University of Iowa Logo University of Iowa

Address: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
Phone: +1 319-335-3500
Email: admissions@uiowa.edu
Website: www.uiowa.edu


The University of Iowa (UI) has specific language requirements for international students whose first language is not English. These requirements ensure that students have the necessary proficiency in English to succeed in their academic programs. Here are the key details:

1. English Proficiency Tests

International applicants must submit scores from one of the following standardized English proficiency tests:

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

    • Minimum Score:
      • 80 (Internet-based test - iBT) for most undergraduate and graduate programs.
      • 100 for programs with higher language requirements, such as those in the College of Law or certain health sciences programs.

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

    • Minimum Score:
      • 6.5 overall band score for undergraduate and graduate applicants.
      • 7.0 or higher for certain graduate programs or professional schools.

  • Duolingo English Test

    • Minimum Score: 105 for undergraduate and graduate admissions.

  • PTE (Pearson Test of English)

    • Minimum Score: 53 for undergraduate and graduate applicants.

2. Exemptions

Some students may be exempt from submitting English proficiency test scores, including:

  • Native English speakers or students who have completed secondary or post-secondary education in an English-speaking country where English is the medium of instruction.
  • Transfer students from U.S. institutions or those from English-medium institutions in countries where English is the primary language.

3. Conditional Admission

Students who do not meet the required English proficiency scores may be offered conditional admission. These students will be required to enroll in the Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) to improve their language skills before beginning their degree programs.

4. Graduate Program-Specific Requirements

Some graduate programs may have higher English proficiency requirements than the university’s minimum, particularly in fields such as medicine, law, or business. Applicants should check with their specific programs for additional details.

5. English Language Support

UI provides various language support services, including tutoring, writing centers, and English language courses, to help international students improve their academic English skills.

The University of Iowa (UI) offers a wide range of strong academic programs, but it is particularly well-known for several specialties across various disciplines. Here are some of the key course specialties:

1. Creative Writing (Iowa Writers' Workshop)

  • The Iowa Writers' Workshop is the most famous program at UI, considered one of the best creative writing programs in the world. It has produced numerous celebrated authors, including Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners.

2. Speech and Hearing Sciences

  • UI is a leader in communication disorders, speech pathology, and audiology. The university’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation.

3. Medicine and Healthcare

  • The Carver College of Medicine is highly regarded for its contributions to medical research and education. UI Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) is one of the top academic medical centers in the U.S., known for its specialties in ophthalmology, orthopedics, and cancer treatment.
  • UI is also known for its strong programs in nursing, public health, and pharmacy.

4. Law

  • The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country and is well-respected for its strong focus on legal writing, intellectual property, and constitutional law.

5. Public Health

  • The College of Public Health offers highly regarded programs in epidemiology, environmental health, and biostatistics, focusing on improving public health outcomes, particularly in rural settings.

6. Engineering

  • UI offers strong programs in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, and civil and environmental engineering. The university is known for its research in areas such as sustainable energy, transportation, and infrastructure development.

7. Psychology

  • UI is known for its programs in clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience. The university’s psychology department has a long history of significant contributions to the field of experimental and behavioral psychology.

8. Fine Arts

  • UI’s School of Art and Art History is highly regarded, with strengths in painting, sculpture, and printmaking. The School of Music also offers excellent programs in composition, performance, and musicology.

9. Business

  • The Tippie College of Business is particularly well-known for its MBA program and undergraduate programs in finance, accounting, and marketing. The school offers innovative programs in entrepreneurship and leadership.

10. Environmental Science and Sustainability

  • UI has a strong focus on environmental science and sustainability, with interdisciplinary programs that emphasize climate change, renewable energy, and environmental policy.

11. Social Work

  • The university offers a respected School of Social Work, known for its focus on both clinical practice and community-based social work, preparing graduates for careers in mental health, family services, and social advocacy.

12. Journalism and Mass Communication

  • UI’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication is well-regarded, offering programs in media studies, digital communication, and broadcast journalism.

