Totally sympathetic with covid and ECs. DD had to improvise, but it turned out she found something online that turned into a very impressive EC in tech. Great leadership, initiative. Though her diving/research (which was her big thing in 2019) was cancelled in both 2020/21.

I don't know how it is in UK, but I would think that musical composition, instead of music would be very high on the EC for someone going into engineering. And it would show a great analytical brain.

Some of DD's classmates are applying to UK and I saw they have to get their applications done by Oct 15th. Best of luck. DD has until Nov 1st.