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English language requirements at Kingston University

Students from outside the United Kingdom need to meet Kingston University's English language requirements – these depend on the course you are applying for.

Select the level of study to find out more:

Exceptions – if you have studied or lived in a majority English speaking country, you may not need to prove your English language ability.

English language entry requirements for courses are listed in Academic IELTS scores, but we do recognise a number of other tests such as the Pearson Test of Academic English.

Preparatory courses (Academic IELTS for UKVI*)

If you are considering a pre-degree course (for example pre-sessional or foundation) and need a Student Route visa to study at Kingston University, very specific conditions apply and you need to talk to your admissions contact.

CourseOverall scoreSpecial conditions
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design 5.0 4.5 in all elements
Pre-Masters Programme (all pathways) 5.5 5.5 in all elements
Computing and Mathematics foundation year 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Engineering Foundation (all pathways) 6.0 5.5 in all elements
International Foundation Year (all pathways) 4.5 5.0 in writing and 4.0 in all other elements
International Year One in Business and Management 5.5 5.5 in all elements
Science foundation year – progressing to all other courses 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Science foundation year – progressing to MPharm only 6.5 6.0 in all elements
Foundation Year – Humanities and Arts 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Foundation Year – Business 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Foundation Year – Social Sciences 6.5 5.5 in all elements
*If you are applying for a 'joint CAS' (one CAS covering both the preparatory course and a BA/BSc course), we may be able to accept the Academic IELTS. Please check with Admissions to confirm.

Undergraduate study (Academic IELTS/Academic IELTS for UKVI)

Subject areaOverall scoreConditions
Art, Design, Architecture and Performing Arts courses 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Creative and Cultural Industries courses 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Journalism, Media and Humanities courses* 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Social and Behavioural Sciences courses 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Business and Law courses 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Health, Social Care and Education courses* 6.0 5.5 in all elements
Science, Engineering, Computing and Surveying courses* 6.0 5.5 in all elements

* Exceptions:

  • Journalism (single and joint honours courses): 6.5 overall with 6.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other elements.
  • MPharm: 6.5 overall and 6.0 in all elements.
  • BA Primary: 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0.
  • Social Work BA and Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy BA: 7.0 overall and 7.0 in all elements.

Postgraduate study (Academic IELTS/Academic IELTS for UKVI)

Subject areaOverall scoreSpecial conditions
Art, Design and Architecture courses* 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Critical Studies and Creative Industries courses 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Journalism, Publishing and Media courses* 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Humanities and Performing Arts courses* 6.5 5.5 in all elements
Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences courses* 6.5 6.0 in all elements
Kingston Business School* 6.5 6.0 in all elements
Health, Social Care and Education courses* 6.5 6.0 in all elements
Science, Engineering, Computing and Surveying* 6.5 6.0 in all elements

* Exceptions:

  • Graduate Diploma Creative Practice: 6.0 overall and 5.5 in all elements.
  • Behavioural Decision Science MSc: 6.5 overall and 6.0 in all other elements.
  • Business PhD/MRes/DBA and Law PhD: 7.0 overall and 6.5 in all elements.
  • Clinical Applications of Psychology MSc: 6.5 overall with 7.0 in Writing and 6.0 in all other elements.
  • Clinical Leadership MSc: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and a minimum of 6.5 in all other areas. 
  • Child Psychology MSc: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other elements.
  • Forensic Psychology MSc: 6.5 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other elements.
  • Healthcare Practice MSc: 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other elements.
  • Psychology MSc: 6.5 overall with 7.0 in writing and 6.0 in all other elements.
  • Publishing, Creative Writing and English Literature courses: 6.5 overall with 7.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other elements.
  • Journalism courses: 6.5 overall with 7.5 in writing and 5.5 in all other elements.
  • Music Education MA: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other elements.
  • Professional Education and Training MA: 7.0 overall and 7.0 in all elements.
  • PGCE courses (Early Years, Primary and Secondary): 6.5 overall and 6.0 in all elements.
  • Advanced Social Work MA and Master of Social Work MSW: 7.0 overall and 7.0 in all elements.
  • Engineering, Computing and the Environment – Postgraduate Research (PhD, MPhil, Masters by Research): minimum 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in all elements.
  • Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry – Postgraduate Research (PhD, MPhil, Masters by Research): minimum 6.5 overall, with a  minimum of 6.0 in all elements.
  • Health, Social Care and Education – Postgraduate Research (PhD, MPhil, Masters by Research, Professional Doctorates): 7.0 overall with 7.0 in writing.
  • Business School – Postgraduate Research (PhD, MPhil, Masters by Research, Professional Doctorates): 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all of the other elements.
  • Photography MA – 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in Speaking and Listening and a minimum of 5.5 in Reading and Writing.

Contact us

International enquiries
Tel: +44(0)20 8417 3411

Contact us

International enquiries
Tel: +44(0)20 8417 3411

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Pre-sessional course accreditation

Our pre-sessional English course is accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP). This organisation sets rigorous criteria to ensure that courses in English language and study skills for speakers of other languages are of a high standard and provide an excellent quality of service.

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