The Office of Admissions is responsible for the admission and readmission of undergraduate students to the University. Application procedures for freshman, transfer, former, international, and transient (visiting summer) students are outlined later in this chapter and details are available on Texas Admissions.

Undergraduate Admission Application

Application deadlines

For undergraduate admission, application materials must be received in the Office of Admissions by the deadlines published on Applying for Admission.

Prospective students are encouraged to apply early for the enrollment period in which they are interested. Beginning the process early allows ample time for applicants to assure that their applications are complete by the deadline.

Application processing fees

A nonrefundable fee of $75 is required with each application for domestic undergraduate admission. (The undergraduate fee for transient admission, admission for visiting summer students, is $60.) Fee waivers based on financial need are available. International applicants (those who are not United States citizens or permanent residents) must submit a nonrefundable fee of $90; waivers are not available for international applicants.

Admission to requested majors

Although Texas law offers automatic admission to the University for eligible undergraduate applicants, it does not guarantee admission to an applicant's requested major. All undergraduate applicants are considered on a competitive basis through holistic review for admission to the majors they request. 

Accepting admission

Applicants who are offered undergraduate admission to the University must take steps to accept the offer of admission. To accept admission, admitted students must pay a $200 enrollment deposit, which is applied to the payment of tuition when the student enrolls. Students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for assistance to cover the amount of the deposit. Enrollment deposits are not refundable.

Major changes following acceptance of admission

Undergraduate students are limited in their ability to change majors after accepting admission offers. Incoming undergraduates are not allowed to change majors from one college/school to another during summer or during orientation. Students interested in changing majors within their college/school should speak with an academic advisor about the requested change during orientation. Visit Internal Transfer for more information.

Rescinding offers of admission

The Office of Admissions has the authority to rescind an offer of admission to a student who, after being admitted to the University, fails to maintain the level of academic, achievement, or honor code standards that were displayed in the information the student submitted when applying for admission to the University. Applicants who falsify any part of their application or the documents required to complete the application process are subject to cancellation of their offer of admissions or disciplinary action. 

Students at the University are expected to conduct themselves in ways that reflect the University’s Student Honor Code.

Scholarship recipients

The Vice Provost of Admissions may admit recipients of bona fide scholarships.

Submitted application items

Official transcripts and test score reports submitted to the Office of Admissions will not be duplicated or returned to the student. Faxes of transcripts and applications are not accepted.

Undergraduate Applicants with College Credit

Many undergraduate applicants come to the University after enrolling in college-level coursework or earning college credit.

Reporting previous college coursework

An applicant who has undertaken coursework at another collegiate institution (including freshman, transfer, reentry, and international applicants) must report all such coursework when applying for admission. Applicants who fail to report all college coursework or who otherwise falsify any part of their application or the documents required to complete the application process are subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary action will include a one-year ban on enrollment and a permanent statement on the student’s record about the failure or falsification. Action may include expulsion and loss of credit for work taken subsequently at the University, as well as appropriate action by the dean of students.

Awarding college credit

The University awards college credit to some incoming undergraduate students for courses that are transferable from other colleges and universities, for designated scores on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams, for OnRamps courses and for dual credit courses the student took while in high school.

Students seeking transferable credit must submit official transcripts of all coursework taken at all other institutions for evaluation by the Office of Admissions. This evaluation determines whether the coursework could in any circumstances qualify for transfer credit at UT Austin, but it does not constitute approval of the credit for use toward a degree; such approval is solely within the jurisdiction of a student's academic dean.

The following policies govern evaluation of credit:

• Institution types: Transfer credit is generally awarded for academic course credit earned from regionally accredited institutions or from institutions that are candidates for regional accreditation if the course credit was earned during the candidacy period. In rare circumstances, course credit earned at other institutions may be accepted.
• Courses that are not transferable: Workforce (vocational) courses, developmental and remedial courses, and courses classified as below freshman level by the institution at which the student took them are not transferable and will not count toward a degree.
• Credit for military training: Transfer credit is awarded for some kinds of military training. Credit awarded for military training usually does not count toward the 24 hours of transferable credit needed to apply for admission.
• Coursework level: Junior and community college courses transfer as lower-division (freshman or sophomore) credit. Undergraduate courses from senior colleges transfer at the level (lower- or upper-division) at which the student took them. Graduate-level coursework is not transferable as undergraduate credit.
• Limits on use of credit toward degree: No limit is placed on the total amount of course credit accepted in transfer from either junior- or senior-level institutions. However, use of transfer credit toward a degree may be limited by the student’s academic dean.
• Credit by exam at another institution: Credit earned by examination at another institution is treated as transfer credit only if the sending institution records the credit on the student’s transcript with regular catalog course numbers and with a grade of at least C-, the symbol CR, or a similar designation representing credit earned without letter grade.
• Computing an applicant’s GPA: When computing an applicant’s grade point average (GPA) for admissions purposes, the Office of Admissions includes grades earned in all academic courses (except developmental courses), whether passed, failed, or repeated, including those in which the student earned a grade of D+, D, or D-. However, a course in which the student earned a grade of D+, D, D-, or F is not transferable and will not count toward a degree. An A or A+ earned on transferable coursework is awarded four points in admission GPA calculations. (See Academic Policies and Procedures for information about how the University computes GPA.)
• Transfer coursework and the University’s GPA: Grades earned at other institutions are not averaged with grades earned at the University to determine the student’s internal University grade point average.

