Academic life
With our collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to education and research and abundant opportunities for hands-on learning, you’ll be able to choose the path that best prepares you to meet your academic, personal, and career goals at Tennessee’s flagship university.
Experiential Learning
Experiential learning is all about taking what you learn in the classroom and applying it to real world challenges. Undergraduates have the opportunity to do just that—learn through direct experience and intense reflection to increase your knowledge, acquire lifelong learning and problem-solving skills, and illuminate your values.
As a premier research-intensive institution, there are countless opportunities to engage in experiential learning through internships with organizations across various industries, undergraduate research experiences on and off-campus, service-learning courses that impact the community, and study abroad programs worldwide.
Discover Undergraduate Research
Find What’s Possible
From science labs to design studios, from engineering projects to art portfolios, and from religious studies to market analysis, the research opportunities for you are as diverse as they are abundant.
You pursue your questions and passions through research. At UT, you can connect with faculty; contribute to ground-breaking work; present at annual campus research exhibitions and national and international conferences; and strengthen your academic skills and competitiveness for graduate school, fellowships such as the Fulbright, Goldwater, and Rhodes, and for internships and post-graduate careers.
I get a lot of hands-on experience, which is something that a lot of people don’t get as an undergrad. Getting to be a part of case studies and research is huge.
Ellie Riggs
Memphis, TN
Explore University Honors
UT’s honors programs offer an intimate college feel in a large research university, blending academics and student life for intellectual and civic engagement. University Honors students form a community with peers, faculty, and staff who share a drive to improve themselves and the world.
Haslam Leadership Scholars Program
The Haslam Scholars Program (HSP) honors the Haslam family’s legacy through a highly competitive scholars’ program to develop community-minded and intellectually-gifted emerging young leaders. Transformational learning experiences help each Haslam scholar understand and develop their leadership potential, with the ultimate goal of cultivating Tennessee’s leaders for tomorrow.
Chancellor’s Honors Program
The Chancellor’s Honors Program (CHP) is UT’s largest university-wide honors program that develops eager minds by designing experiences to help scholars discover new ideas, talents, cultures, and people. Through CHP, students gain the flexibility and capability to change the world by engaging in interactions where they can research, collaborate, and get involved from day one. CHP membership is approximately 8 percent of the university’s undergraduates and serves students majoring in every discipline offered by the university.
Academic Support
We know the leap from high school to college can be daunting, especially when it comes to academics. UT provides resources to help you succeed in your classes, going beyond just getting an “A.”
Vol Success Team
UT students get focused assistance from the Vol Success Team, including an academic advisor, coach, One Stop counselor, and peer mentor, for academic, personal, and career goals.
Academic Advising
UT students meet advisors before class registration. Advisors assist in Self Exploration, Career Exploration, Experience Learning, and Academic Planning, also encouraging early major and career exploration.
Academic Coaching
Academic Coaching is personalized for students, emphasizing strengths, goals, and essential skills for UT success.
One-On-One Tutoring & Learning Support
Vol Study Center
The Vol Study Center provides free individual and group tutoring, study areas, and workshops, both in-person and online, for over 200 courses, assisting you with each semester’s challenges.
Writing Center
The Writing Center, run by the English Department, offers free individual assistance for writing assignments, helping students across disciplines gain writing confidence and receive feedback on their work.
Language Resource Center
The LRC, run by the Modern Foreign Languages department, offers extra help for students learning foreign languages.
Library, Services and Technology
The University Libraries system is a network of libraries on campus that provides state-of-the-art facilities and services, including print and electronic collections, reference and instructional services, and top-notch facilities and technological resources.
On the second floor of Hodges Library is The Commons – a collaboration between the Office of Information Technology (OIT) and University Libraries providing services, technology, and study spaces for students.
The OIT Help Desk provides information and support for computer and network services managed by OIT (for instance device support, email, password resets). You can also check out a laptop, learn how to use a media lab called The Studio, check out cameras, use media workstations, watch a video for class, get help using one of the library’s many databases, and ask reference questions.
Student Disability Services
Student Disability Services assists students with documented disabilities by working with them to arrange accommodations and services that enhance access to our facilities and programs.
Ready to Apply?
We can’t wait to review your application for admission! Create a Go Vols account to start your application, or choose the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on your Common Application!
Request Information
Join our mailing list to stay up-to-date on the latest information and events happening on campus. It’s the best way to add a little orange to your mailbox!
Find My Counselor
Your admissions counselor will be with you every step of the way on your journey to Rocky Top! They’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you have and help you through the application process.