The University of Iowa is home to numerous distinguished professors known for their contributions to various academic fields. Here are some of the top professors who have made significant impacts in their areas of expertise:

1. Tomas H. Philipson, Ph.D.

  • Field: Health Economics
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Philipson is a world-renowned expert in health economics and has worked on public health policies and economic modeling of healthcare systems. He has advised governmental and international organizations on healthcare-related policies.

2. Marilynne Robinson, M.F.A.

  • Field: Creative Writing
  • Notable Contributions: A former professor at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Robinson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and one of the most celebrated American writers. Her novels such as Gilead and Housekeeping are critically acclaimed, and she has received numerous literary awards.

3. Kevin Campbell, Ph.D.

  • Field: Molecular Physiology and Biophysics
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Campbell is known for his pioneering research in muscular dystrophy and has received numerous awards for his work in understanding muscle biology. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

4. Nicholas Colangelo, Ph.D.

  • Field: Educational Psychology
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Colangelo is a leader in the field of gifted education and has written extensively on gifted and talented students. He directed the University of Iowa's Belin-Blank Center for Gifted Education, which is one of the foremost institutions for the study of gifted education.

5. Patricia Foster, Ph.D.

  • Field: Microbiology and Immunology
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Foster has made major contributions to the understanding of bacterial genetics and DNA repair mechanisms. She has been recognized for her groundbreaking research in microbial systems.

6. David Gompper, Ph.D.

  • Field: Music Composition
  • Notable Contributions: A leading figure in contemporary music, Dr. Gompper is an award-winning composer and conductor. His works are performed globally, and he has been a pivotal figure in the University of Iowa’s School of Music.

7. John W. Finamore, Ph.D.

  • Field: Classics and Ancient Philosophy
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Finamore is an expert on Neoplatonism and ancient Greek philosophy. His research has been widely published, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to classical studies.

8. Jennifer Hay, Ph.D.

  • Field: Linguistics
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Hay is an influential figure in the field of sociolinguistics and phonetics. Her research focuses on how social factors influence language use and perception, and she is widely recognized for her contributions to the field.

9. Art Neu, Ph.D.

  • Field: Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Neu has contributed significantly to sustainable infrastructure and transportation systems. His research has led to advancements in materials and practices that support environmental sustainability in engineering.

10. Christine Petersen, DVM, Ph.D.

  • Field: Public Health, Epidemiology
  • Notable Contributions: Dr. Petersen is a prominent figure in public health and veterinary epidemiology. She has worked on zoonotic diseases and has contributed extensively to research on infectious diseases that affect both animals and humans.

The University of Iowa has notable connections to the Nobel Prize, particularly in the fields of medicine and literature. Though the university itself doesn't have a large number of Nobel laureates, it has been closely associated with pioneering research and scholarship. Here are some key connections:

1. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (1976)

  • Dr. D. Carleton Gajdusek, a graduate of the University of Iowa’s medical program, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976. He was recognized for his discovery of the origins of prion diseases, a group of rare brain disorders.

2. Nobel Prize in Literature Affiliations

  • While no faculty or alumni have directly won the Nobel Prize in Literature, the Iowa Writers' Workshop has produced numerous Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winners, some of whom have been discussed as potential Nobel candidates due to their influence on global literature. The workshop is one of the most influential literary programs in the world.

3. Research and Nobel-Worthy Contributions

  • The University of Iowa's medical and scientific research centers, including UI Hospitals and Clinics and its various research institutes, have contributed significantly to advances in healthcare, which indirectly relate to fields recognized by Nobel Prizes, particularly in biochemistry, neuroscience, and medicine.

