University of OxfordUCAS F303 +1
University of Oxford Physics Degrees: ESAT Guide (F303 & VF53)
Applicants to physics degrees at the University of Oxford for 2027 entry must sit the ESAT (Engineering and Science Admissions Test): it is compulsory for both Physics (F303) and Physics and Philosophy (VF53). The ESAT is run by UAT-UK and delivered by Pearson VUE, and Oxford's physics courses require three modules, Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, taken in a single 120-minute sitting. This page sets out the official requirements from the Oxford Physics department website, the key dates for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and how to prepare on FrontierVUE.
- 72
- Papers
- 2790
- Questions
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- Free to try
Oxford Physics ESAT at a Glance (F303 & VF53)
- Is the ESAT compulsory for Oxford F303 and VF53?
- Compulsory for both, with identical requirements
- ESAT modules Oxford physics requires
- Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics, one 120-minute sitting
- UCAS codes covered by this page
- F303 (Physics) and VF53 (Physics and Philosophy)
- Sitting available to Oxford applicants
- October only; 12 to 13 October 2026 for mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau
- October registration deadline
- 6pm UK time, 28 September 2026
The compulsory-for-both requirement and the module list come from the Oxford Physics department website (the How to apply page on physics.ox.ac.uk); the October-only rule comes from the Imperial and Cambridge ESAT pages; sitting dates and registration deadlines follow UAT-UK's official schedule, which always takes precedence.
4 sections963 words5 min read1 official sources
01
Oxford's official requirement: ESAT is compulsory for both courses
The Oxford Physics department's How to apply page (physics.ox.ac.uk) leaves no room for doubt: all prospective students applying to physics, physics and philosophy, and engineering and materials science are "required to sit the test". Selection then rests on three things together: ESAT performance, the UCAS application and interviews.
| UCAS code | ESAT modules | How the score is used | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | F303 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory; ESAT performance is weighed alongside the UCAS application and interviews |
| Physics and Philosophy | VF53 | Mathematics 1 + Mathematics 2 + Physics | Compulsory; the same policy as Physics (F303) |
The policies in this table come from the Oxford Physics department's How to apply page.
The department is also specific about registration: select Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics when you book. Each ESAT module has 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, so the three modules take 120 minutes in total, and each module is reported on a 1.0 to 9.0 scale (see our scoring guide).
The Oxford Physics department's stated policy gives no cut-off score, so treat any "safe score" claims you find elsewhere with caution.
02
Key dates and registration: Oxford only accepts the October sitting
Oxford applicants must take the October sitting. Both the Imperial and Cambridge ESAT pages state that anyone applying to Cambridge or Oxford must sit the test in October. In practice, a January result is of no use for an Oxford application, so for F303 or VF53 applicants the 2027 entry cycle leaves exactly one usable window.
2026 – 2027Timeline
Sep 26
Oct 26
Nov 26
Dec 26
Jan 27
October registration closes28 Sep 2026, 6pm UK
October registration closes
28 Sep 2026, 6pm UK
Per UAT-UK's official schedule, booking for the October sitting closes at 6pm UK time on 28 September 2026. For applicants to Oxford F303 or VF53 this is the only registration deadline to watch; always confirm against official announcements.
October sitting (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau)12 to 13 Oct 2026
October sitting (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau)
12 to 13 Oct 2026
For 2027 entry, the October sitting for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau falls on 12 to 13 October 2026. When you register, select Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics as Oxford physics requires, taken in one sitting.
January registration closes (no use for Oxford)21 Dec 2026
January registration closes (no use for Oxford)
21 Dec 2026
Per UAT-UK's official schedule, booking for the January sitting closes on 21 December 2026. It is listed here only to show the full schedule: Oxford applicants must sit in October, and a January result is of no use for an Oxford application.
January sitting (no use for Oxford)6 Jan 2027
January sitting (no use for Oxford)
6 Jan 2027
For 2027 entry, the January sitting for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau falls on 6 January 2027. It is of no use for an F303 or VF53 application.
Hard deadline Event WindowThe October-only rule comes from the Imperial and Cambridge ESAT pages; both sittings and both registration deadlines follow UAT-UK's official schedule, which always takes precedence.
