University of Kentucky (International Student Information)

The University of Kentucky

In 1865, the University of Kentucky (UK) opened its doors to 190 students. Today it serves 28,000 students, representing 117 countries, and offers more than 200 majors and 70 nationally ranked academic programs. With a mission of "improving people's lives through excellence in education, research and creative work, service and health care" UK is leading through innovation.

The university is located in Lexington, Kentucky, in the southern region of the United States. This charming city of 295,000 offers a wide variety of cultural, entertainment, and recreational activities, as well as a public transportation system. It has been ranked within in the top five safest cities in the United States, and is the tenth most educated. Lexington is a big city, with small town charm, offering endless opportunities.

UK's Colleges and Schools

The University of Kentucky is comprised of 16 colleges. The average class size is 25 and the student to falculty ratio is 18-to-1. UK is one of only seven universities in the country to offer a full range of academic programs on one centrally located campus.

The College of Engineering is a top-100 institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in more than nine different fields, along with valuable research opportunities in 15 areas of study. UK's Computer Science program is consistently ranked in the top 20. Also, the Gatton College of Business and Economics has been ranked as the 10th most popular business school in the U.S.

Curriculum at the College of Medicine is a national model that relates scientific concepts to the delivery of progressive, compassionate medical care. The College of Pharmacy is an international leader in the areas of pharmacy education, clinical care and pharmaceutical research. In addition, the College of Dentistry is recognized as one of the United States' most outstanding dental schools.

UK also includes the colleges of Communication and Information Studies, Design, Education, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Nursing, Public Health, and Social Work. In addition, there is the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce and the Graduate School.

The university also awards a limited number of scholarships to undergraduate international students, which are quite competitive. Offers will only be made to students who have been admitted to the university. Thus, applicants must submit a completed admission application to the University of Kentucky Office of Undergraduate Admission.

Office of International Affairs

Academic study in the U.S. provides an excellent opportunity for individuals to become comfortable with diversity, develop global competency, enhance communication skills, build confidence and become adaptable.

Since UK has a student population that represents more than 117 countries, it has created a community that meets the academic and social needs of its diverse student body. The University's International Center (UKIC) helps international students to have a rewarding and productive experience at UK -- from the admissions process through graduation.

UKIC supports over 1,500 students and scholars from the international community. It helps students in a number of ways including providing assistance with immigration and work-related issues, developing programs and activities that help students make social connections, as well as helping students get involved with life outside of the campus community.

English as a Second Language Programs

UK provides several programs to help students improve their English skills. The Center for English as a Second Language offers the Intensive English Program that enables students to increase their proficiency and confidence with the English language.

International undergraduate applicants who meet UK's academic requirements for admission but do not meet the minimum language proficiency requirement may be offered conditional admission. These students can complete the language requirement by enrolling in full-time intensive language courses at UK's Center for English as a Second Language.

The International Conversation Hour gives students the opportunity to talk with native English-speaking students, other international students and community members. This informal setting helps them develop everyday/conversational English speaking skills.

Other ESL programs include ESL Classes in Graduate and Family Housing, UK Training and Development ESL Classes and Operation Read.

Health and Housing at UK

On-campus housing is safe and provides easy access to university resources. International students can be placed in residence halls that remain open during summer vacations, or they can request to be placed in the Smith Hall Living Learning Community, which is designed to connect U.S. and international students along with continued learning outside the classroom. Many off-campus housing options are also available.

The University Health Service ensures that students receive first-rate preventive and primary health care. Its physicians are board certified/eligible in several medical specialties including family practice, internal medicine, gynecology, psychiatry and emergency medicine.

Social Activities at UK

Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the social activities and events that are offered both on and off campus. With over 350 student organizations, including several international student organizations, there are many opportunities to make friends, have fun and help others. Campus recreation includes intramural sports, club sports, fitness and outdoor activities.

Students can also enjoy a variety of exciting sporting events. The university's intercollegiate sports teams, which are known as the Wildcats, have won more than 30 NCAA Championships and 270 conference titles. Most recently, the UK men's basketball team won their eighth NCAA Championship.

In addition to on-campus organizations, entertainment, recreation and sporting events, the city of Lexington offers a variety of cultural and social activities.

UK: Opportunities in Higher Learning and Beyond

UK is committed to providing an excellent college experience for its international students. With over 125 undergraduate majors, 83 master's programs and 62 doctoral programs, individuals who wish to study in the U.S. can find academic areas that meet their needs and interests at UK.

As a leading research university, there are over 70 centers for research, providing ample opportuntity to aid or participate in one of the many research projects being conducted at UK. In 2011, UK faculty received a record-breaking total of $229 million in grants and contracts.

Social activities, community outreach and cultural exchange help students broaden their horizons, develop lifelong friendships and gain professional skills. The Office of International Affairs is a constant companion that aims to help international students learn American culture, become full participants in the UK community and achieve academic success.

The University of Kentucky not only helps students to have a fulfilling college career, but also helps them to prepare for the world of work. Its career center connects students and alumni with local, national and international employers, thus making it possible for graduates to secure full-time positions.

