The TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is the maths admissions test used by top UK universities for Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics degrees. If you are applying for 2027 entry and missed the October sitting, your next and last chance is 4-8 January 2027. This guide covers who needs it, the dates, fees, format, scoring and a simple plan to prepare, using only official sources.
Key takeaways
- The TMUA is run by UAT-UK, a joint venture of Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge. You book it at esat-tmua.ac.uk and sit it at a Pearson VUE test centre.
- The January sitting is 4-8 January 2027. Booking closes on 21 December 2026 at 18:00 (UK time). Results come out on 8 February 2027.
- The test has two papers, each with 20 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes. There is no calculator and no penalty for wrong answers.
- It costs £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and £133 everywhere else. UK candidates in financial need can apply for a free bursary.
- Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October, so the January sitting is mainly for LSE, Imperial, Warwick, UCL and Durham applicants.
What is the TMUA test, and who needs it?
Quick answer: The TMUA is a 2 hour 30 minute, computer-based maths test. It checks how well you apply maths and reason logically, not how much you memorise. Seven UK universities use it for some Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics courses. For some courses it is compulsory. For others it is recommended.
The TMUA is owned by UAT-UK, a not-for-profit body set up in 2023 by Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge (About UAT-UK). UAT-UK also runs the ESAT and TARA. The TMUA was first offered in October 2024.
Pearson delivers the tests at roughly 5,500 Pearson VUE test centres in more than 180 countries. So you can sit the TMUA in India, Singapore, China and many other places, not only in the UK.
Which universities and courses require the TMUA for 2027 entry?
This comes from the official UAT-UK Course List 2027 Entry and university pages. Always check your exact course page.
Which universities use the TMUA for 2027 entry.
Cambridge and Oxford require the TMUA for Maths and Computer Science courses, and Cambridge also for Economics, with an October sitting. Imperial, LSE (two Economics courses), Warwick (Maths and Computer Science) and UCL (Economics) require it. Durham recommends it for Mathematics and Mathematics and Statistics.
| University | Courses | TMUA status |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics | Compulsory, October only |
| Oxford | Mathematics, Computer Science and their joint courses | Compulsory, October only |
| Imperial | Mathematics, Computing, Economics, Finance and Data Science (EFDS) | Compulsory |
| LSE | BSc Economics; BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics | Compulsory |
| LSE | Eight more, e.g. Mathematics and Economics, Data Science, Actuarial Science | Recommended |
| Warwick | Mathematics, Computer Science, Discrete Mathematics | Compulsory (except contextual-offer applicants) |
| Warwick | Economics, Data Science, Maths and Statistics, others | Recommended |
| UCL | BSc Economics (incl. with Study Abroad) | Compulsory |
| Durham | Mathematics; Mathematics and Statistics | Recommended |
Key details:
- Cambridge: Computer Science applicants to Peterhouse or Trinity also take the CSAT (Cambridge admission assessments). See our Cambridge guide.
- Oxford: the old MAT is not running; Maths and Computer Science applicants take the TMUA instead (Oxford Mathematics). See our Oxford guide.
- Imperial: details on the Imperial TMUA page and in how to get into Imperial.
- LSE: for recommended programmes, LSE says a good score "may make an application more competitive" (LSE TMUA page). See our LSE guide.
- Warwick: Maths applicants can offer TMUA or STEP. In the 2025-entry cycle, most Maths offers went to applicants scoring 5.0 or above (Warwick admissions tests).
- UCL: also check the UCL course page. See our UCL guide.
When is the TMUA in 2027? (January sitting dates)
The October sitting (12-16 October 2026) is over. The second and final 2027-entry sitting runs from 4 to 8 January 2027.
Key dates for the January 2027 TMUA sitting.
January booking opened on 28 October 2026. Ask for access arrangements by 7 December 2026 and a bursary by 14 December 2026. Booking closes on 21 December 2026 at 18:00 (UK time). The test runs 4-8 January 2027, and results arrive on 8 February 2027.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 28 Oct 2026, 15:00 | January booking opened |
| 7 Dec 2026, 18:00 | Deadline to request access arrangements |
| 14 Dec 2026, 18:00 | Deadline to request a bursary |
| 21 Dec 2026, 18:00 | Booking closes |
| 4-8 Jan 2027 | TMUA sitting 2 |
| 13 Jan 2027, 18:00 | UCAS equal-consideration deadline (most courses) |
| 8 Feb 2027 | Results in your UAT-UK account |
All times are UK time. Source: UAT-UK key dates and UCAS deadlines.
Can I sit the TMUA in January if I applied to Cambridge or Oxford?
Usually no. Cambridge and Oxford applicants must sit in October. The only exceptions are mature applicants to a Cambridge mature college with a January deadline, and applicants to Oxford's Astrophoria Foundation Year.
