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University of Alabama at Birmingham

About UAB

UAB is a large public research university in Birmingham, Alabama, known for very high research activity, a major medical center (UAB Medicine) and a broad range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. It emphasizes research, health sciences and urban engagement while serving a diverse student body.

 

Why choose UAB?

  • Strong health/medical ecosystem: UAB includes a nationally recognized medical campus and hospital system, giving excellent clinical, research and internship opportunities for students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and allied health.

  • Research university with ‘very high’ activity: If you want research experience as an undergraduate or graduate student, UAB’s Carnegie classification and active research centers make it attractive.

  • Urban location with lower cost of living than many U.S. metros: Birmingham is a mid-sized city with internship and employer access but generally lower living costs than coastal metros. (UAB campus and city integration via campus map and medical district.)

  • Well-developed student support for internationals: Offices provide immigration advising, CPT/OPT guidance and cultural programming.

 

Reputation & Rankings (short)

  • UAB is consistently listed by global ranking sites and recognized for research and medical strengths; it holds high subject/regional reputation particularly in health and biomedical fields. For program-level decisions (medicine, nursing, public health) look at subject rankings and professional accreditations rather than only broad ranking lists.

 

Campus locations & facilities

  • Main campus (Birmingham): the primary academic and residential campus with academic buildings, labs, athletics, arts venues and student housing. Use UAB’s interactive campus map to explore buildings, hospitals and services.

  • UAB Medicine / Medical District: connected hospital and clinical facilities clustered near campus; many health programs have clinical placements here.

 

Types of courses & study levels

  • UAB offers undergraduate (bachelor’s), graduate (master’s & doctoral) and professional degrees across arts & sciences, business, engineering, public health, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and more. It also provides certificates and continuing education options. In total UAB publishes more than 180 degree programs across levels.

 

Modes of learning (on-campus / online / blended)

  • On-campus: Most programs (especially clinical and lab-based) require in-person attendance.

  • Online & hybrid: UAB Online offers many fully online and blended programs; many online courses have passed Quality Matters peer review. Clinical programs may still require in-person components (clinical placements, labs). Always check program pages for specific modality details.

 

How many programs?

  • UAB states it offers more than 180 degrees (undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional).

 

Highlights & student services

  • Large research enterprise & centers (active research funding and centers/institutes).

  • Comprehensive international student services: immigration advising, cultural programs, CPT/OPT guidance, tax assistance and more via the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).

  • Robust online program portfolio with Quality Matters-reviewed courses.

 

Latest updates & news items (what’s current)

  • UAB News and the Office of Research publish frequent updates (examples include new research initiatives, FY25 centers & institutes reporting, and campus events). Check UAB News for rolling updates; UAB’s catalogs/registrar were updated in 2025 (degrees list PDF dated May 28, 2025).

 

Practical checklist for international applicants

  1. Decide campus & program: clinical/health programs require in-person clinicals at UAB Medicine; check whether your program is on the main campus or has online elements.

  2. Confirm modality & visa implications: fully online study typically does not meet F-1 requirements — ensure your program allows full-time on-campus or hybrid residency needed for I-20 issuance. Talk to ISSS.

  3. Estimate costs & funding: use UAB’s tuition/fees pages and the International Scholarship information (the $7,500 undergraduate award is one key option). Request an I-20 cost estimate early.

  4. Apply early for scholarships: some awards are automatic on admission, others require separate applications or have appeals deadlines (see UAB international scholarship policy PDF).

  5. Plan for CPT/OPT & employment: UAB ISSS advises on CPT/OPT eligibility and on-campus employment; check timelines so internships fit your program.

Scholarship

  • UAB International Scholarship (Undergraduate) — $7,500/year, automatically considered for incoming first-year international students who live outside the U.S. and meet admission/GPA requirements. (Up to 4 years/total maximum shown on some pages.)

  • IB Scholarships — awards for students with International Baccalaureate credentials (varies by diploma vs. certificates).

  • Departmental & donor scholarships — many colleges, academic departments and donor funds award scholarships via UAB’s scholarship management portal (BSMART). Examples: performance, merit, program-specific awards.

  • Graduate Fellowships & Assistantships — tuition remission stipends, hourly pay or trainee stipends for TAs, RAs, and graduate traineeship/fellowship appointments; eligibility varies by unit and often requires admission to a graduate program.

  • Study-abroad & emergency funds — Education Abroad scholarships and International Student Emergency resources are available for short-term or crisis needs.

 

Who is eligible — clear, practical rules

  • Incoming international freshmen (first-year) living outside the U.S.: automatically considered for the UAB International Scholarship; example eligibility includes graduating from a secondary school outside the U.S. with a GPA typically equivalent to ~3.0 or higher. Confirm your exact converted GPA requirement with Admissions.

  • Transfer & onshore international students: may be eligible for other merit or departmental scholarships; some out-of-state/international transfer scholarships use separate application systems.

  • Graduate international students: eligible for program/department scholarships and TA/RA positions — minimum enrollment and program standards apply (often full-time status and minimum credit requirements while holding assistantships).

  • Visa note: F-1 students are usually not eligible for federal work-study or FAFSA; however, assistantships and departmental scholarships are normally available to international students if the department permits.

 

How scholarship consideration & application works (step-by-step)

  1. Apply to UAB (complete admissions application). Many undergraduate scholarships (including the International Scholarship) consider applicants automatically at time of admission.

  2. Complete the BSMART scholarship application (Blazer Scholarship Management & Resource Tool) after admission to be considered for many departmental and donor awards on campus. BSMART opens annually (check exact dates).

  3. Contact your academic department (especially for graduate funding) to ask about assistantships, fellowships, and program-level scholarships — many graduate awards are administered by departments.

  4. Submit supporting documents as requested (transcripts, English scores, essays, letters of recommendation, financial documentation for need-based funds where applicable).

  5. Receive award letter — if awarded, you’ll be notified and the scholarship will apply to your student account; understand renewal conditions (minimum GPA, full-time enrollment) to keep the award in subsequent years.

 

Documents you'll almost certainly need

  • Official academic transcripts (translated & evaluated when necessary)

  • Proof of secondary/previous degrees (for undergrads) or bachelor’s degree (for grads)

  • English proficiency scores (TOEFL/IELTS) if required by program

  • Resume/CV and personal statement (for competitive departmental awards)

  • Letters of recommendation (for graduate fellowships/assistantships)

  • Financial documents or sponsor letters (if applying for need-based or visa/I-20 purposes).

 

Renewal & continuing eligibility — what to expect

  • Most scholarships require satisfactory academic progress (minimum cumulative GPA) and full-time enrollment to renew. Specific GPA thresholds and credit load conditions vary (e.g., graduate assistantships often require maintaining at least 9 credits in fall/spring). Always confirm renewal rules in the award letter.

 

Practical tips — increase your chance

  • Apply early — many scholarships (and the strongest funding packages) are awarded early in the admissions cycle.

  • Complete BSMART — it unlocks many campus scholarship opportunities beyond the automatic awards.

  • Ask departments directly — especially for graduate funding and assistantships; these often aren’t listed centrally.

  • Prepare strong supporting materials — crisp CV, focused scholarship essays, and strong references increase chances for competitive awards.

  • Plan for partial funding — UAB’s international scholarship reduces tuition but rarely covers full living costs; combine institutional scholarship + family/sponsor funds + external scholarships.

Programs

Birmingham, USA