Pathway · Engineering and Computer Science
Getting into engineering and computer science at top universities
Top engineering, computer science and maths courses ask for very high grades in Maths, usually Physics, and an admissions test. Here is what matters when, from GCSE choices to interviews, and how we help.
We pair students with tutors who know the subject and the route, at the stages where it counts.
Facts checked against official sources on 6 November 2026.
Engineering and computer science at a glance
- Apply by
- 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses. 13 January 2027 for most other courses (2027 entry). UCAS hasn’t published 2028-entry dates yet.
- Admissions tests
- ESAT for engineering at Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial. TMUA for computer science and maths at Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick. Two test windows in 2026/27: 12 to 16 October and 4 to 8 January.
- Typical offers
- A*A*A at Cambridge and Oxford engineering. A*A*A* (three A-Levels) at Imperial. A*AA at UCL and Bristol Computer Science. A*A*A at Manchester engineering (2027 entry).
- A-Levels
- Maths, plus Physics for most engineering courses. Further Maths is required for Cambridge Maths, preferred at Imperial Computing and strongly recommended at Warwick Computer Science.
- GCSEs
- Used less than people expect. Warwick weighs them with the TMUA, and UCL and Edinburgh ask for English at grade 4 or C.
- Interviews
- Cambridge interviews most applicants (7 to 18 December 2026). Imperial interviews shortlisted engineers online. Warwick and Manchester don’t interview.
- Maths at Cambridge
- Offers include STEP, normally sat in June of Year 13. Warwick lets applicants choose TMUA or STEP.
- Competition
- In 2025, Cambridge had 10 applications per place for Engineering and 14 for Computer Science. Imperial Computing had 13.
Start here
Which year is your child in?
Pick a year to see what to do now. The timeline below marks where you are.
Year 12: what to do now
Apply for programmes, stretch your maths
- Apply now if eligible: Imperial STEM Potential closes on 26 November 2026
- Try the UKMT challenges: Senior Kangaroo and BMO1 are on 18 November 2026 for invited students
- Plan for Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School and work experience (2027 windows aren’t published, but 2026 ran from January to March)
- Make Year 12 exams count: they shape predicted grades
The journey
The engineering and computer science timeline
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1
Year 10 to 11
GCSEs and A-Level choices
Top grades in Maths and the sciences help. Choose Maths, and Physics for engineering, and Further Maths if available.
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2
Year 12, September to December (you are here)
Programmes and maths challenges
STEM SMART closed on 31 October. Imperial STEM Potential closes on 26 November 2026. BMO1 and Senior Kangaroo are on 18 November.
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3
Year 12, January to May
Summer school and placement windows
In 2026, Imperial’s Sutton Trust Summer School ran from 12 January to 5 March. Its work experience re-opens in January 2027.
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4
Year 12, June to September
Book the admissions test
In 2026, ESAT and TMUA registration opened on 1 June, booking on 20 July, and booking closed on 28 September.
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5
Year 13, by 15 October
Oxbridge applications and tests
Oxford and Cambridge applicants apply by 15 October. Oxford says its applicants must sit the October test window (12 to 16 October in 2026).
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6
Year 13, October to January
January test and UCAS deadline
Test window 2 runs 4 to 8 January 2027, with booking from 28 October to 21 December. Most courses close on 13 January 2027.
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7
Year 13, November to March
Interviews and decisions
Cambridge interviews ran 7 to 18 December 2026. Imperial engineering interviews are late November to early December, or mid-February.
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8
Year 13, June to August
STEP and results day
Cambridge Maths offers usually depend on STEP, normally sat in June. Every offer depends on A-Level results in August.
Scroll along the journey →
Honest priorities
What universities look at
Each course sets its own selection method, so weightings differ. This is the overall picture from the courses we checked for 2027 entry.
- Matters most
A-Level grades and predictions
Cambridge and Oxford engineering ask for A*A*A, Imperial A*A*A*, Manchester A*A*A. The A* usually has to be in Maths, Further Maths or Physics.
