International vs Domestic UCAT Registration Comparisons
Registration & Booking: Contents
Quick links to every guide you need, in the right order.
1 Register (requirements & steps)
2 Dates & timelines
3 Booking strategy
4 After you book
Choosing where to sit the UCAT can change your whole experience of UCAT registration and UCAT booking — even though the exam itself is the same UK UCAT. In 2026, the official rules are clear, but the practical reality (fees, ID options, and test-centre availability) can feel very different for UK-based candidates compared with those testing overseas.
This student-friendly guide focuses on the UK UCAT only (not UCAT ANZ). It compares domestic (UK test centre) and international (outside the UK or online proctored) routes, then provides clear steps, pitfalls to avoid, and a quick checklist. All dates, fees and policies in this article were confirmed on the official UCAT Consortium (UK) site on 2026-02-10 unless marked “unspecified”.
Domestic vs international: what counts?
For UCAT, the most useful definition is based on test location (not your passport):
Domestic: You take the UCAT at a Pearson VUE test centre in the UK.
International: you take it at a Pearson VUE test centre outside the UK, or you’re approved for online proctored testing.
2026 UCAT timeline you must know 📅
Deadlines are shown in UK time on the UCAT site — international candidates should convert them carefully. (Confirmed 2026-02-10.)
12 May 2026, 09:30: account creation opens (this is when UCAT registration becomes possible).
12 May 2026, 09:30: bursary + access arrangements applications open.
23 June 2026, 06:00: booking opens (this is when you can complete the UCAT booking).
13 July 2026: testing starts.
10 September 2026, 15:00: access arrangements deadline.
16 September 2026, 15:00: booking deadline + UCAT registration closes.
24 September 2026: last test day.
September 2026 (exact date TBC): bursary scheme deadline.
15 October 2026: UCAS deadline for Medicine and Dentistry.
Early November: UCAT delivers results to UK universities.
International vs domestic comparisons: the key differences
Registration windows and deadlines
The window is the same for everyone, but the risk isn’t. UK candidates often have more nearby centres, so late booking is risky but sometimes fixable. International candidates may have fewer locations, so booking late can mean you run out of appointments.
Booking process and platform
Everyone uses the Pearson VUE UCAT system. UCAT describes it as a two-step process: create an account, then book a test. You only receive a Candidate ID (UKCAT + 6 digits) after successful account creation.
Practical tip: create your UCAT account early, even if you don’t know your ideal date yet — it gives you time to resolve email issues, login problems, or name/ID issues before booking opens.
Fees and payment methods 💷
Fees depend on where you sit:
UK test centre: £70
Outside the UK: £115
Payment is due at the time of booking via a major debit/credit card, and eligible UK candidates can use a UCAT bursary voucher.
Domestic implication: If you are bursary-eligible, apply before booking so you can pay with the voucher. International implications: plan for potential cross-border card checks or bank blocks — book early enough to resolve a payment failure before deadlines.
ID and documentation requirements ⚠️
This is the biggest red flag: an incorrect ID prevents testing and results in a fee refund.
For test-centre sittings, permitted photo ID must be original, unexpired, a true likeness, match your registered name, and include your signature. A passport is accepted at any UCAT test centre, but driving licences and national ID cards are usually accepted only in the country that issued them (EU ID cards are not accepted in the UK).
Domestic advantage: if you are testing in the UK and are currently in education, UCAT notes that you may be able to obtain a school/college/university identity document if you lack permitted photo ID.
International reality: if you travel to another country to sit the test, your national ID may no longer be valid — a passport is usually the safest option.
If you are testing outside the UK (or you are out of education) and don’t have permitted photo ID, UCAT explains that you must request an ID exception from Pearson VUE in advance (at least 10 working days before your appointment).
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Test centres and remote testing options 🌍
The UK UCAT is delivered in Pearson VUE test centres throughout the UK and in 130+ countries worldwide.
Domestic: You typically have more centres and dates to choose from, but busy cities still fill up. International: availability may be limited, so treat your booking as you would when planning travel (transport, border entry, and time zones).
Online proctored testing (OnVUE) is available, but it’s not “available to everyone by default”: UCAT directs candidates to OnVUE information when travel to a test centre is difficult (due to distance or serious disruption). OnVUE also has its own stricter photo ID policy, including rules for under-18s and a list of restricted countries.
