiry , you not only enrich your personal growth but also equip yourself with the necessary skills and insights to thrive in your university studies and beyond.

8) Stay Relevant

No one wants to know about your passion for your subject from before you could walk. Anything you include should be directly linked to your interest and suitability for the course, or at least connected somehow. They want to know what's motivating your study of it NOW.  

Crafting an outstanding Top UK University or Oxbridge personal statement requires staying informed and engaging with current developments in your chosen subject. Subscribing to reputable academic journals is an excellent way to keep abreast of the latest research and advancements in your field. Journals often publish cutting-edge studies and critical discussions that can inspire your own academic interests and inform your future studies. Additionally, reading articles from platforms like The Conversation , which covers diverse topics from Health & Medicine to Politics & Society, provides valuable insights into real-world applications of academic knowledge. By referencing relevant articles in your personal statement, you showcase your engagement with contemporary issues and demonstrate how your academic pursuits align with broader societal concerns. For instance, if you aspire to study environmental science, discussing the implications of recent environmental policies or breakthroughs in sustainable technologies reveals your passion for making a positive impact through your studies.

For applicants interested in Law, incorporating current legal issues and developments into your personal statement can be highly impactful. Mentioning landmark court cases, legislative changes, or emerging legal challenges demonstrates your awareness of the dynamic nature of the legal field and your ability to analyse complex issues critically. Articulating your thoughts on these matters and explaining how they have influenced your desire to study law can impress admissions tutors. On the other hand, if you're applying for a STEM subject, delving into scientific breakthroughs of the past 20, 50, or 100 years offers a glimpse into the rich history of scientific discovery. Highlight the breakthroughs that resonate with you the most and explain how they sparked your curiosity and passion for your chosen field of study. Demonstrating this connection between historical achievements and your personal motivations provides the admissions committee with valuable insights into your scientific interests and intellectual drive. By showcasing your enthusiasm for current topics or historical milestones, you present yourself as an informed and passionate applicant eager to contribute to the academic community.

9) Ensure You Can Expand…

When it comes to discussing your university personal statement during an Oxbridge interview, the approach can vary depending on the interviewer. Some tutors might use it as a starting point to delve deeper into your interests and experiences, using it as a reference to stimulate further discussion. As an applicant, it's crucial to be well-prepared and confident in the books and topics you've referenced in your statement. Have a clear understanding of these references and be ready to elaborate on them or demonstrate how they relate to other subjects. Moreover, don't shy away from expressing your own opinions on the material you've read. Whether you agree or disagree with a critic or author, be willing to voice your thoughts thoughtfully and respectfully . However, keep in mind that the tutor conducting the interview may hold a different perspective, having dedicated their career to studying the same critic or author. So, if you disagree, be prepared to justify your viewpoint with rational arguments and be open to defending your stance further during the interview.

The Oxbridge interview is an opportunity for you to showcase your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills. Therefore, besides discussing your referenced materials, be prepared to offer your unique insights and interpretations. Demonstrate your ability to engage with academic content beyond merely summarising it. Reflect on the implications of the ideas you've encountered and consider how they might intersect with other areas of study. Your capacity to express original thoughts and connect different concepts will impress the interviewers and show them your potential as a future scholar. Just remember to back up your viewpoints with well-reasoned arguments, as interviews often involve rigorous intellectual discussions. Embrace the chance to engage in academic debates, but do so respectfully and with an open mind, as these exchanges can further reveal your suitability for the university's academic environment.

10) Extra-Curriculars

You'll be hard-pressed to find an Oxbridge tutor who cares a lot about your budding sports career. Keep extra-curriculars to 1-2 lines at the end of your statement unless they are extremely subject-relevant. The function of the extracurricular paragraph is to show that you are a real person with interests outside academia. It is not a factor in their assessment of you as a prospective applicant. Use it as an opportunity to add colour to you as an individual, rather than to brag about getting sports colours or being a prefect; make it quirky, interesting and unique. For other UK universities, more of a focus can be placed on extra-curricular where relevant.

N.B. Oxbridge interviews are very subject-specific, but that is not to mean you won’t have ample opportunity to engage in a wide array of extra-curricular opportunities once you are at Oxford or Cambridge. There is loads on offer for you to get involved in!

Looking for Support Brainstorming and Drafting your Oxbridge Personal Statement With An Oxbridge Tutor From Your Specific Course?

