The University of Cincinnati is a leading American university offering a wide range of courses that include applied and experiential learning opportunities. It is ideal for students who are looking to gain the edge in a fast-paced, international employment marketplace. Together its students earn tens of millions of dollars a year while they earn their qualifications.
This balance of teaching quality and real-world experience has secured UC’s position amongst the world’s premier higher education institutions. The university is a tier one public research university and maintains an enrolment of over 45,000 students. It is regarded as “amongst the top tier of the Best National Universities” by the U.S. News & World Report.
Overview
About this university
The vibrant city of Cincinnati is the ideal environment for amazing undergraduate and graduate experiences and a healthy, enjoyable student lifestyle. The city is home to a range of businesses and enterprises, giving UC students first-rate access to career opportunities and a great range of amenities and entertainment options.
The campus itself is home to a huge variety of services and facilities and an incredibly welcoming international student community. Beautiful architecture and plentiful green spaces provide the ideal environment to enjoy a life changing learning experience and unlock a lifetime of professional success.
University ranking
| Academic Ranking of World Universities | QS World University Rankings | Times Higher Education World University Rankings |
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| 301 | 201 | 201 | 691 | 701 | 601 | 251 |
| – 100 | + 10 | – 100 |
Co-operative (Co-op) and Internships
The University of Cincinnati offers students the opportunity to participate in the institution’s unique co-op and internships program. The co-op program is based on the co-operative educational model that see students pursue alternate semesters of academic study with full-time work in their subject area and field. Students spend between 15 and 18 weeks at an employer in a semester rotation, with full pay, working 35-hour weeks. It’s an ideal way of combining theory and practice, meaning students develop critical skills and competencies in professional settings.
The UC co-op and internships program is ranked at number one amongst public universities in the U.S. by the U.S. News & World Report. Students can take advantage of over 6,000 co-op placements a year with over 1,300 companies based in the U.S. and abroad. Some of the companies include well-known names like Apple, Microsoft, Nike, Disney and Toyota.
The university hosts the third largest co-op program in the world and allows UC students to collectively earn USD 75 million every year. Rather than stopping at these achievements, UC is pressing ahead with developing the next generation of co-ops and internships to ensure that its students are riding the wave of applied learning innovation. This dedication to future-focused, competitive experience-based learning ensures that the university’s students will thrive in the digital knowledge economy and global marketplace.
What’s new
The University of Cincinnati is responding proactively to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is committed to protecting the health and well-being of all its students, staff, and others in the community. The university is carrying out a range of adaptive measures to ensure that it can remain open and deliver outstanding education throughout this and the next academic year.
The university has decided to adopt a responsive educational strategy that combines a number of platforms including online, hybrid, and face-to-face program offerings. This is in addition to an amended academic calendar and enhanced health and safety protocols across the institution. Each academic department is rapidly developing online versions of available courses and working to ensure that UC’s track record on delivering academic excellence continues.
UC has over 20 years of experience with online and distanced learning, and a global reputation for experiential and co-curricular education. These elements will continue to benefit UC students and support the university’s core academic mission, all while placing the health of students and faculty at the highest priority. A number of teams across the university including UC Online, the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, the Faculty Enrichment Center, and IT@UC are working well to ensure that all students’ learning needs can be met under a range of public health scenarios.
Finances
| Average tuition fees per year | Living costs |
| US$28,972 | US$28,972 | US$17,999 | US$8,432 |
| Undergraduate | Postgraduate | Living costs | To live on campus |
Eligibility
Entry requirements
First Year Students
Current high school students (including those with college credit earned while in high school) or high school graduates who have not attended a college/university.
Requirements
- Complete the Common Application online, which includes a personal essay
- Payment of a non-refundable USD 100 fee
- Copy of official academic transcript from high school
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency:
- SAT, ACT, Duolingo, TOEFL, ELS, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge
- Submit evidence of Math proficiency:
- SAT, ACT, or UC Math Placement Test
- No additional application for merit-based scholarship award review
Transfer Students
Students who have earned college credit since graduating from high school.
