Administrative Updates
Undergraduate Admissions
Overview
International Students
5. Official English language test scores are required from international students from non-native English-speaking countries. UTA accepts TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo official scores as part of the admission review process. Applicants are expected to submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS or achieve a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 or obtain a Duolingo score of 100 (or a Duolingo score of 105 for applicants pursuing any Engineering undergraduate major). Scores must be sent directly to UT Arlington from the testing service provider to be considered official. Student score reports are not used for admission processing. Applicants from the following countries are exempt from submitting English language proficiency scores: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grand Cayman, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, Botswana, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guam, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nigeria, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena-Ascension-Tristan da Cunha, South Africa, Swaziland, Singapore, Tanzania, Uganda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. English proficiency testing will be waived for those undergraduate applicants:
a. who have an SAT I verbal score of at least 480 or an ACT I English score of 19, or
b. who have completed English Composition I and II with a grade of C or better, plus 24 additional transferable hours at a college or university located in the U.S.
c. who have completed an English-based International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (AP), "American curriculum," or "British curriculum" (e.g., American School of Paris, British International School of Amsterdam). English is the primary language of instruction in these programs, and completion of these programs verifies the student’s proficiency in English.
d. who have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a U.S.-accredited institutions.
First-Year Admission
A First-Year applicant to The University of Texas at Arlington must have graduated from an accredited high school or is on track to graduate from high school prior to enrollment at UT Arlington. Applicants must submit an application for admission, an application fee, and a high school transcript. Applicants are not required to submit official SAT or ACT scores, however are encouraged to do so to be eligible for scholarship opportunities. Students enrolled in dual credit courses at a college while in high school are encouraged to submit a college transcript. If an admission offer is made prior to high school graduation, a second official transcript that identifies the graduation date and final class rank will be required prior to the first day of classes.
First-Year Guaranteed Admission Requirements
| Rank | GPA* | Test Scores** (Optional But Encouraged) SAT | Test Scores** (Optional But Encouraged) ACT | Advanced Credits Earned*** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any | 3.25* | no minimum | no minimum | no minimum |
| Top Quartile | no minimum | no minimum | no minimum | no minimum |
| 2nd Quartile | any | 1130 | 23 | 5 |
| 3rd Quartile | any | 1250 | 26 | 9 |
| No Rank | 3.25* | no minimum | no minimum | no minimum |
| No Rank | 3.0-3.24 | 1130 | 23 | no minimum |
| No Rank | 2.90-2.99 | 1250 | 26 | no minimum |
- *
Minimum unweighted on a 4.0 scale
- **
Scores listed are the minimum required scores. The SAT score is calculated by combining the highest Evidence-Based Reading, Writing, and Math scores. The ACT is the composite score, which includes the English, Reading, Math, and Science sections. UTA does not require an essay. If you apply for admission without these test scores, your application will be evaluated based on high school records.
- ***
Numbers listed are the minimum. Advanced credits include dual enrollment, AP, IB, and honors.
In addition to current university requirements for admission, Texas Education Code, Sections 51.803, 51.804, 51.804(2) require applicants to also have either:
- successfully completed the Texas curriculum requirements for the Foundation High School Program or its equivalent; OR
- satisfied ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks on the ACT assessment applicable to the applicant (minimum 18 on the English, 22 on Math, 21 on Reading, and 24 on Science) OR earned on the SAT assessment a score of at least 1,500 (Critical Reading + Math + Writing) out of 2,400 or the equivalent.
Applicants who meet the guaranteed admission requirements are automatically granted admission. Any applicant not meeting the guaranteed admission criteria above will be considered for admission under individual holistic review.
