Interview season. Practise for your Oxford or Cambridge interview with a tutor, booked by the hour.Practise with an Oxford or Cambridge tutor.

Book a mock interview

Oxford & Cambridge Engineering

Engineering Admissions SupportInterviews, the ESAT and choosing a course

One-to-one help for students applying to Engineering or Chemical Engineering at Cambridge, or to Engineering Science or Materials Science at Oxford. Our tutors are Oxford and Cambridge students and graduates.

Find an Engineering tutor

Which course, which test

Four courses, and which need the ESAT

Three of these courses use the ESAT, but with different modules. Oxford's Materials Science has no test at all. This is how it works for students who applied in October 2026, for entry in 2027.

Cambridge

Engineering

What you studyBroad engineering for two years, then a specialism, with an optional fourth (MEng) year.
TestThe ESAT: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Our ESAT page
Subjects you needA-level Maths and Physics. Take Further Maths if your school offers it.
Typical offerA*A*A at A-level, usually with an A* in Maths or Further Maths, or 41–42 points in the IB with 776 at Higher Level. Peterhouse may also ask for grade 2 in STEP 2.
Interview7–18 December 2026, online or in person, depending on the college.

Cambridge

Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

What you studyChemical engineering with biotechnology. You apply for it directly, not through Engineering or Natural Sciences.
TestThe ESAT: Mathematics 1, plus two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2. Our ESAT page
Subjects you needA-level Maths and Chemistry, plus one of Biology, Physics or Further Maths.
Typical offerA*A*A at A-level, or 41–42 points in the IB with 776 at Higher Level. Some colleges set higher offers.
Interview7–18 December 2026, online or in person, depending on the college.

Oxford

Engineering Science

What you studyA four-year MEng covering all of engineering first, then one of eight branches in your last two years.
TestThe ESAT: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Our ESAT page
Subjects you needA-level Maths and Physics. Further Maths can help, but isn't required.
Typical offerA*A*A, with the A*s in Maths, Physics or Further Maths, or 40 points in the IB with 776 at Higher Level, including 7s in Maths and Physics.
InterviewOnline. Most interviews are on 14, 15 or 16 December 2026.

Oxford

Materials Science

What you studyA four-year MEng on how materials are made, structured and behave, ending with a year-long research project.
TestNone.
Subjects you needA-level Maths and Physics. Chemistry is strongly recommended.
Typical offerA*AA, with the A* in Maths, Physics or Chemistry, or 40 points in the IB with 766 at Higher Level.
InterviewOnline, at two colleges, on 10, 14, 15 or 16 December 2026.

Entrance tests for these courses

More interested in physics itself? See our Physics page. Always confirm the details on the official course pages.

Not your course? See every Oxford and Cambridge course and its admissions test, A–Z.

How we help

Support for every part of the application

Interview practice

Engineering interviews ask you to explain the physics of a situation, then describe it with simple maths, often on a shared screen. A tutor runs a mock interview like this and gives you honest feedback.

The ESAT

For next year's applicants. See our ESAT page for how the test works and our ESAT tutors.

Choosing a course

Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science or Physics? A tutor can talk you through how they differ.

Your Tutors

Engineering tutors

Oxford and Cambridge engineering students and graduates.

Emily

Emily

Oxford Engineering Science — MEng
£110per hour
Highlights
3+ years tutoring Oxbridge Engineering admissions
Three A*s in Maths, Further Maths & Physics
Mock interviews at real Oxbridge difficulty
A-Levels
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
Physics AQAA*

I'm Emily, an Engineering Science MEng graduate from the University of Oxford with over three years of tutoring experience in A-Level Mathematics and Physics and Oxbridge Engineering admissions. I achieved nine Grade 9s and one Grade 8 at GCSE, followed by three A*s in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics at A-Level, alongside an A in AS Chemistry. Having successfully navigated the Oxford Engineering admissions process myself, I have first-hand experience of each stage and understand what universities are looking for.

Read more

My tutoring includes extensive ESAT preparation, helping students develop the mathematical and physical problem-solving skills the exam demands, as well as effective strategies for approaching unfamiliar questions under time pressure. I also provide one-to-one interview preparation, with mock interviews based on the style and difficulty of real Oxbridge Engineering interviews. My focus is on helping students communicate their thought processes clearly, respond confidently to prompts and work through challenging problems collaboratively. A key part of my approach is knowledge building. I introduce degree-level Engineering concepts beyond the school curriculum, enabling students to develop genuine subject understanding and discuss these ideas confidently in personal statements and interviews. I sat Oxford's Physics Aptitude Test myself in 2021, scoring 72% — the ESAT now assesses much of the same mathematical and physical problem-solving ground. Beyond academics, I have teaching experience through international volunteering in China and am currently working towards a TESOL qualification.

