University of OxfordUCAS H811 +13
Oxford Engineering Science: ESAT Requirements for 2027 Entry
Applicants to Engineering Science and all of its branch courses at the University of Oxford for 2027 entry must sit ESAT, the Engineering and Science Admissions Test. ESAT is administered by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson VUE. Every Oxford engineering course requires the same three modules: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, taken in a single 120-minute session. One rule matters above all: Oxford only accepts results from the October sitting, which for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau means the fixed dates of 12 to 13 October 2026. This page covers the official requirements for all 14 course codes, the key dates, and how to prepare.
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01 Oxford's Official Requirements: 14 Course Codes, One Module Set
Oxford Engineering Science appears in the UAT-UK 2027 Course List as a set of branch courses, 14 UCAS codes in total, including 7 Foundation Year variants. As described on the Oxford Engineering Science department website (eng.ox.ac.uk, Your Degree page), these branches sit within a single unified MEng Engineering Science structure with eight streams. The ESAT requirement is identical across all of them: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, each module consisting of 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, for a total of 120 minutes.
| Course | UCAS Code | ESAT Modules | How Scores Are Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Science | H100 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Biomedical Engineering | H811 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Chemical Engineering | H800 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Civil Engineering | H200 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Electrical Engineering | H620 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Information Engineering | H630 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Mechanical Engineering | H300 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Engineering with Foundation Year | H10F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Biomedical Engineering with Foundation Year | H81F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Chemical Engineering with Foundation Year | H80F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Civil Engineering with Foundation Year | H20F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Electrical Engineering with Foundation Year | H62F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Information Engineering with Foundation Year | H63F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
| Mechanical Engineering with Foundation Year | H30F | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory, part of holistic assessment |
On how scores are used, the Oxford Engineering Science department (eng.ox.ac.uk, Undergraduate Applications) states that the test forms one part of the admission process for Engineering Science, and that both shortlisting and final decisions are made on the basis of all available information, without any set weighting. In practice this means Oxford publishes no cut-off score: your ESAT result is weighed alongside predicted grades, your personal statement and interview performance. Each module is scored on a 1.0 to 9.0 scale; see our ESAT scoring guide for how the scale works.
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02 Key Dates and Booking: Oxford Accepts the October Sitting Only
ESAT is administered by UAT-UK and delivered worldwide through Pearson VUE test centres. For the 2027 entry cycle, candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau have two fixed date windows: 12 to 13 October 2026, and 6 January 2027.
For Oxford applicants, however, that choice does not really exist. Both the Imperial College and Cambridge ESAT pages state explicitly that applicants to the University of Cambridge or the University of Oxford must take the test in October. In practice:
- The only sitting that counts for Oxford: 12 to 13 October 2026 (test centres in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau);
- The 6 January 2027 sitting cannot be used for an Oxford application;
- Your preparation timeline must be planned backwards from the October 2026 sitting.
Check the UAT-UK website for registration opening and closing dates, and book your seat early. For what to expect on the day, including ID and equipment rules, see our ESAT test day guide; for the overall structure and policy background, see the ESAT exam page.
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03 How to Prepare for Oxford ESAT with FrontierVue
One fact first: no official ESAT past papers exist, because UAT-UK has never published any. ESAT replaced the former NSAA and ENGAA tests from 2024, and its question style and module structure descend directly from them, which makes the official material from those predecessor tests the closest available match to real ESAT questions.
For ESAT preparation, FrontierVue offers:
- 31 archive papers from the predecessor tests: NSAA and ENGAA (2015 to 2023), reorganised to match the current ESAT modules, mapping directly onto Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics;
- 26 mock papers, including Frontier Original full-format ESAT mocks built to the current 27-question, 40-minute specification;
- 2,345 questions in total, each with a detailed explanation and a Chinese translation for cross-reference;
- The two most recent archive papers are free to try, with the full timed-answering and scoring experience.
For Oxford's three modules, a sensible route: start with the Mathematics 1 guide, Mathematics 2 guide and Physics guide to pin down what each module covers, then use the revision plan guide to schedule backwards from the October sitting, and the time management guide to train the 27-questions-in-40-minutes rhythm. Practice entry point: the ESAT practice hub.
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04 Points Specific to Oxford Applicants
Do not agonise over branch choice because of ESAT. From H100 Engineering Science to H811 Biomedical Engineering and H300 Mechanical Engineering, through to every Foundation Year variant, all 14 codes require the same modules: Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics. Your branch choice shapes your degree, not your test. If you are also weighing courses at other universities, module requirements differ; see the choosing modules guide.
Foundation Year courses require ESAT too. The seven Foundation Year codes, H10F, H81F, H80F, H20F, H62F, H63F and H30F, appear in the UAT-UK 2027 Course List alongside the standard courses with identical module requirements. There is no foundation-year exemption.
No set weighting means no safe score. Oxford's official position is that shortlisting and final decisions are based on all available information without any set weighting, so do not chase unofficial cut-offs. The sound strategy is to push all three modules as high as your ability allows while keeping your academics, personal statement and interview preparation on track. For how to read the 1.0 to 9.0 module scale, see the scoring guide.
The October sitting is your only shot, with no resit. Because Oxford does not accept the January sitting, your performance on 12 to 13 October 2026 is final. Complete several full timed mocks before test day so that navigation, pacing and skip-and-return strategy are second nature; see the time management guide and the test day guide.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to take ESAT for Oxford Engineering Science (H100), and which modules?
Yes, it is compulsory. Oxford Engineering Science and all its branch courses require ESAT, with the same three modules for everyone: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, each 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, 120 minutes in total. Oxford's official position is that the test forms one part of the admission process, assessed holistically with no set weighting.
Does Oxford accept the January 2027 ESAT sitting? When do I test from mainland China?
No. Both the Imperial and Cambridge ESAT pages state that applicants to Oxford or Cambridge must take the test in October. For 2027 entry, the October sitting for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau is fixed on 12 to 13 October 2026, and that is the only sitting Oxford applicants can use; the 6 January 2027 sitting does not count for Oxford.
There are no official ESAT past papers, so what should I practise for Oxford H300 Mechanical Engineering?
UAT-UK has never released official ESAT past papers, but ESAT replaced NSAA and ENGAA from 2024 and inherits their question style. FrontierVue offers 31 archive papers from those predecessor tests (2015 to 2023, reorganised into the current ESAT modules) plus 26 mock papers including Frontier Original full-format mocks, 2,345 questions in total, each with explanations and Chinese translations. The two most recent archive papers are free to try at /papers/esat.
Do Foundation Year courses like Oxford H81F also require ESAT?
Yes. In the UAT-UK 2027 Course List, every Oxford engineering branch, including the Foundation Year variants H10F, H81F, H80F, H20F, H62F, H63F and H30F, requires ESAT with exactly the same modules as the standard courses: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics.
FrontierVUE is an independent practice platform. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by UAT-UK, Pearson, OCR, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, or any official admissions-test owner.
FrontierVUE 是独立的备考练习平台，与 UAT-UK、Pearson、OCR、剑桥大学、 帝国理工学院或任何官方入学考试主办方均无隶属或背书关系。
Start preparing for the ESAT for Engineering Science (all branches)
57 ESAT papers and 2392 questions on FrontierVUE, every one with a worked solution. The 2 most recent papers are free to try.