BA Hons in Engineering From University of Cambridge Entry : Fees, Deadlines, Admissions and Scholarships

BA Hons in Engineering From University of Cambridge Entry : Fees, Deadlines, Admissions and Scholarships

Cambridge, EnglandLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1209established year
21045enrollment
Public
7.9/10

Bachelor of Arts [B.A] Hons (Engineering)

3 years
Full Time
Honours & On Campus

Field of Study

$55,517 /Yr

£41,124 /Yr
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Jun 18, 2026

University of Cambridge Bachelor of Arts BA Hons Engineering is a 3-year full-time on-campus programme based in Cambridge, England. Indian applicants typically need A-levels at A*A*A including Mathematics and Physics or equivalent. Total tuition runs about GBP 169,128 (INR 2.14 Crore) for the BA across three years, with intake in October 2027.

The course covers all major engineering disciplines in a unified Engineering Tripos before specialisation from Year 3. The integrated curriculum suits applicants who want exposure across mechanical, electrical, civil and information engineering before committing to a track. It targets analytically strong students aiming for research, industry leadership or chartered engineer pathways.

  • Engineering Tripos offers nine Part IIB specialisation tracks from aerospace to bioengineering.
  • Integrated 4th-year MEng option upgrades the BA to a master’s qualification at the same institution.
  • Weekly college supervisions give one-to-one tuition from senior researchers throughout the course.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the October 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 15 October 2026.

Indian applicants must complete the UCAS form, register for the ESAT and submit transcripts well before the October cut-off because Cambridge interviews are scheduled in early December.

Also Check: University of Cambridge Engineering Admission

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Fees and Living Costs 2027

Indian students pay tuition in the Cambridge Group 4 band, which applies to Engineering, plus a separate college fee. The two combined are billed annually for each of the three BA years.

Fee ComponentAnnual (GBP)Annual (INR)
Tuition fee (Overseas, Group 4)GBP 42,876INR 54.38 Lakhs
College fee (Overseas average)GBP 13,500INR 17.12 Lakhs
Total per yearGBP 56,376INR 71.50 Lakhs
Three-year BA totalGBP 169,128INR 2.14 Crore

Source: University of Cambridge Undergraduate Study fees page (2026 entry, Group 4).

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of GBP 1 = INR 126.83 as of June 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

  • The college fee covers communal facilities, supervisions and pastoral support and varies slightly across the 31 colleges.
  • Optional 4th-year MEng adds one further annual cycle of tuition plus college fee at the same Group 4 rate.
  • Cambridge bills fees by Michaelmas, Lent and Easter terms but quotes annual totals on its fees page.
  • Indian sponsors planning a four-year MEng pathway should budget about GBP 225,504 (INR 2.86 Crore) overall.

Cost of Living in Cambridge for Engineering Students

Cambridge living costs sit below London but above most other UK university cities because of college-room rents. The official guidance recommends a 12-month budget of around GBP 15,600 (INR 19.79 Lakhs) for an Engineering undergraduate.

ExpenseMonthly (GBP)Monthly (INR)
Accommodation (college room)GBP 650INR 82,440
Food and groceriesGBP 280INR 35,512
Books, lab kit and equipmentGBP 60INR 7,610
Transport (bicycle and buses)GBP 80INR 10,146
Personal and leisureGBP 230INR 29,171
Monthly totalGBP 1,300INR 1.65 Lakhs
Annual (12 months)GBP 15,600INR 19.79 Lakhs

Check Out: University of Cambridge Fees Structure for Indian Students

ROI reality: A 3-year BA Engineering at Cambridge runs about INR 2.74 Crore including living costs. A median graduate salary of GBP 35,000 (INR 44.39 Lakhs) recoups a chunk within five working years on a Graduate Route visa.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Admission

Cambridge Engineering admissions assess subject grades, the ESAT and a December interview before a single conditional offer issues. Indian applicants typically apply through A-levels at international schools or the IB Diploma route.

Academic Eligibility for Indian Students

A Class XII certificate from CBSE or ISC alone is not considered sufficient for direct entry to Cambridge Engineering. Indian students need an internationally recognised qualification with strong Mathematics and Physics outcomes.

World Education Services (WES) sets the credential equivalence Cambridge admissions uses when reviewing Indian transcripts. The Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT) replaced ENGAA in 2024-25 and runs once each October.

