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.

Undergraduate Admissions utilize a holistic application review considering all parts of the transfer student’s academic record. All grades earned in transferable academic-level coursework from every regionally accredited college attended will be considered in determining admissibility. If you have earned 24 or less transferable college level hours, your application will be reviewed holistically based on your high school and transfer GPA, ACT/SAT scores, intended major, and other factors. 

For the purposes of the holistic transfer application review, only credit(s) earned after high school graduation will count toward the transferable college level hours requirement. Dual enrollment hours will not be included in the transferable college level hours requirement.

However, dual enrollment courses will be evaluated for course credit, and the grades earned will be factored into the overall transfer GPA.

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.

Academic units play an important role in the holistic review of transfer students. Students should be aware that many UT majors and/or colleges may require a higher GPA for acceptance and additional coursework and enforce performance standards beyond what may be required by other universities and colleges; additionally, some majors have capacity limits which results in very few transfer admissions into those majors, even for well-qualified applicants. Learn more about program specific requirements.

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:

Demonstrate English Proficiency

All applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents must show proof of English proficiency by meeting the minimum requirements of one of our approved exams in the table below or meeting one of these exceptions:

  • Are a citizen of a country on the approved list of official English language nations.
  • Graduated from a high school in the United States or completed an International Baccalaureate or Cambridge program. For other programs or international schools, students can provide an official high school, college, or university transcript validating English was the language of instruction for our team to review.
  • Complete two semesters or three quarters of college-level English composition with a grade of “C” or better at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.
  • Completing the UT English Language Institute’s (ELI) core intensive curriculum with a recommendation from the ELI faculty.

ExamMinimum Score
TOEFL iBT70
IELTS6.5
ACT21, English sub-score
SAT540, critical reading or EBRW
ELSLevel 112
IELTS Indicator6.5
Duolingo100*
Pearson PTE Academic53*

*Use for academic purposes but not placement. ELI 110 placement with English Placement Exam (EPE) option.

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

Application Requirements for Specific Programs

Some of our programs require more than an application to UT. Learn more below about program specific requirements.

College of Architecture and Design

A portfolio of your artwork is not required but is recommended. Admission decisions are made holistically by faculty of the School of Architecture or School of Interior Architecture.


College of Music

Depending on the concentration you choose, you may be required to audition and/or interview. Additional information for transfer students is available from the College of Music.


College of Nursing

Transfer students applying to the College of Nursing should complete the undergraduate transfer application and the NursingCAS application. The NursingCAS application is not required for students applying to the Online RN to BSN program. For all nursing transfer applicants, admission decisions are made by the College of Nursing. Additional information is available from the College of Nursing.


Tickle College of Engineering

Transfer students, including internal UT transfers, must meet the minimum requirements stated below to be considered for admission to a major within the college. These minimum standards for consideration do not guarantee being admitted to the major. The final admission decision for the major resides with the department head or designee.

  • Must have earned a minimum 2.8 cumulative average and a C or better in each of these specific courses or their equivalent: English 101 , Chemistry 122-123 (for Computer Science students: Computer Science 101 and 102 or equivalents), and Math 132 or Math 141 (and subsequent courses in the three sequences, if taken). If the student has completed any Physics course, they must have earned a grade of C or better.
  • The overall record will be evaluated for quality and seriousness of purpose. An excessive number of withdrawals, incompletes, repeated courses, or failures may result in denial.

Any UT student desiring association with one of the departments in the Tickle College of Engineering should go to the Engineering Advising Office. An advising session is held with the major items of consideration being the same as for external transfer students.

If external transfer students are denied admission to the Tickle College of Engineering, the student must contact Undergraduate Admissions to declare a new major for admission to UT.


College of Social Work

Only transfer students who have earned 60 credit hours and an Associate of Art (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree from a regionally accredited community college are eligible to apply and participate in the Online BSSW Program. For all Online BSSW applicants, the admission decision is made by the College of Social Work.


Other Competitive Programs

Transfer students interested in the Haslam College of Business or Teacher Licensure programs should refer to the links below for additional information.

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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Course Equivalency Tables

UT has provided course equivalency tables so students can see how courses may transfer. UT encourages students to keep syllabi for courses listed on their institution’s equivalency table as LD or UD elective credit. Students will need this information if they choose to petition for equivalent academic credit. For more information, see Evaluation of Course Credit.

Tables have been developed to provide students with information on how courses from their institutions transfer to UT.


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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!

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