The honest guide to becoming an engineer in the UK

Newsletter
BorntoEngineer
Get the weekly newsletter

Subjects for engineering

The A levels, IB and Scottish qualifications that lead into engineering, and why each one helps.

Reviewed by the Born to Engineer editorial team ·

Almost every engineering degree asks for maths,[1] and most ask for physics too.[2] Chemistry, biology or computer science lead to particular branches.

Subjects each branch asks for

Required One of (the sciences accepted) Helps

A level subjects that UK engineering degrees ask for, by branch of engineering. Typical requirements at leading universities for 2027 entry; check each course.
Subject Civil[3] Mechanical[4] Aerospace[5] Electrical[6] Electronic[7] Chemical[8] Biomedical[9] Software[10]
MathsEssential Required Required Required Required Required Required Required Required
Further mathsEssential Helps Helps Helps One of Helps Not needed Not needed Helps
PhysicsUsually required Required Required Required One of One of One of One of Helps
ChemistryOpens specific branches Not needed Not needed Not needed One of Not needed Required One of Not needed
Computer scienceOpens specific branches Not needed Not needed Not needed One of One of Not needed Not needed Helps
BiologyOpens specific branches Not needed Not needed Not needed Not needed Not needed Not needed One of Not needed

These are typical requirements at leading universities for 2027 entry. Every course sets its own, so check before you apply. Structural, manufacturing and automation courses usually ask for maths and physics.

The subjects

  • Essential

    Maths

    Asked for by almost every engineering degree.[1][11]

    Opens

    • Civil
    • Mechanical
    • Aerospace
    • Electrical
    • Electronic
    • Chemical
    • Biomedical
    • Software

    Pairs with Physics, plus further maths if your school offers it

  • Essential

    Further maths

    Recommended by top courses, and some will consider it in place of physics.[12][13]

    Opens

    • Mechanical
    • Aerospace
    • Electrical

    Pairs with Maths and physics

  • Usually required

    Physics

    Required with maths for civil, mechanical and aerospace; most other branches ask for it too.[2]

    Opens

    • Civil
    • Mechanical
    • Aerospace
    • Electrical
    • Electronic

    Pairs with Maths

  • Opens specific branches

    Chemistry

    Required for chemical engineering, and accepted for biomedical.[14]

    Opens

    • Chemical
    • Biomedical

    Pairs with Maths, and physics or biology

  • Opens specific branches

    Computer science

    Some electronic and electrical courses take it in place of physics; useful for software.[7]

    Opens

    • Electronic
    • Software

    Pairs with Maths, and physics if you can

  • Opens specific branches

    Biology

    Accepted for biomedical engineering at some universities, though others want physics.[15]

    Opens

    • Biomedical

    Pairs with Maths and chemistry or physics

  • Useful third subject

    Geography

    Counted as a science for some civil engineering courses: a good third subject.[16]

    Opens

    • Civil

    Pairs with Maths and physics

IB and Scottish qualifications

International Baccalaureate

The IB Diploma

Take at Higher Level
Maths and physics. Analysis and Approaches is preferred; Applications and Interpretation is accepted at some universities[17]
Typical offers
38 to 40 points, with 6 or 7 in HL maths and physics[18][19]
The IB and engineering

Scotland

Highers and Advanced Highers

Highers
Usually AAAA to AAAAB, with maths and physics at A[20][21]
Advanced Highers
Recommended in maths and physics, though not required for first-year entry[22]
Scottish Baccalaureate
Still awarded, in science among other subjects[23]
The Scottish Baccalaureate

Without maths or physics

Other ways into engineering

Some universities consider further maths in place of physics.[13] Foundation years add a first year for students without the subjects or grades a degree asks for.[24] Apprenticeships and T Levels have their own entry requirements.

Other ways inChoose a routeSee the branchesChoose a discipline

Questions people ask

Which A levels do I need for engineering?

Maths is usually essential for an engineering degree,[1] and most branches also ask for physics: civil, mechanical and aerospace courses require it.[2] Chemistry is needed for chemical engineering,[14] and some courses take biology or computer science as the second science. Every course sets its own requirements, so check before you choose.

Can I study engineering without physics?

For some branches, yes. Southampton's electronic engineering degree accepts computer science instead of physics,[7] its biomedical engineering degree accepts biology or chemistry,[15] and Manchester will consider further maths in place of physics for mechanical engineering.[13] Foundation years and apprenticeships offer other ways in.[24]

Do Scottish Highers and the IB count?

Yes. Scottish universities typically ask for AAAA to AAAAB at Higher, including maths and physics,[20] with Advanced Highers recommended.[22] For the IB, leading universities ask for 38 to 40 points with Higher Level maths and physics.[18]

Should I take further maths?

