Hear from American Students
Rebecca and Nikita talk about there experiences of being American students at Kent.
Test Optional for September 2021
Update on 19 January 2021: US-based SAT Subject Tests and optional SAT Essay have been cancelled. Find out more on College Board website.
Due to the significant impact of COVID-19 on test availability in 2020 and 2021, we have decided to adopt a Test Optional admissions approach for students applying for September 2021 entry. Please read the following guidance to ensure you fully understand what this means to your application.
- Our standard entry requirements still apply. Please refer to the Entry Requirements section below to find out the exact qualifications and test scores we require.
- If you face difficulty sitting a particular test, consider alternative tests that we accept. Sometimes there are also online versions available (e.g. AP) that may be easier for you to take. You should endeavour to take the tests that we require as a minimum for entry, wherever it is safe and logistically possible for you to do so.
- If it is logistically impossible or safe for you to take the tests that we require as a minimum for entry, please be reassured that you will not be disadvantaged. If you have applied, contact us via your Kent Vision portal and let us know why you haven’t been and won’t be able to take the tests that we require as a minimum for entry. If you have not submitted your application, include the explanation in your personal statement.
- We will make personalised admissions decisions based on your high school transcript, the test scores you have achieved (although incomplete), references, and your personal statement. If we need additional evidence, we may ask you to attend an online interview, in lieu of standardised tests.
- If you have any questions about our Test Optional policy, please get in touch with our International team at international@kent.ac.uk
Entry requirements
At Kent we consider all applications on their individual merit and welcome students from the USA 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
College Board code
The University of Kent's College Board code is 9027. Please quote this number if you request for your official transcripts to be sent to us.
ACT Code
The University of Kent's ACT Code is 2917. Please quote this number if you request for your official transcripts to be sent to us.
Foundation programme
Students who have successfully completed their High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 are eligible to apply for our foundation programmes. We will also consider students who have taken the General Educational Development (GED) Programme, High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) or Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
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
For entry to a Kent undergraduate degree programme, US students typically need to have:
- A High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum final GPA of 3.2/4.0
PLUS one of the following:
- SAT with a score of between 1290 – 1380 depending on the subject you are applying for OR
- ACT with a score of between 27-29 depending on the subject you are applying for OR
- 3 SAT Subject Tests with scores of between 600-700 depending on the subject you are applying for OR
- 2 Advanced Placement (AP) tests with scores of between 4-5 depending on the subject you are applying for
Applicants will also be considered with the following:
- A combination of SAT Subject Tests and Advanced Placement (AP) tests.
- An Associate Degree with a GPA of at least 3.2/4.0
- 1 or 2 years of a US Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.2/4.0
- International Baccalaureate Diploma and Certificates as per standard University of Kent requirements
- College-level classes/honors classes on a case-by-case basis
Second year entry
Students who have completed 2-3 years of a Bachelor’s degree in the US with a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 may be considered for 2nd year entry to a Kent undergraduate programme provided they have taken sufficient classes in their major.
Note about studying Law at the University of Kent
American students who wish to apply for any of our LLB (Law) programmes can also apply to the University of Kent upon completion of the qualifications listed above, since law is considered an undergraduate subject in the UK. It is not necessary to complete an undergraduate degree in the USA first and then apply for the LLB.
Students who have already completed their undergraduate degrees in a non-law subject but who wish to obtain an LLB can also apply for entry to the Senior Status LLB, which allows you to complete the LLB in two years rather than three.
Postgraduate
For entry to a Kent postgraduate degree programme (Master’s), US students typically need to have completed a four-year undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s or First Professional degree) at an accredited university or college. Exact requirements will depend on the postgraduate degree you are applying for and the institution you have studied at.
- For programmes that require a 2:1 we usually ask for a final GPA of 3.2/4.0. Students from highly ranked institutions may be accepted with a GPA of 3.0/4.0
- For programmes that require a 2:2 we usually ask for a final GPA of 3.0/4.0. Students from highly ranked institutions may be accepted with a 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.
MBA
For details of our MBA programme, please see the MBA course page.
PhD
For entry to a Kent PhD programme, US students typically need to have completed a Master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0 at an accredited university or college. Students who have completed a taught Master’s 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.
Loans for students from the USA
The University of Kent administers US Federal Direct loans, US Private loans and US Veterans Educational Benefits (or GI Bill) for students from the United States. Find out more...
Postgraduate Taught tuition fee deposit scheme for international-fee paying applicants
A deposit payment of £2,000 is required to secure your acceptance of an offer for a Postgraduate Taught programme at Kent. This deposit will be deducted from the overall tuition fee you are required to pay at enrolment.
We advise early payment of the deposit, and the final deadlines for us to receive your tuition fee deposit are:
- Postgraduate Taught Master's with a September start date: 1 July
- Postgraduate Taught Master's with a January start date: 1 December
The University reserves the right to withdraw your offer if the tuition fee deposit is not received by the relevant deadline. If this occurs, your application will only be re-instated subject to receipt of the deposit and places being available on your chosen course. If you are offered a place after the given deadline, an immediate deposit payment will be required to secure your place.
If you require a CAS for visa purposes, this will not be issued until the depositve that has been received for your chosen course.
Please note: The deposit is only applicable to postgraduate programmes that start in the UK. A deposit is not required for postgraduate programmes that are taught exclusively at our centres in Brussels and Paris.
Kent Business School tuition fee deposit scheme
Both Home and International applicants to Postgraduate Taught programmes with Kent Business School are required to pay a £1,000 tuition fee deposit. International Postgraduate research applicants are required to pay a £500 tuition fee deposit. Please see the Kent Business School Online Store pages for details.
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.