View all qualifications
Degrees
MEng Engineering ScienceUniversity of Oxford2:1
A-Levels
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
Physics AQAA*
AS-Levels
Chemistry AQAA
iGCSEs
Mathematics Edexcel9
Physics Edexcel9
Chemistry Edexcel9
Biology Edexcel9
English Literature Edexcel9
English Language Edexcel9
French Edexcel9
Spanish Edexcel9
Art Edexcel9
History Edexcel9
Joseph

Joseph

Cambridge Engineering — PhD researcher
£80per hour
Highlights
Cambridge Engineering undergrad & PhD
Four years' Oxbridge admissions tutoring
Taught a school ESAT class of ~10
A-Levels
Mathematics OCR AA*
Further Maths OCR AA*
Physics OCR AA*
Spanish EduqasA

Hello, I'm Joseph, a Cambridge PhD student researching statistical machine-learning methods for biological and cancer research, having also done my undergraduate degree in Information Engineering at Cambridge. I specialise in Oxbridge and university admissions tutoring for Engineering, Mathematics and the Sciences, with four years' experience across entrance-test preparation, mock interviews and personal statements.

Read more

Over four years I've tutored students for Oxbridge Engineering and Science admissions — covering ESAT-style problem solving, interview practice and personal statements. In 2024 I taught a series of in-person lessons to a class of around ten students at my former school preparing for the ESAT. I sat Cambridge's engineering admissions test myself before the ESAT existed, and the maths and physics problem-solving it assessed is exactly the ground the ESAT now covers. I also tutor Maths, Physics and Computer Science up to A-Level, and I'm happy to weave exam-style questions into every session.

View all qualifications
Degrees
PhD in BiostatisticsUniversity of Cambridge · studying now
Master's in EngineeringUniversity of CambridgeFirst
BA Informatic EngineeringUniversity of Cambridge
A-Levels
Mathematics OCR AA*
Further Maths OCR AA*
Physics OCR AA*
Spanish EduqasA
Alexander

Alexander

Oxford Engineering — Fourth Year (MEng)
£70per hour
Highlights
Engineering interview coaching
Oxford & Imperial Engineering offers
3 years tutoring
IB Higher Level
Physics6
Biology7
Mathematics7

Fourth-year Oxford Engineering student (MEng) with three years of tutoring experience. I specialise in ESAT preparation and engineering interview coaching for Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial — having received Engineering offers from both Oxford and Imperial myself.

Read more

I've prepared students for both the admissions tests and interviews, with several going on to secure Oxford and Cambridge offers. I tutor Maths, Physics and Biology at GCSE, A-Level and IB, working with students at every level — patient, enthusiastic and practical.

View all qualifications
Degrees
EngineeringUniversity of Oxford · studying now
IB Higher Level
Physics6
Biology7
Mathematics7
IB Standard Level
English Literature7
Business Management7
Spanish6
Other qualifications
Extended EssayA
GCSEs
Design & Technology WJEC9
Further Maths AQAA*
Religious Studies AQA9
iGCSEs
Physics Edexcel9
Chemistry Edexcel9
Biology Edexcel9
Mathematics Edexcel9
English Language CAIE7
English Literature CAIE9
Spanish CAIE8
Geography Edexcel9
Finlay

Finlay

Cambridge Engineering — Fourth Year
£70per hour
Highlights
8.3 average in Cambridge's engineering admissions test
Multiple Maths & Physics Olympiad Golds
Six years' tutoring experience
A-Levels
Mathematics AQAA*
Further Mathematics AQAA*
Physics OCR AA*
Chemistry OCR AA*

Hi, I'm Finn, a fourth-year Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering student at Cambridge. I finished third year with a first, and I studied Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry at A-Level. I've achieved multiple Gold Awards in both the Maths and Physics Challenges and Olympiads. I'm happy to teach students of all abilities across GCSE, A-Level and university admissions, with a particular focus on the maths and physics problem-solving the ESAT rewards.

Read more

I've tutored privately for over six years across all the subjects I teach, and helped in lower-year maths classes as a teaching assistant during sixth form. I have extensive experience with university admissions preparation. I sat Cambridge's engineering admissions test myself, scoring an average of 8.3 — the test assessed the same maths and physics problem-solving the ESAT now covers, so it's exactly the ground I help students prepare for. I aim to build both confidence and technique, whatever a student's starting point.

View all qualifications
Degrees
MEng EngineeringUniversity of Cambridge · studying now
Bachelor's in Aeronautical EngineeringUniversity of Cambridge2:1
A-Levels
Mathematics AQAA*
Further Mathematics AQAA*
Physics OCR AA*
Chemistry OCR AA*
GCSEs
Mathematics AQA9
English Language AQA8
English Literature AQA7
Chemistry Edexcel9
Physics Edexcel9
Biology Edexcel9
Geography AQA9
French AQA9
Music AQA9
Religious Studies AQA8
Further Maths AQA9
Daniel

Daniel

Oxford Materials Science — Fourth Year
£75per hour
Highlights
Academic Scholarship having placed 4th in his Oxford year
Top Gold, British Physics Olympiad — top 30 UK
Top 13% in Oxford's PAT
A-Levels
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
Physics AQAA*
Chemistry OCR AA*

Hello, I'm Daniel, going into my fourth year at Oxford reading Materials Science, having placed 4th in my year in third-year exams and been awarded my college's STEM prize and an academic scholarship. My course spans maths, physics and chemistry, which is exactly the spread the ESAT tests — and I hold A*s in all four of Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Warm, friendly and focused on getting you the best possible result.

