Securing a Cambridge interview impresses, but thriving in a world-renowned academic dialogue tests you next. For engineering hopefuls, the interview is far less about polished presentations at Cambridge and more about demonstrating reasoning, adaptability, and curiosity. Whether you attend in person or online, knowing the etiquette expected by Cambridge makes all the difference between merely answering and genuinely engaging.
If you’d like guided support and mock sessions, explore our Cambridge Interview Coaching to help you prepare with confidence.
Understanding the Cambridge Engineering Interview
Cambridge interviews aim to reveal how you think. Admissions tutors want to see how you reason through problems, respond to unfamiliar challenges, and articulate your ideas. Official guidance puts it as:
“Interviews at Cambridge are academic conversations about the subject you’re interested in studying.” (undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk).
This discussion-based format means etiquette and communication matter just as much as formal preparation.
General Demeanour & Behaviour
1. Be Yourself — Stay Calm
Cambridge interviewers seek genuine enthusiasm and teachability, not rehearsed answers. Relax, breathe, and remember:
“You’ve worked hard and done really well to get to the interview stage, now you can be yourself.”
Show your honest interest in engineering. Maintain open body language, and let your natural curiosity guide the conversation.
2. Listen Carefully
Active listening plays a vital role in Cambridge interviews. If you miss or misunderstand a question, ask politely for clarification. It shows you can adapt and demonstrates maturity.
3. Think Aloud
Explain your reasoning clearly. Interviewers focus on how you tackle challenges, not just the solution. Walk through your thought process: sketch diagrams, verbalise assumptions, and show your progression.
Cambridge’s own advice: “We’re more interested in how you think and approach problems than whether you get everything right immediately.”
4. It’s Fine to Say “I Don’t Know”
Honesty coupled with critical thinking impresses more than an unfounded attempt. If you feel stuck, vocalise what you do know and outline how you might approach the question. Such frankness shows resilience and strong problem-solving skills — key engineering traits.
5. Be Open-Minded & Adaptive
Interviewers frequently challenge and refine your reasoning. A Cambridge interview is a discussion, and you will find your ideas scrutinised, questioned, and even gently criticised.
Adjust your approach if new information or hints arrive. Adaptability shows you will flourish in Cambridge’s supervision-style teaching.
6. Maintain Professional Courtesy
Arrive or log in at least 10 minutes before time to show respect. Greet your interviewers with confidence, maintain steady eye contact (look into the camera for online sessions), and thank each interviewer at the end. Use their names where possible — this conveys respect.
7. Ask Insightful Questions
If invited to ask something at the end, avoid superficial queries. Instead, engage with the subject or teaching style. Consider questions about Cambridge’s project-based learning, lab opportunities, or ways students engage with each other between colleges — this demonstrates that you think beyond acceptance.
Dress Code: Smart, Comfortable, and Confident
Cambridge states, “Wear what feels comfortable but aim for smart-casual.”
In reality, smart-casual attire remains the gold standard: collared shirts, plain jumpers, neat trousers or skirts. You don’t need a tie or blazer, but avoid anything too casual (T-shirts with slogans, shorts, flip-flops).
For online interviews, position your camera in good lighting with a tidy background, and choose an outfit that boosts your confidence and minimises distraction.
Logistics & Preparation (On-Campus and Online)
On-Campus
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early. That allows time to find your venue and steady your nerves.
- Bring the essentials: your printed personal statement, a notepad and pen, and any additional documents the College may request.
- Silence your mobile phone and store it out of sight.
- Use the waiting area to centre yourself; avoid distracting others.
Online
- Select a quiet, well-lit area with a stable internet connection and a neutral background.
- Test technology (mic, camera, internet) at least a day beforehand.
- Prepare a pen, paper, and your personal statement.
- For engineering interviews, Colleges may ask you to use a whiteboard or screen sharing to show your written work. Practise this setup before your interview.
- Log in at least 10 minutes before the start time.
- If your connection fails, reconnect calmly and politely ask for the question to be repeated.
Etiquette at a Glance: Online vs. On-Campus
| Aspect | Online Interview | On-Campus Interview |
| Arrival | Log in 10 min early; check tech | Arrive 15 min early; locate room |
| Environment | Quiet, steady internet, plain background | Calm lounge, minimal distractions |
| Communication | Look at camera, speak clearly | Eye contact, greet politely |
| Body Language | Sit upright, avoid multitasking | Controlled posture, attentive nodding |
| Materials | Webcam, mic, whiteboard/tablet | Pen, notepad, personal statement |
Academic Etiquette for Engineering
Discussion, Not a Test
View your interview as an academic discussion, not a test. Speak as you would to a respected teacher: address each point analytically, but stay relaxed enough to engage freely.
Stay Direct & Relevant
Focus on the question at hand. Even if you can’t solve it entirely, a logical approach is what counts. Prioritise depth of explanation over breadth; do not drown your answer in tangents.
Show Humility and Flexibility
Engineering advances through challenge and revision, not rigid insistence. When an interviewer questions your solution, be willing to reconsider, revise, and clearly explain your thought process. Sticking blindly to an answer shows less promise than an open mind.
Highlight Super-Curricular Engagement
Showcase what you’ve read, built, researched, or even designed outside of classwork. Mention summer workshops, coding projects, or engineering challenges — and reflect on what you learned from them.
Accept That It’s Meant to Stretch You
Feeling you could improve is normal. Cambridge aims to see how well you respond to the unfamiliar, not how perfectly you recite your syllabus.
Once you’ve mastered the right etiquette, the next step is to understand the types of questions you’ll encounter. Check out Cambridge Engineering: Questions & Tips for Interview to practise with real examples and expert insights.
Practical Tips: What Sets Exceptional Engineering Interviews Apart?
- Practise verbalising solutions to mirrors or mentors to prepare for the interview.
- Use plain diagrams or equations when thinking on paper or a whiteboard.
- Be yourself. If you lose your way, own up and regroup — showing you can recover is often more impressive than appearing flawless.
- Read your personal statement carefully and be prepared for follow-up on any points you mention.
- Explore a recent engineering news topic — if it comes up, comment thoughtfully.
Ready to Master Your Cambridge Engineering Interview?
Success in your Cambridge Engineering interview stems from thorough preparation and a confident presence. Practise academic discussion, familiarise yourself with the format, and work on explaining your thinking clearly and graciously.
To go further, consider mock interviews with mentors or services that specialise in Cambridge Engineering admissions.
Book Your Cambridge Interview Coaching Session
FAQs
1. What matters most in Cambridge Engineering interview etiquette?
Interviewers care most about your thinking and curiosity — not your credentials or polish.
2. What should I wear to my interview?
Smart-casual attire is ideal; comfort takes precedence over strict business attire.
3. How should I behave in an online interview?
Use a quiet space, look into the camera, speak clearly, and think aloud.
4. Can I ask questions at the end?
Yes. Ask thoughtful, course-focused queries — avoid questions answered on the course website.
5. What if the technical question stumps me?
Share your approach, show your reasoning, and ask for clarification if needed. Your process counts more than the outcome.
