ESAT: Engineering and Science Admissions Test
Who needs to take it?
The ESAT is required for entry to a variety of Engineering and Science courses at Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford and UCL.
Specifically:
University of Cambridge
Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology
Engineering
Natural Sciences
Veterinary Medicine
Imperial College London
Aeronautics
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Dyson School of Design Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Life Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
Physics
University of Oxford
Biomedical Sciences
Engineering Science
Engineering Science (with a Foundation year)
Physics
Physics and Philosophy
University College London (UCL)
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Key dates
1 June 2026: Account setup opens
Test sitting 1
20 July 2026: Test booking opens
28 September 2026: Test booking deadline
12-16 October 2026: Test sitting 1
16 November: Results available
Test sitting 2
26 October 2026: Test booking opens
21 December 2026: Test booking deadline
4-8 January 2026: Test sitting 2
8 February: Results available
Check the UAT-UK website for a more detailed schedule, in particular the earlier dates for requesting access arrangements and requesting a bursary, plus more restricted dates for China, Hong Kong and Macau.
University-specific deadlines
Oxford and Cambridge applicants: Must register for sitting 1 (with the exception of applicants to an Oxford foundation programme or a mature college at Cambridge).
Format
It is run by University Admissions Tests (UAT-UK), and delivered in Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and worldwide.
There are five modules available: Maths 1, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Maths 2.
All students will take the Maths 1 module, and will need to take one or two of the remaining modules.
Details for this are on each universities website.
Each module lasts 40 minutes and contains 27 multiple choice questions.
Results
Results for each module of the ESAT are reported on a scale that runs from 1 (low) to 9 (high) with scores being reported to one decimal place. There is no pass or fail.
Results will be available approximately four weeks after the test date. There are accessible to candidates via their UAT-UK account and are automatically sent to any relevant universities included in your UCAS application.
Cost
The cost is £78 if taken in the UK and Republic of Ireland, or £133 if taken elsewhere. UK students in financial need will be able to apply for a bursary to pay for the test.
Preparation
Preparation materials, including notes, past questions, sample tests and more are available on the UAT-UK website.
Further information
You can find out everything you need to know about the ESAT at:
