What A levels do I need for an engineering degree?

A level Mathematics is required by almost every UK engineering degree. Physics is required or strongly preferred at most universities, especially for mechanical, electrical and aerospace. Typical offers range from ABB to A*A*A.

What grades do I need for engineering?

It depends on the university: Oxford asks A*A*A including Maths and Physics, Manchester's MEng asks A*A*A, UCL and Bristol ask A*AA, Exeter asks AAB-ABB, and Queen Mary asks ABB. Foundation years accept lower grades.

Is Further Maths required for engineering?

Rarely required, often helpful. Oxford notes Further Maths can help with the course but is not required for admission. Where it is taken, top universities may include it in the offer.

Do BTECs count for engineering degrees?

Yes at many universities - Exeter accepts BTEC DDD-DDM, and T Levels in engineering routes are also accepted at some universities, though A level Maths is often still required alongside.

What A levels do you need for engineering?

Q: Can I study engineering without Physics A level?

At some universities, yes - Manchester will consider applicants with Further Mathematics instead of Physics case by case, and some courses accept Chemistry or Computer Science as the second subject. But Physics is required at many top departments, so dropping it narrows your options heavily.

Mathematics is the one A level almost no UK engineering degree will waive. After that, Physics is required or strongly preferred at most universities - and offers range from ABB at many solid departments to AAA at Oxford and Manchester. The good news: the third subject is usually flexible, and there are real routes in without Physics or with lower grades.

Requirements below were checked against university 2027 entry pages on 20 September 2026.

The core two: Maths and Physics

Mathematics is close to universal. Engineering is applied maths, and admissions pages say so plainly. Queen Mary requires A level Maths across its electronic engineering courses; Exeter requires Maths at grade B minimum; Oxford, UCL, Manchester and Bristol all name Maths in the offer.

Physics is the standard second requirement, particularly for mechanical, electrical, aerospace and civil engineering:

Oxford (AAA): Maths and Physics required, with A* grades in Maths, Physics or Further Maths
UCL (A*AA): Maths and Physics required, with the A* in one of them
Manchester MEng (AAA): Maths, Physics and one other subject - but will consider applicants without Physics who took Further Maths, case by case
Bristol (A*AA): A*A in Maths and one of Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Science

The third subject is genuinely flexible. Manchester lists Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, Economics and more as acceptable. Chemistry matters most for chemical engineering; Computer Science helps for software-leaning courses. General Studies and Critical Thinking are commonly excluded, and you must pass the practical element of any science A level.

Typical grades by tier

University	Course example	Typical offer
Oxford	Engineering Science	AAA incl Maths + Physics
Manchester	MEng Mechanical	AAA
UCL	Mechanical Engineering	A*AA
Bristol	BEng Mechanical	A*AA
Exeter	BEng Engineering	AAB-ABB
Queen Mary	BEng Electrical & Electronic	ABB

Contextual offers drop these by one to two grades at most of the above - Bristol's contextual is AAB, Exeter's BBB-BBC - so check eligibility.

Routes without the standard profile

No Physics? Manchester's case-by-case Further Maths route is one option. Some universities accept Chemistry or Computer Science as the second subject, and general engineering first years can be more flexible than titled courses. But be honest about the constraint: dropping Physics removes many of the strongest departments.

Lower grades? Foundation years are the main path - Queen Mary's foundation-route courses ask BCC including Maths. A foundation year adds a year but leads to the same degree.

BTECs and T Levels: accepted at many universities - Exeter takes BTEC DDD-DDM and T Level Distinction in engineering routes (with A level Maths still required for the T Level route). Check each course: some top departments accept BTECs only alongside A level Maths.

MEng vs BEng: integrated masters courses (MEng) typically ask a grade or two higher than the BEng equivalent and are the standard route to chartered engineer status. You can often switch after starting, so do not over-pay in grades for a label you can convert later.

How to choose across the range

Engineering courses with the same name vary hugely in content, project work and industry links. Compare modules and placement years, and spread your five choices across the grade tiers above - our guide to choosing your five UCAS choices explains the balance. The Tansiky free preview checks your Maths/science combination and predicted grades against real 2027 requirements across UK engineering departments; the £9.99 full report turns that into a five-choice shortlist with source links.

Further reading: UCAS points explained · UCAS deadlines 2027 · What A levels for medicine?

Frequently asked questions

What A levels do I need for engineering?

Maths almost everywhere, Physics at most universities, with offers from ABB to AAA. The third subject is usually flexible.

Can I study engineering without Physics?

Sometimes - Manchester considers Further Maths instead case by case, and some courses accept Chemistry or Computer Science. But Physics unlocks the most options.

What grades do I need?

From AAA (Oxford, Manchester MEng) through A*AA (UCL, Bristol) to AAB-ABB (Exeter) and ABB (Queen Mary). Foundation years take lower grades.

Is Further Maths required?

Rarely. It is helpful at top universities but Oxford, for one, says it is not required.

Do BTECs count for engineering?

Yes at many universities - for example Exeter accepts DDD-DDM - though some courses require A level Maths alongside.

Sources: Oxford, Manchester, UCL, Bristol, Exeter and Queen Mary 2027 entry engineering pages, UCAS course search - checked 20 September 2026.

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