Founded in 1794, UT is big on tradition, and we are proud of our humble beginnings as the first public university chartered west of the Appalachian Divide.
We serve the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture, and making a difference in people's lives through research and service.
We embody excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. We are improving undergraduate and graduate education, research, support for faculty and staff, our campus infrastructure, and our resources.
UT's primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation's finest public research institutions.
UT's Carnegie Classification is Doctoral University (highest research activity). Most undergraduates are full-time, and admission is selective with a relatively low transfer-in rate. Admission to graduate and professional programs is also competitive. Graduate offerings include master's, doctoral, and professional programs that focus both on research and practice. Nationally ranked programs and our partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory are among UT's unique characteristics.
We seek to establish the University of Tennessee as a top-tier public research university. Inherent in this vision is an acknowledgment that UT is currently a premier institution. Our vision reflects a desire to contribute to the university's legacy and its longstanding tradition of excellence.
There has never been a better time to be a Volunteer. We are proud to call our students a part of the Volunteer family, and we want you to join us on Rocky Top!
We are a community with a rich leadership and service tradition, driven to achieve by the Volunteer Spirit. No matter where you come from or who you are, the Volunteer Spirit accepts all. There is something here for everyone with more than 360 undergraduate programs of study in nine academic colleges. From engineering and education to neuroscience and global studies, you will be well prepared for any career you choose.
Experience Learning is a bold new initiative to transform the educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students at UT.
Over five years, we will transform our culture to give students more opportunities to be involved in civic engagement, solve complex real-world problems, and contribute to their communities' welfare as part of their regular course work.
We are committed to fostering global awareness and academic, personal, and professional growth by offering a broad range of study, intern, research, and service-learning opportunities outside the United States. Our research distinguishes us from other universities, and our success in exploring a wide array of topics is dependent on funding.
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