The University of Kentucky is the state's flagship public research university, in Lexington, the heart of horse country. It is best known for pharmacy, medicine, engineering, business and agriculture, with a large academic medical centre on campus. Choose it for a well-ranked public degree in a mid-sized city with low living costs.
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Official website: uky.edu
#791
Top 10 in the US (U.S. News)
R1 — very high research activity
One of the largest academic medical centres in the US South
$28,000 – $34,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$13,000 – $17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on uky.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Electrical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MBA (Gatton College of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
MS Supply Chain and Operations Management
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
College of Pharmacy — a top-10 US programme.
UK HealthCare — a large academic medical centre on campus with a top-ranked children's hospital.
Gatton College of Business — AACSB-accredited, in a building opened in 2016.
Lexington — the horse capital of the world, with bourbon distilleries nearby.
Graduates join Toyota's Kentucky plant, Lexmark, Humana, Amazon and Louisville's and Cincinnati's firms.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Pharmacy graduates enter hospital systems and pharmaceutical companies across the US.
Engineering bachelor's graduates report median starting salaries around USD 65,000-75,000.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus sits just south of downtown Lexington, with the historic north campus, the medical centre and new residence halls all within walking distance, and Rupp Arena downtown for basketball.
Lexington is a mid-sized city of about 320,000 people surrounded by horse farms, with low rent and a mild climate. Louisville and Cincinnati are each about 90 minutes away.
Form I-20 issued by the University of Kentucky
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate admission is rolling, with a 1 December 2026 priority date for fall 2027 that gives the best chance at scholarships; international applicants should apply by April to leave time for the visa. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most engineering and computer science master's closing between January and April.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Most engineering and computer science master's programmes also admit for spring, while the Gatton MBA, supply chain and public health master's are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. International Student and Scholar Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, electrical engineering, the Gatton MBA, supply chain management and public health attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 79 or IELTS 6.5, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is based mainly on grades.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit scholarships based on their grades when they apply by the priority date; need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships, which are common in engineering, pharmacy and the sciences.