PathwayStandard RequirementIndian Equivalent
A-levelsA*A*A including Maths and PhysicsApproximately 95% to 98% in CBSE or ISC Class XII terms
IB Diploma40 to 42 points with HL 7,7,6 including Maths and PhysicsApproximate CGPA 9.5 to 10 on a 10-point scale
Indian Class XIINot accepted aloneCombine with A-levels, IB or one year of UG study
Subject prerequisitesMathematics and Physics requiredFurther Maths or Chemistry strongly preferred
Admissions testESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)Sit at authorised Pearson VUE centres across India
  • One year of recognised UG study at IIT or BITS Pilani with first-class results is the most accepted Indian-only pathway.
  • Cambridge interviews shortlisted Indian applicants in early December, either remotely or in person at the chosen college.
  • ESAT is a 2-hour multiple-choice test covering Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics for the Engineering route.

English Language Proficiency for Indian Applicants

Cambridge accepts a standard set of English-language tests for Engineering, with the requirement applied across all colleges. The thresholds are higher than most UK universities because of the supervision-based teaching model.

English TestMinimum OverallPer-Component Minimum
IELTS Academic7.57.0 in each component
TOEFL iBT (0 to 120 scale)11025 in each section
Cambridge English C1 Advanced193185 in each component
Cambridge English C2 Proficiency200185 in each component

Note: TOEFL iBT moved to a 1.0 to 6.0 band scale on 21 January 2026. University of Cambridge currently lists the 0 to 120 requirement shown above; both scales are reported during the 2026 to 2028 transition. Verify the current requirement on the official admissions page before applying.

  • IELTS is the most commonly booked test by Indian applicants for Cambridge due to British Council availability.
  • The validity window for any submitted test is two years from the test date to the start of the course.
  • Cambridge has no in-house pre-sessional English bridge programme, so the threshold must be met before the conditional offer is confirmed.

Read More: University of Cambridge Overview for Indian Students

Tip for Indian students: Predicted A-level grades carry the same weight as actual grades at the UCAS stage. Sitting the ESAT without targeted preparation usually drops the test mean below the offer threshold.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Application 2027

Cambridge runs one application cycle each year for the following October intake, with all forms routed through UCAS. The deadline sits a full three months ahead of most UK universities.

IntakeApplication DeadlineStatus
October 2027 (Michaelmas)15 October 2026 (UCAS)Open
  • Cambridge does not accept applications for the January or Easter terms in Engineering.
  • The 15 October deadline is firm and applies to all overseas applicants without extension.
  • Late UCAS submissions are not forwarded to colleges for academic review.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Indian Students

The process moves quickly between UCAS, the ESAT and the supplementary application questionnaire (SAQ), each with its own portal. Missing any single step removes the application from consideration before interview shortlisting.

  • Open the UCAS portal in May 2026 and select University of Cambridge with course code H100 for Engineering.
  • Register for the ESAT through Pearson VUE between 1 and 22 September 2026 and pay the test fee.
  • Submit the UCAS form including personal statement and predicted grades by 15 October 2026.
  • Sit the ESAT in the test window during mid-October 2026 at the nearest authorised centre in India.
  • Complete the SAQ on the Cambridge portal by 22 October 2026 covering colleges, modules and additional questions.
  • Attend the interview held in early December 2026 either online or at the chosen college.
  • Receive the conditional offer decision in late January 2027 with subject-grade conditions on actual A-level or IB results.

Read More: Study in UK Guide for Indian Students

Application tip: Choose between open application and a specific college based on your subject area strength. Open application is allocated by computer to balance applicant numbers across colleges with no academic penalty.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Scholarships 2027

Cambridge offers limited undergraduate funding for international students, with most full-cost scholarships reserved for postgraduate study. Verify the latest amounts on official Cambridge Trust and external trust pages each application cycle.

Indian families typically blend a Cambridge bursary with college support and an external Indian loan or grant. The scholarship landscape rewards early applicants who file for parallel funding by January.