- Matters most
The admissions test
ESAT or TMUA at most top courses. Warwick says applicants who don’t take it, and don’t qualify for a contextual offer, may not be considered.
- Matters a lot
The right subjects
Maths and Physics for most engineering courses. Cambridge Maths and Computer Science ask for Further Maths if your school offers it.
- Matters a lot
The interview, where used
Cambridge, Oxford Engineering and Imperial engineering interview. Warwick and Manchester say they don’t. Imperial Computing doesn’t normally.
- Matters, to some extent
Super-curricular interest and statement
Cambridge calls super-curricular activities “strongly recommended” for competitive applications. Imperial interviewers may ask about your statement.
- Matters, to some extent
GCSEs
Matters, to some extent. Warwick weighs them with the TMUA and contextual information. UCL and Edinburgh set a minimum for English.
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Every stage we can support
From first conversation to results day
Twelve stages, from the first conversation to results day. Open any stage to see your to-do list and how we help.
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Any time, ideally Year 10 to 12
Stage 1: A free consultation and a plan
A first conversation about your child’s goals, grades and timeline, so nothing important is left to chance.
Your to-do and how we help with A free consultation and a plan
Your to-do
- Bring recent reports and any mock or predicted grades
- Note the courses or universities already on your list
- Ask anything: we explain the whole route
How Brainhub helps
- A free consultation with someone who knows the engineering and computer science route
- A written plan with next steps, key dates and the support worth having
- Honest advice if a different course or route would suit your child better
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Year 10 to 11
Stage 2: GCSEs in context
Maths and the sciences are the core. UCL and Edinburgh also ask for English at grade 4 or C, and Warwick weighs GCSEs alongside the TMUA.
Your to-do and how we help with GCSEs in context
Your to-do
- Aim for top grades in Maths and the sciences
- Don’t neglect English: some courses set a minimum
- Enjoy problems beyond lessons, such as puzzles or building something
How Brainhub helps
- GCSE tuition in Maths, sciences and English
- Extension work beyond the syllabus
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Year 11
Stage 3: Choosing A-Levels for the course
Engineering courses want Maths and Physics. Cambridge Maths and Computer Science want Further Maths if offered. T-Levels aren’t accepted for Cambridge Engineering.
Your to-do and how we help with Choosing A-Levels for the course
Your to-do
- Check the course page for each university on your list
- Ask whether the school offers Further Maths
- If it doesn’t, ask the university how it treats that
How Brainhub helps
- Advice on A-Level choices for the course your child wants
- A head start on Maths or Physics over the summer
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Year 12 to 13
Stage 4: A-Level grades and predicted grades
Offers run up to A*A*A* and often name A* in Maths. Predicted grades decide whether an application is realistic, and Year 12 exams feed them.
Your to-do and how we help with A-Level grades and predicted grades
Your to-do
- Work steadily from the start of Year 12
- Treat mocks and end-of-year exams as real
- Ask the school how predicted grades are set
How Brainhub helps
- A-Level Maths, Further Maths and Physics tutors
- Past-paper practice matched to the exam board
- A catch-up plan after a disappointing mock
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Year 12
Stage 5: Super-curricular maths and problem solving
Cambridge recommends going beyond the syllabus. Maths challenges and engineering problems show how a student thinks, and give material for a statement.
Your to-do and how we help with Super-curricular maths and problem solving
Your to-do
- Enter the UKMT Senior Mathematical Challenge
- Try the I Want to Study Engineering problems that Cambridge recommends, and Isaac Physics (now part of Isaac Science)
- Keep notes on what you tried and what you learned
How Brainhub helps
- A problem-solving plan built round the course
- Discussion sessions with a tutor who knows the subject
- Help choosing a project worth talking about
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Year 12, from the autumn
Stage 6: Programmes and outreach
Free programmes give a real taste of engineering and a stronger application. Windows open and close early, and most are for state school students.
