2025 Update for 2026 Admissions to UCL: TARA
UCL will now ask applicants to take the TARA exam as part of the admissions process, run by exam board UAT UK (Pearson). This is a new test apparently designed for UCL, and it will replace the UCL STAT exam run by ACER.
The test will include:
- Critical Thinking (language skills), 22 questions in 40 minutes
- Problem Solving (numerical skills), 22 questions in 40 minutes
- Writing Task (essay task), 1 essay in 40 minutes
This makes it broadly similar to the previously-used STAT test and to the American SAT in style, with the addition of an essay component.
You can expect this test is primarily a test of communication skills, with an emphasis on question comprehension likely to be present in all sections. Expect questions that communicate subtle points for you to pick up on.
Courses requiring TARA
Courses requiring TARA for 2026 entry include:
- UCL Computer Science BSc
- UCL Computer Science MEng
- UCL Computer Science and Mathematics MEng
- UCL (UCL East) Robotics and Artificial Intelligence MEng
- UCL Social Sciences with Data Science BSc
- UCL International Social and Political Studies BA
- UCL European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree BA
- UCL Management Science BSc
- UCL Social Sciences BSc
- UCL Sociology BSc
With entrance requirements for 2026 still being determined, it's possible that other courses and perhaps other universities will require TARA.
Computer Science: Home vs International Candidates
According to recent statistics, Home (UK-based) candidates for Computer Science have been at a severe disadvantage, with only 1 offer per 26 applicants - you essentially need to be the 96th percentile of all candidates - and that ends up being just 1 place for every 50 applicants[1].
The standards required for International candidates were more generous but still competitive, with International candidates getting places on challenging but more reasonable scores (I mean literally lower scores) - with 1 offer per 9 applicants here.
Home candidates for 2026 should consider whether an application to UCL and TARA test is a waste of energy for you. Home candidates holding an offer for UCL may also want to consider whether other options:
- World-class Universities - Imperial College, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, plus Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, etc. - may be more suitable at this point, even if Computer Science-related places at these universities are now wildly competitive.
- High-quality Russell Group Universities - including Warwick, Bristol, Southampton, Bath, Exeter, etc. - seem to have relatively more available places for Home students.
On the other hand, International candidates for Computer Science may see this as a good opportunity to get a place at a top university in London.