University of Connecticut-Avery Point

At UConn Avery Point, you’ll get all the benefits of a prestigious public research university in a small college setting.

Established in 1967 on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Thames River, UConn Avery Point inspires students with specialized programs that take advantage of our waterfront location and delivers an exceptional education in more traditional areas of study.

The University is internationally recognized for research in wide-ranging areas, and in the spirit of our heritage as a land and sea grant institution, we remain committed to understanding and solving the most significant societal problems. We approach our mission with a commitment to excellence, ethical action, and inclusiveness for which the four interdependent core values define our mission: innovation, leadership, global engagement, and diversity.

Situated on 72 acres of land, containing 28 buildings totaling 471,849 square feet, and bordered on three sides by water, UConn's Avery Point location fits well with its marine and maritime mission. This mission includes fulfilling UConn’s responsibilities as a sea grant institution. Avery Point contributes to the understanding – and solution – of problems relating to the intersection of oceans and people, both through the expertise of the faculty and the education of its students who will help ensure sustainable uses of marine resources and coastal regions and cities.

Located on beautiful Long Island Sound, our historic waterfront campus reflects both our region’s proud maritime tradition and active leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) related fields. It is home to students from towns throughout Southeastern Connecticut, across the country, and to international students. The campus offers majors in American Studies, English, General Studies, Maritime Studies, and Marine Sciences. In addition, students who are interested in nearly every other major offered at UConn can complete one or two years of study here at the Avery Point campus. Several STEM-related graduate programs are also offered, including Engineering, Nursing (Certificate Entry Into Nursing CEIN/BS), Oceanography, and Teacher Certification for College Graduates (TCPCG).

The campus features a renovated library, a $9 million student center, student recreation facilities, an active waterfront program, state-of-the-art classrooms, and continued improvement under NextGenCt legislation. These venues offer you opportunities to engage with our faculty and your peers. UConn Avery Point has an active student government organization and numerous activities for students on and off campus. Whether participating in one of our intercollegiate athletic teams, taking a course in sailing, visiting the art gallery, attending a wide range of student entertainment offerings, or joining student clubs and organizations, UConn Avery Point will provide stimulating and unique experiences to position you for success at UConn and beyond.

We invite students of all ages to start, restart, or continue their education. Our small class sizes, engaging faculty, and academic support team help students perform at the highest levels in the classroom. Our educational approach emphasizes experiential learning that brings out the very best of each student. Challenging coursework, hands-on lab programs, internships, and robust field studies provide students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom.

UConn Avery Point is also home to several research centers related to oceanography, marine biology and marine meteorology, and to the newly created Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation. The campus also houses the research operations of the Mystic Aquarium. This unique partnership between the University of Connecticut and Mystic Aquarium offers students hands-on research and internship opportunities with marine animals, conservation programs on the local marine environment, field trips to the Aquarium, and special courses.

Students seeking a comprehensive, outstanding education will find that and more at UConn Avery Point. Through classroom learning and unique hands-on experiences, UConn inspires you to be the best you can be. We have emerged as a nationally ranked university that educates talented students of diverse personal histories, perspectives, and interests. Our graduates contribute in vastly different ways to our state, the nation, and the world, serving as creative leaders in industries, educational institutions, health care, government, and nonprofit foundations. When we consider what we hope for our students, we most hope they will emerge as creators of the future, not mere observers.

Be part of a community of students and alumni who are proud to be UConn Huskies. Each year, our incoming class is more academically competitive and diverse than the last. And that kind of success builds a tradition of excellence and pride.

UConn’s rigorous majors prepare you for a lifetime of learning and accomplishment. You can select from a variety of UConn’s 110+ majors, completing your first 54 credits (typically two years) at UConn Avery Point, and then seamlessly transition to UConn’s main campus in Storrs to finish your bachelor’s degree. Or, complete your degree at UConn Avery Point by selecting from a number of four-year degree programs. Certain programs may require curriculum across multiple campuses to complete an approved plan of study.

Students seeking a comprehensive, outstanding education will find that and more at UConn Avery Point. Through classroom learning and unique hands-on experiences, UConn inspires you to be the best you can be.