Disputed credit

If the University refuses to accept lower-division credit earned at another Texas public institution of higher education, the student and the sending institution will be given written notice that transfer credit was refused. If nontransfer of credit is disputed, the University will attempt to resolve the matter with the student and the sending institution according to applicable rules and guidelines of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. If the dispute is not resolved to the student’s or the sending institution’s satisfaction within forty-five days of the initial notification, the University will notify the Coordinating Board of the refusal of the transfer credit and the reasons for refusal. The Coordinating Board will resolve the dispute and notify the parties of its findings.

College credit for earning an International Baccalaureate diploma

Students who are admitted to the University and have earned an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma during high school may qualify for 24 hours of college credit. Details about the program are available from Student Testing Services.

College credit for military service

Military veterans who enroll as entering undergraduates (freshman, transfer, or returning students) at UT Austin and meet certain requirements are eligible to receive up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate elective coursework credit for the time they spent in the service. Eligibility requirements are defined in Section 51.3042 of the Texas Education Code.

The credit is awarded for having served, not for any college-level courses that the veteran may have taken while in the military. To be eligible to receive credit for military service, a veteran must

• Have graduated from a public or private high school accredited by a generally recognized accrediting organization or from a high school operated by the United States Department of Defense.
• Have completed at least two years of service in the armed services (unless the veteran was discharged because of a disability).
• Have been honorably discharged from the armed forces.

Admitted students who may qualify for credit for military service should speak with a representative of the Office of Admissions upon enrollment at the University.

Recruiting Students for Undergraduate Admission

The Office of Admissions offers a variety of services and resources to assist prospective students with the undergraduate admissions application process. Undergraduate applicants are encouraged to use all available resources, especially consultation with the University’s admissions representatives and counselors.

Admissions representatives work in communities throughout the state of Texas. The University’s admissions representatives provide detailed information about, and assistance with, the freshman and transfer admissions and enrollment processes through consultation, information sessions, and local events.

The Office of Admissions participates in a variety of activities and efforts designed to recruit prospective freshman and transfer students.

• Collaborating with high school counselors in Texas and in other states and with junior and community college officers across the state.
• Hosting counseling and information sessions and conducting campus tours for prospective freshman and transfer students.
• Hosting meetings with representatives from UT Austin admissions, student affairs, and academic affairs offices for prospective transfer students visiting the campus.
• Hosting on-campus events for prospective freshman and transfer students.
• Participating in community college recruiting events across the state and visiting community colleges and business and industry locations to provide information for prospective transfer students.
• Participating in college nights and college fairs across the state and the nation to provide information to prospective freshman and transfer students.
• Working with academic and student affairs offices and departments across campus to assist students in their transition to UT Austin.
• Working with alumni and outreach centers across the state and nation to facilitate student recruiting through information distribution, events, and activities.

Freshman Admission

Freshman applicants should take advantage of the detailed information and resources available through Texas Admissions - Freshman.

Eligibility to Apply

To be eligible to apply for freshman admission, an applicant must:

• Have graduated or be on track to graduate from high school or receive a GED and
• Not have enrolled in another college or university after graduating from high school or earning a GED.

To be eligible to apply for freshman admission, a Texas public high school applicant must also be on track to graduate under the high school coursework requirements defined in the state’s Uniform Admission Policy. Texas private high school applicants and applicants from Department of Defense schools must be on track to complete coursework that is equal in content and rigor to the requirements in the Uniform Admission Policy. See Admission Decisions below for information about requirements for automatic admission.

No student is exempt from the University’s minimum coursework requirements: four units of language arts, two units of a single foreign language, three units of mathematics at the level of Algebra I or higher, two units of science, three units of social studies, one and one-half units of electives, and one-half unit of fine arts. (Computer science/programming courses may be used to fulfill the admissions foreign language requirement.)

Meeting the minimum requirements makes a student eligible to apply for admission, but exceeding the minimum is often necessary for applicants to be competitive for admission to many of the University's academic programs.

Under Texas law, graduates of unaccredited high schools may seek admission to the University.

Admission Deficiencies 

Some applicants may be required to complete the University’s deficiency process in order to meet UT Austin’s minimum coursework requirements. Applicants who appear to be deficient after applying for admission are notified by the Office of Admissions that they must submit additional information through an online process. Notified students who fail to complete the deficiency process will not be considered for admission.

