Info about UK Uni Admissions Testing from UCL

Greetings from London where a run of blue skies and sunshine has come to an abrupt end today – just as it always does when there is a public holiday ( and therefore a long weekend) ahead!

This edition of the newsletter provides an overview of the UAT-UK admissions tests that UCL will use in the 2026 application cycle: the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test), TMUA (Test of Mathematics for University Admission), and new for 2026, the TARA (Test of Academic Reasoning for University Admission).

Candidates will take these computer-based tests in person at a Pearson VUE Test Centre. 

We have introduced these tests to better differentiate between the many high-achieving candidates who apply to our programmes. We will use the test scores alongside the rest of the information in the UCAS application to evaluate each applicant’s academic profile. We do not have fixed cut-off scores. As this is the first year that we will be using these tests, we cannot advise what a ‘good score’ is.

UAT-UK have published a helpful Frequently Asked Questions guide, which we encourage prospective students and advisers to review.

UCL programmes that require UAT-UK admissions tests

ESAT (the Engineering and Science Admissions Test)

• Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng

• Electronic and Electrical Engineering MEng

TMUA (the Test of Mathematics for University Admission)

• Economics BSc

• Economics with a Year Abroad BSc

TARA (the Test of Academic Reasoning for University Admission)

Department of Computer Science:

• Computer Science BSc

• Computer Science MEng

• Mathematical Computation MEng

• Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng

UCL School of Management:

• Management Science BSc

• Management Science MSci

Department of European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS):

• European Social and Political Studies BA

• International Social and Political Studies BA

• European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree BA

UCL Social Research Institute:

• Sociology BSc

• Social Sciences with Data Science BSc

• Social Sciences BSc

Key Dates

Applicants can choose to take the test in October or January. Cambridge applicants must take the test in October. Applicants may only sit the test once in any application cycle.

October test dates

ESAT: 9th/10th October 2025

TMUA: 13th/14th October 2025

TARA: 15th/16th October 2025

31 July 2025: Bookings for the October sitting open

8 September 2025: Booking deadline for candidates with Access Arrangements

29 September 2025: General booking deadline

January test dates

ESAT: 6th/7th January 2026

TMUA: 8th/9th January 2026

TARA:12th/13th January 2026

27 October 2025: Bookings for the January sitting open

1 December 2025: Booking deadline for candidates with Access Arrangements

19 December 2025: General booking deadline

Visit the Key Dates page on the UAT-UK website for more details. We advise applicants to book early to maximise time slot and location availability.

Costs

• UK and Republic of Ireland test centres: £75

• Centres outside the UK and Republic of Ireland: £130

Fees depend on the test centre location, not an applicant’s nationality or home address.

Access Arrangements

Candidates with a learning difference, disability, sensory impairment, or any medical condition that could affect their ability to take the test can request access arrangements. The UAT-UK website provides guidance on eligibility, how to apply, and key dates. 

Test Format and Preparation

Learn more about the test format and content:

• ESAT (UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering BEng and MEng require Maths 1 and any two out of Physics, Maths 2, Chemistry and Biology)

• TMUA

• TARA

Preparation materials, including past papers, are available on the Prepare page. TARA materials will be added later this month.

Test Results

UCL will receive test results directly, candidates do not need to send us their scores. A guide to scoring is available on the UAT-UK website.

Non UAT-UK Admissions Tests

Many UCL programmes will continue to use non UAT-UK admissions tests in the 2026 cycle. This includes the UCAT for MBBS Medicine and LNAT for LLB Law (all courses). You can find full details of test or selection requirements for each programme in the UCL prospectus.

We will update the Counsellors’ Webpages and the How we assess your application page with information for the 2026 cycle once the 2025 application cycle is complete. We expect the updated information to go live by late August 2025.

Contacting Undergraduate Admissions

If you or your students need to contact Undergraduate Admissions, please use the Admissions Enquiries form.

The team can also be reached by telephone Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on +44 20 8059 0939.

Our Resources for Offer Holders may also be helpful.

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