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
Most UK undergraduate courses do not need an admissions test. The main exceptions for 2027 entry are medicine and dentistry (UCAT), law at participating universities (LNAT), mathematics, computer science and economics at selective universities (TMUA), and engineering and physical sciences at Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford (ESAT). Oxford also uses the TARA reasoning test for some other courses, and Cambridge uses STEP in some mathematics offers.
Key takeaways
- Medicine and dentistry: UCAT at almost all UK medical schools, including Oxford and Cambridge.
- Law: LNAT at Oxford, Cambridge, KCL, LSE, UCL, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow and SOAS, among others.
- Maths, computer science, economics: TMUA at Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, LSE, UCL, Warwick and Durham (for some courses).
- Engineering and physical sciences: ESAT at Cambridge, Imperial and Oxford for relevant courses.
- Most tests must be booked by September for October sittings, before the 15 October UCAS deadline.
- Always confirm on the official course page: requirements are set course by course.
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.
Admissions tests by course (2027 entry)
Use this table to see which test your course is likely to need, then confirm on each university course page.
| Subject | Test | Used by (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine, dentistry | UCAT | Most UK medical and dental schools, including Oxford and Cambridge |
| Law | LNAT | Oxford, Cambridge, KCL, LSE, UCL, Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, SOAS |
| Mathematics, computer science | TMUA | Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Warwick (Durham recommends it) |
| Economics | TMUA | Cambridge, LSE, UCL, Imperial (EFDS); recommended at Warwick |
| Engineering, physics, natural sciences | ESAT | Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford (relevant courses) |
| Some other Oxford courses | TARA | Selected Oxford humanities and social science courses |
| Mathematics (offer stage) | STEP | Cambridge and some other maths offers |
| Most other courses | No test | Offers based on grades, statement and reference |
Oxford and Cambridge
For 2027 entry, Oxford has retired most of its own subject tests and uses shared tests instead: ESAT for engineering and physical sciences, TMUA for mathematics and computer science (replacing the MAT), TARA for some other courses, plus LNAT for law and UCAT for medicine. Some Oxford courses ask for written work instead of a test.
Cambridge uses UCAT for medicine, ESAT for engineering and sciences, TMUA for computer science, economics and mathematics, and LNAT for law. Some Cambridge courses use a college-based assessment at interview.
Not every Oxford or Cambridge course has a test. Check the official admissions-tests page for your course.
When to book
UCAT booking closed on 16 September 2026 and TMUA/ESAT October booking closed on 28 September 2026. LNAT is still open for most universities other than Oxford and Cambridge until January 2027, and TMUA/ESAT have a January sitting for courses with January deadlines.
For the next cycle, expect booking to open in early summer. Confirm which tests you need before the summer holidays of your final school year.
Taking UK admissions tests from India
UCAT, LNAT, TMUA and ESAT are all computer-based and can be taken at Pearson VUE test centres in India. Slots in major cities can fill up close to deadlines, so book early.
The Oxbrivy Admit Probability Engine helps you check whether test-heavy courses are realistic, and Oxbrivy application tracking keeps test and UCAS deadlines together.
Frequently asked questions
Do all UK universities require admissions tests?
No. Most courses do not. Tests are mainly used for medicine, dentistry, law, maths, computer science, economics, engineering and sciences at selective universities.
Which test do I need for medicine in the UK?
The UCAT, used by almost all UK medical and dental schools, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Do Oxford and Cambridge require admissions tests for every course?
No. Many courses use ESAT, TMUA, TARA, LNAT or UCAT, but some use written work or no test. Check the official page for your course.
Does Oxford still use the MAT?
No. From 2027 entry, Oxford mathematics and computer science applicants take the TMUA instead.
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.
- University of Oxford Mathematical Institute: TMUA
- 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
Student visa guides
Documents, fees, funds and interview tips, checked against the official source.
Scholarships to look at
Each award links to the funder’s own page, with the eligibility and deadline facts we could confirm.
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