University of Austin Campus Visit

Questions & Answers

Who are University of Austin (UATX) Campus Visits for? Who is eligible?

Prospective and incoming UATX undergraduates ages 11 to 24, along with their family members or other guests. Older middle schoolers as well as 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th graders— including homeschoolers — are welcome, as are recent high school graduates and college students currently enrolled elsewhere who are considering beginning an undergraduate degree at UATX. 

What if I don't fit that description — for example, I'm a parent who wishes to visit without a student; a teacher, counselor, or school administrator; or a person interested in visiting the University for another reason?

Email programs@uaustin.org with your first and last name, phone number, and a detailed request. You'll receive a prompt response. Admissions reviews every request and passes them along to other University departments when relevant. However, we cannot guarantee visits for those who are not prospective students. 

College counselors from any high school are also invited to sign up for our Counselor Convention at our Scarbrough campus on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Attendance is free, hotel accommodations will be provided for the night of November 1, and flights and mileage will be reimbursed for each participating counselor up to $250. Learn more and register here. 

Are you the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) or affiliated with UT?

No, we are not UT Austin. We are the University of Austin (UATX), a new and completely distinct institution, unaffiliated with the University of Texas.

What degrees does UATX offer? Do you have pre-med, engineering, business, or professional programs?

UATX currently offers one degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, with optional concentrations in the following areas:

• Philosophy

• History

• Literature

• American Civilization

• Mathematics

• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence

• Economics

You can view our 2026-2027 Academic Catalog here. 

We do not currently offer pre-med, nursing, engineering, business, or other professional certifications or degrees. Additionally, we will not have the lab capacity to support pre-med or similar tracks for at least several years. Students who are certain they want a pre-med or nursing program, or another college program heavy in biology lab or clinical work, should not apply to UATX at this time.

That said, we do have ongoing exciting developments in STEM, particularly in engineering -- including a new 16,000-square-foot hands-on engineering lab located in Bastrop, Texas, right next to Elon Musk's The Boring Company site. Students have begun to take classes there this fall.

Additionally, business is very much alive on our campus. Many of our students are entrepreneurs themselves. We have a thriving business and entrepreneurial community connected to the University, and we offer coursework in business and related subjects. 

We would love to tell you more about what our students are building and where they are headed professionally when you visit.

What do University of Austin Campus Visits include?

We tailor each visit to the individual student. Most visits include a group or individual meeting with our Director of Admissions and the opportunity to observe a class in a subject that interests you. You'll also likely get guided tours of both our Scarbrough campus (101 W 6th Street) and the Union on 24th student apartments (701 W 24th Street).

Registered family members and other guests are welcome to join for most of the day. However, class observations are reserved for prospective students, and we ask that students observe rather than take part in the discussion.

Is there someone in particular you'd like to meet, a certain kind of class you'd like to see, or another part of the University you're curious about? Just tell us on your registration form, and we'll do our best to make it happen as schedules and availability allow. 

When are visits available?

Visits are available most Mondays and Fridays (excluding student breaks, the first week of each term, exam weeks, and major holidays). The UATX 2026–2027 Academic Calendar can be viewed here. 

Can I schedule a visit at a date or time that is not listed here?

We're often able to arrange a visit at another time. Just email us at admissions@uaustin.org with your first and last name, phone number, some preferred dates and times, and a few details about your interests and what you would like to see or do. We will do our best to arrange something that works. 

A few things to keep in mind: visits outside our regular schedule are sometimes shorter and may not include everything a standard visit covers. We also rarely host Campus Visits on weekends. However, our High School Honors programs around the country and here in Austin typically run on Saturdays or Sundays. You can learn more about those and apply here. 

I am a parent trying to register my son or daughter for a Campus Visit -- how do I proceed?

The Visit registration form is designed to be completed by the prospective student, not a parent. If that's not possible, please contact us. 

Where do the visits take place, and where is the campus entrance?

Most visits take place at two Austin locations.

Start: UATX Scarbrough Campus — 101 W 6th Street, Austin. Enter through the lobby on W 6th, not Congress Avenue (522 Congress Ave is a mailing address only; there is no entrance there.) Look for "SCARBROUGH" above the doors, between Velvet Taco and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

End: Union on 24th student apartments — 701 W 24th Street, Austin. Visitors should meet UATX staff in the building breezeway (outdoors). 

Getting between them: The two sites are about 1.4 miles apart — 10-15 minutes by car, depending on downtown traffic, or 30–35 minutes on foot. Capital Metro buses along Guadalupe Street cover most of the route.

UATX does not normally provide transportation between the two locations.

Multiple prospective students from my family are visiting. Can I register us together?

No. Each prospective student should register for a visit individually, with their own email address. However, we will keep siblings together for most or all of their visits, unless they would each like to experience different things. 

What should I expect after registering?

UATX may follow up with additional questions before your visit, and we will email you and your guests a detailed, customized schedule no later than 48 hours before your visit start time. Please be sure to check your email, including your spam folder.

Is there any charge for a campus visit?

No. Both our Campus Visits and High School Honors programs are completely free of charge for all participants. 

Do you offer any financial assistance for travel to Austin?

Yes! For a limited time, UATX is offering reimbursements of up to $500 in qualifying travel expenses for admitted or conditionally admitted prospective or deposited students visiting campus for the first time. Reimbursements are processed after the visit has concluded. Other terms and conditions apply. Contact us for more information. 

Can I bring younger siblings?

Both younger and older siblings are welcome to join you as guests on your visit. We just ask that an accompanying adult — rather than you — keep an eye on younger children throughout the day, so you are free to focus on the experience. Please also note that seminar observations are open to prospective students only.

Where should I park?

We fully validate parking at Metropolis Parking at 112 E 5th Street, Austin — close to the Scarbrough campus at 101 W 6th Street. Request validation at the UATX front desk and have your license plate number ready. Parking anywhere else, including at or near the Union on 24th student apartments, cannot be validated. Please note that parking in downtown Austin is very limited.

When should I arrive on campus?

Please arrive no more than five minutes before your visit start time. Our building is sometimes locked, and if you arrive earlier than that, you may not be able to access campus. 

How do I get up to the campus floors?

Our campus is located on the second and third floors of the Scarbrough building. Both floors require a key card to enter, whether you take the stairs or the elevator. A staff member or security guard will meet you in the Scarbrough Campus lobby at your scheduled visit time and escort you to the third floor.

Do you accept walk-ins (either prospective students or guests)?

We strongly prefer that you (the prospective student) register in advance, and include all your guests in your registration form, to allow us to customize the visit to your interests and needs. If that is not possible, please contact us ASAP. 

Does the Campus Visit include lunch or other refreshments?

Your schedule will include a lunch break, though we aren't able to provide meals. Coffee and tea are on us throughout the day.

You're welcome to bring your lunch with you — we have a refrigerator and microwaves on campus that guests may use. If you'd rather eat out, there are several restaurants within a short walk, at a range of prices.

What should I bring?

Just any personal items you'd like to have with you. We'll provide a notebook and a pen. One thing to keep in mind: UATX professors usually ask that phones and laptops stay put away during seminars, unless they're being used for a specific academic purpose.

What should I wear?

UATX students tend to dress well, and we recommend a dress code of business casual (no shorts, T-shirts, or sportswear) with comfortable shoes for all visitors. 

That said, no one will be turned away because of what they are wearing. 

Can I take photos?

Photos are welcome almost everywhere — around campus and in Union on 24th. We just ask that you skip classrooms and student apartments. If there's ever something we'd rather not have photographed, we'll let you know; otherwise, take as many pictures as you like and post them wherever you please!

What if I have special accessibility or other needs?

Both campus and Union on 24th are wheelchair-accessible. If you have any needs we should know about, contact us. 

I am a student at another college or university who is interested in attending UATX. Can I visit? Do you accept transfer students?

UATX welcomes students enrolled at other colleges and universities to visit and to apply to our undergraduate program. Please note, however, that all students admitted to UATX enter as freshmen at this time — we currently cannot accept transfer credits. 

I am an international student. Can I visit? Do you accept international applicants?

International students are welcome to register for Campus Visits and apply for our non-credit High School Honors Programs. 

Please note, however, that UATX currently cannot admit undergraduate applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. We expect this to change once we have completed our first accreditation cycle and met any other requirements, but we can't guarantee that or provide a timeline at this point. Stay tuned!

Do you offer any virtual options?

We do not offer virtual tours or visits, but our YouTube video library is an extensive resource for students and families looking to explore UATX from afar. 

However, we do often offer opportunities (outside of scheduled Campus Visits) for prospective students to connect with Admissions staff, professors, or current students via video call. Contact us for more information. 

Do you offer any prospective student experiences outside of Austin?

Yes. Our free High School Honors programs, hosted in cities around the country, are the best way—aside from a Campus Visit—for prospective students and families to experience UATX. Each program invites prospective students to take non-credit courses with UATX professors and share meals with motivated peers from schools across the region. Students, parents, and guests also attend a Q&A and reception with UATX faculty, staff, and current students. Learn more and apply here.

 

Upcoming locations and dates:

• Saturday, September 12, 2026 — Los Angeles, CA
• Sunday, October 11, 2026 — Manhattan, NY
• Saturday, October 31–Sunday, November 1, 2026 — Austin, TX (on campus)
• Dates and locations for 2027 will be announced soon.

How do I contact UATX Admissions with other questions or requests?

Email admissions@uaustin.org, or call or text us at 737-377-2488.