English Language Requirements - Courses

English Language Requirements - Courses - University of Kent Jump to content English Language Requirements Our English language entry requirements are set at a level to ensure all students benefit fully from their studies and can communicate effectively with academic staff and students. 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: Level CEFR IELTS Equivalent Good B2 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Very Good B2 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Excellent C1 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component 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. On this page Pre-Sessional English Approved English Language Tests SELT Other English Language Tests English Language Test Discount Codes KTE Oxford ELLT Digital Approved English Language Qualifications A level, GCSE and IB Qualifications by country Foundation courses Majority English Speaking Countries Medium of Instruction (MOI) Pre-Sessional English 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. Approved English Language Tests 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. Secure English Language Tests IELTS for UKVI Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Very Good 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Excellent 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component 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. Good ESOL SELT B2 Listening: 35/50; Reading: 35/50; Writing: 35/50; Speaking: 35/50 Very Good ESOL SELT B2 Listening: 38/50; Reading: 38/50; Writing: 38/50; Speaking: 38/50 Excellent ESOL SELT C1 Listening: 33/50; Reading: 33/50; Writing: 33/50; Speaking: 33/50 LanguageCert Academic SELT Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Listening: 60; Speaking: 60; Reading: 60; Writing: 60 Very Good Listening: 60; Speaking: 60; Reading: 60; Writing: 60 Excellent Listening: 75; Speaking: 75; Reading: 75; Writing: 75 LanguageCert General SELT – if taken before 28 Feb 2026 Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Listening: 60; Speaking: 60; Reading: 60; Writing; 60 Very Good Listening: 60; Speaking: 60; Reading: 60; Writing; 60 Excellent Listening: 75; Speaking: 75; Reading: 75; Writing; 75 Pearson Academic UKVI Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test Very Good 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test Excellent 76 with a minimum of 76 in each sub-test Skills for English UKVI Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good B2 Level: Minimum scores Listening: Pass Reading: Pass Writing: Pass Speaking: Pass With either Reading or Listening at Merit. Very Good B2 Level: Minimum scores Listening: Merit Reading: Merit Writing: Pass Speaking: Pass Excellent C1 Level: Minimum scores Listening: Pass Reading: Pass Writing: Pass Speaking: Pass Other English Language Tests Cambridge B2 First Certificate Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Grade C with a minimum of 165 in each sub-test Very Good Grade B with a minimum of 160 in each sub-test Excellent Grade A with a minimum of 160 in each sub-test Cambridge B2 Business Vantage Certificate Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Grade C with a minimum of 165 in each sub-test Very Good Grade B with a minimum of 160 in each sub-test Excellent Grade A with a minimum of 160 in each sub-test Cambridge C1 Advanced Certificate Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good B2 with a minimum of 165 in each sub-test Very Good B2 with a minimum of 170 in each sub-test Excellent Grade C with a minimum of 180 in each sub-test Cambridge C1 Business Higher Certificate Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good B2 with a minimum of 165 in each sub-test Very Good B2 with a minimum of 170 in each sub-test Excellent Grade C with a minimum of 180 in each sub-test Cambridge C2 Proficiency Statement of Results Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good B2 with a minimum of 165 in each sub-test Very Good B2 with a minimum of 170 in each sub-test Excellent C1 with a minimum of 180 in each sub-test Duolingo English Test Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 110 overall with a minimum of 110 in Speaking, Writing and Reading and 105 in Listening. Very Good 120 overall with a minimum of 120 in Speaking and Reading, 130 in Writing and and 115 in Listening. Excellent 130 overall with a minimum of 130 in Speaking and Reading, 145 in Writing and 125 in Listening. IELTS Academic Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Very Good 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component Excellent 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component 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. Good 169-175 Very Good 176-184 Excellent 185 LanguageCert International ESOL Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good ESOL B2 Listening: 35/50, Reading: 35/50, Writing: 35/50, Speaking: 35/50 Very good ESOL B2 Listening: 38/50, Reading: 38/50, Writing: 38/50, Speaking: 38/50 Excellent ESOL C1 Listening: 33/50, Reading: 33/50, Writing: 33/50, Speaking: 33/50 LanguageCert Academic - both in person and online invigilated. Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Listening: 60, Speaking: 60, Reading: 60, Writing: 60 Very Good Listening: 60, Speaking: 60, Reading: 60, Writing: 60 Excellent Listening: 75, Speaking: 75, Reading: 75, Writing: 75 LanguageCert General Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Listening: 60, Speaking: 60, Reading: 60, Writing: 60 Very good Listening: 60, Speaking: 60, Reading: 60, Writing: 60 Excellent Listening: 75, Speaking: 75, Reading: 75, Writing: 75 LRN International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA) test Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good IELCA Score of 30 Very Good IELCA Score of 35 Excellent IELCA Score of 40 NCUK English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Grade C overall with a minimum of D in each sub-test Very Good Grade B overall with a minimum of C in each sub-test Excellent Grade A overall with a minimum of B in each sub-test 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. Good Grades 10 and 11 Very Good Grades 10 and 11 Excellent Grade 11 ISE Integrated Skills Reading and Writing (ISE II and ISE III) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good ISE II - Merit in both sub-tests Very Good ISE II - Distinction in both sub-tests Excellent ISE III - Pass in both