General Admission Requirements
Below, you will find each country’s approximate equivalent criteria for admission to KU’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Specific programs in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and in other schools may have higher GPA requirements and additional admission requirements, such as SAT or ACT scores, portfolios, auditions, etc.
Within each educational system there are variations in curricula, grading scales, and graduation requirements. KU admission evaluators reserve discretion in determining admissibility.
Successful completion of year 12 with a 2.5 GPA and completion of college preparatory curriculum.
Students who completed the GED after Jan. 1, 2014, must have an overall score of 680+ with 150+ on each subtest.
Students who completed the GED between Jan. 1, 2002, and Dec. 31, 2013, must have an overall score of 2550+ with 510+ on each subtest.
Students who completed the GED prior to Dec. 1, 2001, must have an overall score of 250+ with 50+ on each subtest.
Students who completed the HiSET after Jan. 1, 2014, must have an overall score of 75+ with 8+ on each subtest.
Original or attested copy of high school transcripts and Bachiller or Bachillerato, with English translation.
On the typical 10-point grading scale, an average score of 6.5 or higher.
Official copies of transcripts and year 12 certificate or diploma. Names and grading conventions for year 12 certificates vary by territory or state:
- Australian Capitol Territory (ACT): Year 12 secondary school certificate with a 13 average or higher
- New South Wales: NSW Higher School Certificate with band 60%/Band 3 or higher
- Northern Territory: Year 12 secondary school certificate with 13 average or higher
- Queensland: Queensland Senior Certificate with Sound Achievement (SA) or higher
See GCE
Tawjahiya Secondary School Certificate with a 55 percent average or higher
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with a 40 - 55 percent average (2nd Division) or General Certificate of Education Level (O Level) and Advanced Level (A Level) Examination Certificates.
Bachiller with 45/70 or 4.5/7
Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education with a 2nd Class, 2nd Division, or C average.
Certified copies of transcripts for grades 10 - 12. Examination results and Certificado de Concueso de Segundo Grau, with English translations. Grade average of 6 or higher on the standard 10-point scale.
Brunei-Cambridge Certificate of Education Ordinary Level with Third Class Honors (C+) or see GCE 'O' Level 'A' Level criteria.
Baccalaureat (Baccalaureate) with C average or higher.
Baccalaureat de l'Enseignement Secondaire with an 11 average or higher.
Official copies of transcripts and diploma. Names and grading conventions for Year 12 Certificates vary by territory or state. Grade averages will be assessed according to regional variations and college prep curriculum.
School-attested and sealed copies of official transcripts for grades 9 - 12. Huikao or Xueye Shuiping Ceshi and school-attested copy of Graduation Certificate, with English translation.
If you do not have your Graduation Certificate at the time of application, a school official must provide an official letter stating the date it will be issued to you.
Upon your arrival, you will be asked to present your original Graduation Certificate and grade 12 transcript, in Chinese with an English translation, before you are admitted to enroll.
A minimum grade average of 75% on the Chinese grading scale is required for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. High minimum is required for Architecture, Engineering, and other programs.
Original or attested copy of high school transcripts and Licencia de Educacion Media, with English translations. Grade average of 4.75 on the typical 7-point grading scale.
Original or attested copy of high school transcripts and Bachillerato or Titulo de Bachiller Academico, with English translations. 7.5 average or higher on the 10point grading scale. 3.9 or higher on the 5-point scale.
Diploma de conclusion de estudios de education diversificada or Bachillerato; 80% average
Attested copies of transcripts and Bachillerato or Titulo de Bachiller, with English translations. Grade average of 7.5 on a 10-point scale or 13 on a 20-point scale.
Thanaweya a' Amana or Secondary Education Certificate with a 64 percent average or higher or see GCE 'O' Level and 'A' Level criteria.
Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Examination (EHEEE) with a 50% average (good) or higher
Fiji School Leaving Certificate or Form 7 Certificate with a 6 average or higher.
Baccalaureat General with an overall score of 11 or higher.
Official University of Cambridge, Edexcel, AQA or other testing organization's AS and A Level examination results should be submitted along with GCSE or other proof of high school graduation demonstrating a minimum of eleven years of education and college-preparatory course requirements. There is no minimum number of AS or A level points required for admission for students who have met all GCSE or alternative high school graduation requirements, nor does the university require that students complete specific exam types in order to be considered for admission. However, students are encouraged to submit AS and A Level examination reports to be considered for transfer credit and/or proof of English proficiency. In the rare circumstance where students have completed AS and A Level exams without prior completion of GCSE or other high school graduation requirements, they may be considered for admission with a combination of AS and A level results equivalent to UCAS points of 72 or higher.