U2 Tuition’s team of Top Russell Group University and Oxbridge graduates offer personal statement writing support sessions and a proofreading service as part of our application support offering . Personal statement writing is an iterative process, especially if you want to create an outstanding impression! Our personal statement tutors support students all the way through from personal statement planning, to polishing the final product.

Students will be paired with a primary Oxbridge tutor in their chosen subject. An example session structure could be as follows:

Personal Statement 101-Session (1hr 30 mins): for preliminary planning and content brainstorming, and understanding how admissions tutors use the personal statement to screen candidates

1-1 Tutorial Session (1hr): strengthening evidence of further subject exploration. U2’s mentors may suggest reading/ research lists, or a Minds Underground masterclass / research project

1-1 Tutorial Session (1hr): Improving on the structure of the personal statement and creating a stand-out opening paragraph

1-1 Tutorial Session (1hr): Demonstrating motivation, ability, communication skills etc.

Offline or online help (~1hr) with polishing, reviewing and proof-reading the final product

Note: Mentors will provide students with tasks to complete between each session e.g. building on their draft personal statement, filling gaps e.g. in wider reading.

For content ideas, why not take a research project, co-curricular masterclass or subject-specific Summer School (e.g. Medicine, Law, Economics, Geography, Engineering & more!) with our Oxbridge-educated subject specialists on our co-curricular division, Minds Underground ?

And lastly, check out our Oxbridge Admissions Ultimate Guide for any extra tips and tricks!

Sessions from £70/h + VAT.

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Guide to Oxbridge Engineering Interviews

Everything you should know before interviewing at Oxford or Cambridge for Engineering and how to be successful.

• Receiving Your Invitation to Interview
• Turning Up to Your Interview (Online)
• Turning Up to Your Interview (In Person)
• How Many Interviews Will I Have?
• Answering Questions Based on Your Personal Statement
• Analysing Unseen Materials as Part of the Interview
• What Do I Do If I Don't Know the Answer to a Question?
• Example Questions
• How to Prepare for an Oxbridge-Style Interview

The admissions process for prestigious universities like Oxford and Cambridge for their Engineering undergraduate courses can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Getting the coveted invitation to interview is a significant milestone in your academic journey, and it's essential to prepare thoroughly. This guide, tailored to applicants for top UK universities, aims to demystify the Oxbridge interview process, from receiving your invitation to handling the interviews themselves. We'll cover various aspects, including online and in-person interviews, personal statement questions, pre-interview admissions tests, analysing unseen materials, and dealing with challenging questions.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Receiving an invitation to interview at Oxford or Cambridge is a significant achievement. Typically, invitations are sent out in late November or early December, so it can be a little wait between applying and receiving your invitation. This means that it can be a good idea to start preparing for potential interviews before you’ve been invited, since there’s likely to be less than a month between receiving a formal invitation and attending the interview itself. Notification of your invitation (or not) will come in a letter or email from an Oxford or Cambridge college. This could be the college you applied to, or another college (either different from the one you applied to or any college if you submitted an open application). If you applied to a specific college and are invited to interview elsewhere, do not take this as any kind of sign reflecting your chances at acceptance - it is all part of the normal reallocation process that Oxford and Cambridge use to ensure that the best applicants across the university are accepted.

The date and time of your interview(s) (or at least those which the college has organised at present - but more on that later) will be specified in the correspondence you receive from the college along with your invitation, so no need to worry about organising that. Oxford have already published their rough interview timetable (i.e. windows in which various subjects can expect their interviews to take place), but this can always change so it’s good to remain a little flexible. Most interviews in the 2023-2024 cycle will be held online again this year, with the exception of specific Cambridge applicants (UK-based applicants to Gonville & Caius, King’s, Pembroke, Peterhouse, Selwyn, and Trinity Colleges). If you are asked to interview in person, the details of this will be made clear in your invitation from the College.

1. Technical Preparation

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online interviews are still being used at both Oxford and Cambridge (with the exception of the Cambridge applicants listed above). This makes the interview easier in certain manners (you won’t have to travel, you are able to remain in the comfort of your own home, etc.), but it also presents additional potential issues in that you are responsible for ensuring you have a reliable technical set up. In the lead up to the interview, ensure that you have access to a stable internet connection, a functioning camera (either built into a laptop or computer, or a separate webcam), and a quiet, well-lit environment. Be sure to check this all with plenty of time to spare (e.g. the week or some days before) so that, should an issue arise, you’ve got plenty of time to address it.

