Incoming Exchanges To UK
Incoming Exchanges
Each semester the University of Kentucky welcomes non-degree seeking exchange students from our many international partner institutions. The first step for undergraduate students interested in attending UK on exchange is to speak with the education abroad or international office at their home institution. Students must be officially nominated by their home institution and approved by UK before they can start the UK exchange application process.
UK cannot accept applications from students not officially nominated by their home institution, or from institutions with whom UK does not have an active exchange agreement in place.
Graduate Students
Most UK exchange agreements are designed for undergraduate students. Graduate students must contact the education abroad or international office at their home institution to ask if it is possible for them to participate in the program.
Cost of Attendance
Approximate Cost of Undergraduate Study at the University of Kentucky, 2021-2022
| Tuition and Fees | Included in exchange benefits |
|---|---|
| Room and Board | $12,000 |
| Books and Supplies | $850 |
| Health Insurance | $2,641 ($1,003 fall term / $1,638 spring term) |
| ISSS J-1 Fee | $200 (not included in bilateral exchange) |
| Estimated Personal | $812 |
| Academic Year Total | $16,503 (approximately $8,252 per semester)* |
*Fees are subject to change without notice.
TOEFL/IELTS
TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo are the only English proficiency tests accepted by UK. All non-native English speaking exchange applicants must provide a valid certificate from one of these providers.
A TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo score is not required for students who are native English speakers.
| Undergraduate | TOEFL® 527 (197 CBT, 71 iBT*) / IELTS 6.0 / Duolingo tests taken after July 2019 with a score of 95 or higher |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate students in College of Business and Economics | TOEFL® 550 (213 CBT, 79 iBT*) / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo tests taken after July 2019 with a score of 95 or higher |
| Graduate | TOEFL® 550 (213 CBT, 79 iBT*) / IELTS 6.5 |
*UK accepts My Best Score for TOEFL-iBT format
Application Deadlines
Fall semester & academic year (begins in mid-August): MAY 1
Spring semester (begins in early January): OCTOBER 1
Application Process
1.
The first step in the admissions process for exchange students is to be officially nominated by their home institution using the online Exchange Student Nomination form.
2.
Once nominated, students will receive preliminary approval from the UK Exchange Coordinator for acceptance into the exchange program. They will be instructed to complete the online UKEA exchange application. Students must provide the following documentation as part of their application: · High quality color scan of the passport photograph/identification page · Official transcript from the home institution (with English translation if necessary) · An official bank statement and/or other documents (such as a bank letter, scholarship or financial aid award letters) demonstrating an available balance of $8,252 per semester · Proof of English proficiency (unless English is applicant’s native language).
IMPORTANT! This is the only application an undergraduate exchange applicant is required to submit to UK. Do not submit any other applications to UK.
3.
Once officially admitted to the University of Kentucky, each student will receive email notification and a welcome information packet (mailed to the International Office/Study Abroad Office at the student’s home institution) with important US immigration documentation. Admitted students will find information on steps to be completed AFTER they have been officially admitted and before arrival at UK here.
Health Insurance
The US State Department requires international exchange students to have health insurance which meets every requirement of the Affordable Care Act.
To ensure this, all international exchange students are automatically enrolled in the University of Kentucky Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) when they enroll in classes. They do not need to complete any forms to enroll in SHIP.
For the academic year the cost of SHIP is $2,641 ($1003 fall semester, $1,638 for spring semester). These amounts are subject to change.
Information about the policy and its requirements is available here - http://international.uky.edu/ISSS/Students/HealthCoverage
Health Insurance Waiver
In certain circumstances, an exchange student who believes their own health insurance policy complies with the Affordable Care Act can submit a Health Insurance Waiver Request after arrival at UK. If the waiver request is approved the student will not be required to purchase the UK SHIP.
If the waiver request is denied the student will be required to purchase the UK SHIP. Information on the waiver requirements and process are available here - http://international.uky.edu/ISSS/Students/HealthCoverage
Students are recommended to review the requirements of the US Affordable Care Act very carefully before purchasing a health insurance policy in their own country. In most cases these policies DO NOT meet Affordable Care Act requirements.
Travel plans will not be accepted as proof of adequate health insurance.
Deadline for Fall Waiver Applications: September 22nd
Deadline for Spring/Summer Waiver Applications: February 22nd
Virtual Advising Hours
- Monday: 10am-4pm | First Steps 11am
- Tuesday: 10am-4pm | First Steps 2pm
- Wednesday: 10am-5:30pm | First Steps 4pm
- Thursday: 10am-4pm | First Steps 12:15pm
- Friday: 10am-2pm | First Steps 11am