Admission Requirements for International First-Year Students

Students applying for direct admission must complete and submit an application on Common App. To begin, create a commonapp.org account, select the University of Cincinnati to apply for bachelor programs on main campus, and enter in your information. Required materials as listed below must be sent to the University of Cincinnati.

Need extra support with English? No problem! Improve your English in your 1st year while taking classes towards your degree. Learn more about our Accelerated College English (ACE) Program. 

Early Action gives applicants priority consideration to our more competitive programs. 

• Applications for Fall Semester 2022: December 1, 2021
  • The Early Action Deadline must be met to be considered for the University Honors Program.

Rolling means that we accept applications on a space-available basis.

• Applications for Summer Semester 2022: March 1, 2022
• Applications for Fall Semester 2022: March 1, 2022
• Applications for Spring Semester 2023: November 1, 2022

• The Common Application
• $100 non-refundable application fee
• Official School Transcripts
• Official SAT or ACT test scores*
• Letter of Recommendation (optional)

*No SAT or ACT. No problem! Complete the free, online Math Placement Test (MPT) and view English test requirements.

• Currently enrolled classes and grades (if possible)
• Previous 3 years of classes and grades 
• A-Level or IB advanced credit (if enrolled or completed)

Transcripts must be English. If not, each document must include certified English translation.

English proficiency is a requirement for all international students. This can be demonstrated by submitting a test score or meeting one of the four English exemptions. 

• SAT or ACT test 
• English test 
• There are 4 conditions for being exempt from taking a standardized test to demonstrate your English proficiency. 

As a transfer student, your math ability is typically assessed by your previous coursework rather than a test. It is important to submit course descriptions and syllabi of these math courses to our office via email if you are attending a school located outside the United States.

Math test scores such as the MPT are only required for admission if you are applying for a program that has a math course pre-requisite requirement and you have not taken any math in your previous university/college education. Math ability requirements vary by academic college. You can find your academic college by searching for your program here.

Math proficiency is required for scholarship eligibility and admission for most colleges. This can be demonstrated by submitting test scores from one test.  

• SAT or ACT
• Math Placement Test (MPT)

Admission criteria for UC’s programs vary and are based on a comprehensive review of the relative strength of test scores, class rank and cumulative grade point average (GPA), course curriculum, co-curricular activities, and other holistic factors. First-year students applying to UC should complete a college preparatory program comprised of the following subjects:

• Mathematics (4 years)
• Science, including Chemistry and Physics (3 years)
• Social sciences and other electives (3 years)

UC is aware that course curriculums vary by country, and we encourage students to take challenging courses offered in their schools. 

To learn about the decision process and timeline, visit our information webpage.