ESAT/TMUA/TARA Key Dates & Requirements for 2027 Entry
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ESAT/TMUA/TARA Key Dates & Requirements for 2027 Entry
I. Overview of Oxford and Cambridge Admissions Test Reforms
In 2026, Oxbridge admissions tests are undergoing a major transformation. The University of Oxford has introduced the UAT-UK system, with the ESAT, TMUA, and TARA replacing the long-standing PAT, MAT, and TSA. (For more details, see: Navigating Oxford’s 2027 Admissions Tests Reform) The University of Cambridge has also established the TMUA as the key metric for issuing interview offers for Mathematics.
As the “stepping stone” for G5 applications, the importance of admissions test scores goes without saying. In this period of policy shifts, accurately deconstructing the latest requirements and strategically planning a preparation path are essential for every applicant seeking to gain a competitive edge.
This article provides a comprehensive summary of the latest 2026 admissions cycle arrangements—covering detailed schedules and specific subject requirements—for Oxford, Cambridge, and the G5 universities. It aims to empower applicants to clearly define their academic trajectory, optimise their preparation timelines, and thereby direct their efforts precisely toward securing admission to prestigious institutions.
II. ESAT, TMUA, and TARA Admissions Test Schedules for 2027 Entry
Immediately following the official release of the 2026 admissions test schedule by UAT-UK, we have meticulously compiled the table below to outline the names, dates, formats, and applicable subject areas for each test, from which you can quickly gain a clear understanding of this year’s ESAT, TMUA, and TARA admissions test arrangements.
1. Key Dates for the First Sitting (October 2026)
| Key Dates | Matters |
|---|---|
1st June 2026 3pm BST | Account creation, access arrangements and bursaries open for all 2027 entry candidates |
20th July 2026 3pm BST | Test booking opens for October 2026 |
14th September 2026 6pm BST | Deadline for requesting access arrangements for the October 2026 sitting (candidates who make a request by this date will still be able to book a test once approved) |
21st September 2026 6pm BST | Deadline for requesting a bursary for the October 2026 sitting (candidates who make a request by this date will still be able to book a test once approved) |
28th September 2026 6pm BST | Test booking closes for October 2026 |
| 12th-16th October 2026 | Test Window 1 All three tests will run on all days for candidates in all countries except China, Hong Kong and Macau. Delivery window for candidates sitting in China, Hong Kong and Macau: • 12th-13th: ESAT • 14th: TARA • 15th-16th: TMUA |
| 16th November 2026 | Candidates to receive test results via their UAT-UK account |
2. Test Dates, Subjects, Applicable Universities and Courses for the First Sitting
* Delivery dates for candidates sitting in China, Hong Kong and Macau.
| Test Name | Test Date(s) | Subjects | Applicable Universities | Applicable Courses (Text with underline indicates a single course) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESAT | 12th-13th October 2026 | Mathematics 1
Mathematics 2 Physics Chemistry Biology |
The University of Cambridge | Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Natural Sciences, Veterinary Medicine |
| The University of Oxford | Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Science, Mechanical Engineering, Information Engineering, Physics, Physics and Philosophy | |||
| Imperial College London | Aeronautical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Design Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Electronic and Information Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Ecology and Environmental Biology, Microbiology, Physics, Physics with Theoretical Physics | |||
| UCL | Electronic and Electrical Engineering | |||
| TMUA | 15th-16th October 2026 | Mathematics
Logic and Proof |
The University of Cambridge | Mathematics, Computer Science, Economics |
| The University of Oxford | Computer Science, Computer Science and Philosophy, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics/ Mathematics and Statistics | |||
| Imperial College London | Computing, Economics, Finance and Data Science, Mathematics, Mathematics (Pure Mathematics), Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics with Applied Mathematics/Mathematical Physics, Mathematics with Mathematical Computation, Mathematics with Statistics, Mathematics with Statistics for Finance | |||
| LSE | Economics, Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, Actuarial Science, Data Science, Economics and Data Science, Financial Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics, Statistics, and Business, Mathematics with Data Science, Mathematics with Economics, Mathematics and Economics | |||
| UCL | Economics | |||
| TARA | 14th October 2026 | Critical Thinking
Problem Solving Critical Writing |
The University of Oxford | Economics and Management, Experimental Psychology, History and Economics, History and Politics, Human Sciences, Philosophy and Linguistics, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Psychology and Linguistics, Psychology and Philosophy |
| UCL | Computer Science, Computer Science and Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Artificial Intelligence |
3. Key Dates for the Second Sitting (January 2027)
Not applicable for Cambridge or Oxford applicants unless you are applying to a mature college with a January admissions deadline at Cambridge, or an Oxford Foundation Year programme also with a January deadline.
