Kingston's levels by test
From Kingston's English language entry requirements page. All accepted tests are valid for two years, and Kingston uses your most recent result. One Skill Retake can be combined with IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI, with no limit on attempts. OET is accepted for nursing courses only. Kingston's English language programmes page gives postgraduate entry as 6.5 with 5.5 in each element, which differs from the main page, so check your course page.
| Test | Undergraduate | Postgraduate (most faculties) | Postgraduate (Kingston School of Art) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic, IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Online or IELTS Indicator | 6.0, 5.5 in all elements | 6.5, 6.0 in all elements | 6.5 (7.0 for Journalism MA), 5.5 in all elements |
| PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online | 59, minimum 59 in all elements | 59, minimum 59 in all elements | 59, minimum 59 in all elements |
| TOEFL iBT (from January 2026) | 4, two elements at 4.5 and two at 4 | 4.5, two elements at 4.5 and two at 4 | 4.5, minimum 4 in all components |
| Duolingo, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT | Not accepted | Not accepted | Not accepted |
Kingston IELTS on course pages
These course pages were read on 8 October 2026; none states a PTE score. Adult Nursing BSc asks for the standard undergraduate level and adds an online interview, and the MBA may also invite applicants to interview.
| Course | Level | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science BSc | Undergraduate | 6.0, no element below 5.5 |
| Adult Nursing BSc | Undergraduate | 6.0, no element below 5.5 |
| Data Science MSc | Postgraduate | 6.5, no element below 6 |
| MBA | Postgraduate | 6.5, no element below 6.0 |
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Kingston's country-specific information page accepts Standard XII English completed within the last seven years, and Nepal's school English within five and a half years. It says Pakistan HSSC and Bangladesh HSC are not accepted as proof of B2 English. Postgraduates from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh can use a medium of instruction letter from an approved institution, valid five years, but not from franchise or affiliated provision. WAEC and NECO English grades are not stated by Kingston.
| Qualification | Kingston requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard XII English: CBSE, CISCE, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal | 70% (English Core, English Compulsory or English A) |
| Standard XII English: other state boards | 80%; Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala and Punjab boards excluded |
| Nepal HSSC or Standard XII English | GPA 2.8 in English |
| Pakistan HSSC or Bangladesh HSC | Not accepted as proof of B2 English |
Pre-CAS interviews, deposit, pre-sessional and the Student visa
Kingston's admissions timeline says applicants from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are strongly encouraged to complete the pre-CAS interview by the deadline; for January 2027 the application deadline is 11 December 2026 and the deposit and CAS deadline 18 December. Its finance page asks taught master's applicants for a £5,000 deposit before a CAS, calling it non-refundable and, further down, fully refundable until a CAS is issued.
Kingston's online pre-sessional courses are sized by your gap to the target score: Short for 0.5 below (£3,550; autumn course 19 October to 27 November 2026, deadline 16 October), Medium for 1.0 (£5,900), Long for 1.5 (£7,350) and Extended for 2.0 (£8,750), with a £1,000 non-refundable deposit. No SELT is needed, and Kingston says its end-of-course assessments are accepted by UKVI.
For a Student visa, UK Visas and Immigration asks for English at CEFR B2 for degree-level study and B1 below degree level, per gov.uk. At degree level, gov.uk adds, your university can assess your English itself and may ask you to take a different test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Kingston programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kingston University accept PTE?+
Yes, including PTE Academic Online: 59 with a minimum of 59 in all elements, for undergraduate and postgraduate courses alike.
Does Kingston accept Duolingo?+
No. Kingston's English requirements page says the Duolingo test is not accepted, and neither are LanguageCert or Oxford ELLT.
Does Kingston accept IELTS Online?+
Yes. Kingston accepts IELTS Online and the IELTS Indicator at the same scores as IELTS Academic, and One Skill Retake with no limit on attempts.
Can Indian students study at Kingston without IELTS?+
Yes, with 70% in Standard XII English from CBSE, CISCE or the Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra or West Bengal boards, or 80% from other boards except Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala and Punjab.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Kingston?+
Usually 6.5 with 6.0 in all elements, as on the Data Science MSc and MBA pages. Kingston School of Art master's ask for 6.5 with 5.5.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Westminster IELTS requirement
- University of Greenwich IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
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Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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