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University2026-04-185 min read

A-Level Maths Grade Requirements: Medicine, Engineering, Oxbridge & More

Exactly what A-Level Maths grade you need for the most competitive university courses — and what it takes to reliably achieve it.

Why your A-Level Maths grade matters more than almost anything else

For the most competitive university courses in the UK, A-Level Maths isn't just one of three A-levels — it's the filter. Medicine, engineering, economics, computer science, and physics all gate on Maths grade first.

Here's exactly what's required, by course.

Medicine

Typical requirement: A-Level Maths is not universally required for medicine — but it's increasingly expected.

  • Oxford Medicine: A*AA, with A* in Chemistry or Maths recommended
  • Cambridge Medicine: A*A*A, Maths or Further Maths strongly preferred
  • Imperial: AAA, strongly recommends Maths
  • UCL: AAA, Biology + Chemistry required, Maths recommended
  • Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham: AAA, Maths not required but competitive applicants often have it

If you're applying to Oxbridge or Imperial medicine: treat A* in Maths as a target, not a stretch.

Engineering

Typical requirement: Maths is required at virtually every university. Further Maths is increasingly preferred.

  • Cambridge Engineering: A*A*A, Maths + Further Maths required
  • Imperial: A*AA, Maths required
  • UCL: AAA, Maths required
  • Bath, Warwick, Bristol: AAA–A*AA, Maths required, Further Maths preferred
  • Russell Group broadly: AAA minimum, almost always with Maths

For Oxbridge and Imperial Engineering: A* in Maths is effectively required. Anything below A* makes a very competitive field harder.

Economics

  • Oxford PPE: AAA, Maths strongly preferred
  • Cambridge Economics: A*A*A, Maths + Further Maths strongly preferred
  • LSE: AAA–A*AA, Maths required or strongly preferred depending on course
  • UCL, Warwick, Bath: AAA, Maths required or preferred

Economics at top institutions is quantitative. Without A-Level Maths, first year is considerably harder.

Computer Science

  • Oxford: A*AA, Maths required
  • Cambridge: A*A*A, Maths required, Further Maths preferred
  • Imperial, UCL: AAA–A*AA, Maths required
  • Warwick, Edinburgh, Bath: AAA, Maths required

Physics and Mathematics degrees

Physics: Maths required at all universities. Further Maths required or strongly preferred at Russell Group.

Mathematics degree: Further Maths is effectively required at any serious programme. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Warwick all state or strongly imply it. Students without Further Maths can struggle significantly in Year 1.

What this means for your revision

If you're applying to any of these courses, a B in Maths is not a safety net — it's a problem. The typical required grade (AAA) means three A grades, and Maths is usually the one universities look at first.

The difference between an A and an A* in Maths is approximately 30 marks out of 300 — 10 marks per paper. That's roughly 2 questions per paper. If you want expert 1-to-1 support to close that gap, book a tutoring discovery call.

Use Infinity Stars to close that gap systematically. Generate questions on your weakest topics, practise under timed conditions, and mark honestly. The 30-mark gap is not a knowledge gap — it's a precision and confidence gap that deliberate practice closes.

Apply what you've learned

Practice makes A*

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