Test choice
ESAT or TMUA?
The course and university decide. Check the table before you book.
The short answer
They test different kinds of thinking.
ESAT uses subject modules for participating engineering and science courses. TMUA tests mathematical thinking for participating maths and related courses. Neither test is universal across a subject.
Course guide
What the official lists say
| Test | What it measures | Cambridge examples | Imperial examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestESAT | What it measuresMaths 1 plus course-specific subject modules. | Cambridge examplesEngineering, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine. | Imperial examplesAeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics. |
| TestTMUA | What it measuresMathematical knowledge and mathematical reasoning. | Cambridge examplesComputer Science, Economics, Mathematics. | Imperial examplesBusiness School, Computing, Mathematics. |
Can you need both? Only when the separate requirements for your chosen courses say so. Check the exact course page for your application year.
Format
The tests are not interchangeable
ESAT
Five modules are available. Maths 1 is compulsory, then your course decides which other modules you take. Each module has 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes and receives a separate 1.0–9.0 score.
TMUA
There are two papers. Each has 20 multiple-choice questions and lasts 75 minutes. Results use a 1.0–9.0 scale and test mathematical reasoning, not a choice of ESAT subject modules.
Questions
Before you register
Do I need ESAT or TMUA?
Your named course and university decide. ESAT is listed for some engineering and science courses. TMUA is listed for some mathematics and related courses. A subject label alone is not enough.
Can I need both tests?
Yes, an applicant can need two tests when separate course requirements say so. There is no universal ESAT-and-TMUA rule for a subject or university.
Which Cambridge courses list these tests?
Cambridge lists ESAT for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Engineering, Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine. It lists TMUA for Computer Science, Economics and Mathematics. Peterhouse and Trinity also list CSAT for Computer Science.
Which Imperial courses list these tests?
Imperial lists ESAT for several engineering and science departments, including Aeronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Physics. It lists TMUA for Business School, Computing and Mathematics.
Is there a pass mark?
UAT-UK does not set a fixed ESAT or TMUA pass/fail threshold. Universities consider test results with the rest of an application. A score does not guarantee an offer.
Primary sources
Check the live requirements
Requirements and deadlines can change by course and year. These pages are the final check.