Individual Holistic Review
Applicants who do not meet guaranteed admissions requirements at UTA will automatically go through an individual review process. The individual review process at UTA will a holistic review of the high school academic record, academic achievements, advance credits pursued, GPA, test score, and a review of a personal statement to be requested on the application asking students to articulate any challenges or other extenuating circumstances experienced during their high school career and what they’ve done to overcome them. Students admitted under individual holistic review are admitted under conditional admission. Students conditionally admitted do not have a minimum level of enrollment and must achieve a 2.0 GPA at the end of their first term of enrollment at UTA.
Conditional Offers of Admission
Freshman applicants that don't meet admissions requirements may be offered admission to UT Arlington with the condition that they participate in the MAVS RISE or similar program. International students are not eligible for conditional admission.
Entrance Examination
Freshman applicants for admission are not required, but are encouraged to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). The SAT is given nationally in October, November, December, January, April, May and June. Any student graduating from high school in 2006 or later, must also submit the writing score from the new SAT or the writing score from the ACT. Students taking the ACT should make sure they sign up for the writing exam since it is an optional component of the regular ACT. Test applications and a sample test bulletin can be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, College Board ATP, CN 6200, Princeton, N.J. 08541-6200 or online at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html. The ACT is given nationally in October, December, February, March and June. Test applications and a sample test bulletin can be obtained from American College Testing Program, P.O. Box 414, Iowa City, Iowa 52243 or online at www.actstudent.org. Test applications can also be obtained from a local high school or from the Office of Testing Services at UT Arlington. Applications will not be accepted later than one month prior to the test date. The applicant should complete one of the examinations at least three months prior to the start of the semester for which admission is sought. Test scores are only considered official if they are received directly from the testing service or are included on an official transcript and are less than five years old.
Students age 25 or older as of the first day of classes for the term they wish to enroll are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. Their admission will be determined by individual review.
Admission Appeal
Students denied admission may appeal the decision by submitting an Admission Appeal form online to the Admissions Review Committee. Students should provide the committee with a personal statement explaining their academic strengths, educational goals at UTA, and any extenuating circumstances you would like the Admission Review Committee to know. Students should also submit two academic letters of recommendation. Students can appeal only once per term and can expect a decision from the committee within 14-21 days from the receipt of the appeal.
Graduate Admissions
Standardized Test Requirements
TOEFL iBT, IELTS or Duolingo Score Minimums for Admission
Official English language test scores are required from international students from non-native English-speaking countries. UTA accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and Duolingo official scores as part of the admission review process. Certain academic programs at UTA may still require English proficiency testing where higher language proficiency is critical to the program’s success. An applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate a sufficient level of skill with the English language to assure success in graduate studies.
Graduate master’s and doctoral applicants are expected to submit a score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS or achieve a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 79 or obtain a Duolingo score of 100. Further, when the TOEFL iBT is taken, sectional scores of at least 22 on the writing section, 21 on the speaking section, 20 on the reading section, and 16 on the listening section are preferred. Scores must be sent directly to UT Arlington from the testing service provider to be considered official. Student score reports are not used for admission processing.
Applicants must meet the minimum requirement for proficiency in English. Individual academic departments and graduate programs may give preference to students who exceed these minimums. Admission to any graduate program is limited and competitive. Meeting the minimum admission requirements for proficiency in English does not guarantee acceptance and programs may give preference to students with higher scores. Information regarding program-specific preferences can be found in each graduate program’s description of admission qualifications. International applicants may still be expected to submit a test score of English language proficiency to be eligible for a graduate teaching assistantship. See the section TOEFL iBT or IELTS Requirements for Graduate Teaching Assistants for more information.
Students are exempt from the English language proficiency tests if they have earned a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a U.S.-accredited institution or if they are from one of the countries listed below:
Applicants from the following countries are exempt from submitting English language proficiency scores: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grand Cayman, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, Botswana, Cook Islands, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guam, India, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Nigeria, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Saint Helena-Ascension-Tristan da Cunha, South Africa, Swaziland, Singapore, Tanzania, Uganda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Any other waivers of score requirements must be recommended by the applicant's Graduate Advisor and approved by the college or school dean.