Engineering Science

Engineering Science encompasses a vast range of subjects, from microelectronics to offshore oil platforms, and involves the application of creative reasoning, science, mathematics (and of course experience and common sense) to real problems.

The Department of Engineering Science at Oxford has a top-level quality assessment rating for teaching, and a world-class reputation for research. Because we believe that future engineering innovation will benefit from broad foundations as well as specialised knowledge, teaching is based on a unified course in Engineering Science, which integrates study of the subject across the traditional boundaries of engineering disciplines. Links between topics in apparently diverse fields of engineering provide well-structured fundamental understanding, and can be exploited to give efficient teaching.

The Engineering Science programme is a four-year course, leading to the degree of Master of Engineering. The first two years are devoted to topics which we believe all Engineering undergraduates should study. In the third and fourth years there is scope for specialisation into one of six branches of engineering: Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Information and Mechanical. Decisions about which of these will be your specialisation can be deferred until the third year. In the fourth year there may be opportunities to study abroad.

Engineering Science is part of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division, which also contains Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Materials Science, Mathematics, Plant Sciences, Physics, Statistics and Zoology.

The course is accredited by the major engineering institutions in respect of the initial requirements for the designation of chartered engineer.

Industrial experience is an extremely important adjunct to an academic engineering education, and undergraduates are strongly encouraged to obtain it. One way to do so is by being sponsored. Further information is generally available through your careers teacher, or from the engineering institutions.

If your sponsoring company wants you to spend a year with them before university, you will be asked to declare this at your interview and in your UCAS application.

The analytical skills, numeracy and practicality developed by Engineering Science graduates are sought after in both industry and commerce. Many continue into a career as a professional engineer while others enter business areas such as management consultancy or finance. Around 30% go on to further study following their degree.

Jane, who graduated in 2003, now works as a Senior Geotechnical Engineer with Coffey Geotechnics. She says: ‘I loved that in my first few weeks of work I found myself applying what I had studied at Oxford directly to real engineering problems – something that has continued throughout my career.  The breadth of the Engineering Science course has stood me in good stead even in a specialist industry as the sound technical basis has meant I’ve been able to confidently develop wider management and communication skills on the job.’

Students interested in this course might also like to consider Earth Sciences (Geology), Materials Science or Physics.