If you are worried about not having access to the appropriate equipment or the right atmosphere in which to conduct a successful interview, we suggest asking your school if they have a classroom or quiet space and some equipment you could use.

2. Dress Appropriately Even for online interviews, it is a good idea to dress smartly. Present yourself professionally, just as you would in person, but ensure that you are also comfortable (remember that if you’re interviewing over a webcam you can always keep on your favourite slippers!). We’re not saying that you need to wear a full suit and tie, but maybe don’t keep on your pyjamas or a stained hoodie; interviews are all about showing your intent, and dressing respectfully is the first step to showing that you mean business.

3. Practice Video Interviews If you're not used to video interviews, practice with friends or mentors to get comfortable with the format. It can be easy to think of talking over video meetings to be just the same as in person, but the process can actually feel very different. Chances are most of us have learned to interact over online video chat over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s always good to get a little practice in order to refresh your memory. We also recommend practising video calls from your chosen location (either with someone else or just to yourself) to make sure that nothing inappropriate can be seen in the background!

1. Arrive Early If your interview is in person, make sure you arrive early. This will give you time to settle your nerves and familiarise yourself with the surroundings. Punctuality shows that you are serious about performing well in your interviews, as well as ensuring that you’re not rushing and flustered when you arrive (something which can easily carry on into the interview itself and affect your performance).

2. Dress Smartly Wear appropriate attire for the occasion. You don't need to be overly formal, but looking well-presented (whilst trying your best to maintain comfort) is essential. Remember that these are your potential future professors and/or tutors, so think about what is appropriate to where to class or in a professional setting when dressing for your interview; first impressions (in all regards) are important!

3. Bring Necessary Documents Make sure that if the college or department specify any documents, you have brought them with you. It may not be necessary, but you might also like to consider bringing a copy of your personal statement with you when you travel to Oxford or Cambridge for the interview process. It is highly likely that interviewers will ask questions building from the content of the statement, so making sure that you’re on top of the content therein is crucial to a good performance.

The number of interviews you will be asked to attend varies by course and college. Some applicants may have two or more interviews, while others might have only one. It's crucial to check the specific requirements for your chosen course and college. It is also common to have two interviews scheduled from the beginning: one with your college and one with the Engineering department.

In addition to the interviews you have scheduled from the start, it is also possible that, during the interview window, you will have further interviews scheduled. This is usually because other colleges have decided to cast their net wider, and are considering you for a position at their college instead of the one who invited you to interview. These interviews will be conducted by new interviewers, so there is no separate preparation you will need to undertake. It’s also important to remember that being invited to other interviews in no way indicates that you have a higher or lower chance of being accepted: It’s just part of the university’s way of making sure they get the most talented Engineering applicants from across the applicant pool.

Be prepared to discuss your personal statement in detail during the interview. Examiners may ask questions related to what you've written, so make sure you understand every aspect of your statement. We recommend reading through your personal statement regularly in the lead up to interviews to ensure that you know its contents inside and out! It can also be useful, if you have time, to read, watch, or listen back on the key sources you reference in your statement, especially since it can be some time between initially consulting them and attending the interview itself. Remember that interviewers will be well-versed in key literature relating to your subject, and so may well be familiar with any resources you reference, meaning that you need to know them in detail (or at least the key arguments within that you find interesting) to be able to discuss them in an academic setting.

A useful exercise can be to think about the key ideas or resources in your personal statement critically just to yourself. Maybe write them down and produce a spider diagram of thoughts, opinions, or interesting linking ideas you have relating to them? Thinking in a creative and open-minded way about the content of your Personal Statement can be a good way to prepare yourself for the questions interviewers might ask. We also recommend sitting down with a parent, friend, or mentor to explain and discuss the big issues identified in your Personal Statement. Don’t worry if nobody close to you is familiar with the topic; sometimes explaining an idea to someone new can be the best way of solidifying it in your own mind!

Often in Oxbridge-style interviews, applicants are given a piece of unseen material and asked to discuss it as part of the interview. This could be a text extract, a piece of data, an image, or a problem to solve. In the case of Engineering interviews, interviewers may provide you with a problem sheet to work on. They will most likely provide you with this just before the interview and ask you to discuss your answers in the interview itself. 

The key to such a task is to approach it as systematically as possible. Reading the problems carefully, making notes as you work it out, and thinking about possible discussion points as you go through it can all be crucial to your performance in the interview. Remember that subjects are broad and there is a good chance you will be unfamiliar with the content or specific context of the material in question; this is not a problem! The exercise is not intended to assess how much you know about the wider subject, but rather your application of principles you have learned in your studies so far to new materials. 

