Admission requirements
Transfer Students
We’re excited you want to continue your college education at UT! Whether you’re coming from another university or community college, we’re here to make your transition to Rocky Top an easy one.
Why UT?
More than 1,500 transfer students join our Volunteer family every year! With 360+ degree programs and hundreds of student organizations, it’s easy to see why. Research and hands-on learning experiences are at the core of our academic programs so you’re ready to tackle what comes next. Plus, nearly half of UT students graduate with little to no debt and are employed or in graduate school within 6 months of graduation!
Transfer
Important Dates
Jul. 1
Fall Entry
Application Completion Deadline
Dec. 15
Spring Entry
Application Completion Deadline
Apr. 15
Summer Entry
Application Completion Deadline
Confirmation Deadlines: Fall Entry is August 1. Spring Entry is January 15. Summer Entry is May 15.
*A completed application includes application, application fee, official college/university transcripts from all schools attended, and any other material being requested (i.e., international transcript evaluation, high school transcript, test scores, etc.). You can verify missing and received items through your Go Vols Portal.
Transfer Student Application Process
Want to study fully online? Visit Vols Online for more information.
Step 1: Choose How to Apply
On-campus and in-person classes: you can apply via our Go Vols application or on the Common App
Fully online: learn how to be a Vols Online student here!
The updated application for spring, summer, and fall is available in early August each year. The $75 nonrefundable application fee can be paid online when you submit your application, or you can pay by money order.
Step 2: Submit College Transcripts & Complete Your Application
UT is required to have a transcript on file from each college you’ve attended, even if it was a summer school or dual-enrollment course at a community college.
Undergraduate Admissions utilize a holistic application review considering all parts of the transfer student’s academic record. All grades earned in transferable academic-level coursework from every regionally accredited college attended will be considered in determining admissibility. If you have earned 24 or less transferable college level hours, your application will be reviewed holistically based on your high school and transfer GPA, ACT/SAT scores, intended major, and other factors.
For the purposes of the holistic transfer application review, only credit(s) earned after high school graduation will count toward the transferable college level hours requirement. Dual enrollment hours will not be included in the transferable college level hours requirement.
However, dual enrollment courses will be evaluated for course credit, and the grades earned will be factored into the overall transfer GPA.
If you attended another college or university, you will also need to provide a transcript directly from that institution. Here’s how we accept official transcripts from other colleges and universities:
- Electronically to undergradtranscripts@utk.edu through the official electronic transmission system of the issuing institution, such as Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
- Mail an official transcript in a sealed envelope directly from the issuing institution to the following address:
University of Tennessee Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
1331 Circle Park
Knoxville, TN 37996
UT will accept transfer credit of similar course work from accredited institutions and will conduct a preliminary evaluation of your transfer GPA once you’ve applied. After you’re admitted, UT will complete an official evaluation of your transfer credit.
A completed application includes:
- A submitted application
- A paid application fee
- Official college/university transcripts from all schools attended
Additional material as requested:
- International transcript evaluation
- High school transcript
- Standardized test scores
- Proof of English Proficiency
You can verify missing and received items through your Go Vols Portal.
Academic units play an important role in the holistic review of transfer students. Students should be aware that many UT majors and/or colleges may require a higher GPA for acceptance and additional coursework and enforce performance standards beyond what may be required by other universities and colleges; additionally, some majors have capacity limits which results in very few transfer admissions into those majors, even for well-qualified applicants. Learn more about program specific requirements.
Academically Suspended or Dismissed Applicants
Any transfer applicant who has been academically suspended or dismissed by the last institution they attended will not be considered for admission, regardless of the hours earned and transferable GPA
International Transcripts
You must submit your official transcripts of any academic work completed outside of the US to a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member evaluation agency. A detailed or course-by-course evaluation and a calculated college grade point average (GPA) is required for all college work completed in a country outside the US. UT will only be able to process your application after receiving the necessary report from the evaluation company.
Some companies offering these evaluation services include:
Demonstrate English Proficiency
All applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents must show proof of English proficiency by meeting the minimum requirements of one of our approved exams in the table below or meeting one of these exceptions:
- Are a citizen of a country on the approved list of official English language nations.
- Graduated from a high school in the United States or completed an International Baccalaureate or Cambridge program. For other programs or international schools, students can provide an official high school, college, or university transcript validating English was the language of instruction for our team to review.
- Complete two semesters or three quarters of college-level English composition with a grade of “C” or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
- Completing the UT English Language Institute’s (ELI) core intensive curriculum with a recommendation from the ELI faculty.
| Exam | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 70 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| ACT | 21, English sub-score |
| SAT | 540, critical reading or EBRW |
| ELS | Level 112 |
| IELTS Indicator | 6.5 |
| Duolingo | 100* |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 53* |
*Use for academic purposes but not placement. ELI 110 placement with English Placement Exam (EPE) option.
