UK University Admissions Tests 2027: ESAT, TMUA, TARA, LNAT, UCAT & Key Deadlines

UK university admissions tests depends a lot on the course and university. There is no single test for all applicants, and submitting UCAS does not complete every testing requirement. For 2027 entry, check the course page, test provider and booking deadline together.

This matters particularly now. Oxford has changed parts of its testing arrangements for 2027, including the use of ESAT, TMUA and TARA. Preparing from an older subject-to-test list can send a student towards the wrong examination. Oxford's current admissions-test guidance.

Build the test list from the course list

Test	Where to begin checking
ESAT	Relevant science and engineering courses; required modules depend on the course
TMUA	Relevant mathematics, computer science and other quantitative courses
TARA	Specified courses using the assessment, including several Oxford courses
LNAT	Participating law schools, with institution-specific deadlines
UCAT	Participating medicine and dentistry courses
STEP	Courses or offers requiring this mathematics examination

This is an orientation table, not an exhaustive eligibility list. Oxford's course-to-test table, the UCAT university list and each chosen course page determine the requirement. Cambridge explains that STEP can form part of an offer and that an October 2026 applicant should expect a required STEP sitting in June 2027. Cambridge STEP guidance.

Dates needing attention in September 2026

Requirement	Published date
ESAT, TMUA and TARA October access-arrangement deadline	14 September, 6pm UK time
October booking closes for those tests	28 September, 6pm UK time
Their October test window	12 to 16 October 2026
LNAT registration and booking for Oxford or Cambridge	By 15 September 2026
LNAT sitting for Oxford or Cambridge	By 15 October 2026
UCAT booking closes	16 September 2026, 3pm UK time
Final UCAT test day	24 September 2026

Sources: UAT-UK deadlines, LNAT institution deadlines and UCAT dates. UCAT's published access-arrangement deadline is 10 September 2026 at 3pm UK time. Check directly if arrangements are needed; do not assume an extension.

LNAT deadlines are not identical across participating universities. Its current page, for example, sets 31 December 2026 for sitting the test for King's College London, LSE and UCL. A January UCAS deadline should not be used as a substitute test deadline.

Keep booking and application separate

UCAS lists 15 October 2026 for Oxford, Cambridge and most medicine, dentistry and veterinary courses, and 13 January 2027 for most other undergraduate courses, at 6pm UK time. Check the exact course and any school deadline. UCAS 2027 cycle guidance.

Use one record per course: required test and modules, permitted sitting, booking confirmation, access arrangements, application deadline and responsible person. Save the confirmation rather than relying on a planned booking.

Do not assume a January test window is interchangeable with October. Oxford and Cambridge applicants generally need the October UAT-UK sitting, with specific exceptions explained in the provider's guidance.

Questions applicants ask

Does my school book the test? Confirm the process with both the school and provider. Do not leave responsibility implied.

Does every UK course require an admissions test? No. Verify your courses before paying for preparation or registration.

Can I use last year's preparation material? Check the current specification first. Old material may support some skills without representing the required test.

The immediate task is not to prepare for more examinations. It is to establish exactly which examinations your choices require, while a booking is still possible.

Ask Collegify to review your course and test checklist.

Related: UK university admissions · Studying in the UK.