| Key Dates | Matters |
|---|---|
5th October 2026 3pm BST | Applications re-open for access arrangements and bursaries for January 2027 |
26th October 2026 3pm GMT | Test booking opens for January 2027 |
7th December 2026 6pm GMT | Deadline for requesting access arrangements for the January 2027 sitting (candidates who make a request by this date will still be able to book a test once approved) |
14th December 2026 6pm GMT | Deadline for requesting a bursary for the January 2027 sitting (candidates who make a request by this date will still be able to book a test once approved) |
21st December 2026 6pm GMT | Test booking closes for January 2027 |
| 4th-8th January 2027 | Test Window 2 All three tests will run on all days for candidates in all countries except China, Hong Kong and Macau. Delivery window for candidates sitting in China, Hong Kong and Macau: • 6th: ESAT • 7th: TARA • 8th: TMUA |
| 8th February 2027 | Candidates to receive test results via their UAT-UK account |
4. Test Format
With the exception of the Cambridge STEP exam, all the tests mentioned above are delivered online as computer-based tests. They are administered by Pearson VUE at their global test centres.
III. Comparative Analysis of Oxbridge & G5 Test Requirements by Course
This section provides a side-by-side comparison of admissions test requirements for five major subject categories: Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, Natural Sciences (Physics), and Economics.
We will focus specifically on:
- Required Tests: Which admissions tests does each university require for the same course?
- Test Difficulty: What is the approximate difficulty level of each test?
- Target Scores (Reference): Apart from Cambridge’s STEP, which has defined grade requirements, other tests do not have official ‘cut-off scores’.
- Suggested Timeframe: How long does one typically need to prepare for each admissions test?
The reference scores provided in the tables below are not official data and do not necessarily represent the minimum scores achieved by admitted students.
1. Admissions Test Requirements for Mathematics Courses
| University | Test | Difficulty | Target Score (Reference) | Suggested Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Cambridge | TMUA+STEP | Hard | TMUA: 7.5 or above STEP: Grade 1 or above | TMUA: 3–4 months STEP: more than 6 months |
| The University of Oxford | TMUA | Medium | 7.5 or above | 4–6 months, up to 10 months |
| Imperial College London | TMUA | Medium | 6.5 or above | |
| LSE | TMUA | Medium | 7.0 or above | |
| UCL | TMUA | Medium | 6.5 or above |
2. Admissions Test Requirements for Computer Science Courses
| University | Test | Difficulty | Target Score (Reference) | Suggested Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Cambridge | TMUA | Medium | 8.0 or above | 4–6 months, up to 10 months |
| The University of Oxford | TMUA | Medium | 8.0 or above | |
| Imperial College London | TMUA | Medium | 7.0 or above | |
| UCL | TARA | Medium | 6.0 or above |
3. Admissions Test Requirements for Engineering Courses
| University | Test | Difficulty | Target Score (Reference) | Suggested Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Cambridge | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.5 or above across three modules | 4–6 months, up to 10 months |
| The University of Oxford | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.5 or above across three modules | |
| Imperial College London | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.0 or above across three modules | |
| UCL | ESAT / TARA | Medium | An average of 6.0 or above across three modules (Electrical and Electronic Engineering requires ESAT; Mechanical Engineering requires TARA) |
4. Admissions Test Requirements for Natural Sciences (Physics) Courses
| University | Test | Difficulty | Target Score (Reference) | Suggested Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Cambridge | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.5 or above across three modules | 4–6 months, up to 10 months |
| The University of Oxford | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.5 or above across three modules | |
| Imperial College London | ESAT | Medium | An average of 7.0 or above across three modules |
5. Admissions Test Requirements for Economics Courses
| University | Test | Difficulty | Target Score (Reference) | Suggested Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Cambridge | TMUA | Medium | 7.0 or above | 4–6 months, up to 10 months |
| The University of Oxford | TARA | Medium | PPE, Economics and Management: 8.0 or higher Others: 7.0 or higher |
|
| Imperial College London | TMUA | Medium | 6.0 or above | |
| LSE | TMUA | Medium | 7.0 or above | |
| UCL | TMUA | Medium | 6.0 or above |
IV. Preparation Timeline for Admissions Tests and Interviews
This section provides a general timeline for admissions test and interview preparation to assist candidates in effectively planning their study progress. Please note that this serves merely as a reference; specific arrangements should be adjusted based on individual circumstances and the requirements of your target universities.
UEIE will be releasing a comprehensive series of brand-new preparation guides for the STEP, TMUA, ESAT, and TARA throughout April and May—please stay tuned!
| Time Period | Main Tasks | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Feb – Jun | Information Gathering & Cognitive Training |
|
| Jun – Aug | Systematic Revision & Foundation Building |
|
| Sep – Oct | Final Push & Mock Exams |
|
| Oct – Dec | Interview Preparation |
|
| Jan – Jun (Following Year) |
Awaiting Results & STEP Prep (if needed) |
|
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