Official University of Cambridge, Edexcel, AQA, or other testing organization's examination report must be presented with a minimum of five college preparatory subjects passed with a grade of D or higher. Specific exam subject types are not required as long as a student has a total of 5 total subjects completed. If available, students should also submit school transcripts or progress reports demonstrating all completed coursework from their secondary school. Students may be admitted to the university based on O Level results. AS and A level results are not required for admission to the university.
Attested copy of West African School Certificate or Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination with a minimum score of C6 in five subjects and high school transcripts showing a curriculum that prepared you for university study in Ghana. Contact WAEC to arrange for a certificate to be sent directly to KU. Alternately, e-mail permission to IA for KU to check the WAEC results online, along with exam number, year, serial number, and PIN.
Bachiller en Ciencias y Letras with a 75% average or higher.
Attestation de Reussite et Releve De Notes 11/20
Certificado de Estudios (transcript) showing completion of Bachillerato; 75% average
School attested and sealed copies of transcripts for Grades 9 - 12 or Forms 3 - 6. Official HKDSE results certificate, sent directly from the Exams Board to KU. If applicable, attested copy of O- and A-Level results certificate, showing at least five subjects passed.
For students in the HKDSE cohort, 3 or higher in five academic units including Chinese, English, Math, Liberal Studies, and one additional elective with a 3 average across all five academic units.
If applicant does not have the HKDSE results certificate at the time of application, a school official must provide a letter stating the applicant's anticipated results and the date the official results will be issued.
Admitted students must present official HKDSE before they will be permitted to enroll.
Students who are still in high school must submit an attested copy of the Secondary School Certificate (Year 10) and attested mark sheets or progress reports from each year of secondary school (Years 9 - 11).
Students who have finished secondary school must submit an attested copy of the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) or Indian School Certificate Examination (Year 12).
50% or higher grade average on the standard Indian grading scale for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; 60% or higher for admission to KU's School of Engineering or School of Architecture.
Admitted students must present original HSC or ISCE before they will be permitted to enroll.
Surat Tanda Belajar (STTB) or Sekolah Menengah Unum Tingat Atas (SMA), 6 or higher on 10 point scale in four academic subjects.
Completion with an overall IB score of 24 or higher or score of 4.0 or higher for each subject.
Peesh-daneshgahii Diplome (High School Diploma or Certificate of Completion of Secondary School) with 13 average or higher.
Teudat Bagrut with academic track (Matriculation Certificate) with 65 percent average or better.
Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) results (CSEC and CAPE); C average or better
Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shosho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a 3.5 or C+ average. Official or attested copies of transcripts for Grades 9 - 12, with English translation. Attested copy of the Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate, in Japanese with an English translation.
If applicant is still in high school, official final transcript and leaving certificate must be sent by the school, prior to enrollment.
Tawjihi-Academic (General Secondary Education Certificate) with 65 percent average or higher.
Attestat with C+ or 74 percent or higher grade average.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with a C+ (7) average or higher and attested high school transcripts. Arrange with KNEC to have an official transcript, showing at least five academic subjects passed, sent directly to KU. If applicable, an official Cambridge certificate, showing at least five academic subjects passed.
Original or attested copies of transcripts for grades 9 - 12, with English translation. Inmungye Kodung Hakkyo (High School Certificate), 75% average and average ranking must be between 1 and 5.5. Alternately, a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
Shahadat Al-Thanawiya-Al-A'ama (Secondary School Diploma) with a 75 percent average. Official or attested copies of transcripts for grades 9 - 11, with English translation. Grade 12 transcript with English translation. If still in high school, applicants must have the school send an official transcript showing graduation before they will be permitted to enroll. 75 percent average score in college preparatory courses.
Baccalaureat II with a score of 14 or higher.
See GCE
SPM Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (Matriculation Certificate or Certificate of Education), STPM Sijil Tinggi Perekolahan Malaysia (Advanced Certificate of Education), UEC/(United Education Certificate), or MICSSUE (Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary Schools Unified Examinations). Equivalent of 2.5 grade point average when converted to a 4.0 scale. Malaysian grading scales may vary.
See GCE O-Level Criteria.
Certificado de Bachillerato (Baccalaureate Certificate) with a 7.0 average or better.
Buren Dund Bolovsrolun Unemlekh (бүрэн дунд боловсролын үнэмлэх)/Certificate of Complete Secondary Education; 75% average or above.
Basic Education Standard Exam Diploma A (Academic) with a 3 or 49 percent average or higher.