Your to-do and how we help with Programmes and outreach
Your to-do
- Check who can apply to each programme below
- Put every opening and closing date in your calendar
- Ask your school which schemes it supports
How Brainhub helps
- Help choosing the programmes that fit
- Application answers checked before you submit
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Year 12 summer
Stage 7: Choosing courses and universities
Engineering, computer science and maths have different tests and offers. Courses differ in what they ask for, so check each one.
Your to-do and how we help with Choosing courses and universities
Your to-do
- Compare courses and their tests, offers and interviews
- Go to open days: Cambridge’s next are 8 and 9 July 2027
- Check whether you could meet the Further Maths and Physics expectations
How Brainhub helps
- Help comparing courses and universities
- A check of every test, offer and deadline on your list
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Year 12 summer to January
Stage 8: Admissions test: book and prepare
ESAT or TMUA is part of most top applications. Booking closes weeks before each window, and you can register for only one sitting.
Your to-do and how we help with Admissions test: book and prepare
Your to-do
- Find your courses’ test, and which ESAT modules they need
- Book early and apply for a bursary before booking
- Use the official past papers and practise with the time limit
How Brainhub helps
- One-to-one ESAT and TMUA tutoring
- Timed mocks with full feedback
- A plan that fits round A-Levels
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Year 12 summer to autumn
Stage 9: Personal statement
Three questions sharing 4,000 characters. Show what you explored beyond school and what you made of it, because interviewers may ask.
Your to-do and how we help with Personal statement
Your to-do
- List the projects, reading and competitions you can discuss
- Write a first draft over the summer
- Leave time for your school to write its reference
How Brainhub helps
- Personal statement feedback from tutors who know the course
- Line-by-line comments that say what to write instead
- Final checks before your deadline
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Year 13, by October or January
Stage 10: Apply through UCAS
Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine courses close at 6pm on 15 October. Most other courses give equal consideration to applications by 13 January 2027.
Your to-do and how we help with Apply through UCAS
Your to-do
- Send the application before the school deadline
- Check how many days the school needs for the reference
- Make sure each course’s test is booked
How Brainhub helps
- A final read of the application
- A reminder of every date
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Year 13, November to March
Stage 11: Interview preparation
Cambridge interviews are academic conversations with new problems, and you may be asked to share your workings. Imperial interviews last 20 to 25 minutes online.
Your to-do and how we help with Interview preparation
Your to-do
- Practise thinking out loud on unfamiliar problems
- Reread your statement and anything you mentioned in it
- Be ready to explain why this course and this university
How Brainhub helps
- Mock interviews
- Feedback on reasoning, not just answers
- A final mock before the real interview
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Year 13, January to August
Stage 12: Decisions, STEP and results day
Offers still depend on results. Cambridge Maths offers usually include STEP in June. A no is not the end: there are other routes below.
Your to-do and how we help with Decisions, STEP and results day
Your to-do
- Reply to offers through UCAS as normal
- Cambridge Maths: register for STEP through your school
- Have a plan B ready before results day
How Brainhub helps
- A-Level revision and exam preparation
- Support on results day
- Help reapplying after a gap year
Admissions tests
ESAT, TMUA and the other tests
ESAT and TMUA are run by UAT-UK and booked separately from UCAS. Dates below are for 2026/27 entry, the latest published.
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ESAT
Engineering at Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial, plus other science and engineering courses
- Format
- On a computer: two or three modules, 27 multiple-choice questions and 40 minutes each, no calculator. Engineering courses usually need Maths 1, Maths 2 and Physics.
- Courses
- Cambridge Engineering, Oxford Engineering Science, and eight Imperial departments including Mechanical, Electrical, Aeronautics, Civil and Chemical Engineering. Imperial’s Design Engineering uses Maths 1 and 2 only.
- When
- Window 1: 12 to 16 October 2026 (booking closed 28 September). Window 2: 4 to 8 January 2027 (booking 28 October to 21 December). Results about four weeks after the test.
- Fee
- £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with a bursary for UK candidates in financial hardship. Apply before booking.
