STEP is an examination offered by OCR, which tests a more advanced level of mathematical thinking and problem solving than A Level.
A Level Offers
Our offers for entry in 2025 ask for either a higher set of A Level grades (A*A*A) or a slightly lower set (A*AA) and additionally a grade 2 pass in any Mathematics Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP) paper. See Admissions for further information.
Applicants must be taking the full A Level in Further Mathematics. Offers for applicants taking A Level are phrased in such a way that conditions may be met through either option, whether or not the applicant indicates on their UCAS application that they are taking STEP.
STEP tests a more advanced level of mathematical thinking and problem solving than does A Level, although uses the core syllabus of the Mathematics and Further Mathematics A Level to do so. The examinations are held in the A Level examination period in June and are taken in your school. Although we do strongly encourage applicants to take STEP in preparation for university-level mathematics, our offer conditions may be met without doing so.
Where can I get more information on STEP?
STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) is an examination offered by OCR who administer a range of additional admissions tests for university courses.
UCL STEP Support
We will be offering a programme of support in preparation for the STEP papers for all applicants.
- The programme will be hosted on an online education platform (UCL Extend), where the videos, a discussion forum and other resources will be available.
- From February to May we will be offering a series of online lectures discussing Problem Solving and particular STEP questions. These will be streamed live in the early evening and will remain available for repeated online viewing. All you need to access these is a computer connected to the internet. See our STEP Lectures webpage.
- In late May we will hold an in-person revision day at UCL, open to those who have UCL as their first choice.
Please be aware that we will normally withdraw this support from applicants who decline our offer, i.e. do not make UCL their Firm or Insurance UCAS choice.