The TMUA for Computing, Mathematics and EFDS
Imperial says applicants to the Department of Computing, the Department of Mathematics and BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science must take it.
Admissions test planning · Imperial
Imperial Mathematics and Computing: the TMUA, STEP and Further Mathematics
Imperial requires the Test of Mathematics for University Admissions for its Department of Computing (including the joint Mathematics and Computer Science programmes), its Department of Mathematics and BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science, while other departments use the ESAT. Beyond the test, the course pages treat the surrounding choices differently: Mathematics with Statistics says typical offers may include STEP where the TMUA has not been taken and can make special cases where Further Mathematics is not offered, while Computing says typical offers will not include STEP. The decision for a sixth-former is which test applies and how to plan Mathematics subjects around it.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Imperial asks for in TMUA and mathematics preparation
Taken from Imperial's TMUA and ESAT pages and its Mathematics with Statistics and Computing 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; Imperial's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
Other departments use the ESAT
Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences, Physics and other listed departments require the ESAT.
Format and marking
The TMUA lasts 2 hours 30 minutes in two parts, and marks are not lost for wrong answers.
STEP is treated differently
Mathematics with Statistics may include STEP where the TMUA has not been taken; Computing says typical offers will not include STEP.
Further Mathematics
Mathematics asks for it but can make special cases where a school does not offer it; Computing prefers it.
Official sources
- Imperial College London: Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA)imperial.ac.uk
- Imperial College London: Mathematics with Statistics BSc (undergraduate course page)imperial.ac.uk
- Imperial College London: Computing MEng (undergraduate course page)imperial.ac.uk
- Imperial College London: Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT)imperial.ac.uk
Read on 31 October 2026 on Imperial's TMUA and ESAT pages and its Mathematics with Statistics and Computing course pages, which describes 2027 entry. Imperial's other Mathematics and Computing course variants, the score-interpretation page, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The decision
Which test, and what the course pages add
Imperial's TMUA page lists which courses must sit it: the Department of Computing including joint Mathematics and Computer Science programmes, the Department of Mathematics and BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science. Other departments, including Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Life Sciences and Physics, use the ESAT. The TMUA is computer-based, lasts 2 hours 30 minutes in two 75-minute parts of 20 multiple-choice questions, and scoring counts correct answers. Applicants take it once per application cycle and only the first score is considered.
Which preparation?
Mathematics, Computing and the safety net
Avandy's comparison is general and does not predict outcomes.
For Mathematics
Imperial asks for A* in Mathematics and Further Mathematics, but makes special cases for schools without Further Mathematics and is often guided by TMUA performance.
For Computing
Imperial asks for A* in Mathematics with Further Mathematics preferred, and says typical offers will not include STEP.
Compare the full guides
Avandy's Imperial Mathematics and Computing guides cover each degree.
Entry rules
Grades, the test and no scores here
Imperial Mathematics with Statistics asks for A* in Mathematics and A* in Further Mathematics at A level and 7 in Mathematics at higher level in the IB; Computing asks for A* in Mathematics with Further Mathematics preferred. Typical Mathematics offers may include STEP where the TMUA has not been taken, while typical Computing offers will not. This page states no test scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Imperial's.
Which department are you applying to?
That decides whether the TMUA or the ESAT applies.
Does your school offer Further Mathematics?
Imperial says it makes special cases for Mathematics applicants.
Can you sit the TMUA once, in one window?
Only the first score counts.
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 Imperial has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Imperial published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Imperial has not yet published it.
Which courses require the TMUA or the ESAT and the offer wording: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Imperial has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Test windows, the UCAS deadline and the 2028-entry requirements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Imperial's test pages for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm which test your department requires and check whether your school offers Further Mathematics.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Imperial College London 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 test and subject planning advice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities, does not supply test content and does not write applications. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Who must take the TMUA at Imperial?
Applicants to the Department of Computing including joint Mathematics and Computer Science programmes, the Department of Mathematics and BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science.
Do I lose marks for wrong answers?
No. Imperial says you do not lose marks for wrong answers, so it is worth attempting all questions.
Can I take the TMUA more than once?
Imperial says you need to take it only once per application cycle and only the first test score will be considered.
Is STEP required?
Imperial says typical Mathematics with Statistics offers may include STEP where the TMUA has not been taken, and typical Computing offers will not include STEP.
What if my school does not offer Further Mathematics?
For Mathematics with Statistics, Imperial says it can make special cases and encourages applications.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Imperial's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the test and course pages again when Imperial publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Imperial TMUA and mathematics preparation
Tell us about the student's curriculum, whether the TMUA or the ESAT applies to their course, and how Further Mathematics and STEP fit in, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.