The University of Iowa is a major national research university located on a 1,900-acre campus in Iowa City in southeast Iowa, on the Iowa River near the intersection of U.S. Interstate Highways 80 and 380. Iowa is composed of 11 colleges, the largest of which is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, enrolling most of Iowa's undergraduates. The Henry B. Tippie College of Business, the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, and the Colleges of Education, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Pharmacy, enroll undergraduates, and with the Colleges of Dentistry and Public Health provide graduate education in conjunction with the Graduate College.More than 28,000 students enroll at Iowa each year. Some 64 percent come from Iowa, 21 percent from adjoining states, and 8 percent from the remaining states. International students from 106 countries make up 7 percent of the University's enrollment. The faculty numbers about 1,200 and there are about 13,000 staff. The total annual operating budget is about $1.2 billion, and there are more than 119 major buildings, most of them within walking distance of one another. Adding to the population are more than a million visitors each year who come to enjoy cultural events and art exhibits, to attend Big Ten athletic events, and to participate in the many conferences and educational programs scheduled at the University year-round.Established in 1847, Iowa has won international recognition for its wealth of achievements in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Iowa was the first U.S. public university to admit men and women on an equal basis and the first institution of higher education in the nation to accept creative work in theater, writing, music, and art as theses for advanced degrees. It established the first law school and the first educational radio station west of the Mississippi, broadcast the world's first educational television programs, and developed and continues to hold preeminence in educational testing.The University has world renowned research programs in genetics, hydraulics, and speech and hearing, and has recorded major innovations in agricultural medicine, biocatalysis, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, and pharmacology education. Its graduate programs in audiology, printmaking, creative writing, speech-language pathology, and nursing service administration are first-ranked. Iowa scientists, including James Van Allen, have been pioneers in space research, designing and building research instruments for more than 50 successful U.S. satellites and space probes. The University of Iowa operates one of the nation's most advanced and comprehensive university-owned teaching hospitals. It also has developed the most technically advanced driving simulator in the world.

The University of Iowa (UI) is famous for several reasons, particularly its strong academic programs, research contributions, and cultural influence. Here are some key aspects that make UI well-known:

1. Iowa Writers' Workshop

  • The Iowa Writers' Workshop is perhaps the most famous program at the university. It is internationally renowned for producing a large number of distinguished writers, including Pulitzer Prize winners and National Book Award winners. Many famous authors, such as Flannery O’Connor, John Irving, and Marilynne Robinson, are alumni of this workshop.
  • The program is widely considered one of the best creative writing programs in the world and has been instrumental in shaping American literature.

2. Strong Research University

  • UI is a Tier 1 research university and is known for its cutting-edge research in various fields, especially in medicine, engineering, and social sciences.
  • The university houses the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Imaging and is a leader in fields like neuroscience, genetics, and biomedical research.

3. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC)

  • The UI Hospitals and Clinics is one of the top academic medical centers in the U.S. and a leader in patient care, medical education, and research.
  • The hospital is renowned for its specialties in ophthalmology, orthopedics, and cancer treatment.

4. Speech and Hearing Sciences

  • UI is a leader in communication disorders and audiology. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders consistently ranks among the top programs in the U.S., and the university has been a pioneer in speech pathology and audiology research.

5. Public Health and Medicine

  • UI's College of Public Health and Carver College of Medicine are known for their contributions to public health, particularly in rural healthcare, epidemiology, and environmental health.
  • The university is also famous for the Iowa Testing Programs, which have shaped standardized testing practices in the U.S. education system.

6. Leadership in Music and Fine Arts

  • The School of Music and Fine Arts programs at UI are highly regarded, with the university known for fostering talent in both areas. The university also has a strong reputation in art history and studio arts.

7. Old Capitol Building

  • The Old Capitol Building, located on the university’s campus, is a historical landmark and a symbol of the university’s heritage. It was Iowa’s first state capitol and is now a museum.

8. Leadership in Environmental Sciences

  • UI has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental research. The university’s Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research is a leader in environmental science and policy research.

9. Notable Alumni

  • UI boasts a number of influential alumni, including Tennessee Williams (playwright), Gene Wilder (actor), and Ashton Kutcher (actor and entrepreneur). Many notable public figures in politics, journalism, and the arts have passed through UI.