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University Admissions Tests

1. Medicine and Dentistry

Most UK medical schools, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL) and King's College London

Required test: UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test)

  • UCAT: required by most UK medical and dental schools. It assesses verbal reasoning, decision making, quantitative reasoning and situational judgement.
    • Registration: usually opens in spring; book early, as summer slots fill up
    • Test dates: July – September (the year before entry)
  • Good to know: the BMAT has been discontinued, so universities that used it (including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and UCL) now use the UCAT.
    • Results: candidates see their UCAT score straight after the test, and scores are sent to universities automatically.
    • Application deadline: medicine and dentistry applications go through UCAS by 15 October.

2. Law

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE), University College London (UCL), Durham University, King's College London and others

Required test: LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test)

  • It assesses critical thinking, analysis and reasoning, and includes an essay.
    • Registration: opens in August; deadlines depend on the university (earlier for Oxford and Cambridge)
    • Test dates: September – January (Oxford and Cambridge applicants must sit it by mid-October)

3. Mathematics and Computer Science

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Warwick, LSE and others

Required tests: TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), and STEP (Sixth Term Examination Paper) for some offers

  • TMUA: used by Oxford (where it replaced the MAT) and Cambridge, and by many other leading universities, for maths, computer science and economics.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • STEP: used by Cambridge and some other universities (such as Warwick) as part of maths offers.
    • Registration: entries are made through a school or exam centre in the spring
    • Test date: June (after A Level exams)

4. Engineering

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL and others

Required test: ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)

  • ESAT: replaced the ENGAA and NSAA. Cambridge uses it for Engineering and Chemical Engineering, and Imperial, UCL and others also use it.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • Oxford: uses the ESAT for Engineering Science (it replaced the PAT).
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities

5. Economics

University of Cambridge, London School of Economics (LSE), University of Oxford, University College London (UCL)

Required tests: TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission) or TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions), depending on the course

  • Cambridge Economics: TMUA (the ECAA has been discontinued).
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • TMUA / TARA: the TMUA is used by several economics departments; Oxford uses the TARA for courses such as Economics and Management and PPE.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities

6. Natural Sciences and Physics

University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London

Required test: ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test)

  • Cambridge Natural Sciences: ESAT (it replaced the NSAA).
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • Oxford Physics: ESAT (it replaced the PAT).
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities

7. History

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge

Required test: no national admissions test

  • Oxford: the HAT has been discontinued; History applicants submit written work instead.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • Cambridge: some colleges set their own assessment for shortlisted applicants, usually around interview time.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities

8. Languages and Literature

University of Oxford, University of Cambridge

Required test: no national admissions test for most courses (the ELAT and MLAT have been discontinued)

  • Oxford: English and Modern Languages applicants usually submit written work.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities
  • Cambridge: colleges may set their own written assessment for shortlisted applicants.
    • Registration: create a UAT-UK account from June and book a test centre (Pearson VUE) over the summer
    • Test dates: October for Oxford and Cambridge applicants; January for other universities


Admissions tests change often and depend on the university and course. Always check the university's own website for the latest requirements. Information correct as of October 2026.