Sited on a 670-acre campus in Lexington in the southern state of Kentucky, University of Kentucky is a highly reputed public research institution and is ranked among the top 150 universities of America

Founded in 1865, University of Kentucky (UK) is a publicly-funded higher education institution with an excellent record of providing contemporary tertiary education and research facilities, particularly in the sciences, engineering, pharmacy and medicine. Sited on a 670-acre campus in Lexington in the southern state of Kentucky (pop. 4.3 million), the eponymous university is the states most highly ranked public research institution as well as the largest in terms of student enrolment (27,171). While the US News & World Report in its 2011 league table of Americas Best Colleges rates UK 129 nationwide, several of its study programmes including anatomy, clinical psychology, pharmacy, geography, surgery, physiology, molecular and cellular biochemistry, and nursing have been ranked among the top 20 academic programmes by several national publications and organisations. The university’s 16 colleges and a graduate school offer over 93 undergraduate, 99 Masters, 66 doctoral, and four professional programmes.

In 1997, the Kentucky General Assembly signed a compact with UK to transform it into a Top 20 public research university in the US by the year 2020. As part of the Top 20 plan, the university intends to increase enrolment by 7,000 to 34,000 students and augment academic improvement and research expenditure by $470 million (Rs.2,115 crore) to $768 million (Rs.3,456 crore) per year. To finance this plan, in the millennium year (2000) UK launched an aggressive fundraising campaign. By 2006 it raised $600 million (Rs.2,700 crore) which has been used to enhance facilities, academic programmes, public service, and scholarships.

“Since our inception in 1865, the states flagship university has carried the Commonwealth of Kentuckys hopes and dreams. It has served as Kentuckys hub for education and opportunity, delivering new ideas and innovation to every corner of the state. Today, the UK family is united like never before. Our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends are committed to changing the Commonwealth by helping UK become one of the nations Top 20 public research universities”, says Dr. Lee T. Todd, vice chancellor of the university.

Lexington. Located in the centre of Kentucky states Bluegrass region, Lexington (pop. 282,000) with its lush pastures and thoroughbred horse farms is popularly known as the equine epicentre of the US. It hosts two historic horse racing tracks — Keene Land, one of the most picturesque race courses worldwide as well as a prestigious auction house for thoroughbreds, and Red Mile Harness Track, the oldest race course in Lexington and the second oldest in the US. A 1,200-acre Kentucky Horse Park was inaugurated in 1978 and serves as a working horses nursery and an educational theme park. Its equine farms apart, Lexington also hosts three distilleries producing bourbon, the only native American liquor.

Lexington also has a rich historical and cultural heritage and hosts landmarks such as Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate; Lexington Public Library; Lexington History Center; Hunt-Morgan House and Mary Todd Lincoln House. The city is well served by an inter-national airport, efficient public transport system and the Colt Trolley system which caters to downtown areas. Moreover the city offers a wide choice of restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, shopping and sports facilities.

The Lexington and the Bluegrass region have four distinct seasons offering cool plateau breezes, moderate temperatures in summer, and cold, rain, wind, and snow. The average year-round temperature is 12.7oC.

Campus facilities. UKs 670-acre campus is located south of downtown Lexington and is divided into three areas. North campus primarily contains halls of residence. Central campus houses classrooms and offices, the W.T. Young Library, the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library, and the King Library. South campus comprises additional residence halls, athletic and recreational facilities, the Chandler Medical Center, and the College of Agriculture. The universitys main administrative building dates back to 1882 while the Patterson Office Tower is the tallest building on campus.

The 146-year-old university offers students access to 15 campus libraries. Among them is the William T. Young Library, which houses the universitys social sciences, humanities and life sciences collections and serves as a federal depository and public library for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Moreover, UK offers students excellent sports infrastructure including the Johnson Center, a state-of-the-art complex offering facilities for basketball‚ weight training and conditioning‚ group fitness classes‚ climbing‚ volleyball‚ badminton‚ jogging‚ racquetball‚ and wallyball; the Lancaster Aquatic Center which provides world-class swimming and diving facilities; and the Seaton Center open gym. Other on-campus facilities include shops, restaurants and a pharmacy. In addition there are 340 student-run organisations on campus which host a range of social and cultural activities through the year.

Admission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into UKs undergrad programmes is successful completion of Plus Two. Foreign students also have to submit proof of proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS and PTE-Academic scores are acceptable). Students wishing to apply for academic scholarships or for degree programmes within UKs College of Engineering must also provide official ACT or SAT scores. All admission applications must be accompanied by official secondary school transcripts; a $60 (Rs.2,700) non-refundable admission fee; an official bank statement showing an available balance of $29,860 (Rs.13.4 lakh) and a sponsor guarantee form. For admission into graduate programmes, a bachelors degree is mandatory with official TOEFL and GRE/GMAT scores. The admission deadline for the term beginning September is May 15.

For further information contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission; 100 W.D. Funkhouser Building; University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0054; USA. Ph: +001 859 257 2000; email: international@uky.edu; website: www.uky.edu.

Accommodation. UK offers accommodation in over 23 halls of residence sited on campus. All residence hall rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, shades or blinds, closet space, dresser-type drawer space and offer wireless internet access. Each hall of residence is equipped with kitchen, vending, laundry, and recreational facilities. Students can choose from several dining plans.
Graduate students have the option of choosing from one/two-bedroom furnished apartments on campus. Students wishing to live off-campus should contact the universitys office of off-campus student services.
Degree programmes. UK offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across 16 academic colleges (see box).

Scholastic options at Kentucky
UK offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programmes across the following academic colleges: College of Agriculture; College of Arts and Sciences; College of Business and Economics; College of Communications and Information Studies; College of Dentistry; College of Design; College of Education; College of Engineering; College of Fine Arts; College of Health Sciences; College of Law; College of Medicine; College of Nursing; College of Pharmacy; College of Public Health; College of Social Work; The Graduate School; Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce; Martin School of Public Policy and Administration

Bills of costs (annual)
Tuition: $17,800
Room and board: $9,000
Books: $800
Insurance: $1,200
Personal: $1,060
Total: $29,860
NB $ = Rs.45

Summiya Yasmeen