Admission Process

Nomination Process

Contact your international/exchange student office to determine if a current international exchange agreement exists between your home institution and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. You must be nominated as an exchange student by your home university before you are eligible to apply. 

Once you have been nominated by your home University, your next step will be to complete a UNL International Non-Degree Student Application  and submit the required supporting documents.  These supporting documents include:

  • Home University Academic Documents
  • Proof of English Proficiency
  • Financial Support Documentation Form
  • Photocopy of Passport
  • Proposed Plan of Study Form (This is not your final plan. This is a provisional document that informs the Global Experience Office what classes you would like to enroll in while at UNL)

Application Instructions

Please complete the International Non-Degree Student Admission Application.  The application must be signed by the program coordinator at the student's home institution. The home coordinator's recommendation will determine the student's placement at the graduate or undergraduate level. The home coordinator must also submit the application to the UNL Global Experiences Office. Applications sent to the Global Experiences Office directly by students will not be reviewed. 

Deadlines:
May 1 for fall semester (August-December)
October 1 for spring semester (January-May)

Earlier applications are strongly encouraged. 

Financial Support Documentation

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is required by law to verify that each student has sufficient funds to cover the period of their stay in the United States. In most cases, the documentation we require will also be required at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate when applying for the J-1 visa (keep a copy for that purpose). Applicants must indicate the ability to be supported for the entire period of intended study at UNL without recourse to employment. Each applicant should estimate expenses according to the terms of the particular exchange arrangement and for the appropriate period of time (one or two semesters). Please consult  your home coordinator for more information about the benefits associated with your exchange program. You must show the ability to provide the additional costs not covered by the exchange program. 

Acceptable Proof of Funds:

Please submit a bank statement showing the amount that is greater than or equal to the requirement for your term at UNL. (The amount may be in the local currency.) For more information on UNL estimated expenses click here

In addition, be sure:

  • It includes the name of the account holder in English.
  • Is printed on official bank letterhead.

You may also submit a scholarship letter that indicates support from a government or private scholarship.

This letter must include:

  • Your name.
  • An outline of expenses the scholarship will cover.

Proof of English Proficiency

All non-native English speakers are required to demonstrate English proficiency prior to admission. Applicants who are native speakers of English in a country in which English is the exclusive official language are exempt from this requirement. English language proficiency is satisfied by an official score on the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Passport

To ensure proper processing of immigration documents, we request all applicants to submit a copy of their passport information page.

Academic Documents

You must submit original or certified (attested) copies of post-secondary diplomas earned and course work completed before course enrollment.

Proposed Plan of Study

Enter your course requests in order of priority–at least 6 or 7 per semester. Provide several alternative courses. Use the Undergraduate Course Catalog  or Graduate Course Catalog  to find course descriptions. The current Schedule of Classes will be available to you after you have been officially admitted to UNL via your MyRed account.