Oh yeah. One was great and one was utter shit -- and I got pooled, so that kind of makes sense. But honestly, it can be really hard to predict how well you did. There’s a lot of factors, not least of which is how good are you at reading other people? and how readable are your interviewers? which means that a good number of people are shocked come offer day. 

Honestly, every year hundreds of people who thought it went horrible get in -- lots and lots of my Cam friends had horrible interviews. So don’t count yourself out yet -- you never know if your perception of how it went is radically different from you interviewers’. Annnnd interviews are not the be all end all -- they’re just one factor in the decision. 

No no, you’re making perfect sense. The Cambridge admission process is long and involved and exhausting, mentally and physically. But I think the key here is what you’ve already said: your interview is in 10 days. That’s actually not that long. You’ve spent years of your life preparing for this, working hard to put yourself exactly in this position. Don’t let yourself down by falling at the last step.

Set aside a few hours every day — every day — and just do it: sit down, read a bit about your subject, get yourself up to date with current developments or delve more deeply into an area you’re particularly interested in. Explain to the wall or your dog or your mom the concepts you’re learning, why you love your subject, areas you see as weak in the things you’re reading, etc.

It’s only ten days. Think of all the years you’ve worked for this. Deep breath, head down, don’t let yourself down — leave it all on the field, put yourself in the best position to succeed. Don’t let the fear of failing clog you up. You’re going to be okay. You can do this. Do it for yourself, for all the hours you’ve already put in, so you have no regrets.

Thinking about studying Engineering at Oxford? You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of talented students apply — but only a fraction make it through. If you’re serious about getting in, you’ll need more than just strong grades. You’ll need insight into what Oxford really looks for.

For the full deep-dive, check out the original guide: How to Get Into Oxford for Engineering. If you’re ready to level up your preparation with one-to-one support, connect with Profs Engineering Undergraduate Tutors — the UK’s leading Oxbridge admissions specialists.

1. What Makes Oxford Engineering Different

Oxford’s Engineering Science course blends physics, maths, and computer science in one of the UK’s most intellectually demanding environments. The degree is broad and analytical — designed to produce engineers who think like scientists and innovators.

Unlike many universities, Oxford delays specialisation until later years. So, you’re expected to demonstrate a love of problem-solving across disciplines, not just mechanical or electrical theory.

In short: Oxford doesn’t just want high achievers. It wants thinkers.

2. Academic Entry Requirements

You’ll typically need:

AAA at A Level, including Maths and Physics

Or equivalent qualifications in the IB or other systems

Strong performance in STEP, MAT, or TMUA can also strengthen your profile.

But Oxford admissions go far beyond grades. Your application needs to speak the language of engineering curiosity — your motivation, logic, and creativity all matter.

3. The Admissions Process (Step-by-Step)

Here’s how the Oxford process usually unfolds:

a. UCAS Application (October deadline) Include Oxford in your five university choices. Pay attention to your Personal Statement — it should focus on your academic motivation and independent learning, not just extracurriculars.

b. Admissions Test (ENGAA or PAT) These tests assess mathematical fluency, logical reasoning, and problem-solving under pressure. Practice is key — most successful candidates spend weeks familiarising themselves with past papers and mark schemes.

c. Interviews (December) This is where Oxford really decides. Expect questions that test how you think, not what you already know. Tutors are looking for analytical reasoning and composure in unfamiliar situations.

d. Conditional Offers (January) Offers are usually based on achieving AAA (or equivalent) in relevant subjects.

4. What Oxford Looks For

Oxford’s tutors assess:

Mathematical fluency (you’ll need a sharp grasp of calculus and algebra)

Physics problem-solving ability

Logical reasoning and adaptability

Genuine curiosity about how things work

Confidence under intellectual pressure

It’s less about reciting facts and more about demonstrating how your mind works through complex systems.

5. Preparing Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement should show:

Intellectual motivation for engineering

Evidence of independent exploration — books, projects, coding, design challenges

Real reflection: what did you learn from those experiences?

Avoid generic claims about “loving maths” — show how you’ve engaged with it.

Example: “After completing the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge, I built a small program to simulate projectile motion — a project that deepened my understanding of differential equations.”

6. The Interview: Thinking Out Loud

Oxford interviews are structured to feel like mini tutorials. You’ll sit with one or two tutors who present a problem and observe your reasoning process.

To prepare:

Practise thinking aloud — explain each step clearly.

Get comfortable with being gently challenged.

Study recent past questions and discussion examples.

Interviewers don’t expect perfect answers; they want intellectual honesty and flexibility.

7. Building a Strong Engineering Profile

To stand out:

Enter engineering or physics competitions (e.g. Arkwright Scholarships, Young Engineer of the Year)

Explore hands-on projects (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, mechanical builds)

Read beyond the curriculum (e.g. The New Science of Strong Materials by J.E. Gordon)

Attend engineering outreach events or summer schools

Gain tutoring or mentoring support to refine your approach

Strong applicants connect theory to real-world curiosity.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overfocusing on extracurriculars unrelated to engineering

Neglecting practice tests — ENGAA and PAT are highly predictive of offers

Writing vague personal statements

Panicking in interviews instead of exploring the problem logically

Applying without specialist guidance

9. How Tutoring Can Help

Working with an Oxbridge admissions tutor helps you:

Identify academic gaps early

Develop test and interview strategies

Refine your personal statement with insider feedback

Build confidence for the Oxford tutorial style

The Profs Engineering Undergraduate Tutors have helped over 90% of their Oxbridge students receive offers in recent cycles — a statistic that speaks volumes about the power of focused preparation.

10. Final Takeaway

Top tips for preparing for the Oxbridge interviews.

It is fast approaching ‘that time of year’ – not Christmas although yes, Christmas of course – gone is the humdrum spookiness of Halloween only to be replaced instantaneously by a cornucopia of tinsel festooned supermarkets, each gaudier than the last and insisting on a live countdown until the damp squib of the day itself. BUT. For others, ‘that time of year’ means something very different. If…

The Oxbridge interviews loom, how can you best prepare? 8 Top tips.

It is fast approaching ‘that time of year’ – not Christmas although yes, Christmas of course – gone is the humdrum spookiness of Halloween only to be replaced instantaneously by a cornucopia of tinsel festooned supermarkets, each gaudier than the last and insisting on a live countdown until the damp squib of the day itself. BUT. For others, ‘that time of year’ means something very different. If…