MSAT Medical Selection Admissions Test (MSAT) Ulster

Allied Health Professional (AHP) Courses

• BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging (UCAS code: B821)
• BSc Hons Occupational Therapy (UCAS code: B930)
• BSc Hons Physiotherapy (UCAS code: B160)
• BSc Hons Podiatry (UCAS code: B985)
• BSc Hons Radiotherapy and Oncology (UCAS code: B822)
• BSc Hons Speech and Language Therapy (UCAS code: B632)

Nursing Courses

• BSc Hons Nursing (Adult) (UCAS code: B740)
• BSc Hons Nursing (Mental Health) (UCAS code: B760)

About the Test

This test has been developed for Ulster University by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

For more than 20 years ACER has developed and delivered the Graduate Australian Medical Admissions Test (GAMSAT) for a consortium of universities across Australia, RoI and the UK.

It has also developed and delivered the Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT) for undergraduate applicants in RoI, and the International Students Admission Test (ISAT) used by Australian and RoI universities to select international undergraduate students into medical and allied health degrees.

• Get more information on ACER

Please refer to your MSAT-Ulster Information Booklet 2026 for all you need to know about MSAT-Ulster. This booklet also contains an important candidate Declaration and Legal Notice that you must read.

• Download the information booklet

Location

Tests will be available at our Belfast and Derry~Londonderry campuses.

Register for MSAT

You will need to set up an MSAT-Ulster candidate account to register for the test – please refer to the Key Contacts below.

If you require any reasonable adjustments for MSAT, please also refer to the deadlines shown in Key Dates below.

One sitting of the test is required in the year you have applied. Your test score will be used for any of the courses listed above that you have applied for.

Fees

The cost per candidate for MSAT in March 2026 is £87. The registration fee includes a copy of the MSAT-Ulster 'Sample Questions 1' booklet.

This fee will be waived for applicants resident in Northern Ireland who are in receipt of free school meals (or benefits as appropriate). Written evidence of this will be required.

Please note an additional fee of £35 applies for late registration.

Duration

The MSAT lasts 2 hours 40 minutes.

Arrival times are shown in your Admissions Ticket. Failure to arrive by the specified arrival time will result in you not being permitted to take the test. No alternative sitting will be organised.

Format

The MSAT is a computer-based, multiple-choice test. You will not be required to bring your own device.

There are no questions that require extended writing.

Sample Questions

ACER will provide one set of sample questions for MSAT. These are included in the registration fee. An additional set of sample questions may also be purchased from ACER.

MSAT Assessment

Critical Reasoning

Involves comprehending and analysing information; understanding, applying, and extending ideas; drawing appropriate conclusions; and evaluating arguments.

These questions use material from the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Quantitative Reasoning

Involves analysis and application of information, drawing conclusions, making decisions, and solving problems.

These questions use material from the Mathematics and Sciences.

Interpersonal Understanding

Involves the ability to understand and think about people. These questions are based on a scenario, dialogue or other text representing specific interpersonal situations.

Using a multiple-choice format, they assess your ability to identify, understand and, where necessary, infer the thoughts, feelings, behaviour and/or intentions of the people represented in the interpersonal situations.

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Key Dates

Key Contacts

For general enquiries about MSAT-Ulster, including registration, preparation materials, payment issues or refunds, admission tickets, reasonable adjustments, and remote proctoring information, please refer to the MSAT-Ulster website.

For any further queries, candidates should email the ACER MSAT-Ulster Office.

Reasonable Adjustments (or Access Arrangements)

There are a range of reasonable adjustments available for MSAT, including additional time.

Candidates should apply for reasonable adjustments directly to the MSAT-Ulster Office at msat@acer.org

You will need to provide evidence to support your application for a reasonable adjustment for MSAT.

All reasonable adjustments must be approved by ACER. Ulster University cannot approve (or amend any approved) reasonable adjustments.

Deadline for Request for Reasonable Adjustments

The deadline is 5pm GMT 4 February 2026 (or 5pm GMT 11 February 2026 for late registrations).

After this date it may not be possible to make reasonable adjustments, however candidates should email the MSAT-Ulster Office as soon as possible for advice.

Test Days

What to bring

Your MSAT-Ulster Information Booklet 2026 contains all the information you need about what to bring on the day of the test, including photo ID and stationery. It also provides details of what is not permitted in the test rooms.

If you are ill or unable to attend

If you are ill or have an injury which means you are unable to sit the test, you must email the MSAT-Ulster Office immediately.

Please also refer to your MSAT-Ulster Information Booklet 2026 for details of the steps to follow.

Unfortunately, Ulster University Admissions will not be in a position to give any information about other possible arrangements.

What happens after MSAT?

ACER will release your MSAT-Ulster results in April/May 2026. You will be notified by ACER when your results are available in your MSAT account.

You will receive a score for each of the three sections, together with an overall score. There is no “pass mark”, or no point below which your score is considered a “Fail”.

Ulster University Admissions will use this MSAT information alongside qualifications required in line with the course entry requirements to rank applicants for offers.

The number of offers available for the courses listed above will be determined by the relevant government Department (e.g. Department of Health NI).

The timing of offers will also be determined by the relevant government Department. In 2025, offers were released to applicants in early May.