The University of Texas at Austin

What is the history of The University of Texas at Austin?

The University of Texas at Austin opened in 1883 as the flagship university envisioned in the Texas Constitution. Its first classes met in a temporary building on what was then a much smaller Austin campus.

The university grew from a primarily undergraduate institution into a public research university with graduate and professional schools. The Main Building and its tower became a defining feature of the campus in the 1930s. More recent developments include the opening of Dell Medical School to its first class in 2016. Today, UT Austin is part of the University of Texas System, but its admissions, programs, and campus services should not be confused with those of other system institutions.

What are the faculties and departments at The University of Texas at Austin?

UT Austin organizes its academic programs across colleges and schools spanning the liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, health professions, and the arts. It awards bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees; it is not primarily an associate-degree institution.

Examples include the College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences, Cockrell School of Engineering, McCombs School of Business, Moody College of Communication, College of Fine Arts, and School of Architecture. Professional and graduate study also includes the School of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, Steve Hicks School of Social Work, School of Information, LBJ School of Public Affairs, School of Law, and Dell Medical School.

Students can pursue subjects as different as computer science, petroleum engineering, journalism, music, public policy, and nursing. Admission to UT Austin does not necessarily mean admission to every major: some programs have additional requirements or limited capacity. Applicants should identify their intended major early and check that program's admission and degree rules in the university catalog.

What is the location of The University of Texas at Austin?

UT Austin's main campus is in central Austin, Texas, near the Texas State Capitol. Its urban setting puts students close to state government, employers, cultural venues, and public transit, while also making traffic, parking, and housing location practical considerations.

Capital Metro buses serve the campus area, and students who drive should check university parking permits rather than assume a space is included with enrollment. Some university facilities extend beyond the central campus, so a student's daily travel depends partly on their program. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the principal commercial airport serving the city.

What is the mission and vision of The University of Texas at Austin?

UT Austin states that its mission centers on undergraduate education, graduate education, research, and public service. As a public university, it also describes serving Texas and contributing knowledge beyond the state as institutional priorities.

Those priorities appear in its broad degree offerings, research activity, and professional programs. Mission statements describe what the university intends to do; they are not, by themselves, evidence that every student will have the same academic experience or career outcome. UT Austin is a public institution without a religious affiliation.