As of 2026-02-10, the OnVUE eligibility rules are published, but the 2026-specific OnVUE application dates are not specified on the main UK UCAT pages. Check again closer to the test cycle to see whether you may need OnVUE.
Rescheduling, cancellation and refunds 💡
UCAT’s core rule is simple: give notice or lose the fee.
Cancel at least 24 hours in advance, or your fee will not be refunded.
Reschedule with at least 24 hours’ notice, or you pay again.
You cancel/reschedule through your UCAT account (not by email).
If your booking includes arranged accommodations, you must call Pearson VUE.
Refunds are typically processed within 10 business days, depending on your card issuer.
Domestic vs. international: the policy is the same, but international candidates are more likely to be placed on hold if local appointments are full — so late UCAT booking makes rescheduling much harder.
Special accommodations
If you need extra time, rest breaks, or special arrangements, you must apply for access arrangements and be approved before you can book an extended test version. The 2026 access arrangements deadline is 10 September 2026 (15:00 UK time).
UCAT also states it does not inform universities which approved version you sat and does not pass on disability details.
Results release and score reporting
At a test centre, you receive your score report before you leave, and it should appear in your UCAT account within 24 hours. UCAT also states that results are issued on the day (or shortly after if testing online).
For UK university applications, UCAT delivers your result directly to your chosen UK universities in early November — you do not need to add your score to UCAS. UCAT matches results to UCAS choices after the 15 October deadline, using UCAS data (so you do not need to send UCAT your UCAS PID).
Step-by-step guidance for domestic and international candidates
Domestic candidates (testing in the UK)
Prepare your ID early (a passport is the simplest option). Apply early if you need access arrangements or a bursary.
Do UCAT registration from 12 May 2026 and confirm you can sign in.
From 23 June 2026, complete your UCAT booking (select location/date/time, pay, and save the confirmation).
International candidates (testing outside the UK)
Check test-centre availability early; you may have fewer local options.
Register for UCAT early and ensure your name exactly matches your ID.
On booking day, complete your UCAT booking promptly to secure a realistic appointment. If travel to a centre is genuinely difficult, investigate OnVUE, but treat 2026 OnVUE dates as unspecified until published.
Common pitfalls (quick fixes) ⚠️
You created an account but didn’t book: that’s only UCAT registration, not UCAT booking. Fix: Set a reminder to book the opening day.
Your name doesn’t match your ID; please resolve it before test day by contacting Pearson VUE early.
You booked a very late date; you leave no buffer in case something goes wrong, especially internationally. Fix: choose an earlier slot if possible.
Quick UCAT Booking & Registration Checklist
Bring/prepare:
Permitted photo ID (passport is safest across borders).
Debit/credit card for payment (or bursary voucher if eligible).
Any access arrangements evidence (in English or a signed translation).
Domestic add-ons
If you may be bursary-eligible, gather your evidence early so you can apply before booking.
International add-ons
If you are based outside the UK, plan for time zone conversions for deadlines and for travel/visa timing if you need to cross borders.
Milestones:
Do UCAT registration from 12 May 2026.
Do UCAT booking from 23 June 2026 (book early).
Don’t miss 10 September (access arrangements) or 16 September (booking deadline). (Confirmed 2026-02-10.)
Conclusion: the smartest next step
Complete UCAT registration early, then book early. Domestic candidates get more choices. International candidates buy themselves safety — time to solve ID, travel and payment issues before deadlines turn “yellow” and then “red”.
Useful links
https://www.ucat.ac.uk/about-ucat/ucat-test-dates/— Official UCAT 2026 key dates and deadlines (registration, booking, testing window, UCAS deadline).https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/booking-your-test/— Official overview of booking, test fees (UK vs outside UK), and test locations.https://www.ucat.ac.uk/sit/id-policy/— Official test-centre photo ID policy (what’s accepted, country-of-issue rules, what’s not accepted).https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/rescheduling-and-cancelling/— Official rescheduling/cancellation rules, no-show policy, and refund timelines.https://www.ucat.ac.uk/register/access-arrangements/— Official access arrangements guidance (what to apply for, evidence, FAQs).https://www.ucat.ac.uk/results/ucat-results/— Official score reports, results timelines, and how results are shared with universities/UCAS.