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TMUA
Computer science and maths at Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick; economics
- Format
- Two papers of 20 multiple-choice questions, 75 minutes each, 2½ hours in all. No penalty for wrong answers.
- Courses
- Cambridge Maths, Computer Science and Economics. Imperial Computing, joint Maths and Computer Science, and Maths. Warwick Maths and Computer Science, unless a contextual offer applies.
- When
- The same two windows as ESAT. Window 2 booking runs 28 October to 21 December 2026, so there is still time.
- Fee
- £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland, with the same bursary.
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STEP
Cambridge Maths, and Warwick Maths as an alternative to the TMUA
- What
- Papers 2 and 3 of the Sixth Term Examination Paper, based on A-Level Maths and Further Maths. Run by OCR, and registered through your school.
- When
- Normally the summer after you apply: applying in October 2026 means sitting in June 2027. OCR has the exact dates.
- Offers
- Cambridge’s minimum Maths offer is A*A*A with grade 1 in STEP 2 and 3. Warwick asks for grade 2 in any paper if you sit STEP instead of TMUA.
- Prepare
- Past papers are on the OCR site. The free STEP Support Programme (step.maths.org) has modules for Years 12 and 13.
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CSAT and TARA
Cambridge Computer Science at two Colleges; UCL Mechanical Engineering
- CSAT
- Applicants to Computer Science at Peterhouse or Trinity also take the Computer Sciences Aptitude Test, as well as the TMUA.
- TARA
- UCL’s Mechanical Engineering page lists the TARA, a UAT-UK test that isn’t subject-specific, for the 2027 cycle.
- Check
- Tests change between years. Always read the current course page.
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Free summer schools and programmes
Free engineering programmes and competitions
Most are free and for state school students in Year 12. Windows open and close early, so check now. Where 2027 dates aren’t published, we give the latest published and say so.
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Imperial STEM Potential
Imperial College London
A two-year programme of in-person events at South Kensington: workshops, a summer mentor, and help with applications.
- Who
- State school students in Year 10 or Year 12, living within one hour of the campus
- When
- Year 12 applications close on Thursday 26 November (2026). Year 10 opens in January 2027. No late applications.
- Cost
- No fee. Travel costs aren’t covered, but the team will talk to you if cost is a barrier.
Who can apply to Imperial STEM Potential
- In Year 10 or Year 12 when applying, at a state school
- Able to travel to South Kensington and live within one hour
- Underrepresented at university and at Imperial: the more criteria you meet, the likelier you are to succeed
- Year 12: Maths, plus at least one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics
- Year 12: at least 8 GCSEs, with at least 5 at grades 7 to 9 including Maths and a science
- Year 12: grade 5 or above in GCSE English Language
- Exception: Year 12 students taking two sciences but not Maths may be considered if they state their intended course
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Sutton Trust Summer School at Imperial
Imperial College London
A four-day residential in an engineering or science department, with lectures, workshops and labs at first-year level.
- Who
- Year 12 students at state-funded schools expecting to study a STEM subject
- When
- In 2026 applications opened on 12 January and closed at midday on 5 March, with decisions by 6 May. 2027 dates aren’t published yet.
- Cost
- Free, including accommodation, meals, trips and public transport to and from the school
Who can apply to Sutton Trust Summer School at Imperial
- In Year 12 (Year 13 in Northern Ireland, S5 in Scotland) and under 18 at the summer school
- Always at a state-funded, non-fee-paying UK school or college
- Studying at least three A-Levels, with the stream’s subjects (for example Maths and Physics for Aeronautics, Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering)
- At least 8 GCSEs, with 5 at grades 7 to 9 including Maths and sciences, and grade 5 or above in English Language
- Priority for groups under-represented at university and at Imperial; many streams are oversubscribed
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Imperial Year 12 Work Experience
Imperial College London
A five-day programme in a chosen department: a work placement, a presentation, and talks on applications.
- Who
- Year 12 students in the UK who can travel to Imperial each day
- When
- Re-opens in January 2027 and closes in early March 2027. Decisions in May, and the programme runs at the end of June 2027.
- Cost
- Free, covering fees, materials and lunch. Travel isn’t included, and help is available on request.
Who can apply to Imperial Year 12 Work Experience
- In Year 12, living and studying in the UK
- Able to travel to Imperial each day
- Expecting to study a STEM subject at university
- At least 8 GCSEs, with at least 5 at grades 7 to 9 including Maths and sciences, and grade 5 in English Language
- Applicants who have been in care, or who live independently from family, are prioritised
- Likelier to succeed with more of: young carer, refugee status, family income under £50,000, free school meals or pupil premium, first generation at university, low-participation postcode, or a school with high free school meals or below-average attainment
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STEM SMART
University of Cambridge with Isaac Science
A free 16-month online programme in maths and science, with weekly tutorials, mentoring and a Cambridge residential.
- Who
- State school students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, considering engineering, computer science, maths or sciences
- When
- Applications opened on 1 September and closed on 31 October (the page doesn’t print the year, but it matches the programme starting in January 2027). Decisions by 20 November. The next round isn’t published.
- Cost
- Free, with residential travel costs reimbursed
Who can apply to STEM SMART
- At a state school in the UK, and at one since age 14
- GCSE Maths at grade 7 or above
- Grade 66 or above in double Science, or grade 6 in two separate sciences
- Studying Maths and at least one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science or Further Maths
- At least one background criterion, such as free school meals in the last 6 years, the 16 to 19 bursary, pupil premium, care experience, caring responsibilities, or a lower-income postcode (IMD deciles 1 to 4)
- Scotland has its own subject criteria
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Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
Smallpeice Trust
A scholarship through A-Levels or equivalent, with a sponsor, an engineer as mentor, and exclusive events. Sponsored scholars get £250 a year for STEM activities.
- Who
- Students aged 16 to 18 in the year they sit most GCSEs, with a strong interest in engineering, computing or technical design
- When
- The window opens in early November and closes in mid-January. Exact dates vary and aren’t on the page we read, so check the Arkwright site now.
- Cost
- £45 per application, paid on the portal or invoiced to the school
Who can apply to Arkwright Engineering Scholarships
- In Year 11 in England and Wales (S4 in Scotland, Year 12 in Northern Ireland), based in the UK
- Planning two further years of study, such as A-Levels, T Levels, BTEC, Highers or the IB
- Nominated by a teacher or youth leader through the online system
- Online aptitude assessment of creativity, logic and problem solving in a STEM setting
- A 30-minute virtual interview for the shortlist
- Successful applicants are matched with a sponsor or offered the Virtual Scholarship pathway
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UKMT challenges and Olympiads
UK Mathematics Trust
Maths challenges from the Senior Mathematical Challenge up to the British Mathematical Olympiad, with full written proofs at BMO1.
- Who
- Students in Year 13 and below in England and Wales, entered by their school
- When
- Senior Mathematical Challenge 7 October 2026. Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo and BMO1 on 18 November 2026. BMO2 on 30 January 2027.
- Cost
- Schools pay: £16 per pack of 10 papers (£15 if downloaded) for the Senior Mathematical Challenge, and £40 per discretionary BMO1 entry. Qualifiers enter BMO1 free.
Who can apply to UKMT challenges and Olympiads
- In Year 13 or below (England, Wales and overseas), S6 or below in Scotland, Year 14 or below in Northern Ireland
- Entered through your school: ask your maths teacher
- The SMC is 90 minutes: 22 multiple-choice questions plus three with numerical answers, no calculators
- About 1,000 students who do well in the SMC are invited to BMO1
- BMO1 is 3½ hours, six problems, full written solutions, no calculators
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Nuffield Research Placements
STEM Learning, funded by the Nuffield Foundation
A real research or development project at a UK host organisation, over the summer after Year 12.
- Who
- Year 12 students at UK maintained schools or colleges
- When
- The page’s latest published deadlines are for 2021 (17 March to 22 April, by region). It gives no current dates, so check with your regional coordinator.
