UK test prep
Which UK University Courses Require Admissions Tests?
Learn which UK university courses may require admissions tests, including medicine, law, economics, computer science, engineering, science, Oxford and Cambridge.
By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy UK admissions testing desk.
Quick answer
UK admissions tests are most common for medicine, dentistry, law, mathematics, economics, computer science, engineering, natural sciences, veterinary medicine, and many Oxford and Cambridge courses.
Key takeaways
- UK admissions tests are most common for medicine, dentistry, law, mathematics, economics, computer science, engineering, natural sciences, veterinary medicine, and many Oxford and Cambridge courses.
- UCAS says some universities require admissions tests as part of the application process. The exact test depends on the course and university.
- Common mapping:
- Medicine/dentistry: UCAT Law: LNAT Mathematics/economics/computer science: TMUA where required Engineering/sciences: ESAT where required Oxford PPE, economics-management and selected courses: TARA where required Cambridge Mathematics offer stage: STEP Some Cambridge courses: college assessment after shortlisting
- Use Oxbrivy AI Compass to map your intended UK course to likely test requirements before creating your UCAS shortlist.
Oxbrivy practical ranking
Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.
Course-level test requirement
Best for: Checking the official course page, UCAS listing, and test provider requirement before shortlisting.
Watch out: Do not assume every course at the same university uses the same test.
Deadline risk
Best for: Registering early for UCAT, LNAT, UAT-UK tests and Oxbridge-linked assessments.
Watch out: Several deadlines fall before or close to the UCAS October deadline.
Shortlist balance
Best for: Balancing test-heavy medicine, law, economics, engineering, science and Oxbridge choices with realistic alternatives.
Watch out: A shortlist made only of high-test-risk choices can fail because of one missed deadline or weak test day.
Quick answer
UK admissions tests are most common for medicine, dentistry, law, mathematics, economics, computer science, engineering, natural sciences, veterinary medicine, and many Oxford and Cambridge courses.
Expanded answer
UCAS says some universities require admissions tests as part of the application process. The exact test depends on the course and university.
Common mapping:
Medicine/dentistry: UCAT Law: LNAT Mathematics/economics/computer science: TMUA where required Engineering/sciences: ESAT where required Oxford PPE, economics-management and selected courses: TARA where required Cambridge Mathematics offer stage: STEP Some Cambridge courses: college assessment after shortlisting
How Oxbrivy helps
Use Oxbrivy AI Compass to map your intended UK course to likely test requirements before creating your UCAS shortlist.
Mini FAQ
Do all UK courses require tests? No. Do all Oxford and Cambridge courses require tests? No. Should I trust UCAS or university pages? Use both, but final confirmation should come from the official university course page.
Sources and review note
This public guide is intended for student education. Visa, fee, scholarship, and work-rights rules can change quickly, so Oxbrivy verifies current official sources before giving personalised advice.
- UCAS admissions tests overview
- UCAS dates and deadlines
- UCAT 2026 test dates
- UCAT eligibility
- UCAT FAQ
- UCAT universities
- UCAT test format and scoring
- UCAT preparation resources
- LNAT what is LNAT
- LNAT dates and deadlines
- LNAT who uses the test
- LNAT when to take the test
- UAT-UK overview
- UAT-UK key dates
- UAT-UK registration
- UAT-UK TMUA
- UAT-UK ESAT
- UAT-UK preparation resources
- University of Oxford admissions tests
- University of Oxford admissions timeline
- University of Cambridge admission tests and assessments
- University of Cambridge dates and deadlines
- University of Cambridge ESAT page
- University of Cambridge TMUA page
- University of Cambridge STEP page
- Oxford law admissions FAQ
- Google Search Central helpful content guidance
Build your own country shortlist
The article gives a general ranking. Oxbrivy can turn your profile, budget, scores, and course goals into a personalised country and university roadmap.