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One of the top 100 public research universities in the USA, the University of Kentucky (UK) earned 28 Top 10 rankings and 50 Top 25 rankings over the last several years. With more than 200 majors available at the institution, students have no shortage of options to choose from.
UK is a top-tier research-intensive university that, together with its 55 research centers, works on a variety of real-life issues such as beating cancer or investigating renewable energy sources. For students, this means that the faculty teaching their classes are doing cutting-edge work in laboratories, libraries, and fields across Kentucky and around the world.
Proud of its diverse international student population, the University of Kentucky is home to international students from over 100 different countries.
A wide range of services are offered to international students to help them succeed in and outside of the classroom. The ISSS team helps international students develop a sense of belonging, succeed academically, and remain engaged throughout their time at the university.
The University of Kentucky has world-class sports facilities, and there are many clubs and activities. The university recently opened its USD 200 million state-of-the-art Student Center and has 14 new, modern residence halls with 13 Living Learning Programs.
The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, a vibrant city that has been ranked #3 Safest Metro City in the U.S. (safewise.com), #2 Best City for New Grads (SmartAsset) and #3 Best City with the Highest Salaries and Lowest Costs of Living (GoBankingRates). Nestled in the heart of Kentucky’s bluegrass region, Lexington is a vibrant, friendly community. With a population of a little more than 330,000, it has the amenities of a bustling city, wrapped in small-town charm surrounded by rolling hills. Lexington and the surrounding areas are home to many international businesses, and it welcomes everyone with its warm southern hospitality.
2022 301
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Kentucky is one of only eight universities in America with liberal arts, sciences, humanities, professional schools and medical colleges on one contiguous campus. Such depth and breadth provide extraordinary opportunities for interdisciplinary research and learning.
The 17 colleges of the university include, among others:
The college offers rigorous programs and enriching experiences encouraging collaboration and creativity. It partners with industry through co-ops and internships, giving students real-world experiences that lead to meaningful careers.
The college is home to 19 academic departments that offer major degrees in 29 disciplines and 37 minors. The faculty of the college are among UK’s most celebrated for their teaching and research, and the students often win the most prestigious scholarships and awards.
The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is an academic medical institution dedicated to providing superior education and training to produce highly qualified, caring physicians.
The college and its programs enjoy remarkable leadership at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the fields of communication, journalism, integrated strategic communication, media arts and studies, information communication technology, and library and information science.
For more than 80 years, students at this college have learned key business strategies from both market-leading executives and world-renowned faculty. Gatton prepares graduates with the skills and knowledge they need to compete globally with the utmost integrity and professionalism.
The Lewis Honors College provides an alternative course of instruction for outstanding, highly motivated students from all programs of study. Honors students are diverse, innovative, intellectually engaged, and interested in creative thought.
UK offers numerous programs for undergraduate students, including:
This degree combines critical thinking and hands-on learning with instruction in genetics, molecular biology, genetic engineering, chemistry, and biology, to train students in the scientific investigation process.
Civil engineering emphasizes infrastructure—geotechnical, water resources, environmental, transportation, construction and structural engineering, as well as other related fields. This program allows students to discover which area (or combination of areas) of civil engineering is right for them.
Computer scientists identify and solve computational problems in all areas of modern life. They use a combination of technical skills and creativity to design and build software, formulate solutions to computing problems and invent new and better ways of using computers.
This degree enables students to build the expertise to forecast economic conditions, estimate trends, and use economic theory, helping understand the behavior of consumers, firms, and governments. Students will develop a unique mix of analytical and applied business skills to prepare them for upper-level management, research and public service careers.
Develop the tools to succeed in today's fast-moving, data-driven, increasingly digital markets. You'll build strong communication skills, an understanding of consumer psychology, and expertise in research and market analysis, preparing you for careers in product management, advertising and sales, marketing research, and more.
Psychology is the scientific study of all aspects of human behavior. Topics studied by psychologists include brain function, moods and feelings, normal and abnormal thought processes, personality, interactions among people, and many more. Training in psychology emphasizes research skills, critical thinking abilities, and communication skills.
A top university for International Students according to 2018 U.S. News & World Report, the University of Kentucky is regularly listed in many "top" or "best of" categories by national publications and organizations, including 25 programs ranked in the top 20 in the U.S. The following list includes some of the national rankings the university has received:
2020 U.S. News & World Report has ranked UK:
General Ranking
Best Global University Ranking for
Best Undergraduate Programs
Best Graduate Programs
University of Kentucky continues test-optional admission for undergraduate applicants. Freshman (first year) applicants must submit the following:
NOTE: Conditional admission may be offered to students who do not meet the English proficiency requirement. Students can also complete this requirement at UK Center for ESL.
At 12:55 a.m. on Dec. 15, 2021, two Kentucky Re-entry and Universal Payload System (KRUPS) capsules entered the atmosphere and were set on fire by the extreme temperatures they experienced at more than 20 times the speed of sound.
At that moment, UK made history with three “firsts”:
The data will help scientists build better thermal protection systems (TPS). These systems protect a payload — whether astronauts, equipment or scientific instruments — during the harsh flight into the atmosphere of a distant planet or on its return to Earth.
These capsules were built by UK College of Engineering students and faculty, with funding from NASA, NASA EPSCoR, the NASA Kentucky Space Grant Consortium and EPSCoR Programs, the KY Statewide EPSCoR Committee and the Cabinet for Economic Development.
A team of University of Kentucky researchers led by College of Engineering Professor Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Ph.D., and his Ph.D. student, Rollie Mills, have developed a medical face mask membrane that can capture and deactivate the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on contact. Their work was published in the Nature journal Communications Materials on May 24. SARS-CoV-2 is covered in spike proteins, which allow the virus to enter host cells once in the body. The team developed a membrane that includes proteolytic enzymes that attach to the protein spikes and deactivates them.
“This new material can filter out the virus like the N95 mask does, but also includes antiviral enzymes that completely deactivate it. This innovation is another layer of protection against SARS-CoV-2 that can help prevent the virus from spreading,” said DB, the director of UK’s Center of Membrane Sciences.
US$32,276 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
US$16,654 Living costs
US$9,804 To live on campus
The university offers various scholarships for international students including:
This is a competitive and renewable scholarship ranging from USD 3,000 to 50% of tuition. It requires a separate application including a letter of recommendation and a one-page essay describing how you could serve as a student ambassador to the university, as well as any experiences you have in leadership and volunteerism. Deadline to apply: February 15th.
This academic scholarship is provided to first-year undergraduate students who have a minimum of 3.00 unweighted GPA. Students will receive an amount starting at USD 5,000, with additional funding up to USD 12,500 available for meritorious students with higher GPAs and/or ACT/SAT scores. Students are automatically considered after they complete their application and provide all required documentation by the deadline (no separate application is required). Deadline to apply: December 1st.
The competitive William C. Parker Diversity scholarship requires a separate application. The criteria include a minimum score of 2.50 unweighted GPA, an essay, and contribution to diversity. The award values vary based on the meritorious criteria, starting at USD 5,000. Deadline to apply: December 1st.
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