University

josh · Post by **josh** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 10:23 am

I'm currently looking at universities and I know there's several people here who work or used to work in universities.
I'm looking at Cambridge and Warwick as my top two choices.

Firstly has anyone had any experience of the TSA (thinking skills assessment) exam that is required on entrance to some of the Cambridge colleges?

I'm also hearing about industrial sponsorship quite frequently. Would anybody on here be able to give me some more information on this? I have been looking around on the internet but the information I've found Is quite vague.

I'm going to be studying further maths, physics, product design and computing at AS next year and most likely continue the first three to A2.

I'm sure there was more I needed to know but I can't think of anything at the moment...

Andrew_Hibberd · Post by **Andrew_Hibberd** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:27 pm

Had a quick look arround and all I could find was:

The test is designed to assess problem solving skills including; numerical, spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills.

It looks like one of those tests that could be tricky, but very difficult to find out what will be on the test. What course are you looking to apply for?

Rhys · Post by **Rhys** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:44 pm

The test consists of questions that challenge your knowledge and logic. With a lot of the questions there is no right or wrong answer, they just look at the way you try and solve the problem. A friend of mine was asked how he would measure the circumference of the earth with only basic tools.

josh · Post by **josh** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:59 pm

I found the specification for the exam it seems pretty straight forwards although I'm sure when it comes to it it won't be...:
http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeass ... r_2009.pdf

I'm looking to do mechanical engineering although at Cambridge that is just standard engineering that is narrowed down in the third year to mechanical engineering.

Rhys · Post by **Rhys** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 1:01 am

josh wrote:I'm looking to do mechanical engineering although at Cambridge that is just standard engineering that is narrowed down in the third year to mechanical engineering.

You'll find that's the same most places, as many of the modules in the first year overlap. I have three friends at uni, one doing civil engineering, one doing aerospace engineering and another doing product design, but they all did exactly the same modules in the first year.

Be warned though, an engineering degree is pretty hellish. I know quite a few people who are in their final year and they basically hate it. But on the other hand, prospects for when you leave uni are infinitely better than with a humanities degree.

widow_twanky · Post by **widow_twanky** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 10:01 pm

Have to say i found the first year hellish because of the fundamental stuff you cover and for a large part is a catch up of stuff which really should be covered in a levels but isn't.

The rest tends to get a bit more interesting and particularly when you get to the specialism part of the degree.

It really does get tough if you don't keep on top of the maths because it underpins everything else.

Really is worth it though, enjoyable career and very rewarding. You just have to be a bigger nerd than everyone else.

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:10 pm

I pretty sure whatever it is I will still prefer it to a degree in humanities

I work on the basis that if I haven't experienced an easier degree course I won't think of it as too hard...
I'm definitely still trying to look into industrial sponsorship though, I cannot find a lot of real information only a lot of suggestions that it should be done but no idea as to how. So I am assuming it is best to just email some companies and ask... I will have a further look later in the week.

Post by **BeligerAnt** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:56 pm

My university experience was 20+ years ago (yikes!) and much has changed, yet much remains the same...

Engineering degrees are hard work, but if it's something you enjoy it's always a bit easier to cope with. As widow_twanky says, keep on top of the maths, remember physics is applied maths and engineering is applied physics. Without the maths the engineering won't make sense!

I was fortunate enough to be sponsored on my degree course, back in the days when there was much more sponsorship available. Even then, I wrote to over 30 companies and only received replies from 4 or 5. Only two of those even offered me an interview!

With the current economic situation I think you would be wasting your time approaching companies at this stage. They will not know what they will be offering next year, let alone in 2 years time.

Look at the IMechE web site and make sure that the courses you are looking at are accredited by the institution. An accredited course makes it a lot easier to obtain membership of the institution and chartered engineer status, which is important to some employers.

Andrew_Hibberd · Post by **Andrew_Hibberd** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 8:58 pm

I finished my degree about 3 years ago and I have to say the catching up in the maths in the first year was hard work. I had a year out of maths before starting, and my maths was meh at the best of times during A-levels. A lot of people drop out because the course is difficult but if you enjoy it, which I am sure you will, you will be fine.

I agree with Gary it may be hard to find industrial sponsership for your complete degree, have a look at sandwich courses that offer a year in industry. If you don't want to spend a year working out then summer internships are a good way to go, I know there are a crazy number every summer, but it depends on what you think you will be doing with your degree when you finish. Also check the accreditation of the course it also makes a difference to be a student member of the IMechE etc when you apply for jobs at the end.

josh · Post by **josh** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 9:30 pm

I would say my maths is reasonable although I'm yet to even start the A level course so maybe I'm about to find out otherwise. I think Andrew you tought me the majority of my geometry equations and knowledge several years ago!
I just checked the ImechE accredited degrees list and the courses I want to read are accredited.
I think the fees alone would deter me from dropping out mid course