On this page
The one-paragraph version
For 2027 entry, the TMUA is required for selected Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics courses. STEP also appears inside many Cambridge Mathematics offers. The TARA is used for selected Oxford and UCL courses. The ESAT is used for named engineering and science courses, the UCAT for medicine and dentistry, and the LNAT for law at participating universities. Requirements are set per course and cycle, so the university course page is always the final word.
By course
Choose a course area to see the current test picture.
Mathematics
Current test picture
- 1TMUA (Oct, Yr 13)
- 2Interview (Dec)
- 3STEP (June)
- Cambridge
- TMUA guideSTEP guide
- TMUA is part of the preliminary assessment for interview selection. Applicants normally sit STEP 2 and STEP 3 in June following the application; exact offer conditions are College-specific.
- Imperial
- TMUA guide
- Required for Mathematics courses, including joint Mathematics and Computing courses.
- Warwick
- TMUA guideSTEP guide
- Current Mathematics routes use TMUA or STEP, with contextual exceptions. Check the published offer for the application cycle.
- Durham
- TMUA guide
- Recommended for named Mathematics and Mathematics & Statistics courses for 2027 entry.
Computer Science
- Cambridge
- TMUA guide
- UCL
- TARA guide
- Required for Computer Science, Computer Science and Mathematics, and Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for 2027 entry.
Economics
- Cambridge
- TMUA guide
- LSE
- TMUA guide
- Mandatory for Economics and Econometrics and Mathematical Economics; recommended for named quantitative programmes.
Engineering
- Imperial engineering departments
- ESAT guide
- Module combinations differ by department; Design Engineering takes two modules, while several departments require Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
- UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering
- ESAT guide
- Mathematics 1 plus any two further modules for 2027 entry.
Natural Sciences
- Cambridge
- ESAT guide
- Natural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine use Mathematics 1 plus any two further modules. ESAT preparation
- Oxford Physics and Physics & Philosophy
- ESAT guide
- Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics from 2027 entry.
Medicine & Dentistry
- Participating UK medicine and dentistry courses
- UCAT guide
- For 2027 entry, the UCAT is sat between July and September 2026. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL undergraduate Medicine are among the courses using it; check each route individually.
Law
- Cambridge, Oxford, UCL, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol, Glasgow and SOAS
- LNAT guide
- These universities use the LNAT for undergraduate law admissions. Confirm the current course requirement and deadline with each university.
Other
- Oxford
- TARA guide
- Required for Economics and Management, Experimental Psychology, Human Sciences, PPE, Philosophy and Linguistics, Psychology joint courses, and selected History joint courses for 2027 entry.
- UCL
- TARA guide
- Required for named Computer Science, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and Mechanical Engineering courses for 2027 entry.
- Other courses
- Many courses have no admissions test. The university course page is the final source for the current cycle.
The tests at a glance
| Test | For | Format | When | Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TMUA guide | Selected Maths, CS and Economics courses | 2 × 75 min, 20 MCQs each, no calculator | Oct 2026 / Jan 2027 | One overall score, 1.0–9.0 |
| ESAT guide | Selected Engineering and Science courses | Usually 3 modules; some courses require 2. Each module is 40 min with 27 MCQs; no calculator | Oct 2026 / Jan 2027, course-dependent | 1.0–9.0 per module |
| TARA guide | Selected Oxford and UCL courses | 3 × 40 min: 22 critical-thinking MCQs, 22 problem-solving MCQs and one response up to 750 words | Oct 2026 / Jan 2027 | Two separate 1.0–9.0 scores; writing unscored |
| STEP guide | Cambridge Maths offers and selected Warwick routes | 3 hrs, 12 long questions; the best 6 answers count | June, Year 13 | S, 1, 2, 3, U |
| UCAT guide | Participating Medicine and Dentistry courses | 4 computer-based subtests | 13 Jul–24 Sep 2026 (2027-entry cycle) | 900–2700 + SJT band |
| LNAT guide | Law at participating universities | 42 MCQs in 95 min + one 40-min essay | From Sep 2026; deadline varies | Section A out of 42; essay sent to universities |
- For
- Selected Maths, CS and Economics courses
- Format
- 2 × 75 min, 20 MCQs each, no calculator
- When
- Oct 2026 / Jan 2027
- Scored
- One overall score, 1.0–9.0
- For
- Selected Engineering and Science courses
- Format
- Usually 3 modules; some courses require 2. Each module is 40 min with 27 MCQs; no calculator
- When
- Oct 2026 / Jan 2027, course-dependent
- Scored
- 1.0–9.0 per module
- For
- Selected Oxford and UCL courses
- Format
- 3 × 40 min: 22 critical-thinking MCQs, 22 problem-solving MCQs and one response up to 750 words
- When
- Oct 2026 / Jan 2027
- Scored
- Two separate 1.0–9.0 scores; writing unscored
- For
- Cambridge Maths offers and selected Warwick routes
- Format
- 3 hrs, 12 long questions; the best 6 answers count
- When
- June, Year 13
- Scored
- S, 1, 2, 3, U
- For
- Participating Medicine and Dentistry courses
- Format
- 4 computer-based subtests
- When
- 13 Jul–24 Sep 2026 (2027-entry cycle)
- Scored
- 900–2700 + SJT band
- For
- Law at participating universities
- Format
- 42 MCQs in 95 min + one 40-min essay
- When
- From Sep 2026; deadline varies
- Scored
- Section A out of 42; essay sent to universities
Three planning rules
- 01
The course page outranks everything
Requirements shift year to year. Check the university course page for the relevant cycle before registering, then use the official test site for booking rules and deadlines.
- 02
Count your tests across your whole UCAS list
One test can cover several choices, while another may appear later as an offer condition. Map the requirements for every course before planning preparation.
- 03
Registration is yours, not your school’s
UAT-UK tests are booked through a candidate account. UCAT, LNAT and STEP have separate arrangements. Check the relevant official process early; missing a required registration can invalidate an application.
Check at source
Check the current requirement
Admissions tests change by course and cycle. Use this guide to orient yourself, then confirm the answer at source.
2027 entry
- UAT-UK course list
UAT-UK
Courses currently using ESAT, TMUA and TARA.
- Oxford admissions tests
University of Oxford
Oxford's current course-by-course requirements.
- Cambridge admissions tests
University of Cambridge
Cambridge's current course-by-course requirements.
A broad overview with links back to test owners and universities.
Common questions
Questions for Students and Parents
My teacher mentioned the MAT / BMAT / NSAA — are they wrong?
They may be using information from an earlier admissions cycle. The MAT, BMAT, NSAA and ENGAA are no longer current tests; use the present course page to identify the replacement relevant to that application.
Can I sit a test in January instead of October?
For standard Oxford and Cambridge applications, required UAT-UK tests must be taken in October. January exceptions exist for some foundation-year and mature-applicant routes. Other universities may accept either sitting; UCAT and LNAT follow separate calendars.
What if my two course choices need different tests?
Then you may need to sit both. Cambridge Mathematics applicants, for example, take the TMUA before application and may later receive an offer containing STEP conditions. Check the complete course list before booking.
Do all universities require a test?
No. Many courses have no admissions test. Check each university course page rather than inferring a requirement from the subject alone.
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