£2,000 for stage 1 (first year) of study.
Available to entrants to undergraduate programmes starting in September 2023 who meet the required criteria
The scholarship will be awarded to UK, EU and Overseas applicants to the University of Kent who meet all the criteria below. Applicants must:
Please note that KMMS students are not eligible for this scholarship.
There is no application form to complete. If you are eligible to receive the scholarship, you will receive confirmation via your KentVision portal in September 2023.
There is no application form to complete. If you have applied to the University of Kent and have attained the qualifications and grades required for the scholarship, your scholarship will be confirmed via your KentVision portal in September 2023.
Qualifications and Grades required
A levels
A*AA / A*A*A / A*A*A*
International Baccalaureate
35 points or more, including a minimum of 15 points for Higher Level subjects
Access to HE Diploma
Overall Pass - must include 45 Level 3 credits at 'Distinction'
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 D3 / D2 D2 D2 or higher
Scottish Highers
AAAAA / AAAAB / AAABB
Irish Leaving Certificate
H1 H1 H1 H1
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
OCR Cambridge Extended Technical Diploma
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
Two A levels + one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
A*, A*, Distinction* (A*A*D*)
A*, A*, Distinction (A*A*D)
A*, A, Distinction* (A*AD*)
A*, A, Distinction (A*AD)
A, A, Distinction* (AAD*)
One A level + two BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas (QCF)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction* (A*D*D*)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction (A*D*D)
A*, Distinction, Distinction (A*DD)
A, Distinction*, Distinction* (AD*D*)
A, Distinction*, Distinction (AD*D)
Two A levels + one BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF)
A*, A*, Distinction* (A*A*D*)
A*, A*, Distinction (A*A*D)
A*, A, Distinction* (A*AD*)
A*, A, Distinction (A*AD)
A, A, Distinction* (AAD*)
One A level + Pearson BTEC National Diploma (RQF)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction* (A*D*D*)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction (A*D*D)
A*, Distinction, Distinction (A*DD)
A, Distinction*, Distinction* (AD*D*)
A, Distinction*, Distinction (AD*D)
One A level + two BTEC National Extended Certificates (RQF)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction* (A*D*D*)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction (A*D*D)
A*, Distinction, Distinction (A*DD)
A, Distinction*, Distinction* (AD*D*)
A, Distinction*, Distinction (AD*D)
One A level + two OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificates
A*, Distinction*, Distinction* (A*D*D*)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction (A*D*D)
A*, Distinction, Distinction (A*DD)
A, Distinction*, Distinction* (AD*D*)
A, Distinction*, Distinction (AD*D)
Two A levels + one OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
A*, A*, Distinction* (A*A*D*)
A*, A*, Distinction (A*A*D)
A*, A, Distinction* (A*AD*)
A*, A, Distinction (A*AD)
A, A, Distinction* (AAD*)
One OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma + One OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction* (D*DD*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
Distinction, Distinction, Distinction* (DDD*)
BTEC National Qualification: Two Pearson BTEC 90 Credit Diplomas (QCF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*D*DD)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction*, Distinction (D*DD*D)
BTEC National Qualification: One Pearson Level 3 National Diploma (RQF) + One Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction* (D*DD*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
Distinction, Distinction, Distinction* (DDD*)
BTEC National Qualification: One Pearson Level 3 National Diploma (RQF) + One Level 3 National Extended Certificate (RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction* (D*DD*)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
Distinction, Distinction, Distinction* (DDD*)
BTEC National Qualification: Three Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diplomas (QCF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
BTEC National Qualification: Three National Extended Certificate Awards (RQF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
BTEC National Qualification: One Extended Diploma (QCF)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction* (D*D*D*)
Distinction*, Distinction*, Distinction (D*D*D)
Distinction*, Distinction, Distinction (D*DD)
One A level + one BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF) + one OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
A*, Distinction*, Distinction* (A*D*D*)
A*, Distinction*, Distinction (A*D*D)
A*, Distinction, Distinction* (A*DD*)
A, Distinction*, Distinction* (AD*D*)
A*, Distinction, Distinction (A*DD)
A, Distinction*, Distinction (AD*D)
A, Distinction, Distinction* (ADD*)
University of the Arts London: Extended Diploma
Distinction (D)
A Levels and Cambridge Pre-U
Any combination equivalent to A*AA or higher
Frequently asked questions
Q I am a current Kent student, am I eligible to apply for the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence?
A No - this scholarship is only for applicants to the University.
Q Will I receive the scholarship for the whole of my undergraduate study?
A No - the scholarship is awarded for stage 1 (first year) of undergraduate study only.
Q I already hold an undergraduate degree, am I eligible to receive the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence?
A No - this scholarship is not for applicants who have attained any qualification higher than those specified (e.g. applicant already holds an undergraduate degree).
Q Is the scholarship based on household income?
A No - it is awarded purely on merit and does not affect your student loan.
Q Can I hold more than one scholarship at a time e.g. Partner School, Music, Sport?
A Yes - you can hold most other undergraduate scholarships at the same time. (but check the eligibility criteria of the scholarship in question).
Q How will I receive the funds?
A The scholarship funds are paid directly into the student's bank account in three instalments as follows: December 2023, January 2024 and April 2024.
Q Is there an application form to complete?
A No - if you have attained the necessary grades, your scholarship will be confirmed to you by email in September 2023.
Q Are Medway School of Pharmacy students eligible to receive the scholarship?
A No - Medway School of Pharmacy students are not eligible to receive this scholarship from the University of Kent. This is because the Medway School of Pharmacy is a collaboration between the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.
Q Are Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) students eligible to receive the scholarship?
A No - KMMS students are not eligible to receive this scholarship from the University of Kent. This is because KMMS is a collaboration between the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University.
Q Are students registered on undergraduate Apprenticeship degrees eligible to receive the scholarship?
A No - we regret that these students are not eligible to receive this scholarship.
Q I am applying for a course with a foundation year. Will I be eligible to receive the scholarship?
A No - these students are not eligible to receive this scholarship, either on beginning their foundation year, or at the start of first year (Stage 1).
Q I have more questions - who can I contact?
A Please contact the Scholarships Unit by email at scholarships@kent.ac.uk