sub-tests Trinity College ISE Integrated Skills (ISE II and ISE III) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good ISE II - Merit in each of the 4 sub-tests Very Good ISE II - Distinction in each of the 4 sub-tests Excellent ISE III - Pass in each of the 4 sub-tests INTO English Language Assessment (IELA) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Score between 169-175 Very Good Score between 176-184 Excellent Score of 185 KTE (Kaplan Test of English) Formerly KITE (Kaplan International Tools for English) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 426-458, with a minimum of 426 in each component Very Good 459-494, with a minimum of 426 in each component Excellent 495-526, with a minimum of 495 in each component 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. Good 426-458, with a minimum of 426 in each component Very Good 459-494, with a minimum of 426 in each component Excellent 495-526, with a minimum of 426 in each component ONCAMPUS Test of English Language (OCTOE) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 60% with no lower than 55% in each component Very Good 65% with no lower than 55% in each component Excellent 70% with no lower than 70% in each component Oxford ELLT Digital Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 6 overall with no lower than 5 in each component Very Good 7 overall with no lower than 5 in each component Excellent 8 overall with no lower than 8 in each component 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 : KEN25 For applicants beginning their degree in January 2026, please use the code WINTER20 for an additional 10% off. Oxford ELLT Global Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 6 overall with no lower than 5 in each component Very Good 7 overall with no lower than 5 in each component Excellent 8 overall with no lower than 8 in each component Oxford Test of English Language Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Overall score of 118 with a minimum of 111 in each component Very Good Overall score of 126 with a minimum of 111 in each component Excellent Overall score of 141 with a minimum of 141 in each component Pearson PTE Academic Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test Very Good 67 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test Excellent 76 with a minimum of 76 in each sub-test Test of English Language for Educational Purposes (TEEP) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good Very Good 6.5 Excellent TOEFL iBT (tests taken before 21 January 2026) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 80 overall (with a minimum of 20 in R; 19 in L&W; 22 in S) Very Good 87 overall (with a minimum of 20 in R; 19 in L&W; 22 in S) Excellent 95 overall (with a minimum of 24 in R&W; 22 in L; 25 in S) TOEFL iBT (tests taken after 21 January 2026) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 4 Overall (with a minimum of 4 in each component) Very Good 4.5 overall (with a minimum of 4.5 in each component) Excellent 5 overall (with a minimum of 5 in each component) TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) (tests taken before 21 January 2026) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 80 overall (with a minimum of 20 in R; 19 in L&W; 22 in S) Very Good 87 overall (with a minimum of 20 in R; 19 in L&W; 22 in S) Excellent 95 overall (with a minimum of 24 in R&W; 22 in L; 25 in S) TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) (tests taken after 21 January 2026) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 4 Overall (with a minimum of 4 in each component) Very Good 4.5 overall (with a minimum of 4.5 in each component) Excellent 5 overall (with a minimum of 5 in each component) University of Sheffield English Language Proficiency Test (USEPT) Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 60% Very Good 65% Excellent 70% English language Test Discount Codes KTE (Kaplan Test of English) 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 Oxford ELLT Digital 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 Approved English Language Qualifications 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 (Cambridge) IGCSE (First Language) (syllabus 0500) Good Grade C or above in English Language Very Good Grade C or above in English Language Excellent Grade B or above in English Language IGCSE (First Language) (syllabus 0522) Good Grade C or above in English Language Very Good Grade C or above in English Language Excellent Grade B or above in English Language IGCSE (Second Language) (syllabus 0511) Good Grade B or above in English Language Very Good Grade B or above in English Language Excellent Grade A 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. 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. Good Grade 4 or above in English Language Very Good Grade 5 or above in English Language Excellent Grade 5 or above in English Language 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. Good Grade C or above in English Language Very Good Grade C or above in English Language Excellent Grade B or above in English Language European Baccalaureate (From 2021) L1 English or L1A English Good 6.0 or above in English Very Good 6.5 or above in English Excellent 7.0 or above in English L2 English or L2A English Good 6.0 or above in English Very Good 6.5 or above in English Excellent 7.0 or above in English L3 English Good 8.0 or above in English Very Good 8.5 or above in English Excellent 8.5 or above in 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. European Baccalaureate (Until 2020) 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. International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level 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. International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level 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 Middle Years Programme 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. Qualifications by country Country Qualification Minimum grade requirements Time limit Botswana Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Brunei Brunei-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (B-C GCE O Level) Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Cameroon GCE O Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Ghana WAEC or WASSCE C6 Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Hong Kong Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, Core English Level 4 – Level 5 (with a minimum