In this article we will guide you on how to best prepare for your Oxford Engineering Science interview, with guides on past Oxford Engineering questions, interview tips, mock examples and real experiences from students who have sat the Oxford Engineering Science panel interview.
This article is from a collection of accounts from Oxbridge applicants, as well as information from the official Oxford Engineering Science website.
What is the Oxford Engineering Science interview structure?
Every candidate will have two interviews, which will take place on the same day. Usually, you will have one interview in the morning at the college that you applied for (or whatever college is hosting you, in the event that you made an open application or that you were pooled). In the afternoon, you will be interviewed at another college. In most cases, the first interview is slightly longer than the second, although both will be around 30 minutes long.
As well as this, the first interview is more likely to contain some general questions (such as why you are interested in engineering and why Oxford?), while the second will be only mathematics based questions.
The multiple interviews give you an opportunity to showcase your skills fully. This means that if you are too nervous to perform your best in one interview, this will hopefully not impede your chances.
What are the Oxford Engineering Science interview dates?
The Oxford Engineering Science interview dates for 2025 entry will take place in the first two weeks in December.
Example Past Questions from Oxford Engineering Science Interviews
- General questions:
- Why Engineering at Oxford?
- What do you know about the Engineering course at Oxford? Are there any particular options that you’d like to study?
- A question about something relevant on your personal statement
Engineering Interview Questions
- Rulers: Someone places a 30cm ruler on top of one finger from each of your hands, so that you have one finger at each end of the ruler, and the ruler is resting on your fingertips. What happens if you bring these fingers together?
- Gravity dam: How would you design a gravity dam for holding back water?
- Cylinder: You have a cylinder that is sealed at both ends. The pressure inside is rising. Will the cylinder split along the side or blow at the end first?
- Graph sketching questions: being asked to sketch a graph such as y=xx for x>0, x<0.
- Rollercoaster: Here is a drawing of a rollercoaster. What are the forces experienced by the passengers at the bottom and the tops of the loops? Can you estimate the number of G’s of force that they would experience?
Further Interview Questions
- Ping pong ball: Here is a ping pong ball resting on water. Can you approximate the volume of this ping pong ball that is under the water? (hint: use integration)
- Box and projectile: A box is sliding down a hill at a given angle. A projectile is shot from the box at a given time. It then perfectly lands in the box some time later. What is the distance that the box slid between the projectile being shot and landing?
- Questions on differentiation and integration.
- Questions on deriving formulas: such as deriving the formula for the area of a circle.
- Ships: Why do large ships not sink despite weighing thousands of tonnes?
- Aeroplanes: How do aeroplanes stay in the air?
- What are the differences between Engineering and Physics?
- Skydiver: Can you sketch a velocity-time graph of a skydiver jumping out of an aeroplane?
- Ladder: Here is a ladder leaning against a wall. What are the forces acting on the ladder?
The Jesus College, Oxford YouTube channel has a useful walkthrough of Engineering Science interviews:
Insider Guides: Oxford Engineering Science Interview
What happens on the day of your Oxford Engineering Science interview?
My interviews were in person, so I turned up directly to the college of my first interview and waited in the common room after checking where and when I was having my first interview on the display boards. I waited for about 15 minutes, as I had arrived early. For you, as your interviews will be online, you will be sent an interview schedule ahead of time. Past candidates were sent Microsoft Teams links for each interview.
After I had my first interview, I had a break for lunch and to walk around for a while. I then had my second interview. This was my last interview, so I returned home afterwards.
What do you have to bring to your Oxford Engineering Science interview?
I brought some pens and pencils, as well as a rubber. For online interviews, I’d recommend having some paper on hand. I stuck to a smart casual dress code.
What is the interview setting and how long is it?
My first interview was in an office with a large table and a whiteboard. The second was in an office with just a table. In both cases both interviewers were sitting opposite me. Because yours will be online, the tutors will likely be in an office together, or in separate offices, while you should be in a quiet, private room.
I believe my interviews were about 15-20 minutes each, with about 10 mins per major question. The official Oxford Engineering website states that your first interview will be about 30-45 minutes long, while your second will take around 30 minutes.
What are the Oxford Engineering Science interviewers like?
The first set of interviewers were quite friendly, with some icebreaker questions about my work experience. That interview turned into more of a conversation. The second set of interviewers were a lot more official and cut straight to the questions, without talking about anything else. They didn’t have any follow up questions after the initial interview questions. They only asked if I had any questions of my own.
The official Oxford website states that the Oxford Engineering Science interview is a chance for the interviewers to see how well you understand new information and are able to explain new ideas, rather than a test of how much you know.