It's okay not to have all the answers. If you encounter a question that stumps you, the key is not to panic. Take a deep breath, ask for clarification if needed, and attempt to work through the problem logically. Interviewers often want to see how you handle challenging situations and think on your feet. For more guidance on how to handle unknown questions in an interview situation, read our t ips for answering an unexpected Oxford and Cambridge interview question .

Below are some past interview questions asked to applicants for Engineering during their Oxford and Cambridge interviews. Use them to get a feel for what is asked during an interview and to prepare your strategy for responding.

Computer Science (Oxford and Cambridge):

• Explain one of the following to someone with no knowledge of Physics: force, momentum, power.
• Sketch a velocity time graph for a skydiver jumping out of a plane.
• Why does a bullet spiral?
• How does a pendulum work, bearing in mind that the amplitude of the oscillations increases over time rather than decreases?
• Draw an acceleration against velocity graph to describe the motion when you are in a lift.

How to Prepare for an Oxbridge-Style Interview 

Given that the interview is designed to test, in large part, your creativity and thinking skills, it is unsurprisingly quite difficult to think of how to prepare. as we talked about before, the first step we recommend is to go through your personal statement and review any key sources so that you’re happy to discuss questions relating to them (since they are the questions you can most rely on cropping up). when it comes to preparing for unexpected or unknown questions, there are a whole host of ways that you can exercise your ability to deal with them. to delve into these recommendations in closer detail, read our dedicated interview preparation top tips blog , where our expert mentors have collated their 14 most useful tips for interview preparation., recent articles, exercising self-care during school or university exams, our experts’ tips for a productive easter holidays, changes to cambridge a-level requirements for 2025 applicants, jump to section, engineering mock interview package.

If you have any more questions about your application or interview that you would like to discuss with a member of our team, please do get in touch. Call us on +44 (0) 20 7499 2394, or email [email protected] .

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Top Tips for a Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement – Top 10 Tips: Dos and Don’ts

The Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement is a crucial component of your university application. It presents a unique opportunity for you to differentiate yourself from other applicants. You would be able to articulate your story and explain your interests beyond that of numbers on an admissions test. Furthermore, it gives the interviewer a chance to understand who you are. It also provides a platform to bounce off questions during your interview. 

They can tailor questions to your personality, interests, and commitment to who you are as a person and your amalgamation of experiences before you. To guide you through the arduous university application process, our Oxbridge application experts have compiled a list of top 10 Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement tips. This includes dos and don’ts– for your Oxbridge Engineering Personal Statement for the 2024/25 application cycle. 

Looking at Cambridge Engineering personal statement examples can prove to be a double-edged sword. On one hand it can be useful to gain an idea of how to structure your personal statement. However, a personal statement is personal . It can be very difficult to write personally when you’ve been influenced by someone else’s writing.

General Advice for your Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

The Engineering course at Cambridge first starts off by providing a broad and general engineering knowledge to its students. It then allows students to specialise in later years. During their specialisation, in-depth teaching and training would be given in the chosen discipline. As it is an Engineering course, an ideal candidate would be one who has good analytical skills. It would also be someone who is interested in and/ or have good foundational knowledge in computing and design.

Hence, in your Engineering personal statement, Cambridge admissions tutors are looking for you to clearly demonstrate that you have the aforementioned interest and skills. Furthermore, when planning out your personal statement, make sure you research Cambridge’s achievements in Engineering. You can include them in your writing to illustrate your interest in Engineering. 

Additionally, when you are crafting your Cambridge personal statement, you would most likely also be applying to four other university courses. This may result in your statement being vaguer. The University of Cambridge is aware of such and will require you to fill out an ‘Online Supplementary Application Questionnaire (SAQ)’. This is shortly after submitting the UCAS application, so make sure you’ve created another condensed version of your personal statement that you can directly submit to Cambridge.

Top 5 Tips for your Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

Illustrate that you are well-read in engineering.