Read more

I've spent around thirty hours tutoring students for Oxford's maths and physics admissions tests — the ESAT now assesses the same problem-solving ground — alongside A-Level tuition in Maths, Physics and Chemistry through a tutoring company, and helping younger years at school. I sat Oxford's Physics Aptitude Test myself in 2022, scoring in the top 13% of applicants for my course. My competition record includes Top Gold in the British Physics Olympiad (top 30 in the UK) and qualification for Round 2, Silver in the UK Chemistry Olympiad taken a year early, Gold in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, and qualification for the UKMT Olympiad. Because I cover chemistry as strongly as maths and physics, I can support whichever ESAT module combination your course needs.

View all qualifications
Degrees
MEng Materials ScienceUniversity of Oxford · studying now
A-Levels
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
Physics AQAA*
Chemistry OCR AA*
FSMQ
Additional Maths OCRA
GCSEs
Mathematics Edexcel9
Biology Edexcel9
Chemistry Edexcel9
English Language Edexcel7
English Literature Edexcel8
History Edexcel9
Physics Edexcel9
Economics AQA9
German AQA8
Geography OCR9
Religious Studies (SC) AQA8
Monty

Monty

Oxford Engineering Science
£65per hour
Highlights
82/100 in Oxford's engineering admissions test — top 1%
Arkwright Scholarship for engineering leadership
Gold in the Senior Maths & Senior Physics Challenges
A-Levels
Physics AQAA*
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
History OCR AB

Hi, I'm Monty. I'm studying Engineering Science at St Peter's College, Oxford, having scored in the top 1% of all candidates in my year on the PAT, Oxford's engineering admissions test. At school I achieved 10 grade 9s at GCSE, Gold in both the Senior Maths Challenge and the Senior Physics Challenge, and an Arkwright Scholarship for leadership potential in engineering.

Read more

I've tutored GCSE maths and science one-to-one, and what I enjoy most is finding an explanation that lets students genuinely understand a concept rather than memorise a formula — in my experience, understanding is what carries through to performance in difficult exams. I mentored two students in my year who were sitting the PAT. I like to start from what a student already understands, build up steadily, and check ideas have properly landed before moving on — whether you're aiming for top GCSE grades, working through A-Level maths or physics, or preparing for the ESAT.

View all qualifications
Degrees
Engineering ScienceSt Peter's College, Oxford · studying now
A-Levels
Physics AQAA*
Mathematics EdexcelA*
Further Maths EdexcelA*
History OCR AB
GCSEs
English Language AQA9
English Literature AQA9
Mathematics Edexcel9
Physics AQA9
Chemistry OCR9
Biology AQA9
Religious Education AQA8
Physical Education Edexcel9
Computer Science OCR9
French AQA9
iGCSEs
History CAIE9

How it works

Simple, flexible, by the hour

Choose your tutor

Pick a tutor from this page and send them a message. Not sure who to choose? Tell us what you need and we'll suggest someone.

Arrange a first lesson

We put you in touch with your tutor to agree a time. For students under 18, a parent is included in all messages.

Book lessons by the hour

Lessons are online. Your lessons and invoices are in your MyOxbridgeTutor account.

Our charging promise: You only ever pay for the hours you need to use, no packages or contracts. Rates vary by tutor and are shown on each tutor's profile.

Questions

Engineering admissions FAQs

Which ESAT modules do I take?

For Engineering at either university: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. For Cambridge Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology: Mathematics 1, plus two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2.

Do I need A-level Further Maths?

Cambridge asks you to take it if your school offers it. At Oxford it can help, but it isn't required.

Does Oxford Materials Science have a test?

No. There's no written test, but shortlisted applicants are interviewed.

How do I apply for Chemical Engineering at Cambridge?

Apply for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology directly. You no longer go through Engineering or Natural Sciences first.

What happens in an engineering interview?

You're usually given a physical situation to explain, then asked to describe it with maths. Tutors help you along, and asking for help is expected. They're testing how you take in new ideas, not what you already know.

How many mock interviews should I book?

We suggest a series of sessions with one tutor, as many as you need, to build your technique. A tutor who knows you can see what you're improving on and take each session further than the last.

Then book one or two sessions with tutors you haven't met. On the day, you'll be interviewed by people you've never spoken to, who ask questions in their own way. Practising with someone new shows you whether your technique holds up when the style and the questions are unfamiliar.

Ready to strengthen your Engineering application?

Tell us a little about the course and where you'd like support — interview, the ESAT or choosing a course — and we'll get back to you about a tutor who fits. No packages, no obligation.

Enquire about Engineering tutoring