Which universities require STEP?
For 2027 entry, in our 43-university dataset, Cambridge Mathematics is the one course where STEP is a usual offer condition; courses at 9 universities can lower or change an offer for a STEP grade, and courses at 5 say it is not needed or not part of offers.
- Full name
- Sixth Term Examination Paper, set and administered by the OCR exam board
- Papers
- Two papers: STEP 2 (A-level Mathematics and AS Further Mathematics) and STEP 3 (A-level Further Mathematics). STEP 1 was discontinued in 2020
- Format
- 12 questions per paper: 8 pure, 2 mechanics, 2 statistics and probability; you are expected to answer no more than 6 in three hours
- Scoring
- Your six best questions count, 20 marks each, 120 in total. Grades from highest to lowest: S, 1, 2, 3, U
- When
- STEP 2 on 14 June 2027 and STEP 3 on 21 June 2027, results on 12 August (OCR says these dates may change); Cambridge applicants sit it as an offer condition, not before applying
- Fee
- £105.80 per paper in the UK; £146.90 per paper outside the UK (OCR, 2027; some centres add an administration fee)
- Level
- The Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics says it is aimed at the top 5% or so of A-level mathematics candidates
Required, or a condition for some applicants
Cambridge Mathematics makes STEP an offer condition. The others name it for one route or one College: read the note.
| University | Courses | Our note on the course |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cambridge | STEP required as an offer condition: Colleges usually require grade 1 in both STEP 2 and STEP 3 (a flexible offer of A*A*A* with grade 1 in one STEP paper is available at some Colleges). | |
| University of Cambridge | Peterhouse may also ask for grade 2 in STEP II. | |
| Imperial College London | TMUA admissions test required (STEP may be required if TMUA not sat). | |
| University of Warwick | Applicants who have not taken TMUA will need STEP grade 2 as a condition of offer. |
Can lower or change your offer
Not required, but a STEP grade can bring a lower or alternative offer on these courses.
| University | Courses | Our note on the course |
|---|---|---|
| UCL (University College London) | STEP grade 2 or AEA Distinction required only for the alternative A*AA offer. | |
| UCL (University College London) | Alternative offer: A*AA with A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (in any order) together with a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA. | |
| UCL (University College London) | Alternative offer: A*AA with A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics (in any order) and A in Physics, together with a 2 in any STEP Paper or a Distinction in the Mathematics AEA. | |
| University of Warwick | (a) with A-level Further Maths: A*A*A with A*A* in Maths and Further Maths; or A*A*A*A (four A-levels) with A*/A in Maths and Further Maths in any order; or A*AA with A*/A in Maths and Further Maths plus STEP grade 2, TMUA 5.0 or AEA Distinction. (b) with AS Further Maths: A*A*A plus grade a in AS Further Maths (A* in Maths), or A*AA with A* in Maths plus STEP 2 / TMUA 5.0 / AEA Distinction. (c) without Further Maths: A*A*A* with A* in Maths, or A*AA with A* in Maths plus STEP 2 / TMUA 5.0 / AEA Distinction. The test routes are optional. | |
| King's College London | If you are not taking A-level Further Mathematics, AS-level Further Mathematics at grade A can be considered instead only together with grade 3 in any STEP paper or a Merit in AEA Mathematics. | |
| University of Bristol | STEP achievement may be included as part of an alternative offer. | |
| Durham University | Optional TMUA/STEP: a TMUA score of 5.0+ or grade 2 in any STEP paper can bring a reduced offer of A*AA (including A*A in Mathematics and Further Mathematics). | |
| University of Bath | If you have only AS Further Mathematics, the alternative offer is A*A*A including A* in Mathematics, plus A in AS Further Mathematics and grade 2 in any STEP paper or Merit in the AEA in Mathematics. | |
| University of Bath | Further Mathematics is required: a full A level is strongly preferred; in exceptional cases AS Further Mathematics may be considered, in which case you may need to take STEP. | |
| University of Bath | Further Mathematics is required: a full A level is strongly preferred; in exceptional cases AS Further Mathematics may be considered, in which case you may need to take STEP. STEP, MAT and TMUA are not considered if you take A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics. | |
| University of Southampton | If a STEP paper is taken alongside three A-levels, the offer is AAB including Mathematics (grade A) and Physics (grade A) plus grade 2 in either STEP paper. | |
| University of Southampton | If a STEP paper is taken alongside three A-levels, the offer is AAB including Mathematics (grade A) plus grade 2 in either STEP paper. | |
| University of Birmingham |
| A grade 2 in a STEP paper could make you eligible for an offer one grade lower (subject requirements still apply); STEP is not required. |
| University of Birmingham | A grade 2 in a STEP paper, TMUA 5.0 or above, MAT 60% or above, or a qualifying Maths Olympiad result could make you eligible for an offer one grade lower (still with at least A in Mathematics or Further Mathematics). | |
| Newcastle University | In the ABB route, the third A-level from the list can be replaced by grade 2 in any STEP paper. |
Not needed
These course notes say STEP is not required, not considered or not part of offers. Some still take it into account.
| University | Courses | Our note on the course |
|---|---|---|
| Imperial College London | Minimum A*A*A (three A-levels) or A*AAA (four); typical offer A*A*A* (three) or A*A*AA (four), without STEP. | |
| University of Bath | STEP, MAT and TMUA are not considered. | |
| University of Bath | Additional mathematics tests (STEP, TMUA, MAT) are not required or considered. | |
| University of Nottingham | STEP/MAT/TMUA are not part of offer-making but may be considered on A-level results day. | |
| University of Sheffield | Passing STEP 2 or STEP 3 at grade 3 or above earns additional consideration; STEP is not accepted in place of a third A-level. | |
| Loughborough University | STEP/MAT/TMUA are welcomed as evidence of mathematical aptitude but are not part of any offer conditions. |
We classified these after reading each course note; courses whose notes do not mention STEP are not listed. The notes summarise each university's official course page: open a course to see its full requirements and the official link.
Updated 5 November 2026 · Source: Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics: STEP ↗ · University of Cambridge: Mathematics ↗ · OCR: STEP key dates and fees ↗
STEP questions, answered
Do I need STEP for Cambridge Mathematics?
Normally yes, as part of your offer. For A-level applicants, Cambridge's minimum offer level is A*A*A, and all Colleges usually require at least grade 1 in two STEP papers (STEP 2 and 3). Some Colleges may make alternative offers case by case, and some take part in a flexible offer scheme. You do not sit it before applying: you are asked to sit it as an offer condition. Source: University of Cambridge: Mathematics ↗
What is the Cambridge STEP flexible offer scheme?
Depending on individual circumstances, some Colleges may offer A*A*A with at least grade 1 in STEP 2 and 3, or A*A*A* with at least grade 1 in either paper (both papers still taken). For 2027 entry Cambridge lists Downing, Emmanuel, Girton, Jesus, Newnham, Robinson, Sidney Sussex and Trinity Hall. Source: University of Cambridge: Mathematics ↗
When is STEP, and is it hard?
In 2027, STEP 2 is on 14 June and STEP 3 on 21 June, with results on 12 August; OCR says these dates may change. The Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics says it is aimed at the top 5% or so of A-level mathematics candidates, and that you are expected to answer no more than six questions in three hours. Source: OCR: STEP key dates and fees ↗ · Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics: STEP ↗
How is STEP graded?
Each paper has 12 questions, and your six best count, at 20 marks each, for a maximum of 120. The five grades from highest to lowest are S, 1, 2, 3 and U. Source: Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics: STEP ↗
Preparing for STEP? Work with a maths PhD
One to one with an active mathematician, online or in London, by the session.