Step 1: Complete the Online Application.
- Apply. *Caution: Type your email correctly.
Step 2: Pay the Application Fee.
- After applying, applicants are directed to pay online.
Step 3: Email documents to esl@uky.edu.
- Passport photo (biographical information page)
- English Score (iTEP, Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS)
- If needed, 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.
- If requesting a visa: Financial Information
- Bank Statement or Sponsor Letter showing one year of funding (USD $29,039) - 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.
- Bank Statement or Sponsor Letter showing one year of funding (USD $29,039) - in English, and no more than 120 days old
- 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
ESL 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.
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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.
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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.
