TMUA Score Requirements 2025: Every University, Course, and College Breakdown

The Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA) has become a critical gateway for competitive mathematics-based courses at top UK universities. For 2025 entry, understanding specific score requirements has become more complex following the 2024 scoring scale adjustment by UAT-UK. This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what scores you need for each university, course, and Cambridge college.

Key Changes to TMUA Scoring in 2024-2025

Before diving into requirements, it's crucial to understand the major scoring adjustment implemented in 2024:

• The average score shifted from 5.5 to 4.5 on the 1.0-9.0 scale
• Scores now appear approximately 1.0-1.5 points lower for equivalent performance
• Universities have recalibrated their requirements accordingly
• Only one overall score is now reported (previously three separate scores)

Important: When practising with pre-2024 past papers, subtract 1.0-1.5 from your score to estimate your performance on the current scale.

Universities Using TMUA for 2025 Entry

Five universities currently require or recommend TMUA for 2025 admissions:

Score Requirements by University

Durham University - Most Transparent Thresholds

Durham provides the clearest scoring framework with published thresholds for reduced offers:

For Mathematics and Statistics courses:

• Score 5.0+: Eligible for reduced offer of A*AA (instead of A*A*A)
• Score 3.2-4.9: Positive evidence supporting standard offer consideration
• Below 3.2: Less competitive but still considered

Special Requirements:

• Applicants with only AS Further Mathematics must achieve 5.0+ for offer eligibility
• Alternative: MAT score of 60%+ or STEP Grade 2 also qualify for reduced offers

Practise Smart: Use TMUA.guru's Mock Exam Simulator to track your progress against Durham's thresholds with our 1.0-9.0 difficulty-rated questions.

Cambridge University - Holistic Assessment

Cambridge uses TMUA for:

• Computer Science (all colleges)
• Economics (all colleges)

Score Expectations:

• 7.0+: Significantly enhances interview prospects
• 6.5-6.9: Competitive range for most applicants
• 5.5-6.4: Still viable with strong other components
• Below 5.0: Reduced competitiveness

Key Points:

• No published thresholds or college-specific requirements
• All 31 colleges have identical TMUA requirements
• Mathematics applicants take STEP instead
• October test sitting mandatory

Imperial College London - Heavy Weighting

Imperial requires TMUA for:

• All Computing courses (including joint Mathematics & Computer Science)
• All Mathematics courses
• BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science

Score Implications:

• 7.0+: Highly competitive given no interviews for most courses
• 6.0-6.9: Good chances with strong predicted grades
• 5.0-5.9: Borderline - other factors become crucial
• Below 5.0: Significantly reduced chances

Imperial's lack of interviews for most applicants increases TMUA's importance in selection decisions.

LSE - Course-Specific Requirements

Mandatory TMUA:

• BSc Economics
• BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics

Encouraged (but not required):

• BSc Mathematics and Economics
• Other quantitative programs

Competitive Scores:

• 6.5+: Strong position given ~28,000 applications for 1,850 places
• 5.5-6.4: Competitive with excellent other components
• Below 5.0: Challenging without exceptional strengths elsewhere

Warwick University - Annual Threshold Setting

Warwick requires TMUA for:

• Computer Science
• Economics
• Mathematics
• MORSE (Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics and Economics)
• Data Science

Important: Warwick determines thresholds annually after receiving all results, avoiding published targets.

Historical Guidance:

• Scores around 6.5 typically prove competitive
• STEP accepted as alternative
• Contextual offer applicants exempt from TMUA requirement

Score Distribution and Percentiles (2024-2025 Data)

Understanding where your score places you among all test-takers:

Cambridge Colleges: Requirements and Variations

While all 31 Cambridge colleges require TMUA for Computer Science and Economics, the weight placed on scores varies:

• All colleges use TMUA scores for shortlisting and final selection
• Individual colleges may have different internal score expectations
• Some colleges historically favor very high TMUA scores more heavily
• Trinity and Peterhouse require additional CSAT test for Computer Science
• Colleges consider TMUA alongside interview performance and other factors

Key Insight: Aim for the highest possible score (7.0+) to maximize your chances across all colleges, as competition is intense and colleges have flexibility in how they weight TMUA results.

Strategic Score Targeting

Recommended Target Scores by Goal

1. Maximum competitiveness across all universities: 7.0+
2. Strong position for Cambridge/Imperial: 6.5+
3. Durham reduced offer eligibility: 5.0+
4. General competitive threshold: 6.0+
5. Minimum viable score: 4.5+

Timing Considerations

October Sitting (13-14 October 2025):

• Registration: 31 July - 29 September 2025
• Access arrangements deadline: 8 September 2025
• Mandatory for Cambridge applicants
• Results: Late November

January Sitting (8-9 January 2026):

• Registration: 27 October - 19 December 2025
• Not available for Cambridge applicants
• Results: Mid-February
• Allows additional preparation time

China/Hong Kong/Macau: Tests only available on second day of each sitting period

Preparing for Target Scores

Effective Preparation Timeline

6 months before: Begin familiarising with question styles 3 months before: Regular timed practice 1 month before: Daily practice with TMUA.guru's Spaced Repetition 2 weeks before: Full mock exams under test conditions

Key Preparation Resources

1. Official UAT-UK materials: Essential for understanding format
2. Past papers: Note scoring adjustment for pre-2024 papers
3. TMUA.guru features:
   • Mock Exam Simulator with Pearson VUE interface replica
   • Questions rated 1.0-9.0 matching actual difficulty scale
   • Personalised weak topic identification
   • 400+ questions with detailed explanations

Score Improvement Strategies

1. Focus on Paper 2 (Mathematical Reasoning): Often yields higher score improvements
2. Master time management: 3.75 minutes per question
3. Attempt all questions: No negative marking
4. Use diagnostic tools: Identify and target weak topics
5. Practise without calculator: Build mental maths skills

Cost Considerations

Test Fees:

• UK/Ireland: £75
• International: £130

Bursary Availability:

• Full fee coverage for eligible UK candidates
• Apply through UAT-UK before booking test
• Income-based criteria apply

Future Outlook

The TMUA landscape continues to evolve:

• Durham, LSE, and Warwick committed through at least 2027
• UAT-UK reports interest from additional universities
• Potential for more courses to adopt TMUA requirements
• Scoring system stabilised after 2024 adjustment

Key Takeaways

1. Know your targets: Score requirements vary significantly by university
2. Understand the scale: 2024 adjustment means lower numerical scores for same performance
3. Durham offers clarity: Only university with published thresholds (5.0+ for reduced offer)
4. Cambridge is uniform: All colleges have identical requirements
5. Timing matters: Cambridge requires October sitting; others allow choice
6. One attempt only: Cannot retake within same application cycle

Take Action

Ready to achieve your target TMUA score? Start your free trial at TMUA.guru and access:

• Mock Exam Simulator: Practise with the exact Pearson VUE interface
• Difficulty-rated questions: Know exactly where you stand on the 1.0-9.0 scale
• Personalised practice: Our spaced repetition system targets your weak areas
• Expert explanations: Understand not just what, but why

Don't leave your TMUA score to chance. With targeted preparation and clear score goals, you can maximise your chances at your dream university.

Last updated: January 2025. For the most current requirements, always check individual university websites.