English language requirements

To study at Kent, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. This page gives guidance on the qualifications and minimum levels we accept as an entry requirement onto our postgraduate courses.

If you are not a national of one of the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries, you must show evidence of a minimum level of English language proficiency. You may be able to prove this in the following ways:

Approved English language qualifications For students with one of our approved English language proficiency qualifications.

Students with other qualifications For students with at least a Bachelor's degree level qualification from a UKVI majority English-speaking country, or in some cases, with a Bachelor's degree level qualification taught entirely in the medium of English.

The qualifications and grades we accept are listed below. Please note, your test results must be dated within two years immediately preceding the start date of your course.

Key: R = reading; W = writing; S = speaking; L = listening

You must give the University permission to view your Pearson test results.
You cannot combine scores from more than one TOEFL test and you must arrange for TOEFL to forward a copy of your results direct to the University. The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Kent is 0826.

Find out more

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
• Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency (CAE/CPE)
• Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements, pre-sessional courses are available to prepare international students for study at Kent. These develop your skills in academic reading, writing and critical thinking, listening to lectures, speaking in seminars and delivering presentations.

At the end of the course, you take the Kent International Test of English. You must meet the required exit level to progress directly onto your main programme.

UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries

If you are a national of a country on the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries, you will not be required to evidence your English language ability for student visa purposes.

If you are not a national of one of these countries but have an academic qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelor's degree from one, which was completed within the last two years, we may be able to use this to evidence your English language ability.

Please note that where exemptions apply, you may still be required to meet additional English language requirements for academic purposes. 

Medium of instruction letters: If you have studied a degree in the medium of English in a country not listed above, but that is on the UKVI ‘differential evidence requirement’ list (https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/money), we are likely to be able to consider a letter from your awarding institution confirming this.

If you have studied a degree in the medium of English in any country not listed above or on the UKVI 'differential evidence requirements’ list, we may still be able to consider a letter from your institution, but this will be on a case-by-case basis.

For us to consider a letter as proof of your English Language ability, all letters must be signed and stamped by your institution and you must have graduated a maximum of two years before the start date of your course at Kent.

Please note that submission of a medium of instruction letter does not guarantee you will be exempt from taking an approved English Language test at our request.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you must also meet the English language requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). For degree-level entry, you must achieve at least Level B2 of CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) in all four language components. Full details are available on the UKVI website.

If you do not hold one of our listed English language qualifications, then a secure English language test (SELT) may be required. A SELT is a language qualification approved by UKVI for visa purposes.

As a Student visa Sponsor of overseas students, if you have taken a degree taught entirely in the medium of English, in some cases we may be able to assess your language proficiency for degree-level entry or above. We use our own entry requirements as above, which in most cases are higher than the B2 Level set by UKVI.

For pre-sessional programmes (below National Qualification Framework Level 6), Level B1 (CEFR) is acceptable. Full details are available on the UKVI website. However, please note that our own entry requirements for our pre-sessional courses depend on which course you have applied for, so please refer to the International Pathways website for details. A UKVI-approved SELT is mandatory for programmes at this level. Alternative qualifications will not be accepted.

Do I need a UK visa?

Find a UKVI-approved test and test centre

All students need an appropriate score in an approved English language examination. For UK students, this usually means a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English language or equivalent, or the completion of degree study in the UK.

For students who do not require a visa, we may accept the following English language qualifications:

Key: R = reading; W = writing; S = speaking; L = listening

These requirements are for guidance only. All applications are assessed individually and entry requirements can vary.

Further information

If you have a query about our English language entry requirements, please make an enquiry here.