Admissions

Admission Requirements for International Transfer Students

Students who have attended a college or university after secondary school are considered transfer students. 

How to Apply

A student will be reviewed for admission once all of the following materials are received by the Transfer Center on the deadline (see below):

  • Transcripts
  • English Test
  • Academic College Requirements

Transcript Requirements

  • If you have attended a college or university inside the United States, simply ask the registrar of your previous school(s) to send official final transcripts directly to our office.
  • For more information about how your community college or university credit will transfer to UC, click here. 
To complete your transfer admission application, you are required to provide a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation for each college or university you attended outside the United States. This evaluation must be obtained from a service listed on the NACES member website. If your transcripts are not in English, you will need to have them translated into English by a certified translation company. While we accept unofficial transcripts for the initial review of your application, please be aware that you will not be allowed to enroll in courses until we receive your official transcripts. Transcripts sent directly from your institution to us are considered official; any documents sent by you are considered unofficial. 
 
Option 1: If you already have a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation completed. Send your course-by-course foreign credential evaluation(s) from NACES member that includes your college/university transcript(s). Electronically to transfer@uc.edu. 
 
Option 2: If you don’t have a course-by-course foreign credential evaluation completed. UC is in partner with two NACES services that provide discounted rates for UC applicants, use the links below and follow the instructions: 
  • We will need your high school/secondary school transcript if you have completed less than 24 college/university credits (not including ESL courses). If your post-secondary institution is outside of the United States, the number of credits will be determined from NACES evaluation. Your high school transcript will need to be in English (translate if needed). 
  • Cincinnati awards transfer credit for a variety of high school curricula, including Cambridge International A-Level, International Baccalaureate, Global Assessment Certificate, and more. If you bring in other advanced credit, you may be able to use those scores to receive transfer credit.

English Requirements

There are four conditions for being exempt from taking a standardized test to demonstrate your English proficiency. Otherwise, please find the requirements below.

UC Undergraduate Admissions will only accept English test scores that are valid up to two years before the start of the term for which the student is applying. This policy aligns with industry standards and ensures that our admissions process remains fair and consistent for all applicants.

Accepted Test and Score
 Accepted Test   Minimum Scores Required 
 SAT  480 Evidence-Based Reading & Writing
 ELS  112 Graduation 
 IELTS

 6.5 Overall

 5.5 Sub Score

 6.0 Write

 6.0 Speak
 Cambridge

 176

 Recommended Exam: C1 Advanced
 TOEFL 

 Before Jan 2026:

 79 Overall

 20 Writing

 20 Speaking

 15 All Other Sub Scores

 

After Jan 2026:

4.0 Overall

4.0 Writing

4.0 Speaking

3.5 All Other Sub Scores
 Duolingo  100 Overall
 ACI  19 English
 PTE  53
  • ACT: Request score report be sent electronically from the ACT to University of Cincinnati (code 3340) 
  • Cambridge Assessment English: Request score report be sent electronically to University of Cincinnati from Cambridge English and email a copy of your results. In the email, include student's date of birth and UC application number to transfer@uc.edu for online verification. 
  • Duolingo: Request score report be sent electronically from Duolingo English Test account to University of Cincinnati. 
  • ELS: Request ELS certificate be sent from ELS Center official to transfer@uc.edu 
  • IELTS: Email score report to transfer@uc.edu for online verification or request score report be sent electronically from IELTS test center to the University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Admissions 
    • Note: Do not request scores to be sent to the Graduate School or a specific college/department. 
  • PTE: Request score report be sent electronically to University of Cincinnati from Pearson Test of English and email a copy of the results to transfer@uc.edu 
  • SAT: Email score report to transfer@uc.edu for online verification or request score report be sent electronically from College Board to University of Cincinnati (code 1833) 
  • TOEFL: Email score report to transfer@uc.edu for online verification or request score report be sent electronically from ETS to University of Cincinnati (code 1833)

Academic College Requirements

Use the links below to determine what the course prerequisite and GPA requirements for admissions. Use the links below to determine what the course prerequisite and GPA requirements for admissions. If pre-requisite courses are taken outside of the US, please provide admissions with course descriptions and/or syllabi (translate in English if needed).

If you do not currently meet the academic college requirements, you can apply to our Exploratory program. In this program you will complete the requirements needed for your intended program and then complete the process to transition into the program. The links below include transition requirements as well as transfer.

 

Transfer Deadlines

Fall Semester*
July 1 - Application Deadline
August 1 - Confirmation Deadline
 
Spring Semester
November 1 - Application Deadline
December 1 - Confirmation Deadline
 
Summer Semester
March 1 - Application Deadline
April 1 - Confirmation Deadline
 
*The College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) programs have a March 1 application deadline and June 1 confirmation deadline for fall semester. Late applications will be reviewed on a space available basis. Applicants to Architecture, Communication Design, Fashion Design, Fine Arts, Games and Animation, Industrial Design, and Interior Design are pooled and reviewed, and decisions are typically made in April and May. Applications to all other DAAP programs are reviewed on a rolling admission basis.
 
*The College-Conservatory of Music programs have a December 1 application deadline and May 1 confirmation deadline for fall semester. Generally, applications are not accepted for spring semester, unless an applicant is applying for consideration for either the BA Music or Electronic Media programs. Submission of pre-screening materials and audition/interview are required for all applicants. Admissions decisions are typically made in February for fall semester applicants. 
Admitted Students