What is UT Access Collaborative?
UT Access Collaborative is an invitation-only pathway program designed to expand admission options to students interested in enrolling at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and increase access to a UT education. Select students not admitted to UT Knoxville will be offered the opportunity to begin their first year at another UT System campus (Chattanooga, Martin, Southern). After satisfying UT Access Collaborative requirements during their freshman year, these students may transfer to UT Knoxville the following fall to complete their undergraduate study.
The UT Access Collaborative program encourages students to utilize UT’s statewide presence to access an affordable, top-rated, educational experience through the University of Tennessee System.
Please note: At this time, we cannot guarantee on-campus housing for returning UT Access Collaborative students.
A Transfer Pathway to UT Knoxville
UT Access Collaborative participants who meet first-year program requirements are guaranteed transfer admission to UT Knoxville, and between UT System campuses, by meeting the following criteria:
- Complete 24+ transferable earned credit hours*
- Achieve a 3.0+ GPA on a 4.0 scale
Students who complete a minimum transferable 24 earned credit hours of coursework and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission into any non-competitive UT program.
Additional departmental review is required for UT’s competitive programs and will delay your admissions decision. Students not admitted into a competitive program will be admitted to their second choice major.
Competitive programs include:
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Online Bachelors of Social Work
- Architecture
- Interior Architecture
- Graphic Design
- Music
Students with less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA pursuing a Business Administration major are required to complete College Algebra for admissions consideration.
To learn more about specific program requirements for our competitive majors, please visit our Transfer website.
*Any credits earned through dual enrollment or prior learning credits do not count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement.
Scholarship Opportunities
Tennessee residents who participate in the UT Access Collaborative pathway program and meet program requirements for guaranteed transfer admission to UT will be eligible for scholarships under the Tri-Star Scholarship Program upon enrollment at UT Knoxville:
- UT Promise Scholarship
- Tennessee Pledge Scholarship
- Flagship Scholarship
- KIPP Scholarship
For more information on the Tri-Star Scholarship Program, visit our One Stop website. You must be a US citizen or permanent resident to be considered for these awards.
Students may also apply for additional transfer scholarships through our Continuing and Transfer Student Scholarship application. To learn more, visit our Transfer Student Scholarship website.
Next Steps
After you have indicated that you are interested in participating in UT Access Collaborative ,through your GoVols portal, your information will be sent to the UT System Campus (Chattanooga, Martin, or Southern) that you selected. You will then be contacted by that school (via email or phone call) within 5-7 business days after you made your selection.
Once you begin the fall semester, you will start receiving information regarding your next steps to return to UTK. You can learn more about the process to transfer back to Rocky Top by visiting our Next Steps website.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am waitlisted and select a pathway option, am I no longer considered on the waitlist?
No, you are still on the waitlist. Should a spot open up at UTK then you will be notified that you have been pulled from the waitlist and can still attend UTK in the fall.
Can I transfer back to UTK before Fall 2025?
Unfortunately, no. The earliest you will be able to return to UTK is the fall 2025 semester.
Is guaranteed housing provided if you participate in UT Access Collaborative?
At this time, we cannot guarantee on-campus housing for students participating in the UT Access Collaborative pathway program. Reach out to University Housing at housing@utk.edu for details for on-campus opportunities.
What if my intended major is one of the competitive programs at UT?
Competitive programs may have additional admission requirements. They also may take longer to review your application and come to an admissions decision.
To learn more about specific program requirements for our competitive majors, please visit our Transfer website.
I have dual enrollment credits, does that count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement?
Unfortunately any credits earned or completed while still in high school do not count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement, however you can receive credit for those courses at UT. You will want to submit all official dual enrollment transcripts and any prior learning credits to UT to determine your eligible transfer credits. To learn more about transfer credits visit our website.
I have a lot of dual enrollment or prior learning credits from high school. Is UT Access Collaborative right for me?
It depends on the specific classes you have already taken and your intended major. Before indicating interest in this pathway program, please reach out to our Transfer Center for assistance at transfer@utk.edu.
