Oxford and Cambridge
Oxford's switch from the MAT to the TMUA: what changed
For almost twenty years, Oxford's Mathematics and Computer Science applicants sat the MAT, a test Oxford set itself. From 2027 entry they sit the TMUA instead. Here is what changed, what didn't, and how to read older advice that still mentions the MAT.
At a glance
- Current test (2027 entry)
- The TMUA
- Last MAT
- October 2025, for 2026 entry
- Courses affected
- Mathematics, Computer Science and their joint courses
- TMUA dates
- 15 or 16 October 2026; booking closes 28 September 2026
What happened
The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) was used for Oxford admissions from 2007 to 2025. Its last sitting was on 22 and 23 October 2025, taken by applicants for 2026 entry.
In January 2026 Oxford confirmed that it was retiring the MAT along with seven other tests it set itself, including the PAT and TSA, and moving to the tests run by UAT-UK, a collaboration between Imperial College London and the University of Cambridge. The TMUA replaces the MAT, the ESAT replaces the PAT, and the TARA replaces the TSA.
One source of confusion is the year. Oxford's own wording is that it uses the TMUA "from 2026", meaning the tests sat in 2026. Those are taken by applicants for 2027 entry. Nobody has been admitted to Oxford on a TMUA score yet: the first cohort starts in October 2027.
Which Oxford courses now use the TMUA
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mathematics and Philosophy
- Computer Science
- Computer Science and Philosophy
The MAT and the TMUA compared
| MAT (until 2025) | TMUA (from 2027 entry) | |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | The University of Oxford | UAT-UK |
| Used by | Oxford | Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, LSE, Warwick and UCL, and recommended by Durham for some courses |
| Format | One paper, combining multiple-choice questions with longer questions requiring written solutions | Two 75-minute papers, each of 20 multiple-choice questions, marked on the answer you select alone |
| Content | Mathematics up to roughly the first year of A-level Mathematics | GCSE and AS-level mathematics, plus logic and proof in Paper 2 |
| Calculator | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Result | Used by Oxford in shortlisting | A score from 1.0 to 9.0, released to candidates and to the universities they have applied to |
What this means for applicants
- One test can serve several applications. The same TMUA score goes to every university on your UCAS application that uses it, so an Oxford applicant for Mathematics can use one sitting for, say, Imperial and Warwick as well. (You still can't apply to both Oxford and Cambridge.)
- Booking is through UAT-UK and closes early. Booking closes on 28 September 2026. See TMUA dates and registration.
- Paper 2 tests logic and proof directly, including the language of mathematical arguments and finding errors in proofs. This is a different emphasis from the MAT, and it needs its own preparation.
- Everything is multiple choice. There is no credit for a good method with a slip in it, so accuracy matters more than it did on the MAT's longer questions.
- MAT past papers are still useful, but not as TMUA practice. Oxford's Mathematical Institute still publishes them with solutions, and they remain good problem-solving material. For the TMUA's format and timing, use UAT-UK's official materials.
- Ignore old MAT statistics and score thresholds. They don't translate to the TMUA's 1.0 to 9.0 scale.
What hasn't changed
The rest of Oxford's process for these courses is the same: the 15 October UCAS deadline, shortlisting using the test score alongside the rest of your application, interviews in December (online for 2027 entry), and decisions in January. Entry requirements are set on each course page. See how to apply to Oxford.
The other retired Oxford tests
The PAT has been replaced by the ESAT for Physics and Engineering, and the TSA by the TARA for PPE, Economics and Management and several other courses. Biomedical Sciences, which had the BMSAT, now uses the ESAT. The MLAT, PhilAT, AHCAAT and CAT have been retired without a direct replacement. The full list for 2027 entry is in Oxford and Cambridge admissions tests.
Official sources
Dates, requirements and rules on this page come from these official sources, checked on . They change from year to year, so confirm anything you rely on against them. Boxes labelled “Our advice” are Whitehall Academic’s own view.
- University of Oxford: Admissions tests (opens in a new tab)
- University of Oxford, Mathematical Institute: Maths Admissions Test (opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK: Course List, 2027 Entry (PDF, updated April 2026) (opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK: Test of Mathematics for University Admission (opens in a new tab)
- UAT-UK: Frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab)
About the author
Gautam Natarajan founded Whitehall Academic and studies Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge. Gautam has tutored applicants for Oxford and Cambridge from countries including India, China, South Korea and Singapore.
Published . Last updated . Whitehall Academic is independent, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, UCAS or UAT-UK.
Going further
The TMUA Playbook
Written for the October 2026 sitting, including the TMUA's Paper 2 logic and proof questions that the MAT never asked. Techniques for the hardest questions, sixteen worked examples and a set of original practice questions with full solutions.
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