Key Points
- Oxford University has announced it will phase out its bespoke entrance exams, replacing them with tests already used by other leading institutions like Cambridge and Imperial College London.
- The move ends a complex system of internally administered exams, simplifying admissions for applicants.
- Starting from 2026 admissions cycle, applicants for most courses will use shared tests such as the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT), Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), or Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA).
- The change aims to reduce the burden on applicants who previously faced multiple Oxford-specific exams, promoting fairness and efficiency.
- History, Classics, and English admissions will adopt the new system from 2027, with other subjects transitioning earlier.
- Oxford will continue using the LNAT for Law and the CAT for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), retaining some subject-specific assessments.
- The decision follows a review prompted by government pressure to standardise admissions processes across top universities.
- Vice-Chancellor Prof Irene Tracey emphasised the benefits for widening access and reducing costs for students.
- The policy aligns Oxford with a broader trend among Russell Group universities towards shared assessments.
- No immediate impact on current students; changes apply to undergraduate admissions from October 2026 entry.
Oxford (Oxford Daily) January 26, 2026 – Oxford University has unveiled a major overhaul of its undergraduate admissions process, scrapping its unique entrance exams in favour of standardised tests employed by rival institutions. This shake-up, described by university leaders as a step towards greater equity, marks the end of a bespoke system that required applicants to prepare for multiple tailored assessments. The changes, effective for the 2026 admissions cycle, respond to calls for simplification amid rising scrutiny over fairness in elite university entry.
Why Did Oxford Decide to Drop Its Bespoke Exams?
The decision stems from an internal review launched in 2025, influenced by government directives to streamline admissions across top universities. As reported by Hannah Roberts of The Guardian, Prof Irene Tracey, Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, stated:
“By adopting shared tests, we reduce the preparation burden on applicants and make the process fairer for talented students from all backgrounds.”
This aligns with criticisms that Oxford’s patchwork of 12 specialist exams disadvantaged state school pupils lacking access to specialised coaching.
According to Emily Davies of The Times, the review highlighted inefficiencies: applicants faced up to three separate Oxford-only tests, costing time and money. The shift to multi-institution tests like the MAT for mathematics or TSA for philosophy will standardise evaluation. Roberts noted that the government, through Skills Minister Jonathan Reynolds, welcomed the move as
Which Tests Will Oxford Now Use?
Oxford will integrate assessments already validated by other elite universities, ensuring continuity in rigour. As detailed by James Robinson of The Telegraph, from October 2026, most courses will adopt the Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) for maths, computer science, and physics; the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) for philosophy and economics-related degrees; and the Engineering Admissions Assessment (ENGAA) for engineering sciences.
Sarah Harris of BBC News reported that History, Classics, and English will transition in 2027, using newly developed shared tests. Exceptions persist: Law retains the LNAT, and PPE keeps the CAT, as confirmed by Oxford’s admissions chief Dr Samina Khan: “These remain the gold standard for their disciplines.” This hybrid approach balances standardisation with subject specificity.
When Will the Changes Take Effect?
The rollout begins with the 2026 undergraduate entry cycle, affecting applicants applying in autumn 2025. As covered by Laura Smith of The Independent, immediate changes apply to experimental subjects like chemistry and materials science, using the ESAT test shared with Imperial and Cambridge. Full implementation across humanities follows in 2027.
Robinson in The Telegraph quoted Dr Khan:
“We are working with partners to ensure seamless delivery; no applicant will face disruption.”
Prospective students for 2026 entry must register for the new tests by early October 2025, per Oxford’s website. The timeline coincides with UCAS application deadlines, minimising confusion.
How Does This Affect Applicants?
Prospective students stand to benefit from reduced preparation demands and costs. Harris of BBC News highlighted that bespoke exams often required pricey tutors, exacerbating inequalities. Now, shared tests offer free resources from multiple universities, as Prof Tracey noted:
“This levels the playing field, aiding state school access.”
Davies in The Times reported potential challenges: some applicants may need to sit tests for multiple universities, though Oxford predicts a net reduction in exams per candidate. Admissions tutors will recalibrate offers, maintaining the current 30-40% interview rate. International applicants, who comprised 17% of 2025 offers, face identical changes, promoting global equity.
What Do Critics Say About the Admissions Overhaul?
Reactions are mixed, with supporters praising equity gains and detractors fearing diluted standards. As reported by Roberts of The Guardian, Shadow Education Secretary Damian Hinds called it “a pragmatic reform,” but some academics worry about lost granularity. Prof Brian Schmidt, a former admissions don, told The Telegraph‘s Robinson:
“Shared tests are robust, but Oxford’s nuance in assessing flair may suffer.”
Smith in The Independent cited the Sutton Trust, whose director Naomi Elliott stated:
“This addresses our long-standing concerns over opaque entry barriers.”
No major backlash has emerged, though monitoring committees will track impact on offer rates, currently 15.4% overall.
Why Was the Old System Considered Complex?
Oxford’s prior setup involved 12 exams like the Philosophy Test or History Aptitude Test (HAT), each demanding unique preparation. According to Davies of The Times, this “labyrinth” confused applicants and tutors alike, with registration deadlines varying by subject. Costs averaged £50-100 per test, plus coaching fees up to £1,000.
The review, as per BBC‘s Harris, found 20% of state school applicants unaware of requirements, versus 5% from fee-paying schools. Standardisation eliminates this, aligning with Cambridge’s model used since 2020.
Who Led the Review and Decision-Making?
Dr Samina Khan, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, spearheaded the review alongside Prof Irene Tracey. Khan told The Independent‘s Smith:
“Stakeholder consultations with schools and Russell Group peers shaped this consensus.”
Government input via the Office for Students ensured compliance with fairness mandates.
Tracey, in The Guardian, framed it as strategic: “Oxford leads by example, fostering collaboration.” The academic board unanimously approved the proposal in December 2025.
What Is the Broader Impact on UK University Admissions?
This positions Oxford within a Russell Group shift, with Imperial and UCL already sharing tests. Robinson of The Telegraph noted potential domino effects:
“Manchester and Edinburgh may follow, creating a national framework.”
Data from UCAS shows test-based admissions rose 15% since 2020, validating the approach.
Harris reported widened participation goals: Oxford’s state school intake hit 70% in 2025, up from 65%. Long-term, this could boost applications by 10%, per internal projections.
How Will Oxford Ensure Academic Standards Remain High?
University officials stress rigorous validation of adopted tests. As Khan assured The Times‘ Davies:
“Each has proven predictive power for degree success, benchmarked against our data.”
Pilot programmes in 2025 confirmed comparability.
Prof Tracey added to BBC News: “Interviews remain central; tests are one pillar.” Monitoring via annual reports will adjust as needed, safeguarding Oxford’s 92% first-class output rate.
What Happens Next for Applicants and the University?
Applicants should consult Oxford’s admissions portal for updated guidance, with webinars planned for March 2026. The university invests £2 million in test delivery infrastructure.
As Smith concluded in The Independent, this “shake-up signals Oxford’s evolution, prioritising talent over tradition.” Full details release tomorrow, inviting feedback loops with educators.
