Admission Requirements | KU International Student Services

Undergraduate Admissions

Requirements

Admission requirements depend upon the program of study you choose, your level of education and the semester you plan to enter KU. There may be different requirements and deadlines for both freshmen and transfer students.

Admissions Requirements and Deadlines Chart

First Year Freshman

You are a First Year freshman applicant if you have completed or will complete high school (secondary school) and have not yet enrolled in a regular session at any college or university before attending KU.

Admission to KU requires graduation from high school. In addition to transcripts or marksheets, you must present an official diploma, a graduation certificate, official examination results, or other proof of graduation. The required document depends upon the specific country credential. Admission to KU is selective and meeting the minimum grade average does not guarantee admission. We use equivalent admission criteria for applicants from all countries.

Students must have completed a College Preparatory Curriculum:

English or your native language - 4 years

At least one year of English or language arts must be successfully completed for each year of high school.

Natural Science - 3 years

At least one year must be in chemistry or physics. Students must successfully complete three years of natural sciences selected from the following:

One year of biology
One year of advanced biology
One year of chemistry
One year of physics
One year of earth-space science
One year of principles of technology

Mathematics - 3 years

Students must successfully complete three years of mathematics at the Algebra I level and higher (geometry, trigonometry, algebra II, statistics, with pre-calculus or calculus strongly recommended for Engineering or Architecture programs).

Social Sciences - 3 years

Required Acceptable subjects include: government, history, current social issues, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, race and ethnic group relations, philosophy.

Requirements by Country

Transfer

You are a transfer applicant if you have attended any institution (college, university, preparatory or vocational-technical program) since you graduated from high school (secondary school).

Students transferring with fewer than 24 credit hours (one academic year) of post secondary study will be evaluated on a combination of their college/university and high school grades. They are required to submit both college/university and high school records.

Additional information for Transfer students:

Transferring from a US school to KU

Non-Degree Seeking

International students who are on student visas (F-1 or J-1 status) may pursue non-degree programs only under special circumstances:

Visiting high school or college students with special permission who want to enroll in a few KU undergraduate courses while continuing to study at and remaining on the I-20 or DS-2019 of the school they are authorized to attend.
Students on approved Optional Practical Training or Academic Training who have recently graduated and want to take a few KU undergraduate courses part-time while working.
Visiting students on special programs coordinated with KU partner institutions for specific academic programs.

International students who are not in F-1 or J-1 status may apply as non-degree seeking for the following purposes:

To enroll in one or two KU courses as a visiting student, while attending high school or another college or university. requires no special permission
To enroll in one or two KU courses as an adult student not pursuing a degree.
To take undergraduate courses for graduate school or for a certification program.