Step 3: Receive Your Admission Decision
You will receive your admission decision four to six weeks after we receive your completed application and transcripts. Your decision will be available along with any next steps needed in your Go Vols Portal.
We will begin releasing Spring 2024 decisions mid-fall. Summer and Fall 2024 decisions will be released mid-December, then rolling from that point forward.
Admissions Dates for Transfer Students
Fall Entry
| July 1 | Application Completion Deadline |
| August 1 | Confirmation Deadline |
Spring Entry
| December 15 | Application Completion Deadline |
| January 15 | Confirmation Deadline |
Summer Entry
| April 15 | Application Completion Deadline |
| May 15 | Confirmation Deadline |
Application Requirements for Specific Programs
Some of our programs require more than an application to UT. Learn more below about program specific requirements.
College of Architecture and Design
A portfolio of your artwork is not required but is recommended. Admission decisions are made holistically by faculty of the School of Architecture or School of Interior Architecture.
Natalie L. Haslam College of Music
Depending on the concentration you choose, you may be required to audition and/or interview. Additional information for transfer students is available from the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music.
College of Nursing
Transfer students applying to the College of Nursing should complete the undergraduate transfer application and the NursingCAS application. The NursingCAS application is not required for students applying to the Online RN to BSN program. For all nursing transfer applicants, admission decisions are made by the College of Nursing. Additional information is available from the College of Nursing.
Tickle College of Engineering
Transfer students, including internal UT transfers, must meet the minimum requirements stated below to be considered for admission to a major within the college. These minimum standards for consideration do not guarantee being admitted to the major. The final admission decision for the major resides with the department head or designee.
- Must have earned a minimum 2.8 cumulative average and a C or better in each of these specific courses or their equivalent: English 101 , Chemistry 122-123 (for Computer Science students: Computer Science 101 and 102 or equivalents), and Math 132 or Math 141 (and subsequent courses in the three sequences, if taken). If the student has completed any Physics course, they must have earned a grade of C or better.
- The overall record will be evaluated for quality and seriousness of purpose. An excessive number of withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or failures may result in denial.
Any UT student desiring association with one of the departments in the Tickle College of Engineering should go to the Engineering Advising Office. An advising session is held with the major items of consideration being the same as for external transfer students.
If external transfer students are denied admission to the Tickle College of Engineering, the student must contact Undergraduate Admissions to declare a new major for admission to UT.
College of Social Work
Only transfer students who have earned 60 credit hours and an Associate of Art (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from a regionally accredited community college are eligible to apply and participate in the Online BSSW Program. For all Online BSSW applicants, the admission decision is made by the College of Social Work.
Other Competitive Programs
Transfer students interested in the Haslam College of Business or Teacher Licensure programs should refer to the links below for additional information.
In-State Transfers
Out-of-State Transfers
Guaranteed Transfer Admission
UT has provided me with a seamless transition, offering exceptional support services and a warm campus atmosphere, making my time here as a Volunteer a time I will never forget.
Skyler Haas
Newhall, CA
Additional Transfer Resources
Course Equivalency Tables
UT has provided course equivalency tables so students can see how courses may transfer. UT encourages students to keep syllabi for courses listed on their institution’s equivalency table as LD or UD elective credit. Students will need this information if they choose to petition for equivalent academic credit. For more information, see Evaluation of Course Credit.
Tables have been developed to provide students with information on how courses from their institutions transfer to UT.
Prior Learning Credits
Did you know that you could already have college credit? Good scores on college placement exams are not required for admission to UT—but they can earn you college credit and a head start on your academic career!
Resources for Veterans
UT offers assistance and guidance to service members, veterans, and dependents using VA educational benefits wishing to continue their education on Rocky Top.
Tennessee Reverse Transfer
Earn your associate degree while you work on pursuing your bachelor’s degree!
Tennessee Reverse Transfer Program allows students who transferred to a participating Tennessee four-year institution after completing more than 25 percent of the required college level credits for an associate degree at a participating Tennessee community college to combine college credits from both institutions and apply them toward an associate degree.
Transfer Admissions FAQs
We understand applying for admission can be confusing—but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help you along the way.
Where do I send my official transcripts?
The University of Tennessee
Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0230
-OR-
undergradtranscripts@utk.edu
I want to use a Tennessee Transfer Pathway. How do I find out more information about my options?
Visit the Tennessee Transfer Pathway website for information about the pathways process for students from a public Tennessee community college.
Who do I need to contact about what courses I need to take to complete my Volunteer Core requirements?
If you have not yet applied to UT, please review the Volunteer Core section of the Undergraduate Catalog. For admitted students, please contact your UT academic advisor.
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!
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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.
Application Status
After you submit your application, check your status by logging into your Go Vols Portal. Check your portal often to review your missing items checklist and upload required documents we need in order to make an admissions decision.
You will receive an email instructing you to check your Go Vols Portal once we’ve made an admissions decision!
Questions? Here to Help!