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 45 percent (second division) or higher.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement Level 2; 5.5 average on 10 point scale
Bachiller en Ciencia y Letras, 75% or higher.
Attested copy of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) with a minimum score of C6 in five subjects or higher and high school transcripts showing college preparation curriculum. Contact WAEC or NECO to arrange for a certificate to be sent directly to KU. Alternately, e-mail permission to International Admissions for KU to check the WAEC results online, along with the exam number, year, serial number, and PIN.
Thanawiya Amma (General Secondary School Certificate) with 70 percent average or better.
Secondary School Certificate and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with 50% average or above.
If in British system, General Certificate of Education Level (O Level) and Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) and Advanced Level (A Level) Examination Certificates.
Diploma de Bachiller with 80% or higher.
Bachiller Humanistico-scientifico; 2.5 or higher on 5 point scale.
Official or attested copies of transcripts and Bachillerato Academic, with English translations. Grade average of 12 or higher on the typical 20-point scale.
High School Diploma; 85% average or higher.
Al-Thanawiya Aama Qatari (General Secondary School Certificate) with 69 percent average or better.
Attestat o srednem (polnom) obschem obrazovanii (Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education) with a 3.5 GPA.
A copy of the Leaving Certificate for Intermediate School, attested by the Ministry of Education, with an English translation. If you are still in high school, school attested transcripts for grades 9-11, with English translations confirming a minimum 2.5 GPA in all courses completed and a curriculum preparing you for university study in Saudi Arabia.
If applicant has finished Upper Secondary School, a copy of the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Shahadat Al-Marhat Al-Thanawiyyat), attested by the Ministry of Education. 75 percent or higher grade average on the standard Saudi grading scale. Religious and vocational secondary tracks are not considered college preparatory and are excluded.
Admitted students must present original Secondary School Leaving Certificate in the Science Stream (Shahadat Al-Marhat Al-Thanawiyyat), with an English translation, before they will be permitted to enroll.
Baccalaureat with an 11 average or higher
Singapore Cambridge GCE O-Level: five academic subjects with 7 or lower, or CGE A-Level D (pass) or higher.
Senior Certificate with Matriculation Endorsement with D average or matriculation endorsement with 55 percent or higher.
Bachiller/bachillerato; 5.5 average or higher out of 10
Sri Lanka Collegiate GCE A Levels with C grade (Credit Pass) in 3 subjects or 55 percent and above and Senior Secondary School GCE O-Levels with five passes (C grade or 55 percent) in college preparatory subjects.
Avgångsbetyg från Gymnasieskole or Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskole or Hogskoleforberedande Examen Higher Education Peparatory Diploma; high ‘D’ average
Al-Shahâda Al Thânawiyya-Al'Amma (Baccalaureate) with a 55% or better
Attested copies of mark sheets for grades 9 - 12 and Senior High School Diploma, in Chinese with an English translation. 70% or higher on the standard Taiwanese grading scale.
Certificate of Secondary Education (CSE) with minimum E/5 average or higher issued by the National Examinations Council of Tanzania.
Matayom VI (Secondary) Certificate/M6 with 65 percent (2.5) average or higher.
Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate (CXC / CSEC) with average between 1 and 3 and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) between I and IV.
Lise Diplomasi (Secondary School [Lyceum] Diploma) with a minimum grade of 3.5 (orta) or 65 percent average or higher.
Attested Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Tawjihiyya), with English translation. A 75 percent grade average or higher is acceptable for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Official high school transcripts confirming completion of required college preparatory curriculum for the UAE with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all courses completed must be sent directly from school to KU.
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education with a minimum of two Principal Passing grades of D or higher and at least one subsidiary pass in a college preparatory subject. In addition, Uganda Certificate of Education with a C (7) average or higher or General Certificate of Education Level (O Level) Examination Certificate with five academic subjects passed is required.
Attestat, Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education or Matriculation Certificate with a Grade 6.5 or higher.
See GCSE criteria.
Bachiller or Titulo de Educacion Media General en Ciencias with an 12 average or higher out of 20.
Attested copy of Bang Tot Nghiep Trung Hoc Pho Thong (Senior High School Certificate); attested record of courses taken and grades earned, with English translation. 6.0 or higher on a 10-point scale.
Completion of a minimum of five college preparatory subjects with a 6 or better. Contact WAEC to arrange for a certificate to be sent directly to KU. Alternately, email permission to IRUA for KU to check the WAEC results online, along with exam number, year, serial number, and PIN.
Zambian School Certificate Examination and GCE O-Level with five academic subjects passed with grade of C or 6 or higher.
See General Certificate of Education - Ordinary Level with five academic subjects passed with grade of C or 6 or higher.