Applying to Grad School The application for graduate study at the University of Kentucky is fully online.

Guide to Grad School | The Graduate School

For domestic applicants the Graduate School requires applications to be submitted no later than one month prior to the start of the term the applicant intends to begin graduate work. Many Programs have earlier deadlines. Please check the program page for specific deadlines.

Fall 2025

International Applicant Deadlines for Graduate School:

• Fall semester admission– April 15
• Spring semester admission- September 15
• Summer semester - International students are not admitted for summer sessions* (*International students coming to take on campus classes are eligible for summer admission IF the program they are applying to ONLY offers a summer start.)

Please note that some programs have earlier deadlines than those specified above, and some restrict admission to specific semesters. Please refer to your specific program requirements. 

Students seeking admission to the Graduate School must have obtained a bachelors degree, prior to the start of the term for which s/he is admitted, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. An accredited U.S. institution is one that is accredited by one of the seven regional academic accrediting associations. A recognized foreign institution is an institution that is recognized by that nation's Ministry of Education or similar authority as a post-secondary, academic degree-granting institution.

Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 2.75*

Minimum Graduate GPA: 3.0*

*on a 4.0 scale (individual programs may have higher requirements)

*GPA of at least 2.5 for Graduate Certificate and Post-baccalaureate applicants

Students who wish to calculate their GPAs for self-reporting may wish to use https://www.scholaro.com/premium.

If you are offered admission and decide to enroll you will then be required to submit official transcripts to the Graduate School.

Official transcripts can be sent the following ways:

Electronic transcripts: Graduate Admissions, University of Kentucky gradtranscripts@uky.edu.
You may also choose to use the National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment, used by most institutions.
Electronic transcripts must be sent through one of these clearinghouses or directly from your institution.

**Transcripts can be sent in at any point during your application process prior to the submission deadline. 

You can direct hard copy transcript mailings from your institution to:

University of Kentucky

Graduate Admissions

202 Gillis Building

Lexington, KY 40506-0033

Frequently Asked Questions:

What transcripts are considered official?

For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the University of Kentucky graduate admissions or be original copies brought in person to the graduate admissions office in a sealed envelope. This is done to maintain compliance standards and ensure the authenticity of documents.

Student copies are not accepted as official. For example: if an applicant were to order their online transcript to be sent to themselves, this copy would not be considered official if forwarded to the graduate admissions office. Even if it were marked as an official transcript, it would be considered a student copy since it was sent by the student and not the issuing institution.

When do I need to submit official transcripts?

Official transcripts can be submitted at any time during the application process but are not required at the time of admission. Applicants can receive conditional admission pending the delivery of their official transcripts. Once this conditional admission has been offered, students must meet these conditions before registering for their second semester of study. A registration hold will be placed on their account until all conditions are met.

How can I order my official transcripts to be sent to graduate admissions?

• Digital options
  • US transcripts can usually be ordered through one of two document delivery services: Parchment, or National Student Clearinghouse. Please find the appropriate link for transcript requests on the issuing institution’s website. Be sure to select University of Kentucky Graduate Admissions as the recipient. If you only select the University of Kentucky, it will be sent to undergraduate admissions.
  • If your school does not use either of these services, they may offer an email service. Please contact your university registrar’s office and have them sent to gradtranscripts@uky.edu
    • Note for international students: If you opt for this method, please be sure to have your institution send ALL relevant documents including degree certificates if they are issued by your school.
• Physical Copies
  • Documents mailed directly from an issuing institution will be considered official. They can be mailed to the following address:
    • 201 Ezra Gillis Building 502 Administration Drive Lexington, KY 40506-0033 859-257-4613
  • Original, official, stamped copies of transcripts and degree certificates hand delivered by students can be considered official but are subject to authentication by admissions staff. These should be delivered in sealed envelopes.

This may include a curriculum vita, personal statement, writing sample, letters of recommendation, portfolios and program application deadlines. The documents required by your program of interest must also be uploaded to the application; you can review your program specific requirements on their information page found here. 

All Graduate Degrees, Certificates, and Programs

Depending on your program of interest, you may be required to provide your GRE or GMAT test score for admissions. Check with the program or college directly about requirements. 

The GRE Tests 

GMAT™ Exam 

Test scores can be self-reported in the application; however official scores should be sent directly from the testing agency.

Programs Requiring GRE Scores for Admission:

As of Fall 2024, 

• Agricultural Economics (MS, PhD)
• Animal and Food Science (MS, PhD)
• Architecture (MAR)
• Business Administration (MBA, PhD)
• Economics (MS, PhD)
• Electrical Engineering (MS, PhD)
• Mining Engineering (MME, PhD)
• Radiation and Radiological Sciences (PhD)
• Radiation Science (MS)
• Urban and Environmental Design (MS)

**For holders of M.D., D.M.D., D.D.S., Pharm.D., D.V.M., D.O., D.N.P., D.Sc., or Ph.D. degrees, no GRE or GMAT is required for admission to (through Summer 2024): 

•  Business Administration (MBA)
• Clinical and Translational Sciences (PhD)
• Dentistry (M.S. for domestic students only)
• Public Administration (for PharmD students applying to this program)
• Toxicology and Cancer Biology (PhD)

**No GRE or GMAT is required for admission in the following categories: Graduate certificate, Professional/Graduate dual degree programs (for example Pharm.D./MPA), Post-baccalaureate, Fifth Year, Rank I, and other certifications. 

All applicants must show proof of English language proficiency for admission. This can be accomplished in one of the following ways:

• Official, valid English Language Proficiency Test Score*
• Statement on the official transcript or an attestation letter sent directly from the registrar of the degree-granting institution confirming that English was the language of instruction. This option can only be used when English was the sole language of instruction.
• Awarded bachelors, masters or doctoral degree from a fully accredited U.S. higher education institution.

TOEFL Test Takers 

IELTS | Welcome to IELTS

Test scores can be self-reported in the application, however official scores should be sent directly from the testing agency.

Letters of recommendation play a key role in your application process. They should be from advisors, professors, or others who can attest to your knowledge, skills, and potential for success.

While most applications utilize an automated system to send recommendation requests, it’s a good idea to reach out to your recommenders beforehand. Aim to give them at least one month’s notice, ensuring they have ample time to craft a strong letter. Share helpful resources like your resume, personal statement, and a list of the programs you’re applying to, along with their specific requirements.

Helpful Links: 

Getting Letters of Rec | Rice University

How To Request a Letter of Recommendation | Northeastern 

How To Format Your Request for a Recommendation 

Domestics Application Fee $65

International Application Fee $75

You may apply for as many programs as you wish, but each application requires completion of a separate application form and fee. The application cannot be submitted without payment of the fee.

The application fee is non-refundable.