Undergraduate · UCL Mechanical Engineering
UCL's Mechanical Engineering MEng requires both Mathematics and Physics, with the A* in one of them, and for the 2027 cycle required every applicant to sit the TARA, a non-subject-specific reasoning test, rather than the ESAT that Imperial uses. It is a four-year integrated Master's accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The decision is how UCL's version of mechanical engineering and its selection route compare with other courses on a student's list. Everything cycle-specific here is UCL's wording for 2027 entry, taken from a page UCL labels as a saved copy; nothing below is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
Taken from UCL's Mechanical Engineering MEng course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes) 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; UCL's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
The A-level grades are A*AA. Mathematics and Physics are required, with the A* in one of them, and a third subject such as Design and Technology, Engineering or Economics is preferred but not essential. GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4.
The IB requirement is 39 points, with 19 points in three Higher Level subjects including 7 and 6 in Mathematics and Physics in either order, and no Higher Level score below 5.
Alongside the UCAS application, UCL required all applicants to sit the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions, run by University Admissions Tests UK. It is non-subject-specific, and there is an entry fee.
If you are offered a place, you will have the chance to visit the department and MechSpace, or take part in a virtual offer-holder day, before accepting.
The degree is UCAS H301, accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council. There are study-abroad and year-in-industry variants.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on UCL's Mechanical Engineering MEng course page (a saved copy that UCL labels as possibly not showing recent changes), which describes 2027 entry. UCL's list of preferred A level subjects, the TARA specification and University Admissions Tests UK pages, 'How we assess your application', fees, graduate-outcome statistics (not used), the Study Abroad and Year in Industry variants' own rules and the 2028-entry values were not read or are not stated. UCL labels the page read as a saved copy that may not show recent changes.
The course
UCL describes a four-year integrated Master's that teaches mechanical engineering, mathematical and computational skills for designing sustainable solutions, and financial management competencies for leading large engineering projects. Its page lists a study-abroad variant, in which students can apply to spend Year 3 at an approved partner institution, and a year-in-industry variant. UCL says the MEng is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council for the academic requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer, and that the course emphasises fundamental analytical, design, practical and professional skills.
Choosing between courses
The two London mechanical engineering degrees are comparable in aim but not in how you are selected.
you offer Mathematics and Physics, are comfortable with a general reasoning test (TARA) as part of the application, and like the idea of a degree that adds financial management to the engineering content.
Imperial's course has its own subject rules and uses the ESAT. The Imperial Mechanical Engineering guide in this series sets them out; the two selection routes are not interchangeable.
you want engineering with design thinking. Imperial Design Engineering has its own guide, and requires Mathematics but not Physics.
Reading the offer
The A-level grades are A*AA with Mathematics and Physics required and the A* in one of them. UCL prefers a third subject from Design and Technology, Engineering, Economics, Geography, Chemistry and Biology, in that order, but not as an essential, and says at least two A level subjects should be from its preferred list, which was not read for this guide. The IB requirement is 39 points, with 19 points in three Higher Level subjects including 7 and 6 in Mathematics and Physics in either order and no Higher Level score below 5; either Mathematics syllabus is accepted. GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C or 4 are also required.
The TARA and selection
For the 2027 cycle, UCL required all applicants to this programme to sit the TARA, which is run by University Admissions Tests UK and described by UCL as a non-subject-specific test of skills essential to undergraduate study, with an entry fee. Registration deadlines are on the UAT-UK website and are cycle-specific, so this guide states none. Preparation therefore looks different from an engineering science test: it is about reasoning and writing under time pressure. UCL's page lists no interview, but says offer-holders may visit the department and MechSpace or join a virtual offer-holder day before accepting.
A decision framework
This is Avandy's own framework, not UCL's.
Build or analyse something simple, such as a gear train or a lever system, and explain how it works. If that is satisfying, the subject will be too.
Both are required, with an A* in one. Check where you stand in each.
The TARA tests reasoning, not physics. Allow time for it alongside your other tests.
Planning for 2028 entry
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules UCL has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means UCL published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means UCL has not yet published it.
These are the best guide to what to prepare. UCL has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Check UCL's Mechanical Engineering course page and the UAT-UK website for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
Secure Mathematics and Physics, check UCL's preferred subjects list and plan reasoning-test practice alongside your other tests.
Support
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with University 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. Mathematics and physics mentoring and TARA preparation help a student prepare; Avandy does not promise an offer. No outcome is promised.
Questions
A*AA at A level with Mathematics and Physics required and the A* in one of them, or 39 IB points including 7 and 6 in Mathematics and Physics at Higher Level. This is UCL's wording for 2027 entry.
For the 2027 cycle UCL required all applicants to this programme to sit the TARA, run by University Admissions Tests UK. Check the page for the position for your year.
No. The TARA is a non-subject-specific reasoning test. Imperial's engineering courses use the ESAT, which tests mathematics and science.
UCL says the MEng is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers on behalf of the Engineering Council.
UCL says it is possible to defer entry by an academic year.
No. They are UCL's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when UCL publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their Mathematics and Physics and their TARA preparation, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.
