TMUA

I’m a y12 who wants to study economics at university and I’m wondering when I should start revising for it and if I should.

Context: I got an 8 at GCSE, I only do maths and I am predicted an A.

The unis I’m considering are Durham, bath and Bristol which don’t require TMUA at all. Warwick, my main option, requires TMUA but they don’t consider it for contextual applicants. UCL I’m not to keen on but they require TMUA regardless.

I’m not even sure if I’m really contextual as I only meet one requirement and the Warwick website does say based off that that I may be eligible but I don’t know. I’ve got into some widening participation schemes that says they’ll offer me a contextual offer if I complete it (I idk if that helps).

Reply 1

DurhamRep Lacey

Official Rep

Original post

by Sonnychibi

I’m a y12 who wants to study economics at university and I’m wondering when I should start revising for it and if I should.
Context: I got an 8 at GCSE, I only do maths and I am predicted an A.
The unis I’m considering are Durham, bath and Bristol which don’t require TMUA at all. Warwick, my main option, requires TMUA but they don’t consider it for contextual applicants. UCL I’m not to keen on but they require TMUA regardless.
I’m not even sure if I’m really contextual as I only meet one requirement and the Warwick website does say based off that that I may be eligible but I don’t know. I’ve got into some widening participation schemes that says they’ll offer me a contextual offer if I complete it (I idk if that helps).

Hiya!!

Super impressive that you’re already thinking about this now. The TMUA is something it’s better to plan for early rather than panic about later.

Do you need to take it?
For your current university choices:

•

Durham, Bath, Bristol → don’t require TMUA

•

Warwick → requires TMUA for standard applicants, not always used for contextual applicants

•

UCL → TMUA required for all applicants

So at the moment, it might matter for Warwick depending on your contextual status, and it would matter if you decided to apply to UCL.

Because you’re not 100% sure whether you’ll be treated as contextual, the safest thing to do is email Warwick admissions directly with your details. They can confirm whether you’d need the TMUA which is the key piece of information.

Do you already have a preference or a top choice university? If Warwick and UCL is your 4th/5th choice - it may not be necessary. Or is there any other universities you are considering on applying to instead.

Should you start revising?
I would advise to take a light-touch, low-pressure approach for now - doing small bits in small chunks over time:
✅ You are predicted an A in Maths and got an 8 at GCSE, so you’ve got a solid foundation
✅ You should't prioritise the TMUA over your A-levels or supercurriculars
✅ But doing a small amount of familiarisation (looking at the spec, trying a few past questions) over Y12 or the summer could be helpful

Therefore;

•

If you do end up needing it, you’re not starting from scratch

•

If you don’t, you haven’t wasted loads of time

Contextual schemes - If you’re on a widening participation programme that guarantees a contextual offer on completion, that’s definitely a positive sign for Warwick, but it’s still worth getting written confirmation from them about the TMUA specifically.

What I’d recommend

•

Email Warwick to confirm your TMUA status

•

Keep your main focus on A-level Maths and your Economics supercurriculars

•

Do a bit of light TMUA familiarisation in the summer so you keep your options open

•

Perhaps speak to teachers or career advisors and gather their opinions

•

Also cause your already thinking about this in year 12 - you have the scope and time on your side to start planning it and slowly revising it - if you were to take the TMUA

I hope this helps! In the meantime check out the Economics course pages for Durham here. (There are slightly different course options at the bottom of this webpage - eg. Economics with Mathematics)
As well as these blogs from Durham students;

•

What’s it like studying Economics?

•

What’s it like studying Economics?

•

Economics at Durham: Less scary than it seems

I hope this has helped. Feel free to ask me anymore questions or anything to do with Durham courses, colleges or general student life! 🙂💜

-Lacey, DU Student Rep

Reply 2

UoW Haiming

Official Rep

Original post

by Sonnychibi

I’m a y12 who wants to study economics at university and I’m wondering when I should start revising for it and if I should.
Context: I got an 8 at GCSE, I only do maths and I am predicted an A.
The unis I’m considering are Durham, bath and Bristol which don’t require TMUA at all. Warwick, my main option, requires TMUA but they don’t consider it for contextual applicants. UCL I’m not to keen on but they require TMUA regardless.
I’m not even sure if I’m really contextual as I only meet one requirement and the Warwick website does say based off that that I may be eligible but I don’t know. I’ve got into some widening participation schemes that says they’ll offer me a contextual offer if I complete it (I idk if that helps).

If Warwick is your main choice, starting TMUA prep earlier rather than later isn’t a bad idea, but you don’t need to panic now. Beginning properly later in Year 12 and getting used to the question style is usually enough.

An 8 at GCSE and a predicted A aren’t weak, but TMUA feels different from normal school maths, so practising the format helps.

For contextual, if you only meet one criterion it can feel unclear. Completing widening participation schemes can help, but it’s probably best to email Warwick directly to check whether you’d qualify.

Quick Reply

Latest

Trending

Articles for you

Which university admissions tests do you need to take?

Mathematics with computer science degree personal statement example (1a)

Personal Statement:Psychology 41

Engineering degree personal statement example (1e)

How The Student Room is moderated

To keep The Student Room safe for everyone, we moderate posts that are added to the site.

Try out the app

Continue on web

TMUA

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated