Overview

The University of Akron (UA) is a nationally recognized STEM-intensive university in Akron, Ohio, with approximately 15,000 students from 46 U.S. states and 71 countries.

　　UA is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, offering unique and in-demand associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degree programs in engineering, business, health care, the arts and sciences, education and law.

　　UA has strong connections with industries such as polymers, advanced materials and engineering. The university's beautiful campus, located in the heart of Ohio's fifth-largest city, is surrounded by thousands of businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, giving students access to internships, co-ops and careers.

　　Indeed, students at UA will gain an excellent quality of education thanks to a passionate faculty, contemporary facilities and a blend of learning styles.

　　Students can enjoy a well-rounded campus experience at UA, thanks to its award-winning residence hall groups and programs, an outstanding range of student organizations to get involved in, NCAA Division I sports teams that students can try out for (or support), and an excellent Student Rec and Wellness Center.

　　

What's new

The University of Akron consistently has new and exciting stories to share, whether it be through the growth of the university's own resources, to new investment in student funding and scholarship opportunities, to the individual successes of its students as they achieve great things.

　　Prospective students are encouraged to visit the university's website to check out some of these stories, as they are an inspiring way to learn about some of the opportunities which await them if they also decide to enroll at UA.

　　Recent news includes the adoption of several new or improved scholarship funds for students, and also the university's Residence Hall Program Board winning the award for Programming Organization of the Year from the National Association for Campus Activities for the Mid-America Region. It was an award retained by the university for a second year in a row, demonstrating the outstanding opportunities students can enjoy while living and studying at UA.

　　

Teaching quality

The quality of teaching at the University of Akron is exemplary, thanks to a combination of factors - an engaged and caring faculty team, contemporary equipment and learning facilities, and outstanding relationships with local and global businesses to help shape study programs.

　　Students will love the hands-on learning approaches used to bring education to life at UA. Courses are never taught by lecture alone and there are a wealth of additional opportunities available to broaden experiences, including co-ops, internships, research studies and more.

　　Some of the statistics help reinforce the academic excellence of the university. It is ranked as the top university in the world for polymer science and plastics engineering by EduRank, and the College of Business is in the top 1 percent in the world with dual AACSB accreditation. The university is home to the unique National Museum of Psychology, and of the nurse anesthesia students undertaking their national certification exams last year, 100 percent passed.

　　

Department structure

The University of Akron is divided into four separate colleges, each of which covering a range of study majors and minors.

　　

Butchel College of Arts and Sciences

This college offers a broad range of subjects, with schools including departments for chemistry, English, history, geology and environmental science, sociology, art, modern languages and more.

　　

College of Business

This college focuses on a selection of business topics, and has departments for finance, management, economics, and accountancy.

　　

College of Engineering and Polymer Science

There are a wide range of engineering subjects available from this college, including civil, electrical, and chemical, as well as computer science programs.

　　

College of Health and Human Sciences

From nursing to nutrition, along with social work and disaster science with emergency services, students can learn a wide range of health subjects at this college.

　　

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for study at the University of Akron vary depending on whether students are applying as a new freshman or are transferring to the university.

　　Broadly, students will need to complete an online application form and provide all official secondary school transcripts, along with any college, university or professional school transcripts earned for students transferring to UA from an existing college elsewhere. Students don't need to provide their SAT/ACT scores, but they can be beneficial.

　　All courses at UA are taught in English and so, depending on the student's home country, they may have to provide proof of English proficiency. The minimum accepted scores are:

　　TOELF iBT – 71 IELTS – 6.0 SAT – 500 ACT – 18 Duolingo – 95 CAE – 169 PTE – 48 GTEC CBT/GTEC – 1126/1135Students wishing to apply for a spring semester start date can do so before October 1st. Fall admission has a deadline of May 1st. Summer admission is available for transfer students.

　　

Scholarships & funding

UA is committed to helping students fund their education, and while international students will need to provide evidence of their ability to pay for their course as part of their application, that doesn't exclude them from applying to some of the scholarships that the university has to offer, in order to ease the financial burden.

　　Every year, there is more than USD 260 million provided to students in financial assistance, and over 86 percent of all undergraduate students receive some form of financial relief towards their tuition costs.

　　Some of the awards are merit-based, and offer the best performing students the rewards needed to ensure they can continue their rise to the top of the field. Others may be awarded based on financial need. There are some scholarships funded by external sources as well, including some aimed at specific study areas.

　　Not all scholarships require a separate application, but students are advised to apply for those that do promptly upon acceptance of a place at UA.

　　

Facilities

UA's facilities are excellent, including modern classrooms and labs where students will use the latest equipment and resources, best preparing them for their future careers.

　　The University of Akron's award-winning residence halls provide a safe, comfortable learning environment, where students will meet new friends and take advantage of the residence halls' extensive programming calendar. There's always something to do, helping students to enjoy a robust social life around their studies.

　　The university also offers many dining options. Whatever students' tastes, the venues on site can satisfy it. The wonderful food is offered in a variety of settings: from the ultra-modern Rob's Cafe to the bustling Union Market in Taber Student Union.

　　The student recreation and wellness center features an indoor running track, swimming pool and climbing wall in addition to multi-purpose courts, exercise studios, and strength and cardio equipment. The quality of the sporting facilities is high, catering to thousands of students at a time and ensuring that everyone on campus can enjoy a healthy lifestyle.