Located in unincorporated Orange County, Florida, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university with its main campus. It is affiliated with the State University System of Florida. University of Central Florida boasts an impressive student body of 68,442 as of the fall 2022 semester, making it the second-largest among public universities in the United States. University of Central Florida is recognised as a “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” institution and holds accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
University of Central Florida was established in 1963 and began offering classes in 1968 as Florida Technological University. Its goal was to educate individuals in science, technology, engineering, and math to assist the expanding U.S. space programme at the Kennedy Space Centre and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (then called Cape Kennedy Air Force Station) on Florida’s Space Coast. Florida Tech underwent a name change to the University of Central Florida in 1978 as its academic focus broadened beyond engineering and technology. University of Central Florida maintains strong ties to space-related organisations, overseeing the Florida Space Institute, Robinson Observatory, managing the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Centre, and leading the NASA Florida Space Grant Consortium. In 1968, the initial enrollment was 1,948 students. Fast forward to 2022, the enrollment has surpassed 68,000 students from over 150 countries, all 50 states, and Washington, D.C.
Many students choose to take classes at the university’s main campus, which is located 13 miles (21 km) east of downtown Orlando and 35 miles (56 km) west of Cape Canaveral. University of Central Florida provides a wide range of degree options through various colleges, such as the Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona Medical City, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in south Orlando, and the city campus in downtown Orlando. UCF has granted more than 401,245 degrees since its establishment, with over 60,000 being graduate and professional degrees.
The main campus of the University of Central Florida is situated along Alafaya Trail to the east of Orlando, Florida. The campus layout is focused on pedestrians, featuring a unique design of concentric circles. One of the main roads for vehicular traffic on campus is Gemini Blvd, located in the outermost circle. Within Gemini, you’ll find Apollo Circle, Mercury Circle, and Pegasus Circle as the innermost circle.
Housing for students is available around the campus. Outside of Gemini, the campus is segmented into various themed sections. The area on the northwest side of campus features Greek communities and on-campus residence options.