TARA Test Dates 2026-27: Deadlines and Fees

TARA 2026-27 test dates, booking and bursary deadlines, fees and how to register for 2027 university entry.

Published 15 May 20264 min read

Quick answer

The TARA sittings for 2027 university entry are:

Sitting	Test window	Results
October 2026	12 to 16 October 2026	16 November 2026
January 2027	4 to 8 January 2027	8 February 2027

Standard Oxford applicants must use the October sitting. UCL applicants can use either sitting. Oxford Foundation Year applicants with a January deadline are an exception and may use the January sitting.

The complete guide to the TARA test lists the Oxford and UCL courses currently requiring it. Always confirm the current requirement for the exact course before booking.

October 2026 deadlines

Stage	Deadline
Accounts, bursaries and access arrangements open	1 June 2026, 3pm BST
Test booking opens	20 July 2026, 3pm BST
Access-arrangement request deadline	14 September 2026, 6pm BST
Bursary request deadline	21 September 2026, 6pm BST
Test booking closes	28 September 2026, 6pm BST
Test window	12 to 16 October 2026

January 2027 deadlines

Stage	Deadline
Bursary and access-arrangement applications reopen	5 October 2026, 3pm BST
Test booking opens	26 October 2026, 3pm GMT
Access-arrangement request deadline	7 December 2026, 6pm GMT
Bursary request deadline	14 December 2026, 6pm GMT
Test booking closes	21 December 2026, 6pm GMT
Test window	4 to 8 January 2027

How to register

Candidates register themselves rather than through their school:

Create or sign in to a UAT-UK account
Enter personal details and add a UCAS Personal ID when available
Apply for a bursary or access arrangements before booking, if required
Follow the Pearson VUE booking link from the account
Choose an available test centre, date and time
Check that the confirmation details match the candidate's identification

Test-centre availability is limited. Booking early improves the chance of finding a convenient location and time. Once the appointment is fixed, the TARA preparation study plan can help candidates work backwards from the test date.

How much does the TARA cost?

Location	Fee
UK and Republic of Ireland	£78
Outside the UK and Republic of Ireland	£133

Eligible UK candidates can receive a bursary covering the full fee. The bursary must be approved before the test is booked; UAT-UK does not reimburse a booking afterwards.

Access arrangements

Candidates who need access arrangements apply through their UAT-UK account and provide the requested evidence. UAT-UK says reviews can take up to ten working days, so applications should not be left until the deadline. Adjustments cannot normally be arranged on arrival at the test centre.

Special dates in China, Hong Kong and Macau

The wider test windows do not apply on every day in these regions. TARA is offered on 14 October 2026 and 7 January 2027 in China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Before booking

Confirm:

The exact university course requires the TARA
The sitting accepted for that course
The modules and rules in the current TARA test format
The candidate's name matches their photographic ID
Any bursary or access-arrangement request is complete
Travel to the selected Pearson VUE centre is practical

Official sources

Last reviewed against official sources 16 July 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can standard Oxford applicants use the January sitting?

No. They must sit the TARA in October. The Oxford Foundation Year is a stated exception.

Can UCL applicants choose either sitting?

Yes. Current UAT-UK guidance says there is no advantage to taking the first rather than the second sitting.

Where are results released?

Candidates receive results through their UAT-UK account. Results are also sent automatically to participating universities for courses that require the TARA. The TARA scoring guide explains the two scaled results and the separate treatment of the Writing Task.