For pre-owned engineering, maths and science textbooks, the most reliable starting points are World of Books and AwesomeBooks for cheap UK-dispatched copies, with AbeBooks, eBay and Amazon’s used listings covering more specialist titles. Science texts are heavy, expensive new and revised often, so trust signals matter more here than in most subjects: you want clear condition notes, a returns policy and a seller whose reviews you can read.
We picked these nine with STEM reading lists in mind, from first-year calculus to thermodynamics and organic chemistry. Sites are ordered by how well they balance price, delivery reliability and the chance of finding the correct edition, plus one library option.
1. World of Books
Wob carries a large stock of second-hand non-fiction and grades every item, which makes it a sensible first search for standard first- and second-year texts. It suits students who want a retailer handling dispatch and returns rather than an individual seller. The limitation for science buyers is edition control: popular textbooks run through many editions, and the one in stock may not be the one your lecturer specified.
2. AwesomeBooks
A strong choice if you want used copies at low cost with free UK delivery and a charity angle: for every book bought, another is donated to someone in need. The shop has traded for around two decades, dispatches orders within 24 hours and is rated Excellent on Trustpilot. As with any general used bookseller, availability of a particular edition varies, so check the ISBN against your reading list and accept that condition is as described on the listing.
3. AbeBooks
Independent sellers list on AbeBooks, including dealers who specialise in technical and scientific books. That makes it good for older reference texts, out-of-print monographs and international editions. Each seller carries a rating, and you can see where the book ships from. The limitation is variability, since one seller’s “very good” can be another’s “good”, and overseas postage can be slow.
4. Blackwell’s
Blackwell’s is an academic bookseller first, so its catalogue lines up closely with university reading lists. It sells new books rather than used ones, but it is worth checking for discounted stock and for confirming which edition is current before you hunt for a cheaper second-hand copy elsewhere. If your budget is tight, new prices may still be out of reach.
5. eBay
For engineering students, eBay is often where graduating students sell bundles of module texts. Seller feedback and the Money Back Guarantee give some protection. It suits buyers prepared to ask sellers about annotations or missing pages. Listings are uneven in quality, so check carefully that a “complete” bundle really matches your course.
6. Amazon (used listings)
Used copies from Amazon and third-party sellers sit next to the new edition, which makes price comparison quick. The A-to-z Guarantee covers orders that go wrong. Watch for listings that mix several editions on one product page, and note that international editions sold here may have different problem sets from the version your course uses.
7. BookFinder
BookFinder is a price comparison search rather than a shop. Enter an ISBN and it pulls listings from many sellers, so you can see used and new options side by side. You still buy from the individual seller, so their reviews and returns terms are the ones that apply.
8. Better World Books
Better World Books sells used books and supports literacy projects through its sales. It is worth a search for mainstream science textbooks, especially older editions. Stock is international, so check where the item ships from and the likely delivery time before relying on it for the start of term.
9. University library short-loan and e-books
Not a shop, but often the best value. Many core STEM texts are held as e-books or in short-loan collections. Use the library copy for the opening weeks while you decide whether you need your own. Demand peaks before exams.
Choosing well for STEM courses
- Match the ISBN, not just the title and author; problem numbering often changes between editions.
- Ask whether an online homework platform is required, as used books rarely come with a valid access code.
- Check for heavy annotation, highlighted worked solutions or missing appendices and data tables.
- Be cautious with international editions when your course sets specific end-of-chapter problems.
Check your module handbook for the exact edition, then run the ISBN through BookFinder and a couple of the other sites listed. Borrow from the library for the first few weeks if delivery looks tight.
