Bellarmine University

The Premier Independent Catholic University in the South.

Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation's best colleges and universities. 

Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the western world. It is a lifelong education, worthy of the university's namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live in veritatis amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true and good in life.

Our Mission:

We are an inclusive Catholic university that educates students—mind, body, and spirit—for meaningful lives, rewarding careers, ethical leadership, and service to improve the human condition.

Our Vision:

We will become the leading Catholic university in the South by embracing innovation and creativity, forging new and mutually beneficial partnerships, intentionally diversifying curricula and community, and providing a distinctive and transformative student experience.

The Bellarmine Difference:

Bellarmine is growing rapidly, not only with great new campus amenities and academic programs, but also in regional and national prominence. BU is named after Roberto Bellarmino (1542-1621), the brilliant Jesuit, who was a Cardinal and who was canonized in 1930.

We offer a personalized, student-centered network that inspires meaningful, personal, academic, transformative growth in a way that prepares students for a well-rounded life and successful career. We're civic-minded, inclusive, outcome-oriented and bursting with meaningful connections in our tight-knit community.

On top of all that, we have a beautiful campus rife with stunning architecture, trees and rolling hills that overlook Joe Creason Park.

We Say "BELL-er-mun":

As we grow, more and more people are adding “Bellarmine” to their lists of top schools. Around here, we say "BELL-er-mun" in "LOU-a-vuhl." This is one of the friendliest campuses and places in the world, so we'll still love you no matter how you pronounce these names. 

The Louisville Advantage:

On the edge of downtown Louisville Bellarmine is set on three beautiful hills in the artful and eclectic Highlands neighborhood. We are within walking distance of the Bardstown Road corridor, where coffee houses, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind shops add to the overall Bellarmine experience. Downtown Louisville is just minutes away and offers world-class theatre, arts, sports, museums and gorgeous riverfront parks. Louisville is situated on the mile-wide Ohio River, at the gateway to the South and the crossroads of the Midwest. Two hundred million people – two-thirds of the nation's population – live within a 500-mile radius of the city. 

Teaching You'll Never Forget:

Bellarmine faculty scholars are passionate about teaching. 179 full-time faculty, with 88 percent holding a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field, teach at Bellarmine.

• Student Excellence: A diverse student body from 43 states and 26 foreign countries attend Bellarmine. Our total enrollment is 3,149 of which 2,407 are undergraduate students. The ACT composite scores range from 22 to 27 for the middle 50 percent of students.

• A Human Scale Learning Environment: Our student-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. Our average class size at Bellarmine is 20. There are 29 students or fewer in 84 percent of our classes. Teaching and learning like this just doesn’t take place at the megaversities, and it shows in our high four-year graduation rates and in the successful careers of our 23,905 graduates (as of fall 2017) throughout the world.

The World is Also Our Campus:

Bellarmine offers semester, yearlong and summer study-abroad programs in 60 countries on six continents. There are more than 150 programs of study. Approximately a quarter of our students engage in an international experience abroad, compared to the national average of just over 1%.

Undergraduate:

In addition to your transcripts, supplemental application materials including those listed below may be required.  

• Recommended Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Evidence of English Proficiency :
• TOEFL (internet-based): 80;
• IELTS: 6.0;
• Duolingo: 105;
• SAT: 1060;
• ACT: 21  

*English Waiver Policy may apply

Postgraduate:

In addition to your transcripts, supplemental application materials including those listed below may be required.  

• Recommended Minimum GPA: 2.7
• Evidence of English Proficiency :
• TOEFL (internet-based): 80;
• IELTS: 6.0;
• Duolingo: 105;
• International Transcript Evaluation (completed by NACES-approved evaluator): Required
• Letters of Recommendation: Required (two academic or professional)
• GRE or Millers Analogy Test (MAT): Required upon request from faculty
• Personal Statement: Required
• Admission interview: Required
• Other requirements: There may be additional requirements upon request of the program

*English Waiver Policy may apply

For additional information on admission requirements, kindly contact our admissions counsellor!