What A-levels do you need to study Engineering?
Why Maths is non-negotiable, where Physics fits, and how much Further Maths really matters.
Required subjects
- Mathematics — essential and universal across UK engineering degrees, always at a high grade at selective courses.
- Physics — required or strongly preferred at almost all courses (mechanical, civil, aero, electrical). Some chemical-engineering courses accept Chemistry in its place, so it isn't strictly universal.
Recommended & helpful
- Further Mathematics — 'required if your school offers it' at Cambridge, and advantageous at Imperial and other top courses; treat it as strongly-preferred rather than a flat requirement.
Typical grades
A*AA to A*A*A at the most selective (Cambridge A*A*A; Imperial A*AA–A*A*A with A/A* in Maths).
Admissions test
ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test) at Cambridge and for many Imperial engineering courses; most other universities require no admissions test.
The thing students get wrong: Maths is the non-negotiable core everywhere. Physics is 'usually required', but the second-science expectation shifts by discipline (chemical engineering may weight Chemistry). Further Maths helps but its absence rarely blocks you if your school doesn't offer it.
Explore these subjects
The specification, assessment structure and real grade boundaries for the subjects that matter for this route:
Always check the specific course.Entry requirements and required admissions tests vary by university and change every admissions cycle. Use these pages to narrow your choices, then confirm on each university's own course page and the University of Cambridge — engineering requirements.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
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