The Ultimate Guide to Undergraduate Entrance Exams for UK Universities

The UK is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for bachelor’s degree students. If you’re wondering what exams are required to pursue undergraduate studies in the UK, only a handful of highly selective universities and competitive courses require entrance tests in addition to your UCAS application. Broadly speaking, there are two types of UK entrance exams: subject-specific and university-specific. 

What are some of the subject-specific UK entrance exams?

Subject-specific exams allow admissions officers to gauge your ability to handle the academic rigour of a subject. Here are some of them:

1) Law – Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT)

The LNAT is a UK entrance exam that doesn’t test your law knowledge. Instead, it helps universities assess your aptitude and skills—verbal, inductive and deductive reasoning—required to study law.

The LNAT has two sections:

• Section A: This computer-based, multiple-choice section asks you to read 12 argumentative passages and answer questions that test your understanding within 95 minutes. A computer checks your answers to determine your LNAT score based on 42 marks.
• Section B: In this section, you must select and write one of three essay topics within 40 minutes. It allows you to showcase your ability to construct a compelling argument and reach a conclusion.

Universities that consider the LNAT:
Durham University, King’s College, London School of Economics and Political Science. University College London, University of Glasgow, University of Nottingham and University of Oxford. In 2022, the University of Cambridge discontinued the Cambridge Law Test and now requires law applicants to take the LNAT.

Universities that do not need the LNAT:
The University of Edinburgh, The University of Manchester, University of Aberdeen, University of Exeter, University of Leeds, University of Southampton and the University of Warwick. However, you must check their websites to ensure no other assessments are required.

Here are a few features of the LNAT: 

*All details are subject to change each year. Please check the official website for updates.

2) Mathematics – Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

STEP tests your ability to handle the rigour of undergraduate-level mathematics. It’s typically required by the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick. However, several other universities recommend it or will give you a reduced conditional offer if you take the exam. 

The STEP consists of two examinations: 

• STEP 2: This UK entrance exam is based on A Level Mathematics and AS Level Further Mathematics. There are 12 questions—eight on pure maths, two on mechanics, and two on probability. 
• STEP 3: This UK entrance exam is based on A Level Mathematics and A Level Further Mathematics in the same format as STEP 2. 

Note: The STEP 1 has been discontinued. 

Here are a few features of STEP: 

*All details are subject to change each year. Please check the official website for updates. 

3) Medicine – University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT)

UCAT is a computer-based admissions entrance exams for UK universities used by a consortium of Universities for their medical and dental degree courses. It tests verbal reasoning, decision-making, quantitative reasoning, and abstract reasoning skills. It consists of five subsections containing several multiple-choice questions, each separately timed. 

Here are a few features of UCAT: 

*All details are subject to change each year. Please check the official website for updates. 

What are some of the University-Specific UK Entrance Exams? 

University-specific exams are for certain courses offered at specified institutions. Here are some of them:

1) University of Cambridge — ELAT (English Literature Admission Test)

The ELAT is a paper-based UK entrance exam required by the University of Cambridge for English Language and Literature, Classics and English, and English and Modern Languages. It assesses your reading skills and ability to articulate an informed response to unfamiliar literary material. The test comprises six extracts from poetry, prose or drama. You must compare two passages and write one essay, commenting on language, imagery, allusion, syntax, form and structure. Marks are not awarded for references to other texts or authors or for applying theoretical frameworks. 

Here are a few features of ELAT: 

*All details are subject to change yearly. Please check the official website for updates.

2) University of Oxford — HAT (History Aptitude Test)

Applicants pursuing degree courses involving history at the University of Oxford must take the HAT. This entrance exam is challenging and assesses skills such as critical reading, analytical approach, clarity in writing,  precision in handling concepts, selection of evidence and historical imagination. The HAT comprises a single question based on an extract from a primary source. You are supposed to thoughtfully interpret the source without knowing the context. 

Here are a few features of the HAT:

*All details are subject to change yearly. Please check the official website for updates.

3) Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Warwick — MAT (Mathematics Admission Test)

You will have to sit the MAT If you are applying for mathematics-related courses, such as Mathematics and Statistics, Mathematics and Philosophy, Mathematics and Computer Science, Mathematics and Computer Science and Philosophy. It evaluates the depth of a student’s mathematical understanding in the fourth term of their A Levels (or equivalent). 

Here are a few features of the MAT:

*All details are subject to change each year. Please check this website for updates. 

4) University of Oxford – TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment)

TSA assesses essential study skills, such as problem-solving, numerical reasoning, and critical thinking. It evaluates your potential for various degree courses in engineering, economics, politics and psychology. 

The TSA test comprises two parts: 

• Section 1: This part includes 50 multiple-choice questions, which you must complete within 90 minutes 
• Section  2: This a writing task, which you must complete in 30 minutes.

TSA Oxford is needed to study  Economics and Management, Experimental Psychology, Human Sciences, Philosophy and Linguistics, Philosophy, Politics and Economics, Psychology and Linguistics, and Psychology and Philosophy, History and Economics. You may skip Section 2 of the test if you apply for  History and Economics (LV11). 

Here are a few features of TSA Oxford: 

What changes can I expect in UK entrance exams? 

UK universities tend to introduce reforms to their entrance exams. For instance, Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing has introduced several reforms and will  withdraw a series of university entrance tests with effect from 2024-5. These tests will be the BMAT (medicine), ENGAA (engineering), NSAA (natural sciences) and TMUA (mathematical skills) tests. Always check with the university or a UK admissions consultant about exams that applicable to you. 

How many intakes are in the UK and do they impact entrance exams? 

There are two popular intakes for undergraduate admissions in the UK 

• The Fall intake: September/October
• The Winter intake: January/February 

Some universities also offer summer intakes for selective courses. But rest assured that your entrance exams are not intake-specific. However, they are course-specific but must be taken during the year of your application.

Here are nine compelling reasons to study in the UK and application requirements by UK universities for international students. However, if you want more details on undergraduate entrance exams in the UK or need assistance with any aspect of your application, please get in touch with us. Our UK specialists look forward to helping you.