Admitted students must complete the coursework required to remove a deficiency before they enroll at the University. A deficiency in foreign language must be removed by achieving first-year college-level credit in a foreign or classical language, by earning a passing score on the appropriate placement examination given by the University, or by taking computer science/programming coursework, when applicable. A deficiency in mathematics must be removed by earning credit for Mathematics 301, College Algebra, or Mathematics 303D, Applicable Mathematics, or an equivalent transfer course. For all other subjects, one semester of college credit is required to remove a deficiency of one year or less of high school credit.

Freshman Application Procedures

To be considered for admission as a freshman, an applicant must submit all required items by the deadline published on Texas Admissions.

1. Application. A completed Freshman application.
2. Transcript and rank. An official high school transcript showing coursework information through the end of the junior year along with information about the applicant's class rank and high school class size (usually noted on the transcript). If your high school does not rank students, provide a statement from your school describing its policy, a copy of your school's profile, and a GPA or grade distribution report. 
3. High school coursework or exemption information. Documentation showing that the applicant is on track to meet high school coursework requirements or is requesting an exemption to meet the state's Uniform Admissions Policy; applicants who claim an exemption based on equivalent coursework must submit a certification/exemption form as described above.
4. Test score. An official test score report for the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment is required.  More information may be found on Texas Admissions-Freshman.
5. Fee or waiver request. The application processing fee or a request for a fee waiver.

Additional requirements for some applicants

In addition to the items required of all applicants, some applicants are required to submit additional items. Some applicants, for example, may be required to submit the online Student Information Form to provide details about high school coursework. In addition, international freshman applicants must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores as well as evidence of sufficient financial support while studying in the United States. In addition, some majors require applicants to submit major-specific application requirements.

Additional information about applying for freshman admission, including details about reporting rank, high school coursework requirements, and testing requirements, is available on Texas Admissions - Freshman.

Keeping prospective students informed

In accordance with the admissions policy adopted by the University of Texas System Board of Regents, the Office of Admissions works diligently to keep students informed about items needed to complete an admissions application and about the status of their individual applications throughout the process. MyStatus – a secure online portal for UT Austin applicants – provides detailed information about application status (incomplete, complete, in review, etc.) and about items needed to complete an application for admission. The Office of Admissions also notifies applicants by email of the need to visit MyStatus for application information.

Reporting dual credit

A freshman applicant may not disregard any part of their academic record, including college credit earned as dual credit. Such coursework must be reported when applying for admission, and the applicant must submit official transcripts of the coursework.

Freshman Application Review Process

In keeping with the admissions policy adopted by the University of Texas System Board of Regents, the Office of Admissions uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed freshman application. Annual file review training is conducted to assure that files are reviewed consistently and fairly based on admission criteria.

Applications from students who qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to determine majors. Applications from students who are not eligible for automatic admission are reviewed to determine admissibility and to make decisions about majors.

The following items are considered during holistic review:

1. Class rank
2. Strength of academic background
3. SAT Reasoning Test or ACT scores
4. Record of achievements, honors, and awards
5. Special accomplishments, work, and service both in and out of school
6. Essay(s) and required short answers
7. Special circumstances that put the applicant’s academic achievements into context, including the applicant's socioeconomic status, experience in a single parent home, family responsibilities, experience overcoming adversity, and other information in the applicant’s file
8. Recommendations (although not required)
9. Competitiveness of the major to which the student applies

No specific class rank, test score, or other qualification by itself—other than automatic admission based on section 51.803 of the Texas Education Code or admission for top students from small Texas high school graduating classes—ensures admission.

Admission decisions are made on the basis of the information submitted as part of the student’s application. Applicants who believe that supplemental items will help convey information about their qualifications are encouraged to submit such items with their applications. Supplemental items often included with applications are expanded résumés of accomplishments and extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and letters addressing an applicant’s special circumstances.

Admission Decisions

The Office of Admissions uses an individualized, holistic review process to consider each completed freshman application. Applications from students who do not qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to determine which students will be offered admission and to determine majors for those offered admission. Applications from students who do qualify for automatic admission are reviewed to make decisions about majors.

Texas applicants eligible for automatic admission

Section 51.803 of the Texas Education Code defines the rules that govern automatic admission to Texas universities. Under these rules, the University is required to use automatic admission to fill at least 75 percent of the spaces available to Texas residents in each admitted freshman class.

Each September, the University informs school districts of the rank that will be required to earn automatic admission to the University in the next application cycle. More information can be found at Admission Decisions.

In addition to graduating under the coursework requirements found in the state’s Uniform Admission Policy, to be eligible for automatic admission, applicants from Texas public high schools must complete the Foundation High School Program with the Distinguished Level of Achievement. High school coursework exemptions are available for applicants who may be eligible for automatic admission and who attend private high schools in Texas or Department of Defense high schools. Available exemptions are based on achieving certain benchmarks on either the SAT or the ACT or completing high school coursework that is equal in content and rigor to the state’s high school graduation requirements.

In order for a student to qualify for automatic admission, the high school must report the student's rank as prescribed by section 51.803 of the Texas Education Code.

To be considered for admission to the Cockrell School of Engineering, the Jackson School of Geosciences, and the Environmental Science major in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Natural Sciences, applicants who are otherwise eligible for automatic admission to the University should meet the calculus-readiness requirement. To be considered for admission to other math-intensive majors (mathematics, business, physics, or computer science), an applicant who is otherwise eligible for automatic admission to the University should demonstrate math proficiency. 

Automatic admission for military/veteran applicants

Students who qualify for automatic admission to UT Austin at the time they graduate from high school and who join the military after graduation maintain eligibility for automatic admission for the period of time they serve in the military. Military or veteran applicants interested in enrolling at UT Austin following military service who have not enrolled in college-level coursework since high school graduation should apply for freshman admission. Such applicants are reviewed holistically with the freshman applicant pool to determine the major to which they will be offered admission. Qualified applicants who have enrolled in college-level coursework since high school graduation should apply for transfer admission.

Applicants not eligible for automatic admission

To be considered for freshman admission, applicants who are not eligible for consideration under the provisions of section 51.803 of the Texas Education Code must normally have graduated from or be on track to graduate from high school and have met the high school preparation requirements.

As a state-assisted institution, the University reserves 90 percent of its spaces for Texas residents per Texas law; 10 percent of the spaces are reserved for out-of-state and international students.

Notifying applicants of admission decisions

In keeping with the admissions policy adopted by the University of Texas System Board of Regents, the Office of Admissions notifies freshman applicants of their admission decisions as soon as possible. Summer/fall applicants who qualify for automatic admission are notified of their admissibility soon after their applications are complete. Decisions about majors for automatically admissible students and decisions about admission and majors for applicants who are not automatically admissible are made and delivered beginning in the fall. All freshman admissions decisions for summer/fall are communicated by the spring before the entry semester. The Office of Admissions also works to deliver spring decisions in a timely manner.

Alternative paths to admission

The University works to identify and develop alternative admission programs that offer prospective students a clear path to completion of an undergraduate degree at the University. These programs include: Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE), a co-enrollment program with Austin Community College, and the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP), a University of Texas System program through which students enroll in a UT System university during their freshman year and then transfer to UT Austin—after successfully completing the program requirements—in order to complete their undergraduate studies.  Information about PACE requirements are available on Texas Admissions - Freshman. Information about CAP requirements are available on Texas Admissions - Freshman.

Transfer Admission

Prospective transfer applicants should take advantage of the detailed information and resources available on Texas Admissions - Transfer.

Eligibility to Apply

In most circumstances to be eligible for transfer admission consideration, an applicant must:

1. Have graduated from high school or earned a GED
2. Have enrolled in an institution of higher education following high school graduation or receipt of the GED
3. Have earned 24 semester hours of transferable coursework at another college of university

While 30 semester hours of transfer credit is recommended for transfer applicants, students with at least 24 hours of credit will be considered based on the strength of their application and available spaces in the incoming class. In exceptional circumstances, students with fewer than 24 semester hours of credit may be considered for transfer admission under special review by appeal to the Vice Provost of admissions.

Ineligible at other institutions

An applicant who is ineligible to continue at a previous institution for academic or disciplinary reasons is not eligible for admission to the University. There is no probationary or provisional admission for transfer applicants.

Degree holders

Students who have obtained a degree at another college or university but are interested in working toward an undergraduate degree at UT Austin must apply for undergraduate transfer admission in the same way as students who have not yet earned a degree.

Former CAP and PACE participants

Students who participated in the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) or Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE) but did not complete the requirements or decided not to enroll at UT Austin despite successful completion of the requirements must apply for transfer admission if interested in attending UT Austin at a later date.

Additional situations requiring application for transfer

UT Austin graduate students who are interested in taking undergraduate courses but who have never attended UT Austin as an undergraduate must apply for undergraduate transfer admission. The same is true for students who have taken only correspondence or extension courses at UT Austin as well as students who have taken only summer courses when enrolled as a visiting transient student.

Transfer Application Procedures

To be considered for transfer admission, an applicant must submit the items listed below by the application deadline. Official transcripts and test score reports submitted to the Office of Admissions will not be duplicated or returned to the student. Faxes of transcripts and applications are not accepted.

