Which universities require the LNAT?

The universities that require the LNAT

In recent admissions cycles, the LNAT has been required for undergraduate law at the following UK universities:

• University of Oxford
• University College London (UCL)
• London School of Economics (LSE)
• King's College London (KCL)
• Durham University
• University of Bristol
• University of Nottingham
• University of Glasgow
• SOAS University of London

A small number of institutions outside the UK have also used the LNAT in recent cycles, such as IE University in Spain. The membership of this list can change from year to year, and a university may require the LNAT for some courses but not others, so always confirm the current requirement on each university's own admissions page and on the official site at lnat.ac.uk before you rely on it.

Universities that do not use the LNAT

Plenty of excellent law schools do not use the LNAT at all. The most common question here is about Cambridge: the University of Cambridge does not require the LNAT and sets its own admissions assessment for law instead. Many other strong UK law departments admit on grades, personal statement and reference without any admissions test. In other words, "top law school" and "requires the LNAT" are not the same thing, and you should never assume a university needs the test without checking.

Every LNAT university uses the test differently

Being on the list is only half the picture. The universities that require the LNAT do not weigh it in the same way. Some are reported to lean heavily on the Section A score; others read the Section B essay closely; and each reads the result alongside grades, your personal statement and, in some cases, an interview. There is no shared cutoff. For what applicants typically score at each university and how to read those figures, see our guide to LNAT scores.

Deadlines differ too

The LNAT universities also sit on different deadlines. Oxford has the earliest cutoff in the autumn, several London universities require the test by the end of December, and others fall on or around the main January UCAS deadline. If you are applying to more than one LNAT university, the earliest deadline among them is the one that governs when you must sit. The full calendar is in our LNAT dates and deadlines guide.

How to check your own list

Before you build a preparation plan, go through your UCAS choices one by one and confirm, on each course page, whether the LNAT is required for that specific course and year. Note each university's sit-by date, and work backwards from the earliest. If even one of your choices requires the LNAT, you will need to prepare for it, and the most efficient way to start is to sit a realistic timed paper to find your baseline.

LNAT universities: FAQ

Does every UK law degree require the LNAT?

No. Only a specific set of universities require it (Oxford, UCL, LSE, KCL, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow and SOAS in recent cycles). Many law schools do not use it at all.

Does Cambridge require the LNAT?

No. Cambridge does not use the LNAT and sets its own admissions assessment for law. Do not sit the LNAT solely for a Cambridge application.

How many universities use the LNAT?

Around nine UK universities in recent cycles, plus a small number of institutions abroad such as IE University. The list can change, so confirm at lnat.ac.uk.

Do I only sit the LNAT once even for several universities?

Yes. You sit it once per admissions cycle and the same result is sent to all the LNAT universities you apply to. You cannot sit it separately for each.

How do I know if my course needs it?

Check each course's admissions page and lnat.ac.uk for the current year, because a university can require it for some courses but not others.