To study Engineering at a UK university you almost always need A-level Maths and usually Physics; Further Maths is required or strongly preferred at the most selective courses. Typical offers range from A*A*A at the top to ABB at many strong universities. For 2027 entry, Cambridge, Oxford and most of Imperial's engineering departments require the ESAT.
Engineering covers a dozen different degrees, from aeronautical to chemical to civil, and each has slightly different entry requirements. What they share is Maths and, for most, Physics.
Required subjects
- A-level Maths: required by almost every UK engineering course.
- A-level Physics: required for most branches (mechanical, electrical, aeronautical, civil, general engineering).
- A-level Chemistry: usually required for chemical engineering, sometimes instead of Physics.
- Further Maths: required or strongly preferred at the most selective courses; useful everywhere.
Engineering A-level and design subjects are welcome but rarely required.
Typical offers
| Type of university | Typical A-level offer |
|---|---|
| Most selective (Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and similar) | A*A*A to A*AA, with A* in Maths and often Physics |
| Other highly selective universities | A*AA to AAA |
| Many strong universities | AAB to ABB |
Check each course; contextual offers can be lower.
Is your personal statement strong enough?
Get a score out of 100, line-by-line feedback, before & after rewrites, and a 10-step improvement plan — in under 10 minutes.
Review my statement → From £7.49 · Results in under 10 minThe ESAT (2027 entry)
| University | Courses that require the ESAT |
|---|---|
| Cambridge | Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology |
| Oxford | Engineering Science |
| Imperial | Aeronautics; Chemical Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Design Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Mechanical Engineering |
Oxford and Cambridge applicants had to sit it in the October window (12 to 16 October 2026). Imperial also has a January window (4 to 8 January 2027). All dates: admissions tests for 2027 entry.
Get a free personal statement preview in September
Most applicants leave their statement until January and rush it. Leave your email and we’ll send you one reminder when the writing season opens, with a free preview of your statement — score, strengths, and what to fix.
One email in September. Unsubscribe any time — we never share your address.
MEng or BEng?
- MEng (usually four years): an integrated master's, the most direct academic route to Chartered Engineer status.
- BEng (usually three years): an accredited bachelor's; chartership usually needs further learning later.
Look for courses accredited by the relevant professional body (for example the IET, IMechE or ICE). Many universities let you switch between MEng and BEng in the early years.
What makes an Engineering application stand out
- Something you designed, built or fixed, and what you learned when it went wrong.
- The maths and physics behind it: connect a project or reading to a principle you have studied.
- A branch you have actually looked into: why civil and not mechanical, with a real example.
Our Engineering personal statement guide covers each UCAS question.
Deadlines
Oxford and Cambridge closed at 18:00 on 15 October 2026; most other engineering courses close at 18:00 on 13 January 2027. See UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry.
Check your Engineering personal statement
Score yours with Statementory: a score out of 100, notes on every line and a 10-step plan, back in 5 to 10 minutes.
Related guides
- Engineering personal statement guide
- Computer Science entry requirements
- Physics personal statement guide
- Admissions tests for 2027 entry
Sources
- Imperial College London, ESAT
- University of Oxford, Admissions tests
- University of Cambridge, Admission assessments
- UAT-UK, ESAT and TMUA
Frequently asked questions
What A-levels do you need for Engineering?
Maths almost always, and Physics for most branches; chemical engineering usually wants Chemistry instead of or as well as Physics. Further Maths is required or strongly preferred at the most selective courses. Check each course page, because requirements differ by branch as well as by university.
Which universities require the ESAT for Engineering?
For 2027 entry, Cambridge (Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology), Oxford (Engineering Science) and Imperial (Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Design Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering).
Should I choose MEng or BEng?
An MEng is a four-year integrated master's and is the most direct academic route to becoming a Chartered Engineer; a BEng is three years and usually needs further study later for chartership. Many universities let you switch between them in the first years, so you do not need to decide for ever on your UCAS form.
What grades do you need for Engineering?
Typical offers range from A*A*A at the most selective universities to ABB at many strong ones, usually with high grades required in Maths and Physics. Contextual offers can be lower.
Get your personal statement reviewed by AI — score, annotations, rewrites, and a 10-step plan in under 10 minutes.