1. Application and essays: A completed Transfer application, including the required essays and statement of purpose.
2. Transcripts: Separate, official transcripts from each college attended, including any at which the applicant enrolled while in high school. Every college-level course the student took must be reported on a transcript from the institution at which the student enrolled in the course, even if it also appears on the transcript of another institution that accepted it for transfer credit. Summer and fall applicants must submit official transcripts of all coursework undertaken through the previous fall; spring applicants must submit official transcripts of all coursework undertaken through the previous summer.
3. Fee (or exemption request): The nonrefundable application fee or a request for an exemption, described in the section Application Processing Fee.
4. Résumé: An expanded résumé that provides information about the applicant’s previous five years of academic, extracurricular, community, and work activities, honors, and awards.

The following items are required for some applicants:

1. Permanent resident alien applicants must submit a photocopy of the front of the permanent resident card or temporary evidence of I-551 in the passport.
2. Transfer applicants (including United States citizens and permanent residents) who have undertaken a significant amount of their college coursework in a country in which English is not the only language spoken must show proficiency in English by presenting a score on either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Details about possible exemptions are available on Texas Admissions - Transfer. 
3. International transfer applicants must submit evidence of sufficient financial support while studying in the United States.

Required for enrollment

Before enrolling at the University, admitted transfer students must submit an official high school transcript. The transcript is used to verify completion of the units in foreign language and mathematics that are requirements of many university degrees. Although the high school transcript is not required for admission, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit it with other admissions credentials by the deadline.

Automatic admission for eligible transfer applicants

Section 51.8035 of the Texas Education Code establishes criteria for automatic admission to the University for qualifying transfer applicants who began their studies at a Texas community or junior college following high school graduation. Visit Automatic Transfer Admission for details.

Automatic admission for military/veteran applicants

Students who qualify for automatic admission to UT Austin at the time they graduate from high school and who join the military after graduation maintain eligibility for automatic admission for the period of time they serve in the military. Qualified military or veteran applicants interested in enrolling at UT Austin following military service who have enrolled in any college-level coursework since high school graduation should apply for transfer admission. UT Austin waives the 24 semester-hour transfer coursework requirement for qualified military/veteran applicants. Such applicants are reviewed holistically with the transfer applicant pool to determine the major to which they will be offered admission. Applicants who have not enrolled in college-level coursework since high school graduation should apply for freshman admission.

Transfer Application Review Process

All applications for transfer admission are reviewed and evaluated individually and holistically. Admission decisions are made after careful consideration of the strength of the applicant’s academic background; their record of achievement and accomplishment, both in and outside of the classroom; and related factors reported by the applicant in writing.

The Office of Admissions considers the following items when looking for evidence of a strong academic background:

1. Substantial coursework from a challenging academic institution or program
2. Evidence of relevant coursework and experiences related to requested field of study
3. Required and appropriate courses for specific areas of study
4. Evidence of a positive academic trend

The following items form the basis for evaluating an applicant’s record of achievement and accomplishment:

1. Indications of a superior level of achievement in a particular area, or particular attributes that would be an asset to a department or college
2. Letters from deans, department chairs, or faculty members that attest to the applicant’s qualifications for their respective programs
3. Information on a personal résumé that attests to the applicant’s skills, abilities, experiences, or background
4. Performance at an audition or the quality of a portfolio, when required for the applicant’s proposed major
5. Scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language or the International English Language Testing System, when required
6. Other special circumstances, including socioeconomic standing; educational goals; employment, internships, etc.; personal experiences and hardships; personal responsibilities; and any additional information submitted by the applicant

Enrollment pressures at the University may not permit admission of all who qualify for certain academic programs. When this occurs, the Office of Admissions, within applicable law, admits those students who are judged to be most able to contribute to and benefit from the University’s rich, diverse, and academically challenging environment. Additional admissions requirements for some undergraduate programs are described in Major-Specific Application Requirements.

Grade point average computation

A transfer applicant’s grade point average on transferable college coursework is a significant indicator of the applicant’s academic strength. Because the Office of Admissions considers academic background as a factor when making transfer decisions, the grade point average can play an important role in an applicant’s final admission decision.

The admission grade point average (GPA) is computed on all transferable college coursework the student has undertaken, whether passed, failed, or repeated. The Office of Admissions uses the University's numerical equivalents as described in Academic Policies and Procedures when computing GPA for transferable coursework.

• GPA is computed by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours pursued. (Credit hours and grade points earned on the quarter system carry 2/3, or .66, the numerical value of those on the semester system.)
• Transfer credit is not given for courses in which incoming students have earned a grade of D+, D, D-, or F. However, if such courses would normally be eligible for transfer, they are included when GPA is calculated.
• During transfer GPA calculations, an A or A+ earned on transferable coursework is awarded four points.
• Each instance in which a course is taken is counted when GPA is computed. For example, a course that a student takes twice in an effort to raise a grade is counted twice when the GPA is computed. However, transfer credit for a repeated course is counted only once.

