University of Kent: January Deadline, Fees and Entry

TL;DR: The University of Kent accepts international students into a January start, with applications for most courses due by 27 November 2026 and term starting on 11 January 2027. Undergraduate computing degrees cost £23,950 a year for 2027 entry, a £5,000 deposit comes before your CAS, and IELTS 6.0 to 7.0 covers most courses.

The University of Kent runs a January intake for both bachelor's and master's students, and the dates are close. If you want to start in January, the next two weeks decide it. Check your eligibility with Prosper before you pick a course, so the deadline does not choose for you.

Is the University of Kent a good choice for international students?

Kent is a public university based in Canterbury, in south east England. The international college sits on the same campus, so pathway students share the library, halls and student life with degree students.

Two facts help you place it. Kent is ranked 415th in the world and 50th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027. And from 1 August 2026, Kent and the University of Greenwich formed the London and South East University Group. Kent keeps its own name: you still apply to, study at and graduate from Kent. If you are comparing the two, our guide to the University of Greenwich covers its London campuses.

University of Kent January intake: the dates that matter

These are Kent's international admission deadlines for the January start, in the order you meet them.

The money date comes first because UK Visas and Immigration wants funds held for 28 days before the visa application. Our guide to the UK student visa 28-day rule explains how to show it.

Taught master's courses with a January start include Digital Marketing MSc, International Business MSc, Project Management MSc, Law LLM, International Relations MA, Advanced Computer Science MSc, Cyber Security MSc and Artificial Intelligence MSc.

If January is too tight, the September 2027 deadline for undergraduate and taught master's applications is 31 August 2027, and term starts on 25 September 2027.

University of Kent fees for international students

Kent publishes fees on each course page. Examples for international students:

• Software Engineering BSc: £23,950 a year (2027 entry)
• Computer Science BSc: £23,950 a year (2027 entry)
• Data Science MSc: £23,950 (listed for 2027/28)

Fees for later years of a course may rise, so budget for a small increase if your degree runs longer than one year. Check the exact fee on your course page before you pay anything, because subjects differ. For how UK fees compare across universities, see our UK tuition fees guide.

The deposit. Kent asks international students for a £5,000 tuition deposit before it issues your CAS. It is taken off your fees. Students funded by a scholarship or a government sponsor may not need to pay it. Our guide to the UK university deposit explains how deposits and refunds work.

Check your eligibility ›

Kent entry requirements and English scores

Each course sets one of three English levels:

Data Science MSc, Computer Science MSc, Project Management MSc and Software Engineering BSc ask for Good. The MBA asks for Very good. If you are deciding between tests, our PTE exam and Duolingo English Test guides compare them.

Kent scholarships for international students

Kent International Scholarship for undergraduates, January start. Up to £5,000: £3,000 in year one and £2,000 in year two. It is for self-funded students paying overseas fees, there is no form, and you must accept your offer by 11 December, 5:00 PM GMT (scholarship page).

Kent International Scholarship for taught master's, January start. £3,000 at Kent Business School or £5,000 on other courses, with a deadline of 11 December 2026, 5:00 PM GMT. It is open only to applicants from a published list of countries, so check the list before you count on it (scholarship page).

For a September 2027 start, Kent says awards of up to £5,000 are coming, with criteria and deadlines still to be announced.

The pathway route: University of Kent International College

If your grades or English are below direct entry, the University of Kent International College on the Canterbury campus offers an International Foundation Programme, International Year Zero, International Year One and a one or two term International Incorporated Master's. Fees for 2026/27 run from £10,395 (one term pre-master's) to £18,595 (foundation or year one), and students who progress get a 16% scholarship on the Kent degree.

Applying from Sri Lanka

Kent has a Sri Lanka country page with its own rules:

• Undergraduate: GCE A/L in three subjects, matched grade for grade with UK A levels (an A counts as an A, a B as a B). Some courses also want O/L Maths at C.
• Foundation year: three A/L subjects at S or above.
• Master's: a UK 2:2 equals a B average, a GPA of 3.0, or a Second Lower in a four-year bachelor's. A 2:1 equals B+, GPA 3.3 or a Second Upper.
• Scholarships: at the time of writing Sri Lanka is not on the country list for the January master's award, so plan your budget without it. The undergraduate award has no country list.
• Visa steps: you book biometrics at VFS Global Colombo and the TB test at the IOM clinic in Colombo. With term starting on 11 January, book both as soon as your CAS arrives.

FAQ

Does the University of Kent have a January intake? Yes. Kent runs a January start for many undergraduate and taught master's courses. Most applications close on 27 November 2026 and term starts on 11 January 2027.

What IELTS score does the University of Kent need? Most courses need IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 in each part, which Kent calls the Good level. Some ask for 6.5 or 7.0. Kent also accepts PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test.

How much is the University of Kent deposit for international students? Kent asks for a £5,000 deposit before it issues your CAS. The deposit is taken off your tuition fees, and scholarship-funded or government-sponsored students may be exempt.

Has the University of Kent merged with Greenwich? Kent and the University of Greenwich formed a joint group from 1 August 2026. Kent keeps its name, and students still apply to, study at and graduate from the University of Kent.

Does Kent accept Sri Lankan A/L results? Yes. Kent's Sri Lanka page matches A/L grades one for one with UK A levels for undergraduate entry, and accepts three A/L subjects at S for its foundation year.

PS: A January start at Kent is still possible if your funds, deposit and application line up in the next two weeks. If you are not sure your grades or English meet the course level, check your eligibility with Prosper and we will tell you which Kent course, or which route, fits.

Check your eligibility ›

References

1. International admission deadlines, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/international/international-admission-deadlines (accessed 13/11/2026)
2. January start postgraduate courses, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/january-start (accessed 13/11/2026)
3. Sri Lanka country page, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/international/countries/sri-lanka (accessed 13/11/2026)
4. English language requirements, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/english-language-requirements (accessed 13/11/2026)
5. Software Engineering BSc, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/2027/3719/software-engineering (accessed 13/11/2026)
6. Data Science MSc, University of Kent, https://kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/5565/data-science (accessed 13/11/2026)
7. Kent International Scholarship for Undergraduates, January 2027, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FNADKISUGJ01 (accessed 13/11/2026)
8. Kent International Scholarship PGT, January 2027, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FNADKINTKJ01 (accessed 13/11/2026)
9. International Foundation Programme fees and scholarships, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/international-programmes/international-foundation-programme/fees-and-scholarships (accessed 13/11/2026)
10. Universities of Greenwich and Kent confirm new multi-university group, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/news/statements/37599/universities-of-greenwich-and-kent-confirm-new-multi-university-group-to-go-ahead (accessed 13/11/2026)
11. QS ranking statement, University of Kent, https://www.kent.ac.uk/campaigns/ug-international-students (accessed 13/11/2026)