TARA for UCL Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
The TARA requirement for UCL Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng, including admissions context, accepted sittings and preparation priorities.
Course snapshot
- UCAS code
- H700
- Duration
- 4 academic years
- Typical offer
- A*A*A, with A* in Mathematics or Further Mathematics
- Deadline
- 13 January 2027
- Applications
- 366 (2023/24)
- Offers
- 147 (2023/24)
- Places
- 52 (2023/24)
- Applications per place
- About 7.0
Quick answer
Applicants to UCL Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng must take the TARA for the 2027 admissions cycle. They sit Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and the Writing Task.
The TARA does not test robotics, AI or coding knowledge. UCL uses the same non-subject-specific assessment across its undergraduate Computer Science programmes.
How is this course different from Computer Science BSc?
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence is a four-year integrated master's based at UCL East. The course combines Computer Science with mathematics, electronics, mechanical systems, control, machine learning and practical robotics.
That course distinction matters when choosing a degree, but it does not change the TARA syllabus. Applicants should prepare for the published reasoning test rather than trying to predict robotics-themed questions.
How competitive is the course?
A UCL Freedom of Information response provides the following course-specific figures:
| Cycle | Applications | Offers | Places or intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 366 | 147 | 52 |
| 2024/25 | 518 | 175 | Not yet held when published |
The complete 2023/24 row equates to about seven applications per place. These figures provide context, not a TARA cutoff. UCL does not publish a score that guarantees an offer.
Which sitting can applicants use?
UAT-UK offers October 2026 and January 2027 sittings. UCL applicants can choose either, with no admissions advantage attached to the earlier sitting. Booking early still gives candidates a better chance of finding a convenient Pearson VUE test centre.
How does UCL use the test?
UCL says TARA results are considered alongside grades and the UCAS application as part of a holistic review. The test provides additional evidence in a highly qualified applicant pool; it does not replace the published academic requirements.
How should applicants prepare?
Critical Thinking
Practise identifying conclusions, assumptions and reasoning errors. Technical applicants sometimes devote most of their preparation to numbers, but this module requires precise reading of arguments written in ordinary language.
Problem Solving
Practise ratios, percentages, tables, graphs, measures, spatial relationships and multi-step arithmetic without a calculator. The mathematics is bounded by the official specification; the difficulty lies in selecting relevant information and finding an efficient procedure.
Writing Task
Practise interpreting an abstract statement, making a reasoned case against it and explaining the extent of agreement. Clear structure is more useful than technical vocabulary or robotics examples forced into an unrelated prompt.
TaraPrep's free diagnostic can identify whether Critical Thinking or Problem Solving needs the most attention. The full platform then provides focused questions, Writing Task practice and mock papers in the exam simulator.
What should applicants avoid?
- Preparing for a robotics or coding test
- Assuming strong Mathematics makes Critical Thinking easy
- Using course-specific reading as a substitute for timed TARA practice
- Ignoring the Writing Task because it is unscored by UAT-UK
- Treating historical admissions figures as a predicted offer rate
Official sources
- UCL Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng course page
- UCL TARA guidance for Computer Science courses
- UCL FOI response on application and admission statistics
- UAT-UK TARA overview
Frequently asked questions
Does UCL Robotics and Artificial Intelligence require the TARA?
Yes. UCL lists the TARA as an additional entry test for the 2027 cycle.
Is the test about robotics or AI?
No. It is a general reasoning, problem-solving and writing assessment.
Can applicants take the January sitting?
Yes. Current UAT-UK guidance allows UCL applicants to choose the October 2026 or January 2027 sitting.
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