- Cost
- Free. Travel costs are reimbursed, and eligible students may receive £200, according to the page.
Who can apply to Nuffield Research Placements
- In full-time education at a maintained school or further education college in the UK; fee-paying independent schools can’t apply
- In the summer after Year 12 (S5 in Scotland)
- Available for at least 2 to 3 consecutive weeks of the summer holiday
- Placements total 4 to 6 weeks, including independent study
- Evidence of each eligibility criterion you meet, such as “first in family” to go to university
- £200: care experience, household income under £30,000, free school meals now or in the last 6 years, or school or college discretionary payments
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Headstart engineering courses
Engineering Development Trust
Up to a week at a university before the UCAS application, treated as an undergraduate, meeting academics, graduates and employers.
- Who
- Year 12 students across the UK interested in maths and science
- When
- Dates aren’t published on the Cambridge Engineering page we read. Register on the Headstart site.
- Cost
- Not stated on the pages we read, so check the Headstart site before applying
Who can apply to Headstart engineering courses
- In Year 12 (S5 in Scotland), anywhere in the UK
- Interested in maths and science
- Register online with the Engineering Development Trust
- Residential courses of four nights or more count towards the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
- Cambridge describes the course as a taste of technology-based careers; Birmingham’s course runs four days each summer
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Criteria and windows change each year, so always check the official page. We only list details an official page confirms.
Interviews
Interviews for engineering and computer science
Not every course interviews. Where they do, they test how you think with unfamiliar problems, not what you have memorised.
Cambridge: academic conversations
Most applicants have one or two interviews, 35 minutes to an hour in total, online or in person by College. In science and maths you may be asked to share your workings.
Cambridge: December
The main interview period is 7 to 18 December 2026. Most invitations arrive in November, and interviews generally can’t be rescheduled.
Imperial engineering: online, one to one
Shortlisted applicants have a 20 to 25 minute interview with an academic on Teams, in late November to early December or in mid-February. Interviewers look at your thinking and motivation.
Oxford Engineering Science
Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and interview performance is taken into account. The page gives no format or dates.
No interview at some courses
Manchester says it doesn’t hold interviews, and Warwick doesn’t typically interview. At Imperial Computing, interviews aren’t standard and are offered at the tutors’ discretion.
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Open days and admissions teams
Open days and talking to universities
Cambridge’s next open days are on 8 and 9 July 2027. Imperial says its 2026 open days have passed and will publish 2027 dates in early 2027. We couldn’t read Oxford’s open day page, so check it directly. Admissions offices answer questions all year.
Questions worth asking
- Which A-Levels do you expect, and do you need Further Maths?
- Which admissions test does this course use, and how is the score used?
- Is there an interview, and what happens in it?
- How do you treat students whose school doesn’t offer Further Maths?
- What do students on this course do beyond the syllabus?
- What outreach programmes do you run, and who can apply?
If it doesn’t work out first time
There is more than one way in
Many strong applicants don’t get the offer they hoped for. What happens next matters more than the first decision.
Reapply with results in hand
You can apply again the following year. Imperial says admissions test scores are valid only for the year you apply, so retake the test.
Your other choices
Choose UCAS courses you would be glad to accept, including related ones such as maths, computer science or a different engineering branch.
A later deadline
Most courses give equal consideration to applications by 13 January 2027, so there is time to add strong courses after the October deadline.
Degree apprenticeships
UCAS describes them as a degree earned while working: about 80% working and 20% studying, paid for, with a salary. They take three to six years, and you apply to employers rather than through UCAS.
Transfers are limited
Imperial’s engineering departments don’t accept transfers. If you want Imperial, you need to apply directly.
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Talk to someone who has been through it
Book a free consultation. We look at your child’s subjects, grades and timeline, then suggest the next steps. No obligation.
Questions parents ask about engineering and computer science
When should we start preparing?
