Required for Mathematics
Cambridge says Further Mathematics is required for Mathematics, and that if your school offers it to AS or A level you should take it.
A-level planning · Cambridge
Cambridge Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science: is Further Mathematics needed?
Cambridge treats A-level Further Mathematics differently across three of its most mathematical courses. It is required for Mathematics, where the minimum offer is A*A*A and STEP is usually part of the offer. For Economics and Computer Science it is required or strongly recommended, ideally as a fourth A level, with named Colleges adding their own Further Mathematics requirements for Economics, and Computer Science applicants whose school does not offer it asked to contact their shortlisted Colleges first. All three require the Test of Mathematics for University Admission. The decision for a sixth-former is whether Further Mathematics is available, and how to plan if it is not.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in Further Mathematics choices
Taken from Cambridge's choosing-high-school-subjects page and its Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science course pages and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
Required or strongly recommended for Economics and Computer Science
Cambridge lists Computer Science and Economics among courses where Further Mathematics is required or strongly recommended, usually as a fourth A level.
Some Colleges add requirements
The Economics page names Colleges that also require Further Maths.
If your school does not offer it
For Computer Science, contact your shortlisted Colleges before applying; they confirm whether you are eligible.
The TMUA for all three
Cambridge requires the TMUA for Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science.
Official sources
- University of Cambridge: Choosing high school subjectsundergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Mathematics, BA (Hons) and MMath (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Computer Science (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
- University of Cambridge: Economics (undergraduate course page)undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's choosing-high-school-subjects page and its Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science course pages, which describes 2027 entry. Cambridge's individual College pages, the Faculty FAQ on Further Mathematics, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The decision
One subject, three levels of expectation
Cambridge's subject-choice page names Further Mathematics as required for Mathematics and as required or strongly recommended for Computer Science, Economics, Engineering and Physical Natural Sciences, and says it usually expects it as a fourth A level if the school permits four subjects. The course pages add detail: Mathematics asks for A levels in Mathematics and Further Mathematics with STEP in the offer; Computer Science asks for Further Mathematics to AS or A level if offered; Economics asks for Mathematics and lists Colleges that also require Further Maths.
Which course?
Choosing by availability
Avandy's comparison is general and does not predict outcomes.
If your school offers Further Mathematics
take it for any of the three courses, as Cambridge advises.
If your school does not
contact the Colleges you shortlist before applying, as the Computer Science page instructs.
Compare the full guides
Avandy's Cambridge Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science guides cover each degree.
Entry rules
Grades, Further Mathematics and the TMUA
Mathematics asks for A*A*A, with Mathematics and Further Mathematics and all Colleges usually requiring at least grade 1 in STEP. Economics and Computer Science are listed as courses where Further Mathematics is required or strongly recommended. All three courses require the TMUA. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Does your school offer Further Mathematics?
That decides how much of this guidance applies to you.
Which College would you choose?
Several Colleges add Further Mathematics requirements for Economics.
Can you sit the TMUA in October?
Cambridge requires it for all three courses.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Grades, the Further Mathematics guidance and the TMUA requirement: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, TMUA dates and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's course pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Check whether your school offers Further Mathematics and read the three course pages.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means subject-choice advice and ethical test and interview preparation; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Is Further Mathematics required for Cambridge Mathematics?
Yes. Cambridge says Further Mathematics is required for Mathematics.
Is it required for Economics or Computer Science?
Cambridge says it is required or strongly recommended for both, usually as a fourth A level.
What if my school does not offer it?
For Computer Science, contact your shortlisted Colleges before applying; they will confirm whether you are eligible.
Do I need the TMUA?
Yes. Cambridge requires the TMUA for Mathematics, Economics and Computer Science.
Is STEP required for Mathematics?
All Colleges usually require at least grade 1 in STEP as part of the offer.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the subject-choice and course pages again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge Further Mathematics choices
Tell us about the student's curriculum, whether their school offers Further Mathematics and which of the three courses it matters most for, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.