ScholarshipAnnual ValueEligibility
Cambridge Trust Undergraduate BursaryNeed-based partial support, verify at official scholarship pageInternational UG with demonstrated financial need
HSBC Cambridge UG ScholarshipPartial fee and maintenance support, verify current valueInternational UG, financial need post-offer
College Overseas Hardship FundVaries by college, larger pots at Trinity, St John’s and King’sSubject to individual college policy
J N Tata Endowment Loan ScholarshipUp to INR 10 Lakhs combined grant plus interest-free loanIndian nationals admitted to recognised foreign UG
Charles Wallace India TrustShort grant up to about GBP 5,000 (INR 6.34 Lakhs)Indian academics or artists, narrower UG fit
  • The Cambridge Trust Undergraduate Bursary is awarded on the basis of financial need after the conditional offer is made.
  • Each Cambridge college runs a separate hardship and overseas bursary fund independent of the central Trust.
  • Indian applicants should apply to the J N Tata Endowment by April of the application year for autumn entry.
  • External Indian loan providers include HDFC Credila, Avanse and Auxilo with collateral and parent co-applicant requirements.

Check Out: University of Cambridge Scholarships for Indian Students

Scholarship reality: Most Indian UG admits to Cambridge Engineering fund the course through family savings and an Indian education loan. A Cambridge Trust bursary typically covers 10% to 25% of total cost, never the full ticket.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Salary 2027

Cambridge Engineering graduates command among the highest first-destination salaries in UK engineering education. About 95% land a full-time role or further study within six months of graduating from the BA.

Graduate RoleMedian Annual (GBP)Median Annual (INR)
Graduate engineer (consulting, energy)GBP 35,000INR 44.39 Lakhs
Software or hardware engineerGBP 45,000INR 57.07 Lakhs
Investment banking analystGBP 55,000 baseINR 69.76 Lakhs
Management consulting analystGBP 50,000INR 63.42 Lakhs
PhD or research stipendGBP 18,000INR 22.83 Lakhs

Source: Cambridge Engineering Department careers report and UK Graduate Outcomes survey.

  • About 30% of Cambridge Engineering finalists progress to the 4th-year MEng before entering industry full-time.
  • Banking and consulting roles add sign-on bonuses of GBP 5,000 to GBP 10,000 (INR 6.34 to 12.68 Lakhs) in year one.
  • The Cambridge Careers Service runs an Engineering Recruitment Fair each Michaelmas with about 90 employer stands.

Indian graduates should factor 20% to 40% effective UK tax on the total package and student loan repayments. Use an official UK tax calculator from HM Revenue and Customs to model net pay after each role.

Top Employers for Cambridge Engineering Graduates

Cambridge Engineering Tripos graduates fan out across heavy industry, software, finance and academic research. The careers service publishes the annual first-destination report by sector and median pay.

  • Engineering and energy employers include Arup, Atkins, Jacobs, Rolls-Royce, BP and Shell.
  • Technology recruiters include ARM, Google, Microsoft, Apple, Dyson and Silicon Fen start-ups.
  • Finance and consulting employers include Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, McKinsey, BCG and Bain.
  • Public sector and research roles span National Grid, Atomic Weapons Establishment and Cambridge research labs.
Honest take: A starting salary of GBP 35,000 (INR 44.39 Lakhs) covers the full BA cost within 6 to 8 working years. The two-year Graduate Route cap pushes most Indian graduates to switch to a Skilled Worker visa before recouping the full ticket.

United Kingdom Visa for BA Hons Engineering 2027

Indian students enter the UK on a Student Visa sponsored by University of Cambridge after the conditional offer is accepted. The university issues a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) which is mandatory before the online visa application. The Graduate Route allows two further years of post-study work after the BA without an employer sponsor.

  • The visa application fee is GBP 524 (INR 66,459) paid to UKVI before biometrics at VFS Global India.
  • The Immigration Health Surcharge runs GBP 776 (INR 98,420) for each academic year of enrolment.
  • The maintenance balance is GBP 1,023 (INR 1.30 Lakhs) per month for 9 months held in a 28-day account.
  • Cambridge sits outside London zoning, so the lower national maintenance rate applies instead of the London amount.
  • The Skilled Worker visa requires a salary of GBP 38,700 (INR 49.08 Lakhs) plus an approved employer sponsor.
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) qualifies after 5 cumulative years on Student plus Skilled Worker visas.
  • UG Student Visa holders cannot bring dependants unless on a government-sponsored UG course of 6 months or longer.
  • Term-time work is capped at 20 hours per week with full hours permitted during vacation periods.

