Law at University College London

LNAT for UCL: scores, essay use and deadlines

Q: What LNAT score do I need for UCL?

There is no published minimum LNAT score for UCL. The most recent published average is 30 out of 42 for offer holders (2025-26). UCL sets a new benchmark threshold for the multiple-choice score each admissions cycle, based on the average score of previous years' applicants; only applicants who meet it and the academic requirements go to an Admissions Tutor. UCL does not publish the threshold and has no fixed minimum. No score guarantees an offer.

The short answer

For 2027 entry, UCL requires the LNAT: sit it by 31 December 2026; the UCAS deadline is 13 January 2027.^1,2 How the score is used: UCL sets a new benchmark threshold for the multiple-choice score each admissions cycle, based on the average score of previous years' applicants; only applicants who meet it and the academic requirements go to an Admissions Tutor. UCL does not publish the threshold and has no fixed minimum. No score guarantees an offer.^3,2 The essay: An Admissions Tutor marks the essay once the application passes the academic and LNAT benchmark stages; UCL says it carries considerable weight in selection.³ Offer holders averaged 30 out of 42 in Section A (2025-26). An average is not a minimum: many people in that group scored below it.³

Use the numbers as context. Practise what you can change.

Past offer-holder averages are not a target or an offer prediction. Start with one Section A passage, then practise one essay.

Try a free Section A passage Practise a 40-minute essay

Sit the LNAT by: 31 December 2026^1,2; 2026-27 test cycle; Published
Published average: 30 / 42³; Offer holders, 2025-26; Past cycle
The essay: Used³; See below; Published
Score threshold: Set each cycle^3,2; The figure is not published; Published

The LNAT score you need for UCL Official page

One number, and the gap from your own score.

LNAT deadlines for UCL, 2027 entry

These dates are for the 2026-27 LNAT cycle. They change every year; do not reuse them for a later entry year.^1,2

Sit the LNAT by: 31 December 2026^1,2Published[1] LNAT Consortium, checked 27 Sep 2026; [2] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026
UCAS application by: 13 January 2027, 6pm UK time^1,2Published[1] LNAT Consortium, checked 27 Sep 2026; [2] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026

How the score and essay are used

The score (Section A): UCL sets a new benchmark threshold for the multiple-choice score each admissions cycle, based on the average score of previous years' applicants; only applicants who meet it and the academic requirements go to an Admissions Tutor. UCL does not publish the threshold and has no fixed minimum. No score guarantees an offer.^3,2Published[3] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026; [2] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026
The essay (Section B): An Admissions Tutor marks the essay once the application passes the academic and LNAT benchmark stages; UCL says it carries considerable weight in selection.³Published[3] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026

Published LNAT scores for UCL

These are past averages from university reports and Freedom of Information replies. They show where successful applicants tended to score, not a line you must reach.

Averages the university or its colleges published. Each row is its own group and year; they are not one series.
Cycle	Group	Section	Average	Range	Group size	Course	Source
2025-26	All applicants	Section A (out of 42)	23	Not published	Not published	Law; exact included routes not resolved	[3] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026
2025-26	Offer holders	Section A (out of 42)	30	Not published	Not published	Law; exact included routes not resolved	[3] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026
2025-26	Contextual offer holders	Section A (out of 42)	27	Not published	Not published	Law; exact included routes not resolved	[3] UCL, checked 27 Sep 2026
2024-25	Offer holders	Section A (out of 42)	29.4	Not published	Not published	M100	[4] WhatDoTheyKnow (FOI response), checked 26 Sep 2026
2023-24	Offer holders	Section A (out of 42)	29.9	Not published	Not published	M100	[4] WhatDoTheyKnow (FOI response), checked 26 Sep 2026
2022-23	Offer holders	Section A (out of 42)	29.5	Not published	Not published	M100	[4] WhatDoTheyKnow (FOI response), checked 26 Sep 2026

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Questions people ask

What LNAT score do I need for UCL?

There is no published minimum LNAT score for UCL.^3,2 The most recent published average is 30 out of 42 for offer holders (2025-26).³ UCL sets a new benchmark threshold for the multiple-choice score each admissions cycle, based on the average score of previous years' applicants; only applicants who meet it and the academic requirements go to an Admissions Tutor. UCL does not publish the threshold and has no fixed minimum. No score guarantees an offer.^3,2

Does UCL read or score the LNAT essay?

An Admissions Tutor marks the essay once the application passes the academic and LNAT benchmark stages; UCL says it carries considerable weight in selection.³

When must I take the LNAT for 2027 entry?

Sit it by 31 December 2026.^1,2

Is the published offer-holder average a minimum score?

No. It is an average, so many people in that group scored below it. UCL sets a new benchmark threshold for the multiple-choice score each admissions cycle, based on the average score of previous years' applicants; only applicants who meet it and the academic requirements go to an Admissions Tutor. UCL does not publish the threshold and has no fixed minimum. No score guarantees an offer.^3,2

Sources

1
LNAT ConsortiumChecked 27 Sep 2026.
2
UCLChecked 27 Sep 2026.
3
UCLChecked 27 Sep 2026.
4
WhatDoTheyKnow (FOI response)Freedom of Information reply. Published 2025-06-17. Checked 26 Sep 2026.