Transfer and evaluation of credit

Applicants for transfer admission must submit official transcripts of all coursework taken at all other institutions for evaluation by the Office of Admissions. This evaluation determines whether the coursework could in any circumstance qualify for transfer credit at the University, but it does not constitute approval of the credit for use toward a degree; such approval is solely within the jurisdiction of a student’s academic dean.

Additional information about evaluation of credit is available in Undergraduate Applicants with College Credit.

Catalog eligibility for Texas transfer students

A student who transfers from another Texas public institution of higher education has the same catalog choices that the student would have had if the dates of attendance at the University had been the same as the dates of attendance at the other institution. However, the student’s choice of major may affect whether or not transferable coursework may be counted toward a degree. Rules about catalog choice are given in the undergraduate catalog in the section Graduation Under a Particular Catalog.

Coursework-in-residence requirement

Candidates for all undergraduate degrees must complete at least 60 semester hours of coursework in residence at the University. A transfer student who has completed a substantial amount of transferable, degree-applicable coursework may be obliged to take more courses at the University than their degree program requires, in order to meet the residence requirement. Students considering transfer after earning more than 60 hours of transferable credit should carefully review their options and the possible ramifications of the coursework-in-residence requirement before transferring. For more information, review the Non-Resident Tuition for Resident Students policy. 

Transient Admission (Summer Only)

Undergraduate students who are pursuing degrees at other U.S. colleges and universities and wish to continue their studies at the University during the summer only may be admitted to some undergraduate programs as visiting transient students. A transient student who then wishes to be admitted to the University on a regular basis must apply for admission as a transfer student.

Visiting transient students may not register in the Graduate School but may take graduate courses if qualified. If a visiting transient student is subsequently admitted to the University as a regular student, credit earned while enrolled as a transient student may be used to meet undergraduate degree requirements but may not be used to fulfill the requirements for a graduate degree.

Students who attend the University as transient students and then are admitted on a regular basis are immediately subject to the University’s academic regulations. In particular, such a student will be placed on academic warning upon enrollment if their grade point average for work undertaken as a transient student at the University is below 2.00.

Fresh Start

Section 51.931 of the Texas Education Code provides that a resident of Texas may apply for admission to the University as an undergraduate student without consideration of course credit or grades earned 10 or more years prior to the semester the applicant plans to enroll. To be admitted, the applicant must meet the admission standards in effect at the time of application. Students admitted under fresh start receive no credit for coursework taken 10 or more years before enrollment, even if a degree was earned.

Fresh start applicants must apply for transfer admission (or readmission if they attended UT Austin in the past), must submit transcripts for all college-level coursework taken and all required application items by the transfer deadline, and must have the minimum number of transferable courses.

Enrollment as a Nondegree Student

A student who holds a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, including UT Austin, may apply for admission as a nondegree student in one of the undergraduate colleges or schools. Students seeking nondegree admission follow the process for undergraduate transfer applicants and are considered on a competitive basis with transfer applicants for the same semester. Some undergraduate majors are not open to nondegree students; applicants must select from available nondegree majors.

Nondegree students are subject to the rules that apply to other undergraduates. With the approval of the Office of Admissions and the dean's office of the applicable college or school, nondegree students may change to degree-seeking status in an undergraduate college or school. Such students must meet the criteria required of all transfer applicants.

With the approval of the instructor and the graduate advisor, a nondegree student may take any graduate course for which they meet the prerequisite. However, graduate courses that a student takes while enrolled as an undergraduate nondegree student may not later be counted toward a graduate degree.

Exchange students

A student who is admitted to the University through a reciprocal exchange program is also classified as a nondegree student. An exchange student may not register for more than two fall or spring semesters and one summer semester. The transferability of academic credit to the student’s home institution is determined by the home institution.

An exchange student may later apply for admission to the University as a degree-seeking student, but only after completion of the exchange period. If the student is admitted as a degree-seeker, credit that they earned as an exchange student may be counted toward a university degree only on a limited basis and only with the approval of the student’s dean.

Major-Specific Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to some undergraduate majors, applicants must submit additional information or meet additional requirements beyond those for applying to the University. Applicants who complete the University’s undergraduate application requirements but fail to submit these additional items or to meet these major-specific requirements may be considered for admission to other undergraduate majors based on academic interest and space availability. Undergraduate applicants may select both a first-choice and a second-choice major when applying for admission; however, preference may be given to first-choice applicants.

Foreign language requirement

UT Austin undergraduate students are expected to have completed two years of a single foreign language in high school. Applicants who meet the University's foreign language high school coursework requirement with computer science coursework may be required to earn credit at the beginning level proficiency in a single foreign language to complete their undergraduate degree requirements. See Foreign Language in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The list below offers an overview of major-specific requirements. Additional information is available on the Prerequisites page of the Office of Admissions website and to individual applicants through MyStatus, the University's secure admissions portal.

