English language

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects such as English require a higher level.

Please check the three tables below for information about our general English language requirements, and also for language qualifications you need to have for specific subjects/programmes.

Only English language tests taken up to a maximum of two years prior to the date of registration will be accepted for admission to the University. Please contact International Development for clarification.

If you do not reach this standard you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English courses. You may also be interested in the Pre-Master's Graduate Diplomas, for students who do not meet the University's language entry requirements. Each Graduate Diploma programme prepares you for the academic challenges of postgraduate study.

Entry requirements: table 1 of 3 (please scroll down for other tables)

English language requirements
Qualification	IELTS IELTS English language test	TOEFL internet-based	Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English	Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English	Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE academic)
General	6.5 incl 6.0 reading 6.0 writing 5.5 listening 5.5 speaking	90 incl 22 reading 21 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	62 incl 60 in all four subtests
PDip Actuarial Science	6.0 incl 5.5 reading 5.5 writing 5.5 listening 5.5 speaking	87 incl 22 reading 21 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	59 incl 59 in all four subtests
MSc IT Consultancy	7.0 incl 6.0 reading 6.0 writing 6.0 listening 7.0 speaking	100 incl 22 reading 22 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	B incl weak in all four subtests	68 incl 65 speaking, 62 in other three subtests
School of English	7.0 incl 6.0 reading 6.0 writing 6.0 listening 6.0 speaking	100 incl 22 reading 22 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	Not accepted	68 incl 65 in all four subtests
Kent Law School	7.0 incl 6.5 reading 6.5 writing 5.5 listening 5.5 speaking	100 incl 24 reading 24 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	Not accepted	68 incl 65 in all four subjects
Pre-sessional English 18 wk	5.0 incl 5.0 reading 5.0 writing 5.0 listening 5.0 speaking	61 incl 15 reading 17 writing 13 listening 19 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	43 incl 43 in all four subjects
Pre-sessional English 11 wk	5.5 incl 5.5 reading 5.5 writing 5.0 listening 5.0 speaking	70 incl 16 reading 17 writing 13 listening 19 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	48 incl 45 in all four subjects
Pre-sessional English 6 wk	6.0 incl 6.0 reading 6.0 writing 5.0 listening 5.0 speaking	80 incl 18 reading 18 writing 13 listening 19 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	57 incl 54 in all four subjects
Kent Business School (*see below for Finance programmes)	7.0 incl* 6.5 reading 6.5 writing 6.0 listening 6.0 speaking	100 incl* 22 reading 22 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	Not accepted	68 incl 65 in all four subjects
Kent Business School Finance programmes: *IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 90
Graduate Diploma in International Management with Management English	5.5 incl 5.5 reading 5.5 writing 5.5 listening 5.5 speaking	87 incl 22 reading 21 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	Not accepted	59 incl 59 in all four subjects
Centre for Journalism programmes	For taught programmes, English language ability is tested by interview and a specific admissions test, prior to any offer being made. Please contact the Centre for Journalism for further details
School of Engineering and Digital Arts (Taught programmes only)	6.0 incl 5.5 reading 5.5 writing 5.5 listening 5.5 speaking	87 incl 22 reading 21 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	C incl weak in all four subtests	B incl weak in all four subtests	59 incl 59 in all four subtests
Other Pre-Master's Graduate Diplomas	6.0 incl 6.0 reading 6.0 writing 6.0 listening 6.0 speaking	87 incl 22 reading 21 writing 21 listening 23 speaking	Not accepted	Not accepted	57 incl 54 in all four subjects