Our Offers

A Level applicants should be studying at least three A Levels, including A Level Mathematics. We encourage (but do not require) you to study A Level Further Mathematics - this will make you eligible for a standard offer usually one grade lower than those who do not study A Level Further Mathematics. Please see the 'Our standard offer' tab below.

If it is not possible for you to study A Level Further Mathematics, think about studying AS Level Further Mathematics - the style of mathematics in Further Mathematics, especially Further Pure Mathematics, is similar to university mathematics and will be excellent preparation for your university studies.

We do not usually accept vocational qualifications like BTEC or Cambridge Technicals unless you are also studying A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics. If this applies to you, then we would treat your vocational qualification as equivalent to a third A Level.

The Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP) in Mathematics are a set of three papers, set by Cambridge Assessment and sat in June, which are designed to really test your problem-solving skills. Each paper lasts three hours and contains thirteen relatively long questions, all of which are optional - you answer as many of them as you wish, up to a maximum of six questions. You may enter any combination of the three papers - those applying to Cambridge will usually sit Paper 2 and Paper 3, while those applying to Warwick or Bath will usually sit Paper 1 plus, optionally, one or both of the other papers.

We value the way that STEP develops advanced problem-solving skills and all our standard offers include an alternative, one grade lower offer that includes a pass (Grade 3) in any STEP. Sitting STEP is optional, however, and if you choose not to sit STEP, this won't harm your chances of receiving an offer from us. If you sit STEP and do not pass, please do not worry - we will treat you exactly the same as if you hadn't sat STEP at all.

• About the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

The Test of Maths for University Admission is a test, set by Cambridge Assessment and sat in November. Like STEP, the Test of Maths for University Admission is designed to test your problem-solving and readiness for university-level mathematics, but the format is very different - it is made up of two multiple-choice question papers, each lasting 75 minutes. Results are available at the end of November - you will receive a grade ranging from 1.0 to 9.0.

A strong performance in the Test of Maths for University Admission is very impressive. If you sit the test and perform well, achieving a score above 4.5, you will be eligible for a standard offer usually one grade lower - please see the 'Our standard offer' tab below. Sitting the test is optional, however, and if you choose not to sit the test, this won't harm your chances of receiving an offer from us. Indeed:

• you do not need to tell us that you're sitting the Test;
• if you sit the test, you do not need to tell us your result; and
• a poor result will not damage your chances - we will treat you the same as if you hadn't sat the Test at all.

If you inform us of your Test result before receiving an offer from us and have achieved a score of 4.5 or higher, we will take this into account when we decide on your application, and we may well make you a lower offer than usual.

If you inform us of your Test result after receiving an offer from us and have achieved a score of 4.5 or higher, we will consider your result, and may well replace your existing offer with a lower one.

• About the Test of Mathematics for University Admission

The standard offers for courses administered by our Department are outlined in the table below.