of 4 in all components) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course India Senior School Certificate (All India Senior School Certificate) - Central Board of Education (CBSE) 70% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Senior School Certificate (Delhi Senior School Certificate) - Central Board of Education (CBSE) 70% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course India School Certificate (Class-XII) - Council of Indian School Certificate Examination, New Delhi (CISCE / ICSE / ISC) 70% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course India School Certificate (Class-XII) - Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education 70% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Andhra Pradesh Board of Secondary Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Kerala Higher Secondary Examination Board 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Meghalaya Board of School Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Tamil Nadu Board of Secondary Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - Telangana Board of Intermediate Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Standard XII / Higher Secondary Certificate - West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education 75% Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Malawi Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Grade 5 (Credit) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Malaysia Cambridge English Language syllabus 1119 (SPM), pre-2022 5C Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course SPM English CEFR Band B2 Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Mauritius SC (Cambridge Overseas Secondary Certificate) No time limit Nigeria Senior School Certificate (NECO) or WAEC/WASSCE C6 Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course Norway Norwegian Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School (Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole/Vitnemal for videregaende opplaering) 4 (5 for those requiring IELTS 7.0) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Singapore Singapore O Level English Achieved no more than 8 years prior to the start of the course South Africa National Senior Certificate Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Uganda Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course West Indies / Caribbean Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Grade 3 No time limit Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) No time limit Bermuda Secondary School Certificate (BSSC) No time limit Zambia Zambia School Certificate Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Zimbabwe Cambridge School Certificate / Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) / O Level / ZGCE Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Worldwide University of Cambridge IGCSE First Language English Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course University of Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course LRN IGCSE English Language Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course GCSE/O Level English language Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course AP (in American High School Diploma system) – English No time limit IB - English A: Language and Literature Higher Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English A: Literature Higher Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English Language B Higher Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English A: Language and Literature Standard Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English A: Literature Standard Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English Language B Standard Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course IB - English Literature and Performance Standard Level Achieved no more than 5 years prior to the start of the course Foundation courses 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. Good A minimum of B2: 6.0 Very Good A minimum of B2: 6.5 Excellent A minimum of C1: 7.0 INTO International Foundation Programme Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good A minimum of B2: 60% Very Good A minimum of B2: 65% Excellent A minimum of C1: 70% Kaplan International College English Language Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good A minimum of B2: 60% Very Good A minimum of B2: 65% Excellent A minimum of C1: 70% Newcastle University Pre-Masters English Language course Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good A minimum of B2: 6.0 Very Good A minimum of B2: 6.5 Excellent A minimum of C1: 7.0 Queen Mary University of London International Foundation Programme Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 50% in English Language module Very Good 50% in English Language module Excellent A minimum of C1: 7.0 University of Northumbria International Foundation Diploma Achieved no more than 2 years before the start of the course. Good 60% overall (for the 4 English Language modules) no module less than 50% Very Good 65% overall (for the 4 English Language modules) no module less than 50% Excellent 70% overall (for the 4 English Language modules) no module less than 60% UKVI majority English-speaking countries 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. UKVI Majority English-speaking countries Antigua and Barbuda Ireland Australia Jamaica The Bahamas Malta Barbados New Zealand Belize St Kitts and Nevis British Overseas Territories* St Lucia Canada (nationals only) St Vincent and the Grenadines Dominica Trinidad and Tobago Grenada UK** Guyana USA *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. **The 5 year time limit does not apply to degrees completed in the UK. Degree Holders - Medium of Instruction (MOI) The Immigration rules for providing proof of English Language for those wishing to use an MOI has been updated. If you are not a national of a UKVI recognised majority English speaking country and your degree is not from a UK university, in addition to the degree certificate and a letter confirming medium of instruction, you will also require an English language and academic qualification assessment Statement from Ecctis. You may apply for this using the Ecctis UKVI website . If you go on to register at Kent, we will refund the cost of the ECCTIS statement. If you do not wish to undertake the Ecctis assessment, we would encourage you to undertake one of the discounted tests listed above. 1 April 2026