Status as a Non-Degree Seeking Student allows a visitor to take UT Austin courses for academic credit without a commitment to complete a degree at UT. Non-degree seeking students pay the same tuition and fees as other students. They must take at least 9 credit hours each semester (typically three graduate courses).

Before considering taking courses at UT, be sure to check the UT Austin academic calendar to see when they begin and end. It is extremely important that you arrive by the beginning of the semester. Most courses involve assignments from the first day of class and students who arrive late will be at a disadvantage. Fall semester courses begin in mid-August and end in December; spring semester courses begin in mid-January and conclude in May.

Students intending to formally register for classes as non-degree seeking students will first need to confirm that their prospective department accepts non-degree seekers. After confirming this and getting the application deadline, prospective students must formally apply to the University.

A thorough overview of the complete requirements and application process is available on the UT Graduate School Admission as a Non-Degree Graduate Student page. Several items are mandatory:

• Complete an Online application
• Application fee of $90 USD
• Official transcripts in English from all institutions of higher education attended

Other items such as a statement of purpose and TOEFL scores may be required; please check with the UT department about this and about the application deadline. While some departments are flexible, others strictly adhere to the normal deadlines for graduate programs. The spring 2012 course schedule will be available on the Office of the Registrar site in October. A UT EID is required to view the schedule. Students registering for Radio-TV-Film Department courses in the spring semester of 2012 should plan to submit complete applications by no later than Friday, November 11.

Be sure to research the program and begin planning your application well ahead of time.

Financial Support for Portugal Students in Austin

Doctoral program students with FCT scholarships are entitled to support of a maximum amount of €12,500 per year to fund registration and tuition fees at UT. Students must provide a document to FCT stating registration and tuition costs, for FCT to approve payment. Information about UT tuition amounts for specific semesters may be found on the Office of Accounting's Tuition and Fee Rates page. Non-degree seeking students will fall under the category of new non-residents, and must register for at least 9 hours, which usually translates into 3 graduate classes. Tuition rates vary by college, and are calculated per course hour.