Architecture

Freshman Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester
• Short answer question: Submit response to major specific short answer question

Transfer Requirements

• Essay D: Submit a response to Essay D
• Portfolio and letter of recommendation: Submit online portfolio and one letter of recommendation
• Minimum 3.25 grade point average: Applicants must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average on transferable coursework
• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester
• Transfer from architecture/interior design programs: Submit transfer credit from architecture or interior design programs

Business

Freshman Requirements

• Fall admission: Entering business students must begin their studies in a fall semester; summer admission may be possible
• Canfield Business Honors Program: Admission to the Canfield Business Honors Program requires completion of an additional application, criteria, and acceptance by the Canfield Business Honors Program

Transfer Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering business students must begin their studies in a fall semester
• Business indicator courses: Submit official transcripts showing the following business indicator courses:
  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • Microeconomics
  • Macroeconomics
• Foreign language proficiency: Before enrolling, admitted transfer students must verify completion of two years of a single foreign language in high school or one year of a single foreign language in college.

Communication

Freshman Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Transfer Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Education

Transfer Requirements

• Essay: Submit an essay response that focuses on how the intended major aligns with the student's educational/career goals
• Teacher certification: Non-degree seekers planning to begin professional development classes in the fall semester should complete the application to the professional development sequence as part of the admissions application process.

Engineering

Freshman Requirements

• Calculus readiness requirement: To be considered for admission to the Cockrell School of Engineering, students must be calculus ready.
• Summer/Fall admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a summer or a fall semester
• Engineering Honors Program: Admission to the Engineering Honors Program requires the completion of an additional application

Transfer Requirements

• Transfer credit for the following coursework:
  • Mathematics 408L, 408M, or 408D
  • Physics 303K and 103M
  • A minimum of four technical courses. Technical courses include courses in math, physics, biology, chemistry, geology, computer science, and engineering.
• Fall admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Fine Arts

Freshman Requirements

Fall-only admission: Entering students in all majors must begin their studies in a fall semester.

• Butler School of Music majors:
  • Submit additional Butler School of Music application
  • Complete an audition or interview
• Department of Art and Art History majors: 
  • (Art History only) Submit response to major-specific short answer question
  • (Studio Art only) Submit art portfolio
• Department of Design majors:
  • Submit creative work in response to design prompt
• Department of Theatre and Dance majors:
  • Complete additional steps such as audition, interview or portfolio related to your interests

Transfer Requirements

Fall-only admission: Entering students in all majors must begin their studies in a fall semester.

• Butler School of Music majors:
  • Submit additional Butler School of Music application
  • Complete an audition or interview 
• Department of Art and Art History majors:
  • (Art History only) Submit response to major-specific short answer question
  • (Studio Art only) Submit art portfolio
• Department of Design majors:
  • Submit recent work samples and a creative work in response to design prompt
• Department of Theatre and Dance majors:
  • Complete additional steps such as audition, interview or portfolio related to your interests

Geosciences

Freshman Requirements

• Calculus readiness requirement: To be considered for admission to the Jackson School of Geosciences, students must be calculus ready
• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Transfer Requirements

• Transfer credit for the following coursework:
  • Chemistry 301
  • Geological Sciences 401 or 303
  • Mathematics 408C, or 408K, or equivalent
• Additional required coursework for Environmental Science (geological sciences)
  • Biology 311C
• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Transfer Recommendations

• Transfer credit for the following coursework:
  • Mathematics 408L and 408M, 408D, or equivalent
  • Geological Sciences 401 or 303 with a grade of at least B-​

Information

Freshman Requirements

• Fall and Summer admission: Entering students may begin their studies in a fall or summer semester

Transfer Requirements

• Fall and Summer admission: Entering students may begin their studies in a fall or summer semester 

Liberal Arts

Freshman Requirements

• Honors programs: Plan II and Liberal Arts Honors applicants must complete the online Honors Program application and submit the additional materials.
• Environmental Science (geographical sciences): To be considered for admission to environmental science, students must be calculus ready
• Fall-only admission: Plan II and environmental science students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Transfer Requirements

• Plan II: The Plan II major is not currently available to transfer applicants.
• Undeclared: The Undeclared major in Liberal Arts is not available to transfer applicants.
• Environmental science (geographical sciences): 
  • Transfer credit for Biology 311C, Chemistry 301, and Mathematics 408C, 408K, or 408N with a grade of at least C- in each
  • Transfer credit for Geological Sciences 401 or 303 with a grade of at least B-

Natural Sciences

Freshman Requirements

• Honors programs: Natural sciences honors program applicants must complete the online Honors Program application and submit the additional materials
• Environmental science (biological sciences): To be considered for admission to environmental science, students must be calculus ready
• Fall-only admission: Environmental science and Statistics and Data Science students must begin their studies in a fall semester