What are the best tips for planning my trip for my Oxford Engineering Science interview?
Make sure you eat enough in between your interviews, and sleep well the night before. I’d also recommend having a water bottle with you next to you during your interview. You should also prepare your clothes the night before to save yourself stress on the morning of the interviews.
Are there any academic or challenging Engineering questions at the Oxford interview?
The questions were all challenging. The questions asked in the first interview weren’t quite as mathematically or mechanically intense as those in the second, and they flowed better for me as I happened to be more familiar with the topics. The second interview questions were more challenging, and I certainly needed help from the interviewers to progress to the next step.
Are there any personality, work experience or extracurricular based Engineering questions at the Oxford interview?
I was asked one such question, on the specifics of some work experience I did. They just asked what exactly were the projects I worked on, and why I enjoyed them.
The Oxford website states that interviewers may ask you about extra-curricular activities, but they will not be using your answers to judge your performance unless they help to showcase selection criteria for the specific course you are applying for.
Top Tips for the Oxford Engineering Science Interview
- Don’t panic if you don’t know the answer – they want to test you to the limit of your knowledge, so just let them know if you don’t know something and they will give a helping hand!
- Take your time. It’s ok to sit and wait to think about the answer, this is far better than rushing in with the wrong approach.
- Write your workings out, you may be asked to write on a virtual whiteboard, or talk through your workings. So make sure you are clearly writing down your thought process, so that the interviewers can see how you’re reaching your answer.
- Practice beforehand by asking your teachers or family to ask you interview-style questions in person, or enrol on an online service that can do so. It is hugely helpful to practice verbally explaining your ideas.
- Use banks of interview questions. Practice answering these questions without a calculator, and practice writing out all of your working neatly and in real time.
Top Tips for the “Why Oxford” interview question
- Research Oxford: think about why you really want to go there. You should find something unique about Oxford that made you want to apply there.
- You should also consider Engineering specifically. You should research everything that’s on offer to be studied, making sure to have a few topics in mind which you want to come to Oxford to study.
My Favourite Things about Studying Engineering Science at Oxford University
My favourite thing about Engineering at Oxford is the sheer amount of options that come with it. You study most aspects of engineering in your first two years and then have about 30 options over the next two years to choose from. It’s a fantastic process to gauge what you want to do, and you can really find out what you want to specialise in and what interests you. The projects you can work on in third and fourth year are really great too, with many options which you can work under leading academics in.
FAQs
→ What is Oxford Engineering Science?
Oxford Engineering Science is a course offered by the University of Oxford that covers a wide range of topics in engineering and science, including mathematics, physics, mechanics, and materials science. The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in engineering, preparing them for careers in a variety of fields.
→ What is the interview process for Oxford Engineering Science?
The interview process for Oxford Engineering Science typically involves two interviews, each lasting approximately 20-30 minutes. The interviews are designed to assess the candidate’s academic ability, problem-solving skills, and aptitude for the subject. The interviews may also include questions about the candidate’s interests, experience, and motivations for studying engineering science.
→ What types of questions might be asked in the Oxford Engineering Science interview?
The questions asked in the Oxford Engineering Science interview may vary, but typically include topics related to mathematics, physics, mechanics, and materials science. The questions may be designed to test problem-solving skills, mathematical ability, and critical thinking. Some questions may also be based on real-world engineering problems or challenges.
→ How can I prepare for the Oxford Engineering Science interview?
To prepare for the Oxford Engineering Science interview, it is important to familiarise yourself with the course content and requirements. You should also practice problem-solving and critical thinking skills by solving sample questions and problems. Additionally, it can be helpful to review any relevant work experience, extracurricular activities, or personal projects that demonstrate your interest and aptitude for engineering.
→ How important is body language and eye contact during the interview?
Body language and eye contact can be important during the Oxford Engineering Science interview, as they can convey confidence and engagement. It is important to make eye contact with the interviewer and to use confident body language, such as sitting up straight and using gestures to emphasise points.
→ Is it okay to ask questions during the interview?
Yes, it is encouraged to ask questions during the Oxford Engineering Science interview. This can demonstrate your interest in the program and help you learn more about the faculty, department, and course content. However, be sure to ask thoughtful questions that are relevant to the interview and avoid asking questions that can be easily found on the department’s website.
→ How important is it to research the faculty and department before the interview?
Researching the faculty and department before the interview is important as it demonstrates your interest in the program and helps you prepare for the interview. You can learn about the faculty’s research interests, teaching philosophy, and any recent publications or projects. This can also help you formulate questions to ask the interviewer during the interview.
