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.

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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

Transfer Student Application Process

Want to study fully online? Visit Vols Online for more information.

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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 $50 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.

You can ask your institution to send your official transcripts electronically to undergradtranscripts@utk.edu, or physically mailed to:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0230

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.

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) 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.

Companies offering these evaluation services include:

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.


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Admissions Dates for Transfer Students

Fall Entry

July 1Application Completion Deadline
August 1Confirmation Deadline

Spring Entry

December 15Application Completion Deadline
January 12Confirmation Deadline

Summer Entry

April 15Application Completion Deadline
May 15Confirmation Deadline

In-State Transfers

Community Colleges

The State of Tennessee created the Tennessee Transfer Pathway program to give students the opportunity to transfer from a community college in Tennessee to a four-year institution. Students using these pathways are encouraged to keep in mind that these are general pathways intended to allow transfer to multiple institutions, but may not cover all of the course work needed by the accepting institution. Exceptions for course work are noted on the pathway by an asterisk.

Please send any questions regarding credit transferability to utktransfereval@utk.edu.

Four-Year Institutions

UT encourages students transferring from a four-year institution in Tennessee to review the Undergraduate Catalog.

This overview includes an eight-semester academic plan for every available major. Students can review required courses to help them determine how prior credits fit in UT’s major programs.

Students still enrolled at their current institution are encouraged to compare their current courses to what’s required to complete their major at UT.

Out-of-State Transfers

Transferring from Out-of-State Institutions

Students are encouraged to review our major guides.

UT encourages students transferring from a four-year institution in Tennessee to review the Undergraduate Catalog.

This overview includes an eight-semester academic plan for every available major. Students can review required courses to help them determine how prior credits fit in UT’s major programs. 

Community Colleges: Students taking classes at an out-of-state community college are encouraged to concentrate on the 100 and 200 level courses listed in the major guides. These are the courses most likely to transfer directly from their community college to UT. Many of these courses are listed in the first four semesters of the eight-semester academic plans.

Four-Year Institutions: Students at four-year institutions should be aware that the courses required by their college or university may differ from those required to complete their desired major at UT. For more information, see Evaluation of Course Credit.

Please send any questions regarding credit transferability to utktransfereval@utk.edu.

Guaranteed Transfer Admission

Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and an Associates of Arts (AA), Associates of Science (AS), Associates of Fine Arts (AFA) or an Associates of Science in Teaching (AST) from a regionally-accredited community college are guaranteed admission to non-competitive majors. Students applying to competitive majors, or the Teacher Preparation Program must meet all prerequisite requirements and be reviewed by the department.

UT has a competitive but holistic admissions process where we evaluate every part of your application. Students who have a GPA less than 3.0, have not earned an associate’s degree, or have earned an Associates of Applied Science (AAS) are reviewed holistically. All applicants are encouraged to include personal statements and any other documentation they feel will strengthen their application in addition to academic coursework.

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

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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!


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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.


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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!

Request Information

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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.