Entry requirements
At Kent we consider all applications on their individual merit and welcome students from UAE with a wide variety of qualifications and experience. Please note that some departments may have slightly different entry criteria.
If you have any specific queries or questions please contact us at internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
Foundation programme
Students from the UAE wishing to pursue a foundation programme at Kent will need to obtain a Tawjihiyya (General School Certificate - GSC) with an overall grade of at least 80%. Any required subjects should be at 80% or above. Higher average grades may be required depending on the entry requirements of the degree programme to be taken after successful completion of the foundation course.
We offer two types of foundation programme which enable progression onto a wide range of our undergraduate degrees: the International Foundation Programme (IFP) and 4-year integrated programmes which include a foundation year:
- The International Foundation Programme (IFP) is for international students whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for direct entry to undergraduate study and/or whose English language standard is below the necessary level. The IFP gives you a year’s preparation in academic subjects, English language and study skills up to the required level for progression onto undergraduate degree study. The IFP is delivered at our Canterbury campus by University of Kent academics and successful completion of the programme provides entry into a wide range of Bachelor degrees in our faculties of Humanities, Social Sciences and Sciences. We offer September and February start dates depending on your chosen pathway and the degree you intend to progress on to.
- We offer 4-year integrated programmes which include a foundation year in Actuarial Science, Chemistry, Computer Systems Engineering, Electronic and Communications Engineering, Forensic Science, Mathematics, Pharmacology and Physiology, and Physics. These are designed for students with acceptable English language ability but school-leaving qualifications below the level required for direct entry to an undergraduate degree. Entry to these foundation programmes may require you to have studied specific subjects at high school.
Please note: you only need to take a foundation programme if your qualifications are not suitable for your chosen degree.
Undergraduate
To be considered for entry to Year 1 of a Kent undergraduate degree programme, Emirati students typically need to have completed one of the following:
- A foundation course, either at a UK based college, or a college in the UAE. All applicants with a foundation qualification will be considered on an individual basis - please contact the International Recruitment team at internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk to check if your qualification is acceptable
- Associate Degree from a licensed public or private university with a final GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
- Diploma from the Higher Colleges of Technology with a final GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
- Higher Diploma from the Higher Colleges of Technology with a final GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
US qualifications
If you are studying, or have studied, US qualifications such as SATs, ACTs, Advanced Placement tests or an Associate Degree, please see our USA country page for details of the US qualifications we accept.
International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate and A levels
If you are studying, or have studied, the International Baccalaureate, European Baccalaureate, or A levels please see our General entry requirements for details.
We have a standard International Baccalaureate Diploma offer of 34 points across all programmes of study including any specific subjects at higher or standard level required by the particular degree programme. As an alternative to achieving 34 points, for most programmes, the University will also make IB students the offer of passing the IB Diploma with specific achievement in higher/standard level subjects.
IB Career-related Programme (IBCP)
The University welcomes applications from students taking the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP). We do not make standard offers for this qualification, however we are happy to advise prospective students based on the component IB courses they are taking as part of the IBCP. For specific advice on grade requirements, please contact us listing the IB courses and additional courses you are taking.
Contact us
If you have questions about which qualifications we will accept, please email internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk for information on our entry requirements and details of how to apply.
Postgraduate
For entry to a Kent postgraduate degree programme (Master’s), Emirati students typically need to have completed a Bachelor degree from a licensed public or private university in the UAE. Exact requirements will depend on the postgraduate degree you are applying for and the undergraduate degree you have studied.
- For programmes that require a 2:1 we usually ask for a final GPA of 3.0/4.0
- For programmes that require a 2:2 we usually ask for a final GPA of 2.8/4.0
Some, but not all, postgraduate programmes require your undergraduate degree to have a related major. Some postgraduate programmes may require work experience in a relevant field or at a certain level.
Applicants may also be considered with an (Applied) Bachelor degree from a Higher College of Technology on a case-by-case basis.
MBA
For details of our MBA programme, please see the MBA course page.
PhD
For entry to a Kent PhD programme, Emirati students typically need to have completed a Master's degree at a licensed public or private university with a final GPA of at least 3.0/4.0. Students who have not completed a thesis as part of their degree will need to show evidence of previous research experience.
If you would like to pursue a PhD at Kent, you should visit the relevant department website and our find a supervisor page to identify potential supervisors for your research and thesis. You are encouraged to then make direct contact with the appropriate academic to discuss your research proposal.
English language requirements
Applicants will also need to meet University of Kent's standard English language requirements. These are set at a level that meets both the academic needs of the University and the minimum requirements for a Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Applicants for the International Foundation Programme or pre-sessional English programmes are required to have a UKVI recognised SELT (Secure English Language Test). These must be taken at one of the UKVI approved test centres.
Applicants for postgraduate programmes who have studied to at least Bachelor’s degree level entirely in the medium of English or who have worked in an English speaking environment may be considered for exemption from standard English language requirements on a case-by-case basis. A letter confirming the medium of instruction of English will be required.
Pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
If you need to raise your English language skills, you can attend one of our intensive pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes. Satisfactory achievement on one of these courses can be used to meet Kent's English language entry requirements in place of other external language examinations.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
For the latest details on fees, see our course fees look-up table.
Funding
The University offers a wide variety of financial support and scholarships, including awards for academic, musical and sporting excellence. Scholarships include our International scholarships for undergraduate students and International Scholarship for Taught Masters Students.
For details of all the scholarships available, please use our scholarship finder.
Deferrals
The University will consider deferral requests for postgraduate applicants for up to one year if they have fully met the conditions of offer and have paid the fee deposit.
Further information
For full terms and conditions, including details of our deposit refund policy and application deferrals, please visit our Online Store. If you have any questions about the deposit scheme, please contact the Admissions Team via your online application portal or email international@kent.ac.uk.
How to apply
Undergraduate applicants
Full-time courses
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you have to apply through UCAS.
If you meet the following conditions, you may choose to apply through UCAS or directly on our website:
- You are NOT from the UK or Ireland.
- You do NOT pay home fee (i.e. you pay international or special EU fee)
- You have never used UCAS AND you do not intend to use UCAS in the future
Please remember if you are eligible and intend to apply directly on our website, you should NOT use UCAS at any point. Submitting your application to both UCAS and our website will cause issues to your application.
Our dedicated international team are here to help support you through the application process. Please do get in touch if you require any advice or support.
Special courses
If you are applying for a subject-specific foundation programme, you apply in the same way as for a three-year undergraduate degree.
Applications for our International Foundation Programme (IFP) can be made:
- directly to Kent via the International Foundation Programme site
- via one of Kent's overseas representatives
- via UCAS. If you are submitting other applications to Kent through UCAS, your IFP application must also be made through UCAS.
Part-time courses
Apply directly on our website.
Apply via our representatives
International students can also apply with the assistance of one of Kent's overseas representatives.
Late applications
A process called 'Clearing' takes place in July and August, running from 1st July annually. We will provide an updated list of all of the Kent degrees that still have places available once Clearing opens – this can give you another chance to apply. For more information on how the Clearing process works and how to apply, please see Clearing at Kent for details.
Postgraduate applicants
See how to apply for postgraduate study.
Important dates
- For international students, the deadline for applications to taught Master's programmes is 31 July.
- Although there is no fixed closing deadline for applications to the majority of our research degrees*, we strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible; no later than three months before your intended start date. The University has three PhD entry dates during the academic year: September, January and May. Entry to a Master’s by Research is in September only.
*Applications to PhD degrees for Kent Business School have a deadline of 31 July.
Contact us
If you have any questions about applying to Kent, please contact us.