When writing your Cambridge personal statement, Engineering doesn’t have to be one of your expertise! After all, you are applying to study Engineering, and you haven’t even started the course yet! However, showing that you are well-read in Engineering is a great way to tell Cambridge that you are interested in it. It also shows them that you are comfortable with reading large volumes of text or that you appreciate academic rigour. If you do not know where to start, you can google Cambridge Engineering reading lists, or you can access them here at this link: Cambridge Engineering Reading List . Books are a great way to learn more about the subject. However, there are many other media forms that you can consume as well! Examples of such include magazine columns and news articles which are a great way to be updated on the latest innovations and findings! Or even non-text-based sources such as podcasts, Youtube videos, or documentaries. Some examples of great news sites to visit are Scientific American, Vox, and Nature.

You can try to incorporate such content into your everyday life. This could be reading a few news articles instead of scrolling on Tiktok. Or listening to podcasts instead of your usual playlist on your way back from school. This makes learning a lot more accessible and fun!

Focusing your application on your interest in Engineering

Cambridge is looking out for students who would be a good match for their Engineering course. An ideal student would definitely be one who is interested in Engineering. As mentioned, being someone who is widely read in Engineering is one way of demonstrating such interest. Another way that you could elaborate on this passion is by explaining why you are interested in Engineering. Are there specific aspects of this course that enthrals you? Are there details about this course that sets it apart from other courses? Have you gone through a personal experience to have a unique motivation for the course Furthermore, participating in Engineering related courses or experiences is a great way to show your interest in the course. This is because being more involved in the field can grow and cultivate your interest in it. It also confirms that you are indeed passionate about it as you learn more about it.

Explaining to Cambridge about specific qualities that you have that would make you a great Engineering student

As mentioned before, Cambridge is looking out for students that are a great fit for their Engineering course. Another way of showing Cambridge this is by explaining to them that you have certain qualities, traits, or skill sets that would make you a great Engineering student. For example, a good Engineering student would be one who has great analytical skills. You can show that you display this skill set by mentioning creative problem-solving competitions that you have participated in and won. An example of another type of valuable skill is one who is able to persevere and commit despite difficulties. A good example of an experience that would hone such a skill could include that of being part of a research project. This is because it is common that you would not immediately get a favourable experimental result when pursuing research. 

Reflecting on all the experiences that you have mentioned

Even though you might feel tempted to not elaborate on the experiences that you have mentioned, or that certain achievements are self-explanatory in their title, keep in mind that the reflection on the experience is as valuable as the experience itself, if not more. Your reflection should include talking about how that experience has grown your interest in Economics. Or how it has led you to be equipped with certain skills that are valuable to an Engineering student. Highlighting to your Cambridge admissions tutors how your experiences are linked to these points would make it clearer to them how you are fit for the course. 

Start writing your Cambridge Engineering personal statement early and always proofread it

Do not expect yourself to submit the first draft that you have written as your final Cambridge personal statement. This is because you might have forgotten or missed out on achievements or experiences that you otherwise would have wished to talk about. Not only that, but it is also valuable to get seniors or friends to proofread your Cambridge Engineering personal statement. They would be able to give you objective advice on what aspects of your personal statement are good and what should be further elaborated on or changed.

Even if they are not familiar with the application process, they could provide good feedback on the clarity and readability of the ideas that you are trying to convey. However, do take note to take care when letting other people read your Cambridge Engineering personal statement (try not to share it if possible!). This will avoid any troublesome and complicated plagiarism issues.

Top 5 things to AVOID for your Cambridge Engineering Personal Statement

Not having a good structure when writing your engineering cambridge personal statement.

Your Engineering personal statement should be structured in a way that can communicate your ideas effectively. Having a poor or disorganised structure could make your Cambridge personal statement hard to read. It could also cause you to forget to mention crucial points. A suggested structure could include beginning your essay with a short 3-4 line paragraph introducing your interest and passion for Engineering. A particular detail about the course that enthrals you, or if there was a specific moment that caused you to be curious about it.

Next, your body paragraphs could focus on elaborating on your interest in the course. If there are any specific details of the course that you are passionate about. Or if you have any qualities or skills that are useful as an Engineering student. Each of your body paragraphs should only have one major theme. Lastly, you could choose to conclude by summarising any points in 2-3 lines that you want your Cambridge admissions tutor to take away and remember.

Having an incorrect or misguided understanding about what the Engineering course is about

Most applicants’ understanding comes from what they have seen in films or television shows, or subjects that they have studied in high school. However, this could cause a misguided understanding of what the Engineering course is actually like. Make sure that you thoroughly research the course before applying. This will help you as a future Engineering student as it is good to know what your next four years are like! It will also help you when writing your Cambridge Engineering personal statement. For example, mentioning certain details or aspects of the course that interest you would be good to include in your Cambridge Engineering personal statement.

