ESAT vs TMUA: which test does your course need?
For 2027 entry, some engineering and science courses at 4 universities (Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL) use the ESAT, with each module scored from 1.0 to 9.0. Some mathematics, computer science and economics courses at 7 universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Warwick and Durham) use the TMUA (compulsory for some courses, recommended for others), with one overall score from 1.0 to 9.0. Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL use both tests for different courses, and the same subject can differ between universities: Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering at UCL use the TARA, not the TMUA or ESAT, so check the test for your course at each university.
How are the ESAT and TMUA different?
| ESAT | TMUA | |
|---|---|---|
| Courses | Some engineering and science courses | Some mathematics, computer science and economics courses |
| Structure | Five modules: Mathematics 1 is compulsory, most candidates sit it plus two more | Two papers, both compulsory |
| Questions and time | 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes per module | 20 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes per paper |
| Scoring | A separate 1.0–9.0 score per module | One overall 1.0–9.0 score |
| Content level | Science and mathematics you are likely to have already learned at school, applied to new problems | Higher-tier GCSE and AS-level mathematics |
| Sittings | 12–16 October 2026 or 4–8 January 2027 | 12–16 October 2026 or 4–8 January 2027 |
| Fee | £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland; £133 elsewhere | £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland; £133 elsewhere |
Details and dates: ESAT guide and TMUA guide.
Updated 5 November 2026 · Source: UAT-UK: ESAT ↗ · UAT-UK: TMUA ↗ · UAT-UK key dates ↗
Which test each course needs, university by university
| Course | Test | What it asks for |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | ||
| Engineering | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Natural Sciences | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + any two of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + any two of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Veterinary Medicine | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + any two of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Mathematics | TMUA | Required |
| Computer Science | TMUA | Required |
| Economics | TMUA | Required |
| Imperial College London | ||
| Aeronautics | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Chemical Engineering | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Chemistry |
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Design Engineering (Dyson School) Two modules only | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Life Sciences Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, etc. | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Chemistry + Biology |
| Mechanical Engineering | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Physics | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Mathematics All Mathematics programmes | TMUA | Required |
| Computing Incl. joint Mathematics and Computer Science | TMUA | Required |
| Economics, Finance and Data Science | TMUA | Required |
| University of Oxford | ||
| Engineering Science | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Physics | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Physics and Philosophy | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics |
| Biomedical Sciences | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + any two of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Mathematics / Mathematics and Statistics | TMUA | Required |
| Computer Science | TMUA | Required |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | TMUA | Required |
| Mathematics and Philosophy | TMUA | Required |
| Computer Science and Philosophy | TMUA | Required |
| UCL (University College London) | ||
| Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng (H600) & MEng (H601) | ESAT | Mathematics 1 + any two of Mathematics 2, Physics, Chemistry, Biology |
| Economics (BSc) New for 2026 entry | TMUA | Required |
| LSE (London School of Economics) | ||
| Economics | TMUA | Required |
| Econometrics and Mathematical Economics | TMUA | Required |
| Mathematics & Economics, Financial Maths, Data Science… Recommended across LSE's quantitative degrees | TMUA | Recommended |
| University of Warwick | ||
| Computer Science / Discrete Mathematics Incl. Computer Science with Business Studies · except contextual-offer applicants | TMUA | Required |
| Mathematics BSc G100 / MMath G103 · TMUA or STEP · contextual-offer applicants exempt | TMUA | Required |
| Statistics (Mathematics and Statistics, MORSE, Data Science) Optional · most offers can be met in part with 5.0 in the TMUA or grade 2 in any STEP | TMUA | Recommended |
| Economics / Economics and Management / Economics, Politics and International Studies Optional · requirements under review for 2027 entry | TMUA | Recommended |
| Durham University | ||
| Mathematics / Mathematics and Statistics TMUA or STEP · 5.0+ in the TMUA or grade 2 in any STEP can bring a reduced offer | TMUA | Recommended |
Each row is one of our own course groupings (a row can cover several degrees), so the row count is not UAT-UK’s official course-code count. The official list is the UAT-UK Course List 2027 Entry ↗ (April 2026: 56 ESAT and 60 TMUA course codes). Requirements change from year to year, so confirm on each university’s course page before you book. This table covers only the ESAT and TMUA. Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Robotics and AI at UCL, and PPE and Economics and Management at Oxford, among others, use the TARA.
Updated 5 November 2026 · Source: UAT-UK Course List 2027 Entry ↗
ESAT or TMUA questions
Does my course need the ESAT or the TMUA?
For 2027 entry, some engineering and science courses at 4 universities (Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL) use the ESAT, with each module scored from 1.0 to 9.0. Some mathematics, computer science and economics courses at 7 universities (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Warwick and Durham) use the TMUA (compulsory for some courses, recommended for others), with one overall score from 1.0 to 9.0. Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL use both tests for different courses, and the same subject can differ between universities: Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering at UCL use the TARA, not the TMUA or ESAT, so check the test for your course at each university.
Can I take both the ESAT and the TMUA?
UAT-UK does not answer this directly, but its rules point to yes: each test has its own booking and fee, and each can be taken once per cycle. If your UCAS choices include a course that needs the ESAT and one that needs the TMUA, you sit both. Both run in the same sittings (12–16 October 2026 or 4–8 January 2027). At centres in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau the October ESAT is on 12–13 October and the TMUA on 15–16 October. Source: UAT-UK FAQ ↗ · UAT-UK key dates ↗
How is scoring different between the ESAT and the TMUA?
UAT-UK says: for the TMUA you get one overall score; for the ESAT you get a score per module. Both are reported from 1.0 to 9.0 to one decimal place, with no pass mark and no negative marking. Source: UAT-UK FAQ ↗