Year 10 and 11 are for strong GCSE Maths and sciences and the right A-Level choices. Serious preparation starts in Year 12: maths challenges, programmes with early windows, and the admissions test over the summer.
Which A-Levels do top engineering courses need?
Maths and Physics for most engineering courses we checked: Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, UCL and Manchester all ask for both. UCL names a preferred third subject, such as Design and Technology or Engineering, but doesn’t require it.
Do you need Further Maths?
It depends. Cambridge Maths and Computer Science ask for it if your school offers it, and Warwick Maths asks for A* in it. Imperial Computing prefers it, and Warwick Computer Science strongly recommends it. For most engineering courses it is helpful, not required.
Which admissions test does my child need?
For 2027 entry, engineering at Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial uses the ESAT. Computer science and maths at Cambridge, Imperial and Warwick use the TMUA. UCL Mechanical Engineering lists the TARA. Manchester lists no test.
How much do the tests cost?
ESAT and TMUA cost £78 in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. UAT-UK offers a bursary covering the full fee for UK candidates in financial hardship, and you apply before booking.
What is STEP?
The Sixth Term Examination Paper in Maths. Cambridge uses it for Mathematics, where it is part of almost all conditional offers, and normally sat in June. Warwick accepts STEP grade 2 as an alternative to the TMUA.
What are the deadlines?
For 2027 entry, 6pm on 15 October 2026 for Oxford and Cambridge, and 13 January 2027 for most other courses. UCAS hasn’t published 2028-entry dates yet.
How competitive is it?
Cambridge says its 2025 cycle had 10 applications per place for Engineering (335 offers) and 14 for Computer Science. Imperial lists 13 applications per place for Computing in 2025.
Is a degree apprenticeship a real alternative?
Yes. UCAS says you gain a full degree while working, with no cost to you and a salary, but no student loans. Entry requirements vary by employer, and you can apply for apprenticeships and university courses at the same time.
How does Brainhub help with engineering and computer science?
We start with a free consultation and a written plan, then support each stage: A-Level and ESAT or TMUA tuition, personal statement feedback, and mock interviews.
Read next
- ESAT explained
- TMUA explained
- How to choose A-Levels
- Writing the personal statement
- Oxford and Cambridge pathway
- Medicine pathway
- All university pathways
Sources (39)
- UCAS: dates and deadlines for 2027 entry
- UCAS: degree apprenticeships
- UAT-UK: ESAT, TMUA and TARA dates, fees and bursary
- Oxford: admissions tests
- Oxford Engineering Science: entry requirements
- Cambridge: admission tests
- Cambridge: Engineering course page
- Cambridge: Computer Science course page
- Cambridge: Mathematics course page (STEP)
- Cambridge: STEP
- Cambridge: interviews
- Cambridge: super-curricular activities
- Cambridge: events and open days
- Cambridge Engineering: summer schools (Headstart)
- Cambridge: STEM SMART
- Imperial: ESAT
- Imperial: TMUA
- Imperial: Computing BEng
- Imperial: Mechanical Engineering MEng
- Imperial: Electrical Engineering applications and interviews
- Imperial: undergraduate open days
- Imperial: STEM Potential
- Imperial: Sutton Trust Summer School
- Imperial: Year 12 Work Experience
- UCL: Mechanical Engineering MEng
- Warwick: Mathematics, our offer
- Warwick: Computer Science BSc
- Bristol: BEng Engineering Mathematics (2027)
- Bristol: BSc Computer Science (2027)
- Manchester: MEng Mechanical Engineering (2027)
- Edinburgh: Computer Science entry requirements
- Arkwright Engineering Scholarships: how to apply
- Arkwright: FAQs
- Smallpeice Trust: scholarships
- UKMT: Senior Mathematical Challenge
- UKMT: British Mathematical Olympiad Round 1
- UKMT: competition calendar
- STEM Learning: Nuffield Research Placements
- Isaac Physics (now part of Isaac Science)
Facts checked against official sources on 6 November 2026. Rules, dates and criteria change every year, so check each official page before you apply.