Oxford and Cambridge

Oxford and Cambridge admissions tests for 2027 entry

Which Oxford and Cambridge courses need an admissions test for 2027 entry, and which one. The lists below are taken from UAT-UK's official course list, last updated in April 2026, and the universities' own admissions pages.

Oxford

Oxford courses requiring an admissions test for 2027 entry
Test	Courses
TMUA	Mathematics; Mathematics and Statistics; Mathematics and Computer Science; Mathematics and Philosophy; Computer Science; Computer Science and Philosophy
ESAT	Engineering Science; Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Information and Mechanical Engineering (and their foundation year versions); Physics; Physics and Philosophy; Biomedical Sciences
TARA	Philosophy, Politics and Economics (and with Foundation Year); Economics and Management; History and Economics; History and Politics; Human Sciences; Experimental Psychology; Psychology and Linguistics; Psychology and Philosophy; Philosophy and Linguistics
LNAT	Law
UCAT	Medicine

Oxford courses that don't appear here don't require one of these tests for 2027 entry. Many of them, particularly in the humanities, ask for written work instead. Your course page confirms both.

Cambridge

Cambridge courses requiring an admissions test for 2027 entry
Test	Courses
TMUA	Computer Science; Economics; Mathematics
ESAT	Engineering; Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology; Natural Sciences; Veterinary Medicine
LNAT	Law
UCAT	Medicine

Two more kinds of assessment apply at Cambridge. Mathematics offers are usually conditional on grades in STEP, sat in June after offers are made. And some colleges set their own written assessment at interview for particular courses; your college will tell you if so.

ESAT modules

The ESAT is modular, and you choose your modules when you book. You can't change them at the test centre, and changing them afterwards means cancelling and rebooking, subject to availability. The Oxford and Cambridge requirements for 2027 entry are:

ESAT modules required by Oxford and Cambridge courses for 2027 entry
Modules	Courses
Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics	Oxford: all Engineering courses, Physics, Physics and Philosophy. Cambridge: Engineering
Mathematics 1, plus any two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics 2	Oxford: Biomedical Sciences. Cambridge: Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine

If you are applying to other ESAT courses too, for example at Imperial or UCL, their module requirements may differ. Where one course fixes its modules and another lets you choose, the fixed requirement decides.

Booking, dates and costs

The ESAT, TMUA and TARA are booked through UAT-UK, separately from UCAS. Booking opens on 20 July 2026 and closes on 28 September 2026. Oxford and Cambridge applicants sit in the October window: the ESAT on 12 or 13 October 2026, the TARA on 14 October 2026 and the TMUA on 15 or 16 October 2026. The tests are taken on computer at Pearson VUE test centres and cost £78 in the UK and Republic of Ireland and £133 elsewhere, with bursaries for eligible UK candidates. Every date is in the Oxbridge application timeline.

The LNAT and UCAT have their own registration systems and earlier dates for 15 October applicants. See UK university admissions tests.

How the results are used

There is no pass mark. Scores are used alongside everything else in your application to decide whom to interview, and how much weight they carry varies by course. Results are released to candidates on 16 November 2026, after the universities have started shortlisting.

Preparing

UAT-UK publishes a content specification and practice materials for each test, and those are the place to start. For the TMUA, used by Mathematics, Computer Science and Economics applicants to both universities, see the TMUA explained and how to prepare for the TMUA.

Official sources

Dates, requirements and rules on this page come from these official sources, checked on 19 September 2026. They change from year to year, so confirm anything you rely on against them. Boxes labelled “Our advice” are Whitehall Academic’s own view.

About the author

Gautam Natarajan founded Whitehall Academic and studies Economics at Trinity College, Cambridge. Gautam has tutored applicants for Oxford and Cambridge from countries including India, China, South Korea and Singapore.

Published 19 September 2026. Last updated 19 September 2026. Whitehall Academic is independent, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, UCAS or UAT-UK.