Key Dates
The dates below apply to 2027 entry cycle.
Tests will take place in October 2026 and January 2027.
Most applicants to the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford, will be required to sit the test in October. Exceptions to this rule apply to mature applicants applying to a mature college with a January admissions deadline at the University of Cambridge, or applicants to the Astrophoria Foundation Year at the University of Oxford which also has a January admissions deadline.
Applicants to all other institutions can decide when to sit. There is no advantage to sitting in either session, but you can only sit once within an admissions cycle.
Your Responsibility
You need to register for your test by the deadlines. UAT-UK is unable to accept test bookings after the stated deadline. Make sure to understand the test format and rules.
Don’t forget to apply for any access arrangements or bursaries early. It can take up to five working days to review a bursary application and 10 working days for an access arrangement request. So, submit your application ahead of the deadline.
Book Early
We advise you book your test sitting as early as possible so that you are able to sit at a time convenient to you, at your most local Test Centre.
A test costs £78 for candidates in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and £133 for candidates sitting elsewhere.
The deadline to book for the October Test Sitting is Monday 28th September at 6pm (UK time).
Key Dates & Deadlines for 2027 Entry
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October 2026 Test Sitting |
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Account creation, access arrangements and bursaries open for all 2027 entry candidates |
1st June 2026 |
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Test booking opens for October 2026 |
20 July 2026 |
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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) If you need a separate room, reader and/or recorder we strongly advise you to apply before this date. |
14th September 2026 |
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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) |
21st September 2026 |
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Test booking closes for October 2026 |
28th September 2026 |
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Test Window 1 |
12th-16th October Delivery window for candidates sitting in China, Hong Kong and Macau: |
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Candidates to receive test results via their UAT-UK account |
Monday 16th November 2026 |
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January 2027 Test Sitting 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. |
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Applications re-open for access arrangements and bursaries for January 2027 |
5th October 2026 |
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Test booking opens for January 2027 |
26th October 2026 |
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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) If you need a separate room, reader and/or recorder we strongly advise you to apply before this date. |
7th December 2026 |
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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) |
14th December 2026 |
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Test booking closes for January 2027 |
21st December 2026 |
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Test Window 2 |
4th-8th January Delivery window for candidates sitting in China, Hong Kong and Macau: |
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Candidates to receive test results via their UAT-UK account |
8th February 2027 |
Important Information About Test Dates for October 2026 and January 2027
UAT-UK takes test security and integrity very seriously. Following reports in October 2024 of candidates attempting to obtain and sell test content, without authorisation, each UAT-UK test will now only be offered on one day per test window in China, Hong Kong and Macau. All candidates must register to book their test on one of the following days and UAT-UK will be unable to make any exceptions to this:
- ESAT: Friday 10th October or Wednesday 7th January
- TMUA: Tuesday 14th October or Friday 9th January
- TARA: Thursday 16th October or Tuesday 13th January
Please note that applicants to the University of Cambridge MUST sit the test in October. Applicants to all other UAT-UK institutions can sit on either date.