University of Massachusetts Lowell UMass

• Location: Lowell, Massachusetts, USA,
• Year of foundation: 1975,
• Number of students: about 17,000,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of study: mixed.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) is the northernmost academic department of one of the leading US institutions, the University of Massachusetts. Located in Lowell, it offers more than 120 bachelor's degree programs, about 70 master's and doctoral degrees in full-time and online formats.

The history of UMass Lowell began in the 1890s, when two educational institutions were opened: a school for women teachers and a textile school. In 1975, they joined forces, establishing a solid foundation for the further development of higher education. In the following years, the American university received the necessary accreditations, expanded the range of programs offered, and confidently earned the trust of local and international students.

Today, UMass Lowell educates about 17,000 students, 9% of whom are from different countries. Students gain knowledge in sought-after specialties under the guidance of more than 1,000 teachers who are researchers and experienced specialists in their scientific fields. Guest lecturers, representatives of partner organizations and research centers work on the comprehensive development of students. The university provides its students with extensive opportunities to realize their potential in various fields, including sports, creativity and social life.

Students have access to a wide range of additional services to achieve success in their studies and social life, including free tutoring, a specialized career mentoring department, and social adaptation services.

Higher education programs are taught in several scientific faculties:

• Business
• Engineering
• Social Sciences and Humanities, Fine Arts,
• Medicine, Health Sciences,
• Science.

UMass Lowell has more than ten specialized research centers, each of which is working on innovations in important areas:

• Promising production of polymers, soft materials,
• Population health,
• Climate change,
• Wind energy,
• Space science, technology,
• Center for Testing, Experimentation of Robotics,
• Biomedical terahertz technologies,
• Research, Autism Education,
• Bioproduction,
• Radiation and others.

The university actively interacts with the local population, national and international organizations.

Students can stay in one of 10 residences offering rooms of different capacity and facilities. The most numerous room type is a double room with access to common facilities on the floor: bathroom, living room, self-study areas, small kitchens. Single and triple bedrooms are available at least.

Some residences offer superior rooms:

• Multi-room suites with single bedrooms, each with its own bathroom,
• Apartment with several bedrooms, shared bathroom, kitchen and living room,
• Townhouses with a multi-level layout and all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay.

All students living in residences must choose a meal plan that includes a certain number of meals per week, additional dollars for purchases in university stores and cafeterias. The meal plan is designed for a semester and can be used in all dining halls on campus: each of the establishments offers a unique menu with hot lunches, an extensive selection of snacks and drinks for every taste, including vegetarian, dietary, and vegan recipes.

The administration tries to create all conditions for its students to spend their free time interestingly and usefully: many creative and scientific circles, sports sections, discussion clubs, student government and much more are organized. Active leisure is also facilitated by the location of the university in the city of Lowell with a developed infrastructure and rich history, and in half an hour you can get to Boston, the state capital.

Students can combine exploring the surrounding beauty and studying, visiting local attractions, neighboring cities, and taking trips during the holidays. For example, in the city of Lowell, the famous John F. Kennedy Library and the Presidential Museum are within walking distance. The university administration often organizes trips, but students have the right to create their own routes and travel independently or with a group of like-minded people.

In addition to its educational achievements, Umass Lowell is famous for its hockey team, which has produced many professional players of the National Hockey League.

The university pays special attention to the athletic lifestyle among students, offering them a large number of sports sections to choose from.:

• Baseball,
• Basketball,
• Cross-country,
• Golf,
• Hockey,
• Athletics,
• Football,
• Field hockey,
• Rowing,
• Softball,
• Volleyball.

There are hundreds of thematic communities that regularly invite new like-minded people: when students get together, they discuss their interests and hobbies, organize events, and promote ideas to a wider audience. Some of the communities are:

• 3D printing,
• Anime,
• Arts and crafts,
• Chess,
• The choir,
• Creative writing,
• Sports programming,
• Board games,
• Improvisation,
• K-pop.

• The second largest campus of the University of Massachusetts,
• No.152 in the ranking of the best national universities,
• No. 2 in the list of leading universities in Massachusetts — US News&World Report 2025,
• More than 300 studying abroad programs,
• Multinational student community with representatives from 51 US states, 118 countries,
• Cooperation with 700+ companies to provide students with internships during studies in the USA, places for employment,
• All students complete at least one paid internship.,
• The ratio of students to teachers is 17:1,
• Annual research costs exceed 120 million dollars.,
• First-year students are assigned academic advisors to facilitate adaptation.,
• Free tutoring service from qualified professionals.

UMass Lowell occupies an area of 125 acres, located along the Merrimack River and divided into three clusters: North, East, South. Each of the academic venues has first-class conditions for the studying of future specialists, their development in sports, creativity, and sciences.

Spread over 125 acres along the Merrimack River, UMass Lowell boasts a total area of over 3 million square feet, divided into three campus clusters — North, South, and East. Here you will find first-class learning and research facilities, including smart classrooms, performing arts, sports, and recreation areas.

The university boasts dozens of smart classrooms with interactive equipment, computer rooms with PCs, laptops and access to electronic databases, professional scientific laboratories and several libraries. Being focused on new technologies, UMass Lowell regularly updates the technical base of the premises in order to provide students with modern equipment for practice. 

The infrastructure also includes:

• 10 residences,
• Several large dining halls, cafeterias,
• Sports complex with gyms, studios for individual and group classes,
• Full-scale game stadiums for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, softball and other sports, and an ice arena.
• Full-scale game stadiums for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, softball and other sports,
• An ice arena.

Academic year consists of two semesters:

• Autumn: from September to December
• Spring season: from January to June.

Summer short-term programs start in May and last until the end of August.

Additional costs include:

• Registration and administrative fees,
• Accommodation, meal plan and related expenses,
• Contributions to student associations,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Medical insurance,
• Educational materials,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process consists of several stages:

• Submission of the application, required documents,
• Payment of the registration fee,
• Passing an interview, possible entrance exams,
• Receiving an official invitation to enroll,
• Payment for the program,
• Arrive on campus to begin your studies.

Every year, about 72% of applicants are successfully enrolled in their chosen programs.

Due to the high quality of teaching, the relevance of the programs and the wide range of additional opportunities for development, more than 96% of graduates are employed or continue their studies in more complex courses almost immediately after completing the first program.

International students applying to one of the University of Massachusetts Lowell colleges must submit the following documents:

• Completed application form,
• Diploma or certificate confirming the level of education,
• English Language Exam Certificate: TOEFL (from 80), IELTS (from 6.0),
• Letters of recommendation from the previous place of study,
• Documents confirming the financial situation,
• Medical certificates.

You must apply for long-term study at least one year before the start of the course. Online application is available for international students, as well as an interview.

Additionally, the administration may require you to take internal exams to ensure that you have the necessary level of knowledge.

UMass Lowell provides a wide range of scholarship programs that are awarded to students who excel in academics, sports, and science. Scholarships are also awarded to first-year students who had excellent academic results at their previous place of study, master's students to fund research, and exchange students to support them during their stay in a foreign country.

Students can apply for financial aid, which is assigned based on need. The university also runs a scholarship program for students from military families.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision