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Entry requirements for the USA

Language requirements

Applicants from one of the recognised Majority English Speaking Countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.  As the USA is a MESC, applicants who have lived or studied there may not need to prove their English language ability 

Academic requirements

Find out about our academic requirements for:

 

Academic requirements: Foundation Entry

  • High School Diploma or completion certificate
  • A portfolio of art work is also required for the Art and Design Foundation course. 

Academic requirements: Undergraduate degree (Year 1 entry): courses with NO specific subject requirement

American High School / Secondary School Diploma GPA

3.2 GPA and above - no additional test required.

2.8 to 3.1 GPA - one of the following tests in any subjects would be required:

  • SAT - New SAT Reasoning Test 1050/1600 or Old SAT Reasoning Test 1650/2400
  • ACT 23-35
  • AP Tests - Grade 3 and above
  • Honours class credits - Grade B
  • College credits - Grade B

2.7 GPA and below - Foundation entry 

Undergraduate degree (Year 1 entry): Courses with specific subject requirements

American High School / Secondary School Diploma

Minimum GPA 3.0 PLUS course entry requirement as follows:

Subject typeSpecific requirements
Art, Design and Crafts
  • Students applying for a degree in Fine Art (studio-based) will need to complete the foundation year before beginning the undergraduate degree at Kingston University. Please contact the Faculty to see if this applies to you (some courses are exempt).
  • OR: SAT Subject test in above subject area, with a score of 550+
  • OR: Honours class credits or college credits in the subject areas, with a score of A.
  • Students with the Diploma but no AP work or SAT Subject scores, Honours class or College Credits may apply for a foundation programme
Arts and Social Sciences
  • Grade 3 or above in at least two Advanced Placement Tests ( AP requirements depend on the applicant and the subject he or she wishes to study, for example English Literature requires AP English Literature).
  • OR: SAT Subject test in above subject area, with a score of 550+
  • OR: Honours class credits or college credits in the subject areas, with a score of B.
  • Students with the Diploma but no AP work, SAT Subject scores, Honours class or College Credits may apply for a Foundation programme
Business
  • Grade 3 or above in at least two Advanced Placement Tests
  • OR: SAT Subject test in above subject area, with a score of 550+
  • OR: Honours class credits or college credits in the subject areas, with a score of B.
  • Students with the Diploma but no AP work, SAT Subject scores, Honours class or College Credits may apply for a Foundation programme
Science, Engineering and Computing
  • Grade 3 or above in at least two Advanced Placement Tests
  • OR: SAT Subject test in above subject area, with a score of 550+
  • OR: Honours class credits or college credits in the subject areas, with a score of B.
  • In some cases, ACT results of 26 or higher will be considered. Please enquire with the Faculty.
  • Students with the Diploma but no AP work, SAT Subject scores, Honours class or College Credits may apply for a Foundation programme

*Applications are considered on an individual basis and other qualifications/work experience may be taken into consideration.

You can also view our undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Undergraduate transfer (advanced entry, Year 2)

  • University grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  • Individuals may apply to UCAS for Year 2 entry. However, university credits earned elsewhere will be evaluated by the Faculty. These credits may or may not count toward your Kingston University degree. 

Postgraduate taught masters

  • Bachelors degree with a 3.0 grade point average, with the following exception: for Science, Engineering and Computing courses, a bachelors degree with a good grade point average in relevant subjects.
  • For certain courses, work experience will also be required. 

Postgraduate research masters

  • Bachelors degree with a 3.0 grade point average.
  • For certain courses, work experience will also be required. 

MBA

  • Bachelors degree with a 3.0 grade point average.
  • Two years' work experience. 

Postgraduate research

  • Please contact the individual faculty for entry requirements. 

Transferring credits to Kingston from the USA

We will consider transfer students for advanced placement onto our degree programmes. However, the faculty teaching the course has the final decision on whether or not to accept your credits and we cannot guarantee that all credits earned will be applied to your Kingston degree.

We suggest looking at the specific classes Kingston University students complete in the first year of the subject area you want to study. If you have completed all of those classes (known as 'modules' in the UK), your chances are pretty good of being accepted onto Year 2. Remember that there are no general education requirements in the UK so these classes will not transfer. Only core subjects can be considered for transfer credit (view undergraduate and graduate programmes).

It is very difficult for students to transfer credits to Kingston School of Art due to the highly competitive nature of the programmes and the high quality of Kingston students' work. However, your portfolio should be strong if you have completed a year at university. It is the quality of your portfolio that will ultimately determine if you are accepted onto Year 1 or Year 2 of the degree.

Students in the UK apply online for undergraduate study through an agency called UCAS. When making your UCAS application, always select 'Year 2 entry' on the application form. This does not guarantee your admission to Year 2 - but it will notify the department that you have a transcript to review. Otherwise they think you have just completed high school. 

Why transfer to Kingston?

  • You will be able to complete your degree more quickly - bachelors degrees are only three years in duration, and masters degrees one year.
  • We can give you financial advice. We participate in the US Federal Loan programme and can offer you advice about receiving your US student loans abroad. We also have a scholarship available to students from the USA.
  • You will have opportunities to work in London. Most students can work part time on or off campus while studying, and then work full time in the UK for up to two years after graduation.
  • We will offer you plenty of support. Over 100 American students join us each year to study undergraduate and graduate degrees. We welcome them with a great orientation programme and a social to meet each other. Our American students celebrate Thanksgiving on campus, publish newsletters twice a semester, and have a North American student society.

Contact us

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