Requirements
- Complete an online application
- Payment of a non-refundable USD 100 fee
- Copies of official academic transcripts from universities where credits were earned
- A course-by-course evaluation is required if university transcripts are not in English
- Send official high school transcript if less than 24 college credit hours completed
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency:
- Required for students who earned credits at a university outside the U.S.A.:
- SAT, ACT, Duolingo, TOEFL, ELS, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge
- Not required for students who earned 24 or more credits at a university in the U.S.A. with grades C+ or higher
- Required for students who earned credits at a university outside the U.S.A.:
- No additional application for merit-based scholarship award review
Accelerated College English Program (ACE)
Current high school students (including those with college credit earned while in high school) or high school graduates who have not attended a college/university.
Requirements
- Complete an online application
- Payment of a non-refundable USD 100 fee
- Submit high school transcripts, which should include certified English translation if required
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency:
- SAT, ACT, Duolingo, TOEFL, ELS, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge
- If applying for a Business Pathway Program, students should submit evidence of math proficiency by submitting the SAT or UC Math Placement Test.
Conditional Admission
Current high school students (including those with college credit earned while in high school) or high school graduates who have attended a college/university.
Requirements
- First Year Student: Refer to First Year information
- Transfer Student: Refer to Transfer information
More about application deadlines and international entry requirements.
Department and Faculty
English Language Program
The Accelerated College English Program (ACE) is offered by the university to students who wish to study at the institution and improve their English proficiency. By beginning in this program students don’t add an extra year of study, but rather, enhance their first year with English as a second language courses. The program is divided into two semesters that focus on providing English as a second language courses and instruction in some major course subjects that are used as credit towards a degree program. Full completion of the one-year program allows students to gain guaranteed admission to a degree program as a second-year student. Scholarship awards are available to reduce the cost of tuition after the completion of the first year.
Students have the option to select from over 100 major course subjects when studying the Accelerated College English Program (ACE). In addition, they are well-supported by academic advisors, with progress continually monitored and the provision of academic resources. Admission to the program requires students to:
- Complete an online application
- Payment of a non-refundable USD 100 fee
- Submit high school transcripts, which should include certified English translation if required
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency:
- SAT, ACT, Duolingo, TOEFL, ELS, IELTS, PTE, or Cambridge
- If applying for a Business Pathway Program, students should submit evidence of math proficiency by submitting the SAT or UC Math Placement Test.
In order to be accepted into the program the following proof of English language proficiency is required:
- TOEFL: 50 and 14 in writing
- IELTS: 5.5 and 5.0 in writing
- ELS: 109
- SAT: 980 and 460 in evidence-based reading and writing
- ACT: 19 and 18 in English composition
- Duolingo: 75
- Cambridge: 162 (recommended exam: B2 First)
Campus and Facilities
Student support
The University of Cincinnati prides itself on its fantastically diverse and exciting international community. UC invests a huge amount of time and resources into making sure that every visitor to UC has an unforgettable student experience and departs with unbeatable professional potential.
The university supports UC International, a specialized service which develops a wide range of opportunities for international work and learning experiences, as well as cultural and social exchange. The service offers round the clock support for over 3,500 international students every year who make Cincinnati their home from home. In addition to this, the university lives up to its reputation as a global institution by consistently driving transnational collaboration and innovation through strategic partnership and community investment.
The university’s International Services helps international students and visitors in understanding the culture of the United States and the unique community of UC, in addition to the various rules and procedures that apply to students and life in the United States more generally. This assistance includes helping students acclimatize to life in America, managing their visa, securing employment, paying taxes, having fun and making friends.
The university also hosts a large number of student-led groups and social events on its campuses, so international students have no shortage of opportunities to make friends. UC’s dedicated International Partners and Leaders (IPALs) program connects international and domestic students for a personalized experience, cultural exchange and extra English language experience.
Student safety
At the University of Cincinnati students can rest assured that their safety, security, good health and wellbeing are protected round the clock by expert staff. The university’s Department of Public Safety works closely with local authorities and community partners on crime prevention, safety services and other support for students and staff. This integrated approach combined with high levels of training and excellent resourcing means that students at UC are able to flourish.
The university’s safety services understand that secure living in a bustling urban environment also requires participation and responsibility on a personal basis. The university’s Bearcat Guardian mobile app delivers safety notifications, direct communication with campus security, and safety tips straight to students 24/7.
In addition to this, the university’s safety and security personnel provides a number of regular services to students and staff. This includes:
- Police patrol
- Night Ride transportation services
- Crime prevention education
- Security services such as door unlocks
- Special event security and permitting
- Fire safety inspections
- Security systems services such as keys, locks, ID Badges, intrusion alarms, fingerprinting, and background checks
