International students who meet all academic admission requirements, but who do not meet the stated English Proficiency Requirements, can be admitted to The University of Alabama on the condition that they will meet English Proficiency before beginning academic coursework through either completing the requirements of the English Language Institute or the Pathway to UA program.

These students are not required to submit proof of English as part of the application. Instead, these students will begin coursework in the English Language Institute (ELI).

Students will remain studying in the ELI until they meet the required English Proficiency. The length of study in the ELI depends on a student’s level at entry and his/her commitment and capacity for learning while in the program. In total, the ELI is a six-session program, which can be completed in a year.

There are six intake sessions for conditional admission if you want to begin at the ELI.

After you meet the requirement, you will automatically begin studying in your degree program when the next UA semester begins.

Students who do not meet these requirements may be eligible for the Pathway to UA program.

Pathway Admission

Pathway to UA enables international students to improve their English while earning up to 18 undergraduate university credit hours. 

To view additional information, including admission requirements for this program, please visit the Pathway to UA webpage.

Please note: Academic sessions only begin in Fall 1 and Spring 1. Therefore, if you are admitted as a conditional student, the first time you can begin academic coursework after meeting the requirements of the English Proficiency is in Fall 1 or Spring 1.

If applicants apply as a conditional student, but later choose to submit proof of English Proficiency, no unofficial test scores will be accepted upon arrival on campus. International Admissions must receive official test scores by the following deadlines: