UAT-UK January Admissions Tests Open for Booking October 26 for Oxford Foundation Year Applicants
Applicants planning to join the University of Oxford’s Astrophoria Foundation Year programme in 2027 will be able to book their January 2027 UAT-UK admissions tests from October 26, 2026. The booking window will give eligible candidates another opportunity to take the required test before completing the January UCAS application process.
The January sitting is a limited exception to the usual October testing schedule for Oxford applicants. Most candidates applying to Oxford undergraduate courses must take their required admissions tests during the October 2026 window. Applicants to eligible Astrophoria Foundation Year courses, however, can choose between the October and January sittings.
UAT-UK January 2027 Test Dates and Deadlines
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| January test booking opens | October 26, 2026, at 3 p.m. UK time |
| Access arrangements deadline | December 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. UK time |
| Bursary application deadline | December 14, 2026, at 6 p.m. UK time |
| Test booking closes | December 21, 2026, at 6 p.m. UK time |
| January test window | January 4–8, 2027 |
| Results released | February 8, 2027 |
Applicants should complete their bookings early rather than waiting until the closing date. Test appointments depend on availability, and UAT-UK states that bookings cannot be accepted after the deadline.
Which Oxford Foundation Year Courses Require a Test?
Two Astrophoria Foundation Year pathways use UAT-UK admissions tests for 2027 entry:
- Engineering Science with Foundation Year: Applicants must take the Engineering and Science Admissions Test (ESAT).
- Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) with Foundation Year: Applicants must take the Test of Academic Reasoning for Admissions (TARA).
Not every Oxford Foundation Year pathway requires a UAT-UK test. For example, Oxford’s published guidance states that no admissions test is required for its Foundation Year pathways in Chemistry and Materials Science. Applicants should verify the requirements for their exact course before booking.
What Are ESAT and TARA?
ESAT is designed for applicants to selected science and engineering courses. The modules required depend on the programme. Oxford’s Engineering Science Foundation Year applicants must take Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
TARA assesses academic reasoning rather than relying solely on subject-specific knowledge. Oxford’s PPE Foundation Year applicants must complete all three modules: Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task.
Both tests are computer-based and delivered through Pearson’s network of test centres. Candidates should consult the official UAT-UK guidance for test formats, preparation materials and booking instructions.
How to Prepare for January Test Booking
- Confirm that the intended Oxford Foundation Year course requires ESAT or TARA.
- Create or access the relevant UAT-UK account and review the registration requirements.
- Check the October 26 booking opening time and prepare to select an available test appointment.
- Submit any access-arrangement request well before December 7.
- Check bursary eligibility and apply by December 14 if financial assistance is needed.
- Complete the booking before December 21 and follow the official test-day instructions.
Important Advice for Oxford Applicants
Admissions tests are only one part of Oxford’s selection process. Applicants must also meet course-specific academic requirements and submit their UCAS application within the relevant deadline. Oxford Foundation Year applications follow a January timeline, unlike the October 15 deadline used for most standard undergraduate courses.
Students should therefore verify their course requirements, test choice and application timeline directly with Oxford and UAT-UK. The January test window offers eligible Foundation Year applicants additional flexibility, but it should not be assumed to apply to every Oxford course or applicant.
