The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities with 33,334 students from 114 countries and all 50 states. Founded in 1847, it is the state's oldest institution of higher education and is located alongside the picturesque Iowa River in Iowa City.
The University of Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) provides intensive English instruction and a cultural, social, and academic orientation to the United States. Instruction emphasizes spoken and written English crucial to college and university study in the U.S. Grammar, writing, reading, listening, comprehension, pronunciation, and conversation skills are taught each day at all levels. Students receive 20 hours of instruction per week in addition to individual work in the language laboratory. Because class size is small (12–15 students per class), each student receives personal attention and encouragement. Our teachers are well-trained and hold advanced degrees in teaching English as a Second Language.
The university comprises 11 colleges, the largest of which is the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. First year students live in one of the university’s 30-plus, living-learning communities, some of which align to different majors or to social interests. Students also have a choice of over 500 student organizations to get involved with, as well as over 200 degree programs.
Students starting intensive English studies at the beginning level will normally acquire sufficient proficiency to begin academic work after three to four terms in the IIEP. Intermediate students usually require one to two terms, and advanced students normally require one term. The duration of intensive English study required for an individual student varies depending on personal motivation, level of proficiency, and aptitude. At the end of the program, the IIEP issues a Certificate of Attendance to students who have attended class regularly and have received passing grades.
The IIEP is authorized to issue I-20s for students applying for F-1 visas. For questions about other visas,
The Iowa Intensive English Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) for the period 2016-2026 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accrediting agency.
#31 - U.S. News & World Report “Best Public Universities”
One of the top 250 universities in the world (Times Higher Education)
#1 creative writing program in the U.S. (Poets & Writers magazine)
13 graduate programs ranked among the top 10 in the nation
#1 Speech-Language Pathology (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
#2 Audiology (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
#2 Nursing Administration (College of Nursing)
#2 Physician Assistant (Carver College of Medicine)
#3 Rehabilitation Counseling (College of Education)
#3 Social Psychology (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
#5 Printmaking (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
#6 Physical Therapy (Carver College of Medicine)
#7 Clinical Nurse Leader (College of Nursing)
#9 Nurse Practitioner: Adult/Gerontology, Acute Care
#10 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (College of Education)
#10 Anesthesia Nursing (College of Nursing)
#10 Health Care Management (College of Public Health)
Campus
#5 college town in America (American Institute for Economic Research, 2017)
#4 - Best Places to Live (Livability.com)
#9 - Happiest Students (Princeton Review)
#13 - Most Loved by Students (Princeton Review)
Iowa City is one of 28 UNESCO Cities of Literature in the world, one of two in the U.S.
#3 best university recreation facility in the U.S. (Campus Recreation and Wellness Center)
#5 - Best Athletic Facilities (Princeton Review)
