English Language Requirements

To study at Kent, you must be able to demonstrate a good level of spoken and written English. This page gives guidance on the qualifications we accept as an entry requirement onto our courses.  

The University of Kent and University of Kent International College benchmark English Language ability against CEFR. Below is an example using IELTS:  

The Level of English required for the course you are applying to can be found in the entry criteria section of the course page.

If British Sign Language (BSL) is your first language and you don't meet the English Language requirements, please get in contact to discuss your specific circumstances.

If you do not meet the English Language requirements, pre-sessional courses are available both in-person and online, to prepare international students for study at Kent.  If you have sat a test more than once, then we strongly encourage you to apply for one of our pre-sessional English Language courses. 

The University of Kent accepts a wide range of tests as proof of English Language ability.  

Secure English Language Tests or SELTS are accepted by the UKVI for a number of purposes, include academic study, and are conducted in an approved centre. Non-SELT tests are available at a wider range of locations or are taken online and are also accepted for academic study.

IELTS for UKVI

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

IELTS One Skill Retake

We will accept the IELTS One Skill Retake. Only 1 One Skill Retake permitted per academic year.

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.  

LanguageCert Academic SELT

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.   

LanguageCert General SELT

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.   

Pearson Academic UKVI

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Skills for English UKVI

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Cambridge B2 First Certificate

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Cambridge B2 Business Vantage Certificate

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Cambridge C1 Advanced Certificate

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Cambridge C1 Business Higher Certificate

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Cambridge C2 Proficiency Statement of Results

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

IELTS Academic

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

IELTS One Skill Retake 

We will accept the IELTS One Skill Retake. Only 1 One Skill Retake permitted per academic year. 

INTO English Language Assessment (IELA)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

LanguageCert International ESOL

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

LanguageCert Academic

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

LanguageCert General

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

LRN International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA) test

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

NCUK English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Trinity College GESE with ISE II or SE III

GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English Language)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

ISE Integrated Skills Reading and Writing (ISE II and ISE III)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Trinity College ISE Integrated Skills (ISE II and ISE III)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

INTO English Language Assessment (IELA)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

KTE (Kaplan Test of English)

Formerly KITE (Kaplan International Tools for English)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

KTE (Kaplan Test of English) - An easy-to-access online English Language test that can be taken anywhere at any time. 

Use this DISCOUNT CODE to claim a 25% discount: KENTKRS65 

Simply enter this code on this booking form to claim the discount.

You’ll receive your KTE certificate within 5 working days of completing the test.

BOOK THE KTE TEST HERE

For more information, read the Student Guide.

LRN Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (CEFR C1)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

ONCAMPUS Test of English Language (OCTOE)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Oxford ELLT Digital

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Oxford English Language Level Test (ELLT) discount for Kent applicants 

Oxford ELLT is a fully online English Language Level Test, approved by the University of Kent that can be used as evidence of a candidate’s English language proficiency for international admissions.   

Register to take the Oxford ELLT 

You can also benefit from using our discount code at check out to purchase the test for only £90.00 : KEN25

Oxford ELLT Global

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Oxford Test of English Language

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Pearson PTE Academic

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Test of English Language for Educational Purposes (TEEP)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

TOEFL iBT

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

TOEFL iBT (Home Edition)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

University of Sheffield English Language Proficiency Test (USEPT)

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

We accept a number of English Language qualifications studied at High School, Secondary School or College.

A Level, GCSE and IB Students 

If you are studying recognised qualifications in English at a school in the UK or an international school, we will consider the following qualifications:   

GCE A Level  

Grade C or above in English Language or English Literature 

Achieved no more than 8 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 8 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

GCE AS Level 

Grade C or above in English Language or English Literature

Achieved no more than 8 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 8 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

GCE O Level 

Grade C or above in English Language

Achieved no more than 8 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 8 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

GCSE 

Grade 4 / C or above in English Language

Achieved no more than 8 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 8 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

IGCSE (First Language) (syllabus 0500)

IGCSE (First Language) (syllabus 0522)

IGCSE (Second Language) (syllabus 0511)

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

iGCSE (Edexcel)

English Language A or English Language B

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.  

iGCSE (LRN)

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

L1 English or L1A English

L2 English or L2A English

L3 English

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

L1 English or L1A English

• 7.0 or above in English Language or Language 1 English

L2 English or L2A English

• 7.5 or above in English Language

L3 English

• 8.0 or above in English Language

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

A grade of 5 or more at higher level in one of the following: 

English A: Language and Literature 

English A: Literature 

English Language B

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

A grade of 5 or more at standard level in one of the following: 

English A: Language and Literature 

English A: Literature 

English Literature and Performance

A grade of 7 at standard level in:

English Language B 

UK Nationals and those who do not require a visa to study in the UK may use grade 4 or higher in the English Language and Literature module of the Middle Years Programme to meet the GCSE requirements for a degree.

Middle Years Programme (eAssessment)

Those who require a visa to study in the UK are encouraged to sit the eAssessment for English Language and Literature and achieve a grade of 4 or more.

Achieved no more than 5 years before the start of the course. Any qualification taken more than 5 years ago will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who have studied a Foundation Course at a BALEAP Member Institution may use their English Language results to meet our entry criteria. Unless listed below, the results of the Foundation Course must clearly state scores for each of the four components: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.  

INTO Academic English Language course

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.  

INTO International Foundation Programme

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Kaplan International College English Language

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.  

Newcastle University Pre-Masters English Language course

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Queen Mary University of London International Foundation Programme

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

University of Northumbria International Foundation Diploma

Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course.

Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries 

If you are a national of one of the countries below, you may use your secondary school, high school, college or university qualifications to meet the CEFR B2 or C1 English Language requirements.

Degree holders

If you are not a national of a UKVI majority English-speaking country and hold a degree, Master's or PhD from one of the countries below, awarded within the last 5 years, you may be able to use this to meet the CEFR B2 and C1 English Language requirements.

UKVI Majority English-speaking countries

*The following territories are currently identified as British Overseas Territories: 

Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands.