London, UK
Kingston University: English test requirements
Kingston sets one standard for undergraduate study and two for taught postgraduate study: one for Kingston School of Art and a higher one for the other faculties. Each test has an equivalent for every level on one page. Duolingo, LanguageCert and Oxford ELLT are not accepted, while PTE Academic Online is.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
Applicants from India
Standard XII English (English Core, English Compulsory or English A) at 70% from CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or West Bengal, or 80% from other state boards except Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala and Punjab, is accepted for undergraduate entry if completed within the last seven years. For postgraduate entry, Medium of Instruction from listed approved Indian universities is accepted (letter valid five years). The page says: “Applicants need to hold the Higher Secondary School Certificate with a minimum overall score of 70% in English.”
Applicants from Pakistan
The Pakistani Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate is not accepted as proof of English for undergraduate entry. For postgraduate entry, Medium of Instruction from listed approved institutions is accepted, with a letter or transcript confirming fully English-taught study. The page says: “English result required: Not accepted as proof of CEFR B2 English.”
Applicants from Nigeria
The main English page names Nigeria among the countries whose high school qualifications can count as proof of English if specific grades are met, but the Nigeria section of the country page gives no English grade and refers only to the WASSC as an academic qualification. The page says: “At Kingston University, we accept high school qualifications from certain countries as evidence of English proficiency, provided specific grades are met.”
IELTS
UG 6.0
Foundation from 4.5
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4 / 80
Foundation from 3 / 52
PG from 4.5 / 88
PTE Academic
UG 59
Foundation from 43
PG from 59
Duolingo English Test
UG Not accepted
Foundation Not accepted
PG Not accepted
Undergraduate
One standard for undergraduate study; course pages may list exceptions or extra requirements. Tests are valid for two years and the most recent result is used.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (also IELTS UKVI Academic, IELTS Online, IELTS Indicator; One Skill Retake accepted) | 6.0 | minimum of 5.5 in all elements | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (also Special Home Edition) | 4 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (until December 2025, 0-120) | 1-6: two elements at 4.5 and two at 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic (and PTE Academic Online) | 59 | minimum of 59 in all elements | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) | 169 | minimum of 162 in each element | Accepted |
| LanguageCert | – | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. | |
| Oxford ELLT | – | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. | |
| Trinity ISE II | 90 | minimum of 80 in all components | Accepted |
“Specific course pages will provide additional details on any exceptions or additional requirements.”
English language entry requirements (international students)
Foundation, International Year One and Pre-Masters
Kingston lists four preparatory routes, each with its own minimum. The Foundation Diploma needs IELTS for UKVI.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Foundation YearSource for this group | 4.5Writing 5.0, Speaking, Listening and Reading 4.0 | 3 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 52 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: Writing 3.5, Reading, Listening and Speaking 3; 0-120: Writing 16, Reading 4, Listening 9, Speaking 16 | 43minimum of 43 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
| Foundation DiplomaSource for this group | 5.04.5 in all elements | 3.5 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 62 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: two elements at 3.5 and two at 3; 0-120: Reading 9, Listening 12, Speaking 17, Writing 14The table says UKVI is required for this route, but also lists TOEFL equivalents. | 43minimum of 43 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
| International Year OneSource for this group | 5.55.5 in all elements | 4 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 72 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: 4 in all components; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 59minimum of 59 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
| Pre-Masters ProgrammeSource for this group | 6.05.5 in all elements | 4 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 80 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: two elements at 4.5 and two at 4; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 59minimum of 59 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
Postgraduate taught
Kingston School of Art has its own postgraduate standard (with 7.0 for the Journalism MA); all other faculties ask for 6.0 in every IELTS element. PTE is 59 for both.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate study at Kingston School of Arte.g. Journalism MASource for this group | 6.5 (7.0 for Journalism MA)5.5 in all elements | 4.5 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: 4 in all components; 0-120: Reading 18, Listening 17, Speaking 20, Writing 17 | 59minimum of 59 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
| Postgraduate study at other facultiesSource for this group | 6.56.0 in all elements | 4.5 (from January 2026, 1-6 scale) / 88 (until December 2025, 0-120)1-6: two elements at 4.5 and two at 4; 0-120: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 21, Writing 20 | 59minimum of 59 in all elements | Not acceptedThe page says the test is not accepted. |
Postgraduate study at Kingston School of Art, other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) 176; Trinity ISE II 96
Postgraduate study at other faculties, other tests: Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) or B2 First (FCE) 176; Trinity ISE II 96
“These scores in the table above represent the minimum English language proficiency required for entry.”
English language entry requirements (international students)
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge CELTA and DELTA (overall pass)
- City and Guilds ESOL Skills for Life (Level 1 for undergraduate and School of Art postgraduate, Level 2 for other postgraduate)
- Gatehouse Awards GATE Level 2 or 3 (pass in each skill)
- IELCA Academic (undergraduate 33, postgraduate 35)
- Kaplan Test of English (undergraduate 459, postgraduate 480)
- Password Skill Plus (undergraduate 6.0, postgraduate 6.5)
- Skills for English UKVI (undergraduate B2 Merit, postgraduate C1 Pass)
- OET (nursing courses only, B overall and in each element)
- TEFL and TESOL (pass, provider quality standards apply)
- GCSE, IGCSE and International Baccalaureate English
- Kingston Graduate Diploma and International Study Centre results
- Medium of Instruction from approved institutions
The page says these are not accepted
- Duolingo English Test
- LanguageCert
- Oxford ELLT
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE)
- TOEIC
- Ascents
- Chartered Institute of Linguists
- EF (Education First)
- English Speaking Board International
- Oxford University Press
- Pitman
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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