Staff from Cambridge University recently visited the region to give students a taste of what it’s like to study Engineering at one of the UK’s top universities at an event hosted by Newcastle Sixth Form College.
High flying Sixth Form students from 10 colleges and schools across the North East attended the series of Engineering Masterclasses, which were designed to help them apply for and study at some of the country’s most prestigious higher education establishments.
The event also aimed to encourage more of the region’s talented students to take up engineering at university and included a masterclass on advanced aerodynamics, after which the students attempted to put their new found knowledge into practice by creating the perfect paper aeroplane.
The day also tasked students with solving a number of maths problems before ending with a question and answer session that provided tips on how to secure a place at top universities like Cambridge.
One student that benefitted from the event was Newcastle Sixth Form College student Arnold Williams, 18, who lives in Newcastle and is studying Maths, Physics and Art.
He said: “The masterclasses really helped me to understand what it takes to become a student at a university like Cambridge, as well as how to approach the application process. I’m focussed on a career in engineering and these masterclasses have helped to improve my outlook of the industry and how to start building my career.”
The event took place within the new Newcastle Sixth Form College building, which will be opening its doors to students in September following its £22m development on Rye Hill Campus.
The college has a long history of producing students that have gone on to study at some of the country’s top universities, with 25% of students achieving places within the Russell Group, which represents the top 24 leading universities in the UK.
Brendan Shepherd, Schools Liaison Officer at Cambridge University’s Jesus College, said: “We know there are candidates of a high calibre in the North East and through events such as this we hope to encourage them to consider an application. It is important to us that we fulfil our aim to admit the brightest and best students that this country has to offer and believe that the North East is a hotbed of engineering talent, with individuals that can take their talents to the top of the industry.”
