UK test prep
What Is TMUA?
TMUA is a maths admissions test for selected mathematics, economics and computer science courses. Learn format, timing, dates and preparation.
By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy UK admissions testing desk.
Quick answer
The TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) is a 2.5-hour, multiple-choice maths reasoning test run by UAT-UK. It is used for maths, computer science and economics degrees at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Warwick and Durham. For 2027 entry, the main sitting is 12–16 October 2026; the fee is £78 in the UK and Ireland and £133 elsewhere. Calculators are not allowed, and scores are reported from 1.0 to 9.0.
Key takeaways
- Format: two 75-minute papers of 20 multiple-choice questions each, 2 hours 30 minutes in total, with no calculator.
- Paper 1 tests Applications of Mathematical Knowledge; Paper 2 tests Mathematical Reasoning.
- Scores are reported on a 1.0–9.0 scale. There is no pass mark and no penalty for wrong answers.
- From 2027 entry, Oxford uses the TMUA instead of the MAT for Mathematics and Computer Science courses.
- October 2026 sitting: 12–16 October, booking closes 28 September 2026. January 2027 sitting: 4–8 January, booking 26 October–21 December 2026.
- The January sitting is not for standard Oxford or Cambridge applicants, who must sit in October.
Oxbrivy practical ranking
Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.
Course-level test requirement
Best for: Checking the official course page, UCAS listing, and test provider requirement before shortlisting.
Watch out: Do not assume every course at the same university uses the same test.
Deadline risk
Best for: Registering early for UCAT, LNAT, UAT-UK tests and Oxbridge-linked assessments.
Watch out: Several deadlines fall before or close to the UCAS October deadline.
Shortlist balance
Best for: Balancing test-heavy medicine, law, economics, engineering, science and Oxbridge choices with realistic alternatives.
Watch out: A shortlist made only of high-test-risk choices can fail because of one missed deadline or weak test day.
TMUA format and scoring
The TMUA is a computer-based test taken at Pearson VUE test centres, including centres in India. Both papers are multiple-choice and neither allows a calculator or dictionary.
Paper 1 checks whether you can apply school-level maths quickly and accurately. Paper 2 tests mathematical reasoning: logic, proof, and spotting errors in arguments. The content is based on AS-level maths plus some GCSE-level material, but the questions are more demanding than typical school exams.
Results are reported on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0. There is no pass or fail and no negative marking, so answer every question.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Papers | Paper 1: Applications of Mathematical Knowledge; Paper 2: Mathematical Reasoning |
| Questions | 20 multiple-choice questions per paper (40 total) |
| Time | 75 minutes per paper, 2 hours 30 minutes in total |
| Calculator | Not allowed |
| Scoring | 1.0–9.0 scale; no pass mark; no negative marking |
| Fee | £78 in the UK and Ireland; £133 elsewhere (including India) |
Which universities require the TMUA?
For 2027 entry, UAT-UK lists seven universities that use the TMUA for at least some courses. Requirements are set course by course, so check the course page before you shortlist.
| University | Courses | Status |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | Mathematics, Computer Science and their joint honours courses | Required (replaces the MAT) |
| University of Cambridge | Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics | Required |
| Imperial College London | Mathematics, Computing, Economics, Finance and Data Science | Required |
| LSE | Economics; Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, among others | Required |
| UCL | Economics | Required |
| University of Warwick | Mathematics, Computer Science, Discrete Mathematics | Required (recommended for Economics, Data Science, MORSE) |
| Durham University | Mathematics and Mathematics and Statistics | Recommended |
TMUA test dates and deadlines for 2027 entry
Account creation for 2026–27 opened on 1 June 2026. Booking for the October sitting opened on 20 July and closes on 28 September 2026 at 6pm UK time. The October test runs from 12 to 16 October 2026, and results are released on 16 November 2026.
January sitting: booking opens on 26 October and closes on 21 December 2026; the test runs from 4 to 8 January 2027, with results on 8 February 2027. This sitting is only for courses with January deadlines. Standard Oxford and Cambridge applicants cannot use it.
You can sit the TMUA once per sitting window. Book early, because test-centre slots in Indian cities can fill up before the deadline.
How to prepare for the TMUA
Start 8–12 weeks before your test. First, secure the AS-level pure maths content (algebra, functions, calculus, sequences, trigonometry), because Paper 1 rewards speed and accuracy on this material.
For Paper 2, practise logic and proof: necessary and sufficient conditions, "if and only if" statements, counterexamples, and finding the error in a flawed argument. Indian students from CBSE or ISC often find this section least familiar.
Use the free official past papers and practice materials from UAT-UK, and sit at least three full papers under timed conditions without a calculator. With about 3.75 minutes per question, you need to skip and return rather than get stuck.
The Oxbrivy Admit Probability Engine helps you judge whether TMUA-heavy courses are realistic for your profile and timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What does TMUA stand for?
Test of Mathematics for University Admission. It is run by UAT-UK and taken at Pearson VUE test centres.
Is a calculator allowed in the TMUA?
No. Calculators and dictionaries are not allowed in either paper.
What is a good TMUA score?
Scores run from 1.0 to 9.0. There is no pass mark, and each university judges scores alongside the rest of the application. For the most competitive courses, admitted students commonly score well above the middle of the scale.
Can I take the TMUA in India?
Yes. The TMUA is taken at Pearson VUE test centres, including centres in India. The fee for candidates outside the UK and Ireland is £133.
Does Oxford still use the MAT?
No. From 2027 entry, Oxford applicants for Mathematics, Computer Science and their joint honours courses take the TMUA instead.
Sources and review note
This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.
- University of Oxford Mathematical Institute: TMUA
- University of Cambridge: TMUA
- UCAS admissions tests overview
- UCAS dates and deadlines
- UCAT 2026 test dates
- UCAT eligibility
- UCAT FAQ
- UCAT universities
- UCAT test format and scoring
- UCAT preparation resources
- LNAT what is LNAT
- LNAT dates and deadlines
- LNAT who uses the test
- LNAT when to take the test
- UAT-UK overview
- UAT-UK key dates
- UAT-UK registration
- UAT-UK TMUA
- UAT-UK ESAT
- UAT-UK preparation resources
- University of Oxford admissions tests
- University of Oxford admissions timeline
- University of Cambridge admission tests and assessments
- University of Cambridge dates and deadlines
- University of Cambridge ESAT page
- University of Cambridge TMUA page
- University of Cambridge STEP page
- Oxford law admissions FAQ
- Google Search Central helpful content guidance
Student visa guides
Documents, fees, funds and interview tips, checked against the official source.
Scholarships to look at
Each award links to the funder’s own page, with the eligibility and deadline facts we could confirm.
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