Step 1: Complete the Online Application

• Apply.  *Caution: Type your email correctly.

Step 2: Pay the Application Fee

• After applying, pay online.

Step 3: Email documents to esl@uky.edu

For Admissions: (All Students)

• Passport Photo (biographical information page)
• English Score (iTEP, Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS)
  • Need a score?
    • We recommend: iTEP. Choose "University of Kentucky - Center for English as a Second Language".  Pay $24.  The results will be sent directly to our office.
  • Starting in Level 1?
    • Students who plan to start at Level 1 can simply write to ESL@uky.edu "I plan to start in Level 1, so I do not have an English score to share." when they email us the other documents.
    • *If you do not take the language placement test, you will have only one week after the program starts to take the test and move to a higher level. We recommend taking the test if you believe you are above Level 1. More information about levels is available here: https://esl.as.uky.edu/curriculum-iep0.

For Immigration:  (Students with F or J visas only; all other students can skip)

• If requesting a visa: Financial Information
  • Bank Statement or Sponsor Letter showing one year of funding (USD $34,023) - in English, and no more than 120 days old
    • If the bank statement is not under the student's name, a completed Guarantee of Financial Support.pdf form is also required.
• If bringing dependents: Additional Information
  • Passport photo (biographical information page) of your dependents' passports
  • + $7,350 for a dependent spouse
  • + $5,040 per dependent child

Staff processes Admission

(1-2 weeks processing time)

• Admissions are reviewed on Thursdays, but not during orientation weeks or the first week of classes (refer to Calendar).
• We do not reply to emails on weekends or holidays.
• We will send an email with the ESL Admission Letter and a list of Next Steps.

Step 4: Complete Admission Letter list

• Necessary Phone Applications: Apple / Samsung
  • Download Duo Mobile, Microsoft Outlook and Canvas Student.
• Student Account Activation
  • Instructions: UK Tech Help Center
• Housing
  • On Campus: Residence Halls (Boyd & Blazer open during breaks); Prices; Application Process; **Note: Meal plans are required for all on-campus residents. On-campus housing fills fast, so apply as early as possible.
  • Off Campus: Search online for prices and availability.  (Off-campus housing is independent of UK and the ESL program.)
• Orientation and Arrival Date
  • Plan to arrive before In-Person Orientation.  **Check details online: Orientation Schedule the week before.

 

Traveling to Kentucky?  Consider Blue Grass Airport (LEX) for free airport pickup!

(5+ days before your flight departure)

• Request transportation from LEX Blue Grass Airport to your Lexington residence.

 

_________________________________________

 

Students seeking F/J Student Visas:

Request I-20.

(24 hours after Student Account Activation)

• Log in with your Link Blue information to iCAT (UK International Center portal).

UK International Center processes I-20.

(1-2 weeks processing time)

• Student I-20s are delivered by email from ISSS, the UK International Center.

Make Visa Appointment. 

• Find your local U.S. Embassy.
• Bring your Admission Letter and your I-20. 

 

_________________________________________

 

Questions?

• Review our website for answers to common/general questions.
• Email esl@uky.edu -- Allow 3 business days for a response.
• Request a Zoom appointment for personal attention.