• Agriculture
• Agricultural Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Horse Husbandry/Equine Science and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Agricultural Public Services Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Animal Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Food Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Agronomy and Crop Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Agriculture and Agriculture Operations Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Architecture
• Architecture
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Landscape Architecture
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Area and ethnic studies
• Latin American Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biotechnology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business/Commerce
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/Managerial Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Finance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Hospitality Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Management Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Radio and Television
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Special Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Elementary Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Middle School Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Early Childhood Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Science Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social Studies Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Technical Teacher Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education (Specific Subject Areas) Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Chemical Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Civil Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Materials Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mechanical Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mining and Mineral Engineering
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Family and consumer sciences
• Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Human Nutrition
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Apparel and Textiles
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Foreign languages and literature
• Linguistics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Chinese
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Japanese
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Russian
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• German
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• French
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Spanish
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Classics and Classical Languages
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health/Health-Care Administration
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physician Assistant
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Physical Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• International/Global Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies Related
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Financial Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Natural Resources/Conservation
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Forest Sciences and Biology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geology/Earth Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Social Work
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Anthropology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Economics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Geography
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Interior Design
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Dramatic/Theater Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine/Studio Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art History, Criticism and Conservation
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music History, Literature, and Theory
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music Performance
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied12,195
• Accepted8,966
• Acceptance Rate73%
• Enrolled19,183
• Female Applicants6,841
• Females Accepted4,920
• Female Acceptance Rate71%
• Male Applicants5,354
• Males Accepted4,046
• Male Acceptance Rate75%
• Applying
• Application Fee$50
• Required for All Transcript of high school record
  Minimum high school GPA of 2
  
• Required for Some
• Average high school GPA for first-year freshman3.40
• Application Deadlines
• Type Application Closing Notification Date Rolling Admissions
• Fall freshmen February 15th --
• Out-of-state Fall freshmen Not Reported
• Early decision plan Not Reported
• Other early decision plan Not Reported
• Transfer August 1st --
• Test Scores Accepted
• Test Average School Accepted 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile*
• SAT Critical Reading 490 610
• SAT Math 490 640
• SAT Writing 480 600
• ACT Composite 22 28
• * 25th and 75th percentile is the score that 25/75 percent of students score at or below.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$8,122
• Out-of-state tuition *$17,734
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$1,006.00
• Room and board *$9,974.00
• Room only *$4,510.00
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees, Senior Citizens

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students19,183
• Male Student Percentage50%
• Female Student Percentage50%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/LatinoNot Reported
• Black or African AmericanNot Reported
• White or CaucasianNot Reported
• American Indian or Alaska NativeNot Reported
• AsianNot Reported
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific IslanderNot Reported
• Two or more racesNot Reported
• UnknownNot Reported
• Other Student Statistics
• International BreakoutNot Reported
• Out-of-state Students19% out-of-state student

• Housing
• College-owned housing available Yes
• Housing Requirements Not Reported
• Housing options Coed housing , Female-only housing, Special housing for disabled, Male-only housing
• Percentage of undergraduate students who live in college-owned housing 28%
• Student Activities
• Student-run campus newspaper Yes
• Drama / theater group Yes
• Student-run radio station Yes
• Student-run television station No
• Marching band Yes
• Choral groups Yes
• Student Services
• Legal services Yes
• Health clinic Yes
• Personal / psychological counseling Yes
• Women's center Yes
• Student Organizations
• Greek fraternities Yes
• Greek sororities Yes
• Local fraternities Not Reported
• Local sororities Not Reported
• Other organizations Not Reported
• Most popular organizations Student Activities Board, Student Government Association, Campus Progressive Coalition, Ski and Snowboard Club, Society of Women Engineers
• Campus Security and Safety
• 24-hour emergency telephone / alarm services Yes
• 24-hour patrols by trained officers Yes
• Students patrols Not Reported
• Late-night transport / escort services Yes
• Electronically-operated dormitory entrances Yes
• Other Not Reported

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No Division 1 Yes
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Fencing Yes No No
• Football Yes Division A Yes
• Golf Yes Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics No No No
• Ice hockey Yes No No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Rifle No Division 1 Yes
• Rugy Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 1 Yes
• Softball Yes No No
• Swimming Yes Division 1 Yes
• Tennis Yes Division 1 Yes
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track Yes Division 1 Yes
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Archery Yes No No
• Badmington Yes No No
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Cross-country running No Division 1 Yes
• Fencing Yes No No
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 1 Yes
• Gymnastics No Division 1 Yes
• Ice hockey No No No
• Lacrosse No No No
• Rifle No Division 1 Yes
• Rugy No No No
• Soccer Yes Division 1 Yes
• Softball Yes Division 1 Yes
• Swimming Yes Division 1 Yes
• Tennis Yes Division 1 Yes
• Tennis Yes No No
• Track Yes Division 1 Yes
• Volleyball Yes Division 1 Yes

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty1,683
• Full-time Percentage77%
• Part-time Percentage23%
• Female Percentage37%
• Male Percentage63%
• Student:Faculty Ratio18:1 or 21,902 students to 1,235 faculty