Not writing simply or clearly, especially when you are trying to excessively use difficult vocabulary

It might be tempting to embellish your essay with unconventional words, or to use a thesaurus to enhance your Cambridge personal statement. However, do take note that it is much better to prioritise clarity and readability. If you are not familiar with a word, choose to explain your thoughts in a simple and coherent manner rather than opt for something that you are unfamiliar with. This is because the main aim of your essay is to effectively convey what you wish to communicate to the Cambridge admissions tutor. Always aim to be clear and concise! Cambridge also did mention on their official website to use clear, plain English, so you can be clear that that is definitely something they value.

Making general sweeping statements

Many applicants feel the need to throw in a long list of qualities that they have because they think that it is a desirable trait to have. However, this can quickly turn it into a sweeping statement that adds no value to their Engineering personal statement at all. For example, stating that you are a great analytical thinker sounds like a great addition to your Cambridge Engineering personal statement. However, it adds completely zero value if you do not justify or elaborate on it.

This means that you should talk about why you can say that you are an analytical thinker. Have you participated in analytical competitions that you have won? Was there a particular person or organisation that you helped using your analytical skills? Think about it this way… If someone said that they are friends with Justin Bieber you would not believe them unless they have proof. Similarly, you cannot list traits or qualities about yourself and expect Cambridge to value your statement unless you show them that it is true.

Reflecting on your experience in an unrealistic or unauthentic way

Reflecting on your experience is key to writing a great Cambridge Engineering personal statement. However, try to reflect on them in an authentic and realistic way. This means that you should only talk about one main idea from each of your experiences. For example, it is not ideal to talk about how your experience at the national debate competition has led you to develop leadership skills, critical thinking skills, greater ability in teamwork, as well as patience. This might be true, but it starts to dilute the experience and the idea that you are trying to convey starts getting lost in a sea of good qualities. Your admissions tutor would not know what to focus on. Try and keep each experience limited to only one main important quality. Do not let your Cambridge Engineering personal statement become a long laundry list of ideas. Less is more!

Your personal statement should highlight your passion for engineering, demonstrating your curiosity and engagement with the subject beyond your current studies. Include specific examples of projects, extracurricular activities, or readings that have inspired you. It’s also important to reflect on what these experiences taught you and how they have prepared you for a degree in engineering. Cambridge looks for evidence of your problem-solving skills, creativity, and ability to overcome challenges, so be sure to include relevant examples.

While practical experience or work placements can be beneficial, they are not a prerequisite for applying to Cambridge. If you have such experiences, they can be great examples to demonstrate your interest and skills in engineering. However, if you don’t, consider discussing personal projects, competitions, or self-led learning that show your enthusiasm and proactive approach towards the subject. The key is to showcase your engagement with engineering in any form.

It’s absolutely fine to mention specific areas of engineering that interest you, especially if you can articulate why and how these areas excite you. However, remember that the Engineering course at Cambridge covers a broad range of topics in the first two years before specialising, so it’s also good to demonstrate a wide-ranging interest in the field. You can strike a balance by mentioning specific interests while also showing enthusiasm for the breadth of engineering topics.

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• Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Check out our successful Oxbridge personal statement examples below.

You will find a collection of standout personal statements that have helped students gain admission to the prestigious universities of Oxford and Cambridge .

These Oxbridge personal statement examples can serve as inspiration and guidance as you begin to write your own.

Whether you are applying to study law , natural science , economics , or any other course , these examples can help you showcase your unique strengths and experiences compellingly.

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Successful Oxbridge Personal Statement Examples

Oxbridge personal statement example for economics course.

I volunteer at a local soup kitchen in Singapore, where I help distribute food and check on the well-being of lower-income families living in public housing.

One day, we encountered a family of five who were all seriously or terminally ill but were not receiving any government social support and had been relying mostly on NGOs for assistance.

This experience highlighted a social issue that concerns me – the lack of adequate social security support in Singapore despite its economic strength.

I believe more attention should be paid to addressing poverty and inequality.

I volunteered at the soup kitchen not only to help those in need but also to understand their struggles, as their interests are often overlooked.

As an economics student, I have learned how well-informed economic policy can improve lives by guiding social analysis.

This subject excites me and has motivated me to learn more through books, volunteering, and participating in economics-related competitions.

For example, I received a distinction award in the National Economics and Financial Management Quiz, which tests quick thinking, logical, and mathematical skills.