If your school offers it and you are aiming for a competitive course, it helps. Cambridge asks applicants to take it where it is available,[12] and Imperial recommends it for aeronautical engineering, though it is not essential.[25]

What grades do engineering degrees ask for?

It varies widely. Leading universities typically ask for A*A*A to A*AA, including maths and physics;[11] Imperial's typical offer for mechanical engineering is A*A*A*.[26] Many good courses ask for less, and foundation years exist for students without the grades.[24]

Sources

26 sources

  1. Russell Group (Informed Choices)

    Engineering (general) | Informed Choices

    This subject is usually essential Mathematics

    Checked 14 October 2026

  2. Imperial College London

    Aeronautical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    A/A* in Physics (A* is required if applying with three A-levels. At least an A is required if applying with four A-levels)

    Checked 14 October 2026

  3. The University of Manchester

    BEng Civil Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level AAA including Mathematics, Physics, and one other subject

    Checked 14 October 2026

  4. The University of Manchester

    BEng Mechanical Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level A*A*A in Mathematics, Physics, and one other subject. We are willing to consider applicants without Physics if they have studied Further Mathematics; applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  5. The University of Manchester

    MEng Aerospace Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level A*AA in any order, including Mathematics, Physics, and one other subject.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  6. The University of Manchester

    BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level offer A*AA including Mathematics and either Physics, Electronics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry or Computer Science.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  7. University of Southampton

    H610 BEng Electronic Engineering (3 years)

    AAA including mathematics and either physics, electronics, further mathematics or computer science.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  8. The University of Manchester

    BEng Chemical Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level AAA including Mathematics and either Chemistry or Physics

    Checked 14 October 2026

  9. University of Southampton

    BEng Biomedical Engineering

    A-levels AAA including mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics

    Checked 14 October 2026

  10. The University of Manchester

    BSc Computer Science (2027 entry)

    A-level A*AA including A* in Mathematics, and a minimum of one science subject from the following list: Computer Science, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  11. The University of Manchester

    BEng Mechanical Engineering – entry requirements (2027 entry)

    A*A*A in Mathematics, Physics, and one other subject.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  12. University of Cambridge

    Engineering | Undergraduate Study

    If your school offers Further Mathematics to AS or A level, you should take it.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  13. The University of Manchester

    BEng Mechanical Engineering – entry requirements (2027 entry)

    We are willing to consider applicants without Physics if they have studied Further Mathematics; applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  14. Imperial College London

    Chemical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    A* in Chemistry A* in Mathematics A in Biology, Business Studies, Economics, Further Mathematics or Physics

    Checked 14 October 2026

  15. University of Southampton

    BB95 BEng Biomedical Engineering (3 years)

    AAA including mathematics and either biology, chemistry or physics

    Checked 14 October 2026

  16. University of Bristol

    BEng Civil Engineering (2027 entry)

    A-level standard offer A*AA including A*A (in any order) in Mathematics and a science-related subject. Science-related subjects include: Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Further Mathematics; Geography; Geology; Physics; Electronics; and Design & Technology

    Checked 14 October 2026

  17. Imperial College London

    Mechanical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    The Mathematics Analysis and Approaches or the Applications and Interpretation syllabi will be accepted at higher level, but Analysis and Approaches is preferred.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  18. The University of Manchester

    BEng Mechanical Engineering – entry requirements (2027 entry)

    38 points overall with 7,7,6 at Higher Level, including Mathematics and Physics.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  19. Imperial College London

    Mechanical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    Minimum entry standard 40 points To include: 6 in Mathematics at higher level 6 in Physics at higher level

    Checked 14 October 2026

  20. The University of Edinburgh

    Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) entry requirements

    AAAA (achievement by end of S5 preferred) BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  21. University of Strathclyde

    MEng Mechanical Engineering Degree Course

    Standard entry requirements *: AAAAB (Maths A, Physics A)

    Checked 14 October 2026

  22. University of Strathclyde

    MEng Mechanical Engineering Degree Course

    In admissions cycles where there is significant competition for places, Standard Entry level offers are typically made to the highest qualified applicants from S5 who are sitting Advanced Higher Maths and Advanced Higher Physics.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  23. Qualifications Scotland

    Provisional Attainment Statistical Summary 2026

    There were 215 entries, with a total attainment rate of 65.3% (66.1% in 2025; 71.9% in 2024; 75.7% in 2023; 72.2% in 2022).

    Checked 14 October 2026

  24. The University of Manchester

    BEng Mechanical Engineering – entry requirements (2027 entry)

    If you do not have the required grades or subjects you may want to consider our integrated foundation year.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  25. Imperial College London

    Aeronautical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    Preferred subjects: Further Mathematics is recommended but not essential.

    Checked 14 October 2026

  26. Imperial College London

    Mechanical Engineering MEng (2027 entry)

    A/A* in Physics (A* is required if applying with three A-levels. At least an A is required if applying with four A-levels)

    Checked 14 October 2026