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Can i apply to ICL or Cambridge engineering without FM

Hello!

I was wondering if anyone knows whether I still have a chance of getting into Cambridge (General Engineering) or Imperial (Mechanical Engineering), as I am taking Maths, Physics, and Economics (I originally wanted to apply for finance).

I'm worried because I don't take Further Maths, and I know it is encouraged. The thing is, my school does offer Further Maths, but I transferred mid-year, so I wasn't able to pick it up after deciding I wanted to apply for engineering.

While I know I still have other universities to apply to, I do want to go to Imperial.

I'm applying for September 2026 entry.

Thanks! Any insight is appreciated!

Reply 1

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

See https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/engineering-ba-hons-meng

"A level Further Mathematics is very strongly encouraged. If unavailable or you’ve recognised its desirability too late, we’d advise you to do as much additional pure maths and mechanics as possible, e.g. by studying advanced material or Further Mathematics AS level. A level candidates without Further Mathematics have a lower success rate than candidates with Further Mathematics to at least AS level.

The following Colleges require Further Mathematics at A level:
> Christ’s
> Churchill
> Clare
> Lucy Cavendish
>Sidney Sussex

"

Note that 96% of Cambridge Engineering students (from an A-Level background) did Further Maths A-Level, and that includes those whose schools do not offer it and / or took it to AS.

Whilst you can still apply, your application may be less competitive. Since you have a year and a half anyway, it may be worth looking into whether or not you could do Further Maths in some form still. This could mean teaching yourself the AS for the rest of your Year 12 and the summer, then joining the Year 13 class if you can get permission; or doing the AS in your Year 13.