I studied engineering at UCL, so this is a question I can answer from both sides — what admissions ask for, and what the degree then demands.
The typical requirements
| Subject | Usual status for engineering |
|---|---|
| Maths | Required, almost universally |
| Physics | Required or strongly preferred for most disciplines |
| Further Maths | Preferred at competitive universities; occasionally required |
| Chemistry | Often preferred for chemical and materials engineering |
Always check the specific course pages, since requirements differ between universities and between disciplines within the same university.
What the maths is like once you get there
- Calculus is used constantly, and differential equations appear early.
- Linear algebra and matrices underpin structures, control and computing.
- Statistics is needed for tolerances, reliability and experimental work.
- Most of it is applied to a physical situation, so setting up the model matters as much as solving it.
If you did not take Maths
There are still routes in: engineering foundation years, Access courses, and some degree apprenticeships. They take longer and are competitive, so if engineering is a possibility at all, take A-Level Maths.
How to prepare while still at school
Get the pure content genuinely secure rather than exam-passable, and take mechanics seriously if your board offers a choice. Both pay back immediately in the first year of a degree.