English Language Institute

Any international student (a person whose native language is not English) who has graduated from a high school or college/university and with the desire to improve his/her English.

If you match this profile you can apply online.

Deadlines are posted to help insure that admission can be completed and immigration documents prepared for students to take to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in the home country to apply for a student visa in a timely manner.

There are three sessions of the English Language Institute available throughout the year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. 

Summer Session 2022

Application Deadline: February 15, 2022
Arriving to Kearney: May 17, 2022
TOEFL Placement Exam and Information Meeting: May 20, 2022
Beginning of classes: May 23, 2022
End of semester: July 27, 2022

Fall Session 2022

Application Deadline: May 15, 2022
Arriving to Kearney: August 12, 2022
Mandatory Orientation: Begins August 15, 2022
TOEFL Placement Exam and Information Meeting: August 19, 2022
Beginning of classes: August 22, 2022
End of semester: December 14, 2022

Spring Session 2023

Application Deadline: October 15, 2023
Arriving to Kearney: January 3, 2023
TOEFL Placement Exam and Information Meeting: January 3, 2023
Beginning of classes: January 9, 2023
End of Semester: May 3, 2023

The costs that apply to international ELI students are non-resident tuition/fees, plus an international student fee, and the purchase of international student health insurance. Visit the Cost page for more information.

**These prices are estimates for the Fall or Spring semester and are subject to change.

Students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney English Language Institute take courses designed on an intensive Immersion schedule of 18 class hours per week for 16 weeks in the Fall or Spring and 10 weeks in the Summer. The program is centered around the four language skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The levels of instruction are based on student need from beginner to advanced. Students are tested on the first day of the session to determine appropriate level of study.  Placement results can also qualify students for entry into 1-2 UNK academic courses. In all levels of study, classes are small to allow for greater student/faculty interaction.

ELI students also participate in both Conversation Partners and Conversation Table:

CONVERSATION PARTNERS: Pairs an ELI student with a UNK student and they meet for casual conversation for a minimum of 6 times during a 16 week session to establish a committed partnership.

ENGLISH CONVERSATION TABLE: Meets once a week for one hour for 6 weeks and it is open to everyone on campus and in the community to converse with a variety of people of all ages.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP PROGRAM: Where international students and American families meet.