Read More: UK Student Visa Official Page

Visa reality: Cambridge is outside the higher London maintenance zone, lowering the bank-balance requirement by about 30%. Apply for the Student Visa within 6 months of CAS issue for fastest turnaround at VFS Global India.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering Ranking 2027

Cambridge Engineering ranks in the global top 5 across the QS, Times Higher Education and US News subject tables for 2026. The strength holds across mechanical, electrical, civil and chemical engineering sub-disciplines.

Ranking Body and SubjectLatest CycleCambridge Position
QS World Rankings by Subject, Engineering and Technology2026#4 globally
QS Mechanical, Aerospace and Manufacturing Engineering2026Top 5 globally
QS Civil and Structural Engineering2026Top 5 globally
QS Electrical and Electronic Engineering2026Top 10 globally
Times Higher Education Subject Rankings, Engineering2026Top 5 globally
US News Best Global Universities for Engineering2026Top 20 globally
  • The QS Engineering and Technology score reflects research citations, employer reputation and academic reputation in equal weights.
  • Cambridge Engineering Department PhD output ranks among the top three globally for cited research papers per faculty.
  • The Engineering Tripos curriculum is recognised by the Engineering Council UK toward chartered engineer (CEng) status.
  • Full subject-by-subject standings are summarised on the Cambridge ranking page for Indian applicant reference.
Honest take: Cambridge Engineering sits in the global top 5 across QS, THE and US News rankings consistently. Indian recruiters treat the brand as equal in weight to IIT Bombay or Stanford Engineering for hiring purposes.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering suits Indian students with strong A-levels or IB scores in Mathematics and Physics. The 15 October UCAS deadline forces planning to start before Class XII begins. Treat the 4th-year MEng option as a default budget line, not a hypothetical.

University of Cambridge BA Hons Engineering FAQs

Ques. Can Indian Class XII students apply to Cambridge Engineering directly?

Ans. No. Cambridge does not accept CBSE or ISC Class XII alone for direct entry to Engineering. Indian applicants need A-levels at A*A*A, IB Diploma 40+ with HL 776, or first-class UG study at IIT or BITS.

Ques. How competitive is Cambridge Engineering for Indian applicants?

Ans. Cambridge Engineering admits about 380 international undergrads per cycle across 31 colleges. The success rate for Indian applicants typically sits around 8% to 12% based on Cambridge admissions data. Strong predicted A-levels and ESAT scores above the cohort mean are essential to advance to interview.

Ques. What is the ESAT and how does it differ from JEE Main?

Ans. ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) is a 2-hour multiple-choice test taken at Pearson VUE centres in October. It tests Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics at A-level depth and is shorter than JEE Main. Unlike JEE, ESAT is used only by Cambridge and Imperial and runs once per application cycle.

Ques. Does the BA Engineering at Cambridge include the MEng?

Ans. The 3-year BA Hons Engineering qualifies for an integrated 4th-year MEng pathway. About 30% of finalists progress to the MEng before entering industry. The BA on its own is a standalone honours qualification recognised for Engineering Council UK accreditation.

Ques. What is the total budget for an Indian student studying BA Engineering at Cambridge?

Ans. The 3-year BA Hons total comes to about GBP 169,128 (INR 2.14 Crore) in tuition plus college fees. Add about GBP 46,800 (INR 59.36 Lakhs) for three years of living costs at GBP 1,300 monthly. Indian families should budget around INR 2.74 Crore total before scholarships or external funding offsets.


Important Alert

  • UCAS Application Deadline For 2027 Intake - Oct 15, 2026

Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$55517 (GBP 41124)

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Accomodation$14013 (GBP 10380)
Food$3159 (GBP 2340)

Important Dates

EventApplication Date
UCAS Application Deadline For 2027 Intake Oct 15, 2026

Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

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QS World University logo
Arts 3 out of 553 in Global Ranking
( #2 out of 55 in UK 2026)

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Comments


Found 1 Comment

S
sharvari bhat
Apr 22, 2024 20:02

Interested in the course? Kindly guide me for the same. Thank you.

L
Lagan Kapoor
May 3, 2024 00:24

The University of Cambridge offers a wide range of courses at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. However, You can explore the University of Cambridge courses to learn more about the curriculum, fees, and other details. 


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