I also submitted an essay for the GlaxoSmithKline-Economic Development Board Book Prize on how Singapore can capitalize on Asian talent as a source of growth.

In addition, I participated in the local Math Olympiad received a bronze award, and completed a month-long internship at Centennial Asia Advisors, where my work contributed to the analysis of the Great Recession and the process of purchasing bonds to address the crisis.

This experience gave me a greater understanding of the importance of economic policy and its application.

I am also actively working to make a difference. Along with a group of friends and an NGO, I am committed to helping the village of Tom in Cambodia escape poverty by building schools and providing water filtration devices for villagers.

We also plan to support children with scholarships through fund-raisers. Personally helping Tom overcome poverty is one of my goals, and I believe that a strong understanding of economics will be essential in achieving this.

In addition to my academic and volunteer pursuits, I have also participated in various activities that have helped me grow as a person.

For example, I participated in The Odyssey of The Mind, a competition that challenges teams to think creatively through dramatic performances.

Our team won the World Championship after competing against teams from 60 other countries.

I am also an avid sailor, having represented my school as captain and Singapore in international competitions.

What I value most from these experiences are the relationships I formed with my teammates and the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving success.

At school, I helped start the Young Diplomats’ Society, an interest group focused on Model United Nations Conferences (MUNC).

At Princeton University MUNC, I received an honourable mention, and at the Nanyang Technological University MUNC, I received the Dorothy Cheung Award for Best Delegate.

I also organized the annual iMUN@AC, serving as Chief of Staff in one year and Secretary General in another.

These MUNCs sparked my interest in global politics and led me to research the causes of the Rwandan Genocide for my IB Extended Essay, a 4000-word research paper that I thoroughly enjoyed and received an “A” grade for.

As John Maynard Keynes said, an economist is part philosopher, part statesman, and part mathematician.

I hope to study economics so that I can learn how to make changes on local, regional, and global levels.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Example For Law Course

I have always been drawn to the fields of law and justice. Even as a child, I was fascinated by the concepts of right and wrong and how they were applied in society.

My interest in history has also allowed me to learn about the evolution of the legal system over time.

During my school years, I took on leadership roles, including being a Senior Prefect and a member of the Student Council.

These experiences gave me a unique perspective on how a school operates and the importance of rules for both students and staff.

In my GCSE years, I had the opportunity to study Critical Thinking, which allowed me to hone my analytical and debate skills.

As part of this course, we visited Winchester Crown Court, giving us the chance to observe a court case in person and see the legal system in action.

This experience had a profound impact on me and further solidified my desire to pursue a career in law.

I also gained valuable insights into the legal profession through a two-week work placement at a local solicitor’s firm during the summer between school and college.

During this time, I was able to observe court proceedings and learn about the daily operations of a solicitor’s office.

In my free time, I enjoy reading classic fiction such as “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens and “North and South” by Elizabeth Gaskell.

I also enjoy cooking, travelling, and leading a healthy and active lifestyle.

I am confident that my personal skills, knowledge, attributes, and work ethic make me an excellent candidate for a law degree at your university.

I hope to use my time at university to develop the skills and qualifications necessary to have a successful career in law and to gain further experience in the courtroom.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Example For Natural Sciences Course

I was always fascinated by the natural world and spent hours exploring the forests and streams near my home.

This curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in biology at Oxford University, where I excelled academically and gained valuable experiences that have prepared me to take the next step in my education.

Throughout my undergraduate studies, I have taken a range of ecology courses and consistently earned high marks. In addition to my coursework, I have also been actively involved in several extracurricular activities that have allowed me to further explore my interests in biology and ecology.

For example, I have participated in research projects on the Forest Eco Programme and have worked as an intern at EcoBio Ltd where I gained valuable hands-on experience.

One of the things that set me apart from other applicants is my passion for biology and my dedication to making a positive impact in the world.

This drive was sparked by my achievements in school, which taught me the importance of the environment and motivated me to pursue a career in which I can make a difference.

I am excited to apply to the biology course at Oxford University because of its reputation for excellence and its commitment to providing students with a world-class education.

I believe that the University of Oxford will provide me with the knowledge and skills I need to achieve my goals and make a meaningful contribution to my field.

I am confident that my strong academic and extracurricular background, along with my passion and dedication, make me a strong fit for the course.

I am eager to join the vibrant intellectual community at Oxford and to continue pursuing my goals in biology.

