English language entry requirements

If you have studied or lived in a majority English-speaking country (MESC), you may not need to provide extra proof of your English skills.

Here is a list of English-speaking countries where you will be exempt from taking an English language test when applying for a Student Visa, if you have successfully completed a qualification equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree in one of these recognised MESCs:

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, The British Overseas Territories*, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States. For more details, take a look at the UK Government Student information page

We accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) as proof of English language proficiency if your degree was taught entirely in English. This applies to degrees from Majority English-Speaking Countries (MESC) or institutions that meet our academic recognition standards. You will need to provide a degree transcript confirming that English was the language of instruction for your entire qualification.

At Kingston University, we are committed to providing accessible pathways for international applicants to meet our English language requirements. We recognise a wide range of qualifications and tests to ensure that students from diverse educational backgrounds can demonstrate their English proficiency.

All accepted English Language Level Tests are valid for a period of two years, and we require the most recent test results for admission.

*Selective Providers Only - Refers to a list of pre-approved providers of English for Academic Purposes. Applicants will be informed if their previous study aligns with the approved list of providers, ensuring that they meet the necessary criteria for admission.

At Kingston University, we pride ourselves on being a welcoming institution that recognizes the diversity and richness of qualifications from around the world. We have carefully assessed a wide range of country-specific qualifications at both the high school and bachelor’s degree levels to ensure they meet our English language requirements.

There are time limits on how recently a qualification must have been obtained to be accepted as proof of English language proficiency. These time limits vary depending on the country and specific qualification. Details regarding the acceptability period for your qualifications will be explained during the admissions assessment process.​

We accept specific qualifications from the following countries:

Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus (both European Union and Non-European Union), Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

This global approach ensures that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to thrive in our academic environment.