These TMUA FAQs cover the October 2026 and January 2027 sittings for autumn 2027 university entry. Answers were checked on 25 August 2026 against UAT-UK and current university guidance.
For the full timeline, start with our TMUA Exam 2027 guide.
What is TMUA?
TMUA is the Test of Mathematics for University Admission. It is a computer-based admissions test used by selected UK Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics and related undergraduate courses. It assesses application of school mathematics and mathematical reasoning.
When is TMUA 2027?
The two 2027-entry windows are 12–16 October 2026 and 4–8 January 2027. Candidates in China, Hong Kong and Macau can take TMUA only on 15 or 16 October, or 8 January.
When does TMUA booking close?
October booking closes on 28 September 2026 at 18:00 UK time. January booking closes on 21 December 2026 at 18:00 UK time. Access-arrangement and bursary deadlines are earlier.
Do Oxford and Cambridge applicants have to take TMUA in October?
Yes, standard Oxford and Cambridge applicants whose course requires TMUA must take the October sitting. Cambridge mature applicants applying through its January admissions round may use January where the current course and college rules allow it.
Can other applicants choose October or January?
Generally yes for Imperial, Durham, LSE, UCL and Warwick courses, subject to the exact course policy. UAT-UK says there is no admissions advantage to either sitting where both are accepted.
Can I take TMUA twice in one cycle?
No. You can sit only once per admissions cycle. January is an alternative sitting, not a resit after October.
How much does TMUA cost?
TMUA costs £78 at centres in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland and £133 elsewhere. The centre location determines the price, not nationality or residence.
Is there a TMUA bursary?
UAT-UK offers a full-fee bursary to eligible UK candidates in financial need. You must apply and receive approval before selecting or paying for the test; UAT-UK does not reimburse a completed booking.
How do I register for TMUA?
Create a UAT-UK account, make sure your name and personal details match your ID and UCAS application, apply for any bursary or access arrangements, then select TMUA and follow the test card into Pearson's booking system. Account creation alone does not reserve an appointment.
Which universities use TMUA in 2027?
The seven institutions are Cambridge, Durham, Imperial, LSE, Oxford, UCL and Warwick. Use is course-specific and may be required, recommended, optional or part of an offer condition. Check the official UAT-UK course list and the exact university course page.
Which Cambridge courses require TMUA?
Cambridge requires TMUA for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics for 2027 entry. Standard applicants take the October sitting.
Which Oxford courses require TMUA?
Oxford lists Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Mathematics/Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Philosophy. Oxford applicants take October.
Which Imperial courses use TMUA?
Imperial uses TMUA for undergraduate courses in Computing, including joint Mathematics and Computer Science, the Department of Mathematics, and BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science. Verify the specific course page because wording and alternatives can differ.
Which LSE courses require TMUA?
For September 2027 entry, LSE says TMUA is mandatory for BSc Economics and BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics. It recommends, but does not require, TMUA for several listed Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science and Actuarial programmes.
How long is TMUA?
TMUA lasts 2 hours 30 minutes: 75 minutes for Paper 1 and 75 minutes for Paper 2, taken one after the other.
How many questions are in TMUA?
There are 40 multiple-choice questions: 20 in Paper 1 and 20 in Paper 2. All questions carry equal weight.
What is TMUA Paper 1?
Paper 1 is Applications of Mathematical Knowledge. It tests whether you can apply the mathematics in Section 1 of the specification in unfamiliar contexts.
What is TMUA Paper 2?
Paper 2 is Mathematical Reasoning. It uses the same mathematics and adds elementary logic, proof, deduction, counterexamples and error analysis. Read our full TMUA syllabus and format guide.
Can I use a calculator in TMUA?
No. Calculators are not permitted. A dictionary and formula booklet are also not provided or permitted, so practise exact arithmetic and formula recall.
Is there negative marking?
No. Wrong answers do not subtract marks, so attempt every question before time expires.
What is the TMUA score range?
You receive one overall score from 1.0 to 9.0, reported to one decimal place. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are equated and scaled together.
What is a good TMUA score?
There is no universal cut-off. The current official scale is designed so typical candidates score around 4.5, while approximately 10% score above 7.0. A university considers the result under its own course policy and alongside other application information. See our TMUA score guide.
Is 5.0 a guaranteed Warwick offer?
No. Warwick says the majority of Mathematics offers in the 2025-entry cycle went to applicants with 5.0 or above, but some offers were made below that after holistic review. Its current Statistics-related offer routes also mention 5.0 or STEP. These are different, specifically labelled policies — not a universal 2027 guarantee.
Can I compare current TMUA scores with old scores?
Not directly with results before 2024/25. UAT-UK says its scaling was revised for 2024/25. Use the current 4.5 typical and above-7.0 top-10% reference points instead of old conversion tables.
When are TMUA 2027 results released?
October candidates receive results on 16 November 2026. January candidates receive them on 8 February 2027, through the UAT-UK account.
How do universities receive my TMUA score?
UAT-UK matches the score automatically, course by course, to participating institutions in your UCAS application. Add your UCAS Personal ID to your UAT-UK profile. You cannot hide a result from one relevant institution while sharing it with another.
Can I appeal my TMUA score?
UAT-UK says it does not accept score appeals because scoring is quality-assured. If an incident or serious circumstance affects the test, report it immediately and use the incident or special-consideration procedure within its deadline rather than waiting for results.
Can I take TMUA online at home?
No. TMUA is computer-based but is taken in person at a Pearson professional test centre.
Is TMUA available internationally?
Yes. Pearson's wider professional network covers more than 180 countries, although TMUA centres and appointment capacity vary. International candidates take the same test and receive scores on the same scale. Read our international TMUA guide.
Does TMUA replace IELTS or TOEFL?
No. TMUA is a mathematics admissions test, not proof of English proficiency. International applicants may separately need an accepted academic qualification and an English-language test.
What photo ID do I need?
Bring original, valid, government-issued photo ID whose full name exactly matches the booking. A passport is accepted at any centre; driving licences and national IDs have location rules. Check the current UAT-UK test-day policy well before the appointment.
When should I arrive at the centre?
UAT-UK advises arriving 30 minutes early. Entry may be refused if you arrive more than 15 minutes late, and the fee can be forfeited.
Are access arrangements available?
Yes. Request them through the UAT-UK dashboard before selecting or booking the test and by the earlier arrangement deadline. Evidence may be required; a centre cannot add adjustments on arrival without prior approval.
Where can I find official TMUA past papers?
Use the UAT-UK historic paper archive. It includes Paper 1 and Paper 2 materials, answer keys and worked answers. UAT-UK says the content specification and question style remain relevant despite computer-based delivery.
Do official practice tests give a scaled score?
No. The Pearson specimen and practice tests show correct and incorrect answers but do not calculate a 1.0–9.0 result. Scaled live scores depend on cohort performance and equating, so unofficial raw-to-scale conversions are only estimates.
Do I need a preparation course?
No paid course is required. UAT-UK says the specification, notes, specimen tests and practice materials provide everything necessary free of charge. Our TMUA preparation guide organises those official materials into a six-week plan.
Where should I start?
- Check the official 2027 dates, fees and university rules.
- Audit the TMUA syllabus and two-paper format.
- Work through the official notes and past papers using our six-week preparation plan.
- Use ExamPrepIQ TMUA practice for additional timed questions and mocks after the official material.
ExamPrepIQ is independent of UAT-UK, Pearson and participating universities. Official test and university pages remain the authority for dates, rules and admissions decisions.