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 International Admissions:

  • 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: 

Once you have submitted the application and payment, send us the receipt email to verify you have completed payment to the credential evaluation company. AND if you haven't already, send your college/university transcripts. Electronically to transfer@uc.edu.

  • 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.

Required Test Scores
 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 

 79 Internet

 15 Sub score

 20 Writing

 20 Speaking

 213 Computer

 550 Paper 
 Duolingo  100 Overall
 ACI  19 English
 PTE  53

How to Send Scores

  • 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, 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. 

Once You're Accepted to UC

Confirm Your Admission

Orientation  

  • Optional for transfer students*  
    • Fall Orientation Options: Virtually through Canvas or In-Person  
    • Spring Orientation Options: Virtually through Canvas or In-Person the week before classes start in January.  
    • Summer Orientation Option: Virtually through Canvas 
  • *Lindner College of Business has mandatory orientation via Canvas (email with information is sent 1-2 weeks after confirmation). Registration for courses and academic advisor assignment occurs after orientation is complete. 

Enrollment Checklist & Registering for Courses  

  • Fall Enrollment – Starts in March  
  • Spring Enrollment – Starts in October  
  • Summer Enrollment – Starts in February  
  • At the start of the term enrollment:  
    • Enrollment Checklist 
      • Your Bearcat Portal will update with an enrollment checklist. Information for financial aid, orientation, housing, and access to UC email, Catalyst, and Canva will all be in one portal!
      • If you confirm after the start of enrollment, please allow seventy-two hours after you confirm for your Bearcat Portal to update.  

Registering for Courses 

  • You will be assigned an academic advisor. Their information and the link to schedule an appointment will be available in your Bearcat Portal.  
    • If you confirm after the start of enrollment, please allow one to two weeks after your confirmation for your academic college to assign you an advisor.