Oxbridge Personal Statement Tips 

Focus on the following suggestions to write a successful personal statement for Oxbridge :

• Start by thinking about your goals and why you want to pursue them at Oxbridge. What sparked your interest in your field of study, and how have your experiences prepared you to pursue it at a top university?
• Reflect on your achievements and experiences. What have you accomplished that demonstrates your potential to succeed at Oxbridge? This could include academic achievements, extracurricular activities, internships, or other experiences.
• Consider what makes you unique. What sets you apart from other applicants and makes you a strong fit for the program you’re applying to?
• Write in a clear and concise manner, using concrete examples to illustrate your points. Avoid using overly complex language or jargon, and be sure to proofread for spelling and grammar errors.
• Edit and proofread your personal statement carefully. It’s important to take the time to polish your statement and make sure it’s the best it can be.

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Mechanical engineering personal statement example 30.

I remember my first experience of engineering was when I was quite young. In year 2, a couple of students and I were taken to complete a project where we had to build a small cart out of household items and we competed against schools in our local area to see how far our cars could travel down a ramp. However, we didn’t do very well. Obviously, the reasoning was far above my understanding at the time but experiences like that established an inquisitiveness for the way the world works especially regarding engineering.

My interest in engineering and computer science has determined my choices at A Level as Maths, Further Maths, Physics. I also study Music as it’s one of my passions and am about to complete my Grade 8 Piano. I love problem solving; it is what engineering is all about. To develop my problem solving skills, I started attending further physics sessions in Year 12. Using Isaac Physics, we worked through higher level questions including mechanics. Motivated by these sessions, I asked my teachers to recommend some resources that provided a greater challenge and my physics teacher brought out a book called “Professor Povey's Perplexing Problems''. This has provided a great insight into the world of physics in general. Since joining The Royal Latin, I have also been selected to take part in UKMT Maths Challenges and British Physics Olympiads and receive bronze and silver awards regularly. I particularly enjoy these because they encourage thinking outside the box and develop problem-solving; they are part of the reason why I wanted to study A level Further Maths.

During Sixth Form, I put myself forward to join [Insert Sixth Form]’s student leadership team. Following a very rigorous and thorough interview process, I was selected to be deputy head boy. This role has enabled me to work with younger students, parents and staff. During the year I have developed my time management and organisational skills enabling me to balance my academic studies with this added responsibility. Taking parents and prospective students on tours of the school has developed my communication skills further and I’m very proud to be representing my school in this way.

I have taken the opportunity to complete my DofE Gold award whilst at school. I am a keen sportsman and enjoy sports such as swimming and cycling. For the service part of the award, I am a volunteer coach at my swimming club. Working with other coaches and talking to swimmers has definitely improved my communication, confidence and teamwork skills. Another one of my hobbies is computing. During Summer 2021, I applied for the CS50: Introduction to Computer Science course that is led by Harvard University on edX. While also studying C, Python and computing fundamentals, this course offered me an insight into how lectures and homework assignments are like at a university and gave me a chance to establish independent learning skills.

I took the initiative to arrange work experience with a company called EM Motorsport for a week. In this role, I helped to build the control panels for the Bahrain Grand Prix that year. This involved soldering wires to boards, building the control panel itself and briefly looking at the code. I particularly enjoyed the week as I’m interested in Formula 1 and the inner workings of cars. I’d also love to be a part of a Formula Student team and build and design cars . I enjoy watching videos on the topic and I am subscribed to channels such as Engineering Explained. Road cycling has played a big part in my interest in engineering and in particular the mechanical workings and aerodynamic saving. I enjoy researching newer technologies that are being developed such as the effort to decrease rolling resistance in tires, testing the sweet spots between aerodynamic design and low weight for hills. Therefore a degree in engineering or computer science will provide a good foundation for this and I relish the opportunity of studying for it at university.

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There is no profile associated with this personal statement, as the writer has requested to remain anonymous.

Author's Comments

I decided to apply to Cambridge pretty late (like 2 weeks before the deadline) so I can't imagine it's the best personal statement I could've produced but I'm still pretty happy with it. I was never good with writing but it does the job I think. If I could redo it, I'd probably include some more academic content and try to come up with a less cringy/cliche introduction. Not too hopeful about Cambridge (especially with the ENGAA lmao) but it doesn't hurt to try ig. Happy to answer any Qs! 3977 characters with spaces, 667 words.

Applying to: Southampton Bath Loughborough Cambridge Warwick (but for Computer Science)

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