Who runs it: the ESAT is run by UAT-UK and delivered as a computer-based test by Pearson VUE. For what to expect on the day, see the test day guide; for how module combinations work across different courses, see choosing your modules.
03
How to prepare with FrontierVUE
One thing first: no official ESAT past papers exist, because the exam board has never released any. The ESAT replaced the NSAA and ENGAA from 2024, so the closest official-style practice material comes from those predecessor tests. Below is FrontierVUE's ESAT library, reconciled against our production database in August 2026.
31 papers
Archive papers, all drawn from the predecessor exams NSAA/ENGAA (2015 to 2023), reorganised into the current ESAT module structure
26 papers
Mock papers, including Frontier Original papers in the full ESAT format
2,345 questions
Questions in total, each with a worked explanation and a Chinese translation
The two most recent archive papers are free to try. For the three modules Oxford requires, here is a sensible route.
01Step 1
Map the syllabus and question style of all three modules
Start by mapping the syllabus and question style of Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics separately, since Oxford's physics courses require all three.
02Step 2
Schedule your archive-paper work
Then work through the archive papers on a revision schedule, that is, the NSAA/ENGAA sets reorganised into the current ESAT module structure.
03Step 3
Switch to timed mocks before the test
In the run-up to the test, switch to the mock papers for timed practice, including the Frontier Original papers in the full ESAT format.
04Step 4
Drill the 27-questions-in-40-minutes rhythm
Turn the 27-questions-in-40-minutes rhythm into muscle memory, remembering that Oxford's three modules run back to back over 120 minutes.
Where each step lives: for step 1, the Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics guides; for step 2, the revision plan guide; for step 4, the time management guide. Practice lives at /papers/esat, and the full exam overview is at /exams/esat.
04
Points specific to Oxford applicants
Four points deserve particular attention when applicants to Oxford's F303 or VF53 turn the official policy above into concrete registration and preparation decisions.
Book all three modules in one go
Both F303 and VF53 require Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics. Tick each one at registration, and in particular do not skip Mathematics 2: not every ESAT course uses it, but Oxford physics explicitly does.
October is your only shot
Oxford does not accept the January sitting, so there is no retake window within the cycle. Plan your preparation around getting it right the first time.
The ESAT is not the whole story
The Oxford Physics department states that selection rests on ESAT performance, the UCAS application and interviews together, so your written application and interview preparation deserve equal attention.
No cut-off in the official policy
The Oxford Physics department's application guidance gives no ESAT score requirement, and any specific "safe score" you see is not official information. For how to read the 1.0 to 9.0 scale, see the scoring guide.
SAME UNIVERSITY
Other University of Oxford pages for the ESAT
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Which ESAT modules do I need for Oxford Physics (F303)?
The Oxford Physics department specifies three modules at registration: Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics, taken in a single 120-minute sitting. Each module has 27 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, and results are reported on a 1.0 to 9.0 scale per module. Physics and Philosophy (VF53) has exactly the same module requirement as F303.
Does Oxford only accept the October ESAT? When do candidates in mainland China sit it?
Yes. Both the Imperial and Cambridge ESAT pages state that applicants to Oxford or Cambridge must take the test in October, so a January result does not count for Oxford. For 2027 entry, the October sitting for candidates in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau falls on 12 to 13 October 2026.
Are there official ESAT past papers, and what should I practise with for Oxford physics?
No, the exam board has never released official ESAT past papers; the ESAT replaced the NSAA and ENGAA from 2024, so those predecessor exams are the closest official-style material. FrontierVUE reorganises 31 NSAA/ENGAA archive papers (2015 to 2023) into the current ESAT module structure, adds 26 mock papers, and offers 2,345 questions in total, each with explanations and Chinese translations. The two most recent archive papers are free to try.
Does Physics and Philosophy (VF53) also require the ESAT, and is it the same as straight Physics?
Yes, and the requirement is identical: VF53 applicants must sit the ESAT just like Physics (F303) applicants, with the same three modules (Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2 and Physics) and the same October-only sitting. Selection follows the same policy too, combining ESAT performance, the UCAS application and interviews.
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.
Start preparing for the ESAT for Physics degrees
72 ESAT papers and 2790 questions on FrontierVUE, every one with a worked solution. The 2 most recent papers are free to try.