The Oxbridge Engineering Reading List

You might very well already be top of your class in Maths and Physics at school. Sadly, at Oxford and Cambridge, great grades are just the beginning.

To really show off in your application (or to prepare in the summer before Freshers), you'll need this list of Oxford and Cambridge Engineering must-reads.

Thank us later.

Why reading matters to tutors

You'd be forgiven for thinking that since you've chosen a STEM subject, you'll be permitted to leave the reading alone. That's not quite the case.

The fact is, the Oxford and Cambridge process is about more than just what you know; they're about how you think. Personal statements, interviews, the degree itself — it all demands an interest in expanding thought. That's why interviews are often so abstract, and why a good Oxbridge Engineering reading list would be so useful.

The right book can help you:

• Build connections between school-level subjects and real-world engineering problems

• Reflect on what kind of engineer you want to become

• Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills beyond what you've been taught

If you're looking for expert guidance, our team's always on hand to help. Now, onto some texts...

The best books on the Oxbridge Engineering reading list

1. "Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down" by J.E. Gordon

This classic explains the science behind bridges, buildings, and bones with clarity and wit. A brilliant introduction to materials science and structural engineering.

2. "To Engineer is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design" by Henry Petroski

Petroski explores how learning from engineering failures is crucial to progress. This one's useful because it shows intellectual maturity to talk about failure, especially in interviews and statements; it brings a depth of realism to the innate humanity of engineering.

“Engineers … are not superhuman. They make mistakes in their assumptions, in their calculations, in their conclusions. That they make mistakes is forgivable; that they catch them is imperative.” 

3. “Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures” by Roma Agrawal

Roma Agrawal is a structural engineer who worked on iconic projects like The Shard in London and explains engineering concepts with clarity, warmth, and engaging personal insight.

4. "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman

Less about mechanical engineering, more about human-centred design. This one’s a favourite with Oxford Engineering Science applicants who want to show they’re thinking about the user, not just the machine.

“Good design is actually a lot harder to notice than poor design, in part because good designs fit our needs so well that the design is invisible.”

5. Oxford or Cambridge Course Handbooks

Yes, really. Reading through the Oxford Engineering Science or Cambridge Engineering Tripos course structure will show you the modules and research themes on offer. If you can name-drop a paper that particularly interests you — and why — you’ll be demonstrating real academic initiative.

Our final recommendations

Reading (and watching, building, thinking…) is the foundation of a strong Oxbridge application. But more than that, it’s your chance to explore what kind of engineer you want to be. Don’t just tick the reading list — it's most valuable to reflect on what you found surprising, what you disagreed with, what made you want to learn more.

With support from Avalon Education, you can turn that curiosity into a compelling personal statement, interview performance, and, ultimately, an offer from your dream university. Get in touch today, and we'll get back to you sharp!