Transfer Requirements

• ​Fall-only admission: Computer science and environmental science students must begin their studies in a fall semester.
• Undeclared: The Undeclared major in Natural Sciences is not available to transfer applicants.
• Environmental science (biological sciences):
  • Transfer credit for Biology 311C, Chemistry 301, and Mathematics 408C, 408K, or 408N with a grade of at least a C- in each
  • Transfer credit for Geological Sciences 401 or 303 with a grade of at least B-

Transfer Recommendations (to be competitive for all natural sciences majors):

• Minimum of 30 transferable semester hours
• GPA in math and science: Minimum grade point average of 3.00 in mathematics and science coursework is preferred for consideration. A GPA above 3.00, however, is generally needed to be competitive for admission.
• First-choice major: Preference is given to applicants who select a Natural Sciences major as their first-choice major and who have transfer credit for at least one college-level calculus course.
• Transfer credit: One of the following (with a grade of at least B-)
  • ​Mathematics 408C, 408D, 408K, 408L, 408M, 408N, or 408S
  • Statistics and Data Sciences 301

​

• Transfer credit: Two of the following courses (with a grade of at least B-)
  • ​Biology 311C, 311D
  • Chemistry 301, 302
  • Computer Science 311, 312
  • Physics 303K, 303L
  • or majors level equivalents
• Essay A: Submit Essay A describing how the intended major would impact achievement of the student's educational and career goals

Nursing

Freshman Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester
• Short answer questions: Submit responses to major specific short answer questions​

Transfer Requirements

• Fall-only admission: Entering students must begin their studies in a fall semester
• Essay A: Submit Essay A with a focus on goals of becoming a nurse and/or a career in nursing
• Recommended GPA: To be competitive, applicants should have a minimum 3.5 transfer GPA
• 24 hours by deadline: Submit transcript showing 24 hours of completed coursework by the application deadline.
• Transfer credit: Submit transfer credit for the following:
  • Chemistry 301, Statistics and Data Sciences 301, and Biology 311C
• Additional documents: ​Additional documents may be required for applicants with an associate's degree in nursing

Pharmacy

Admission to the College of Pharmacy is not available to freshman applicants

Transfer Applicants

• Pharm CAS Application: Apply to the professional pharmacy program (PharmD) by completing the PharmCAS application and the College of Pharmacy Supplemental Application

Social Work

Transfer Requirements

• Essay: Submit Essay A with a focus on how social work would prepare a student to achieve education and career goals.

Admission to upper-division work and requirements for continuing study

Some undergraduate academic programs admit new students as undeclared or entry-level majors within a college or school. In such cases, students must meet certain requirements—earn a certain grade point average in specified coursework, for example—to move into upper-level study. In some cases, students must apply for admission to a concentration or to a professional program after meeting the specified requirements.

Additional Information

Prospective undergraduate students and applicants should review online information provided by the colleges and schools that offer the majors in which they are interested and should consult the Undergraduate Catalog for details.

Readmission of Former Undergraduate Students

Former University students who were not enrolled the previous fall or spring semester must apply for readmission. Students who completed the requirements for a degree from the University in the previous semester or summer semester must also apply for readmission. (Former graduate students who have never been enrolled at UT Austin as undergraduates and who wish to take undergraduate courses must apply for undergraduate transfer admission.) Application materials must be submitted by the deadline for former students. To be eligible to re-enroll, a former student who has subsequently attended another college must submit an official transcript from each college showing a grade point average of at least 2.50 on a 4.00 scale for all transferable coursework the student has undertaken since leaving the University. (Students who have taken only one transferable course in their absence must earn at least a 2.00 on that course.) Each application will be reviewed by the office of Admissions for continued eligibility. Readmission requires official approval from the Office of Admissions.  This requirement does not apply to work taken during a summer semester that falls between consecutive spring and fall semesters in which the student is enrolled at the University.

A student who leaves the University on academic warning will be on academic warning when readmitted, even if they have attended another institution in the interim. Students previously dismissed from the university for academic reasons, contact the dean’s office of your college or school before applying to find out if you are eligible to re-enter.

Former students who wish to enter the School of Law, the Graduate School, or the graduate program of the McCombs School of Business for the first time must meet the requirements and deadlines given in the appropriate section of this chapter. Additional information about graduate and law programs is given in their respective catalogs.

Readmission Following Military Service

In accordance with section 51.9242 of the Texas Education Code, a student who withdraws from the University in order to perform required military service will be readmitted for any semester that begins within a year after the student’s release from required service. The student is not required to apply for readmission or pay an application fee. However, the student must submit the Notification of Intent to Re-Enroll. This form allows the University to prepare for the former student’s return. If the form is submitted late, the student’s registration may be delayed. To prevent a delay, the former student should submit the form at least two weeks before they expect to register for classes.

This policy applies to students who withdraw for service with the United States armed forces or the Texas National Guard; however, it does not apply to students who withdraw solely to perform one or more training exercises as members of the Texas National Guard.