Maths test for Engineering courses
Relevant courses
The information on this page applies to the following engineering courses:
- Aerospace Engineering: BEng (H405), MEng (H410)
- Civil Engineering: BEng (H205), MEng (H200)
- Computer Science: MEng (G403), BSc (G400), MEng with Innovation (G404)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering: BEng (H600), MEng (H606), MEng with Study Abroad in a Modern Language (H605), MEng with Innovation (H604)
- Engineering Design: BEng (H615), MEng (H160), BEng with Study in Industry (H155), MEng with Study in Industry (H150)
- Engineering Mathematics: BEng (G162), MEng (G161), MEng with Study Abroad (G160)
- Mechanical and Electrical Engineering: BEng (H361), MEng (H360)
- Mechanical Engineering: BEng (H305), MEng (H300)
If you have applied for BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (GG14) or MEng Mathematics and Computer Science (GG1K), please refer to the maths test for mathematics courses.
Why we test
Engineering courses at the University of Bristol are challenging and students without A-level Mathematics or equivalent have struggled in the past. To ensure that applicants are prepared to succeed, we:
- Set an entry test designed to assess ability (not existing knowledge) in lieu of an A-level in Maths. This is also to ensure you are able to handle the mathematical challenges in the first year of the course;
- Offer additional maths support throughout the first year, alongside the core Engineering Maths 1 unit (for all courses except Computer Science).
The maths test forms part of your pre-offer assessment, and we will not be able to offer you a place if you do not take the test.
What we test
Listed below is the syllabus of material that we will be assessing you on. Please do talk to your school or college for further help. We cannot provide actual tuition.
From the AQA Mathematics 6360 specification for A-level exams from 2014:
AS Module - Pure Core 1
•12.1 Algebra
•12.2 Coordinate Geometry
•12.3 Differentiation 12.4 Integration
AS Module - Pure Core 2
•13.1 Algebra and functions
•13.2 Sequences and series
•13.3 Trigonometry
•13.4 Exponentials and logarithms o 13.5 Differentiation
•13.6 Integration
A2 Module - Pure Core 3
•14.1 Algebra and functions
•14.3 Exponentials and logarithms
1. Booking your maths test
If we require you to take the maths test, our Admissions Team will contact you. We will send you an email explaining how to register online for your test.
2. Preparing for the engineering maths test
Please find listed below supporting videos and materials to help you prepare for the test.
These videos were originally purposed for some introductory catch-up material as part of the Engineering Maths 1 unit at the University of Bristol. They may therefore refer to future lectures that are not relevant to this purpose. The textbook mentioned in the videos James "Modern Engineering Mathematics" or James and Dyke "Modern Engineering Mathematics" there are many other textbooks and online resources you can use to get further help.
Video 1: quadratic equations.
Video 2: Binomial expansion.
Video 3 : solving inequalities.
Video 4: polynomials.
Video 5: conics.
Video 6: trigonometry.
Video 7: logs and exponentials.
Video 8: differentiation.
Video 9: integration
Video 10: common errors (Part 1&
Part 2 )
The University of Bristol cannot support applicants with revision/study beyond providing the information in the videos and the mock test. If you feel that you require further support please use any resources available to you, eg school/college teachers/lecturers.
Other learning resources
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Textbooks
Standard A-level texts will contain relevant material. There are editions published by all of the major exam boards. Older/second-hand texts will also contain appropriate material. -
Revision guides
Publishers such as CGP and Letts produce well-regarded revision guides, which contain summaries of A-level content. Again, these will cover wider material than is necessary for this exam. -
Online resources
There are an extremely wide range of online learning and revision resources available for free, which cover all necessary material for this exam. Some recommendations: -
Khan Academy - an excellent range of videos and exercises, which take students through a logical progression of concepts.
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PatrickJMT - a large collection of YouTube videos. With both of these be careful to choose appropriate topics from the wide list that starts and primary school and goes on to 2nd-year University maths.
You will receive an email a few weeks before your test takes place which will contain your login details and a link to the mock test. You will use the same login details to access the live test.
3. Taking your test
Your test will take place online. You can access it using the login details which will be sent to you a few weeks before your test takes place. You will use the same login details to access the mock test.
The test will be available on 13 March 2024 for 24 hours. During this time, we recommend that you set aside 90 minutes to take the test.
Once you have taken your test and followed any final instructions on screen, we will then assess your work. You are not required to do anything further.
4. Your test results
The department will pass your results to the Admissions Team, who are responsible for making decisions on offers. You will be informed of the decision on your application as soon as possible via UCAS.
Accessibility advice
If you are usually entitled to extra time in assessments, please note that, due to the flexible nature of the test being online and the period of time allowed for completion (24 hours), we anticipate this will allow for adequate provision. It is advisable that you set more than 90 minutes aside to complete the test.
For advice on studying with a disability, contact our Disability Services team on +44 (0)117 331 0444 or disability-services@bristol.ac.uk.
If you have questions or need to change your test date
The test is only available on the date specified above. If you are unable to make it, we will not be able to consider your application further.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact us: +44 (0)117 394 1649 or choosebristol-ug@bristol.ac.uk.