By AECC Global on Wednesday, 17 August 2022
Category: Study in UK

Admission Test to take to study bachelor's degree in the UK

Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in the UK opens many gates to a better career and enhancement of the right skills. An undergraduate course in the UK can be the right way to take advantage of studying in a country with a reputation for excellence.

Language proficiency is a requirement regardless of the field of study you choose. The university may require students to take additional tests depending on the course and the field of study. If you are planning on pursuing your bachelor's degree from the Queen's own country, here are a few tests you may have to clear. 

Table of Contents


1. English Proficiency Tests

2. Subject-Specific Exams

3. Thinking Skills Assessment

English Proficiency Tests

Before moving any further, let's start with the first test required from you to take ahead of your application to Study in the UK: language proficiency. The university that you are requesting is usually interested in knowing if you can speak and comprehend English effectively, so that you may take part in lectures and debates.

There are numerous standardized language exams for this reason which assess your English skills. The following are English standard exams required by prospective candidates by Institutions in the UK.

1. IELTS – International English Language Testing System 

IELTS - is a widely recognized test that is accessible to students all over the world. The IELTS has four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The minimum score required on this exam varies by the university. Still, it is usually around a band score of six or higher. IELTS Test Report Forms are valid for two years.

2. TOEFL – Test Of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL is another exam that tests your English language skills and lasts for two years, so you need to remember to keep them up to date.

3. PTE – Pearson Test English 

Some colleges also accept the Pearson Tests of English (PTE), so you should always check with each institution about their English language proficiency test requirement. 

4. UCLES – University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate

​Is a not-for-profit, non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge. It provides educational assessments for learners around the world under the brand name Cambridge Assessment.

Subject-Specific Exams

​Subject - Specific Exams are organized before enrollment to determine the student's aptitude for a particular degree. The primary purpose of these knack tests is to evaluate if the subject is right for the student. The results of tests are often used to select students for competitive fields such as medicine.

1. BMAT - Medicine

​Oxford and Cambridge, along with six other medical schools in the UK, use the BioMedical Admissions Test. If you are aiming for admission to the top UK medical schools and have excellent results, this exam is for you.

2. UCAT - Medicine

The University Clinical Aptitude Test is a computer-based test used by 30 UK medical schools.  

3. LNAT - Law

​Law schools in the UK use the Law National Aptitude Test to test students' reading comprehension and argumentation skills. Only nine out of 54 law schools in the UK use the LNAT, which does not have a syllabus or a pass/fail mark since it only measures a student's aptitude for law.

4. MAT - Mathematics

​The Mathematics Admissions Test is an aptitude test used by the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, and the University of Warwick. For Mathematics and Computer Science programs, a two and a half hours exam is offered by Oxford.

5. TMUA - Mathematics

​Several Mathematics-related courses offered by UK universities require students to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission. Students who do well on the TMUA may receive a reduced offer, meaning you may avail of a scholarship.

6. STEP - Mathematics

​Cambridge University and Warwick University use the Sixth Term Examination Paper for mathematics admissions. Mathematics questions from the STEP test are based on undergraduate-level tests.

Thinking Skills Assessment

1. Thinking Skills Assessment Cambridge (TSA Cambridge)

​This test assesses critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills are widely regarded as essential for studying and working. This includes degree courses, such as Engineering, Economics, Politics, and Psychology.

2. Thinking Skills Assessment Oxford (TSA Oxford) 

​TSA Oxford is a two-hour pre-interview test for applicants to undergraduate programs at Oxford University.

3. Thinking Skills Assessment University College London (TSA UCL)

To succeed in the field of social and political studies, students must demonstrate critical, logical, and analytical thinking. Neither general knowledge nor subject-specific information about social studies or politics is required or tested. 

​We've only mentioned a handful of tests, and find the entire list of academic tests on our UK Study Guide for free.

If you have any questions about your visa, university application, or anything related to studying abroad get in touch with our guidance counselors at AECC Global for free.

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