Is there a different date in China, Hong Kong or Macau?
Yes. There, the January TMUA runs on Friday 8 January 2027 only, for test security reasons.
Can I take the TMUA twice?
No. You can sit only once per admissions cycle, and there is no advantage to either sitting. Imperial and LSE only use your first score.
How much does the TMUA cost?
The fee depends on where your test centre is, not on your nationality or home address (UAT-UK register page).
| Test centre location | Fee |
|---|---|
| UK or Republic of Ireland | £78 |
| Anywhere else | £133 |
An Indian student sitting in London pays £78.
Is there a TMUA bursary?
Yes, for UK candidates in financial need (UAT-UK bursary scheme). A bursary covers the full test fee. You must live permanently in the UK and sit at a UK centre. You may qualify through free school meals, a 16-19 bursary, care-leaver status, or a parent or guardian receiving a benefit such as Universal Credit. Apply before you book. UAT-UK cannot refund a fee you already paid. Reviews can take up to five working days.
What access arrangements are available?
If you have a learning difference, disability, sensory impairment or medical condition, you can ask for extra time (normally 25%), rest breaks, a separate room or a reader/recorder (UAT-UK access arrangements). You need written evidence, such as a school letter. Extra time is not normally given because English is not your first language. Apply before booking; reviews take up to ten working days.
What is the TMUA format?
The TMUA lasts 2 hours 30 minutes and has two papers, taken one after the other (UAT-UK TMUA page).
The TMUA format at a glance.
Paper 1 (Applications of Mathematical Knowledge) has 20 multiple-choice questions in 75 minutes. Paper 2 (Mathematical Reasoning) also has 20 questions in 75 minutes. That is 40 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes, with no calculator. You get one overall score from 1.0 to 9.0.
| Paper | What it tests | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Applications of Mathematical Knowledge | Using maths in new situations | 20 multiple choice | 75 minutes |
| Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning | Logic, proof and spotting errors in arguments | 20 multiple choice | 75 minutes |
The TMUA specification adds: no formula booklet, all questions carry equal weight, and no marks lost for wrong answers, so answer every question.
What maths is in the TMUA?
Paper 1 uses Higher GCSE maths and AS-level pure maths: algebra, sequences, coordinate geometry, trigonometry, logarithms, differentiation and integration (such as area under a curve). See our A-level Maths guide, or IB Maths AA vs AI if you study the IB.
Paper 2 adds logic and proof:
- "if A then B", "A only if B" and "A if and only if B"
- the converse and contrapositive of a statement
- "necessary" and "sufficient"
- "for all" and "there exists", and how to negate them
- proof by cases, proof by contradiction and counterexamples
- finding the error in a wrong proof
You do not need symbols or formal truth tables.
How is the TMUA scored?
You get one overall score on a scale from 1.0 (low) to 9.0 (high), to one decimal place (UAT-UK test results). Papers 1 and 2 are scaled together. UAT-UK says the median is fixed at 4.5 and the 90th percentile at 7.0. There is no pass mark, and UAT-UK publishes no grade boundaries.
Your score goes automatically to the UAT-UK universities on your UCAS application, so add your UCAS Personal ID to your UAT-UK profile. Scores cannot be appealed. UAT-UK says the tests are hard by design, so do not expect to score as highly as in school exams.
How do you book the TMUA?
- Check your courses on each university's course page.
- Create a UAT-UK account at esat-tmua.ac.uk. Use your name exactly as on your photo ID, and the email from your UCAS application.
- Apply for a bursary or access arrangements first, if needed. They cannot be added after booking.
- Book a slot at a Pearson VUE centre and pay the fee, before 21 December 2026 at 18:00.
You can reschedule free up to 48 hours before your test; if you miss it, you lose the fee (UAT-UK rescheduling). Arrive more than 15 minutes late and you will not be let in (test day).
Two TMUA-style worked examples
These are our own practice questions, written in the style of the TMUA. They are not official questions.
Example 1: a statement and its converse (Paper 2 style)
Consider this statement about a whole number n: "If n is a multiple of 6, then n^2 is a multiple of 4." Which is correct?
- A The statement is true and its converse is true.
- B The statement is true and its converse is false.
- C The statement is false and its converse is true.
- D The statement is false and its converse is false.
Step-by-step solution to Example 1.
Write n = 6k. Then n^2 = 36k^2 = 4 x 9k^2, so the statement is true. The converse says: if n^2 is a multiple of 4, then n is a multiple of 6. Try n = 2. Then n^2 = 4, but 2 is not a multiple of 6. The converse is false, so the answer is B.
Why this matters: one counterexample proves a statement false, but examples alone never prove it true. You need a general argument, like n = 6k.
Example 2: find the error in the proof (Paper 2 style)
A student claims that the equation x^2 - 5x = 3x has exactly one solution. Here is the "proof":
- (I) x^2 - 5x = 3x
- (II) Divide both sides by x: x - 5 = 3
- (III) So x = 8
- (IV) So x = 8 is the only solution.
Which step contains the first error?
Answer: Step II. You cannot divide by x unless x is not 0. Instead, x^2 - 8x = 0, so x(x - 8) = 0, giving x = 0 or x = 8. The TMUA specification warns that "if ab = ac, then b = c" is not a valid step.
How should you prepare for the TMUA in 8 weeks?
Sitting in January gives you about eight weeks. UAT-UK says all the material you need is free on its website.
- Weeks 1-2: read the specification and list your gaps (often logs, trig equations or integration).
- Weeks 2-3: fix gaps with UAT-UK's free Notes on Mathematics. Practise without a calculator daily.
- Weeks 3-4: read the Notes on Logic and Proof. Practise converses, contrapositives and negations.
- Weeks 4-6: do past papers by topic from the UAT-UK prepare page. Write down why each wrong answer was wrong.
- Weeks 6-8: do full timed papers back-to-back in 2 hours 30 minutes, using the Pearson practice test player.
- Final week: re-do your mistakes and check your ID, centre and route.
You have about 2 minutes 15 seconds per question. If one is taking too long, guess, flag it and move on.
What are the most common TMUA mistakes?
- Missing the booking deadline of 21 December 2026, 18:00.
- Booking before applying for a bursary or access arrangements.
- A name mismatch between your booking and photo ID. You will be turned away.
- Leaving blanks. Wrong answers cost nothing.
- Ignoring Paper 2 logic words like "only if" and "necessary".
- Dividing by something that might be zero.
- Sharing or buying "leaked" questions. This is prohibited and can hurt your application.
If you are still choosing a path, our guide on how to become a mathematician explains where maths degrees can lead.
Book a free demo class to plan your TMUA preparation with a mentor, or see our plans and fees.
How Asymptode helps you with the TMUA
At Asymptode, a qualified mentor teaches you one-to-one, live online, using the TMUA specification and the January 2027 timeline: booking closes on 21 December 2026 and the test runs 4-8 January 2027. Classes cover the Paper 1 maths you need without a calculator and the Paper 2 logic and proof that many school courses never teach, such as converses, "only if" and spotting errors in proofs.
Between classes, you get practice built for you. After each attempt, your next worksheet is made from what that attempt showed you had not understood, at your level, never generic. This is Asymptode's AI-assisted practice. It is written to your mentor's brief, and it is sent only after your mentor approves it.
Your mentor marks your work. Your parent sees what you understood and what to practise next, so your TMUA preparation keeps correcting itself as the test gets closer.
Book a free demo class or see our fees.
Facts checked against official sources on 8 November 2026.
FAQ
When are the TMUA dates for 2027 entry?
The October sitting ran from 12 to 16 October 2026. The January sitting runs from 4 to 8 January 2027, and booking closes on 21 December 2026 at 18:00 UK time. In China, Hong Kong and Macau, the January TMUA is on 8 January 2027 only.
How much is the TMUA test?
It costs £78 if you sit it in the UK or Republic of Ireland, and £133 anywhere else. The fee depends on the test centre location, not your nationality. UK candidates in financial need can apply for a bursary that covers the full fee.
What is a good TMUA score?
There is no pass mark, and most universities publish no cut-off. The median is fixed at 4.5 and the 90th percentile at 7.0. Warwick says most 2025-entry Maths offers went to scores of 5.0 or above.
Can I use a calculator in the TMUA?
No. Calculators and dictionaries are not allowed, and there is no formula booklet. Practise arithmetic, surds and fractions by hand.
When do TMUA results come out?
For the January 2027 sitting, results go to your UAT-UK account on 8 February 2027. October 2026 results are due on 16 November 2026. Scores are sent automatically to the UAT-UK universities on your UCAS application.
Can international students take the TMUA?
Yes. The TMUA is taken at Pearson VUE test centres in more than 180 countries, including India, Singapore and China. You book it the same way as UK students, through a UAT-UK account, and pay £133 outside the UK and Ireland.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- UAT-UK: TMUA
- UAT-UK: Key dates and deadlines
- UAT-UK: About UAT-UK
- UAT-UK: Test results
- UAT-UK: Registering for a test
- UAT-UK: Bursary scheme
- UAT-UK: Access arrangements
- UAT-UK: Prepare
- UAT-UK: Course List 2027 Entry
- UAT-UK: TMUA Content Specification
- University of Cambridge: Admission assessments
- Oxford Mathematics: TMUA
- Imperial College London: TMUA
- LSE: TMUA
- University of Warwick: Admissions tests
- UCAS: Dates and deadlines