FAQs

Yes, students, faculty, staff and visitors can request a safety escort by calling (407) 823-5555.

Yes, you need to purchase a UCF parking permit to park on the downtown campus. But, your UCF parking permit can be used in both the Garage on Parramore Avenue and the Garage on Amelia Street. Your UCF Parking permit is valid at UCF Downtown and on the main campus.

No, your UCF parking permit is valid at UCF Downtown.

There are several ways you can get back to UCF’s main campus, including taking the direct UCF shuttle, driving yourself or with a friend, taking the LYNX bus or ride SunRail. View the campus map to see all of your transit options.

UCF Downtown has a dedicated police force at the campus, available 24/7, located in a sub-station on Amelia Street. The campus includes uniformed patrols, video surveillance, blue light phones, and emergency alert systems. This plan is the result of coordination and planning between the UCF Police department and City of Orlando Police department over the past four years to collaborate on safety at UCF Downtown, which includes partnership ridealongs and inclusion in weekly crime meetings to understand trends in the area.

The campus is located at 500 W. Livingston Street on 68 acres of city-owned land in downtown Orlando’s Creative Village, where about 15 acres between Livingston and Amelia streets and across from the UCF Communication and Media Building have been designated for higher education.

The UCF Downtown committees looked at which programs would provide students with more educational opportunities, such as internships or research partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments in the downtown area. The full list of academic programs align with three emerging industry clusters in digital entertainment and communication, health care technology and administration, and public service.

More than 20 academic programs are offered at UCF Downtown. Lower-level courses are offered both downtown and on the main campus. If an academic program is based downtown all of the required courses in that degree program are held at the downtown campus or—if offered by the program—online.

As an online student, you have access to UCF Downtown resources including advising, the campus bookstore, library services, and experiential learning and internships.

Stimulating downtown Orlando and providing a true college experience means having a critical mass of students. With more than 7,000 students, UCF Downtown brings a vibrant campus to the heart of downtown Orlando.

Starting summer 2022, students who have selected a major that is located on the downtown campus will be required to attend a downtown orientation session.

To register for your downtown orientation, complete the steps in your summer/fall task list on My.UCF.edu. You will be able to reserve an orientation date after completing the prerequisite tasks. As a downtown student, you will only be permitted to register for a downtown orientation.

First, ensure your major is a downtown academic program. If your major is located downtown, check your myUCF to make sure the information in your account is correct. If you have recently changed your major, please wait one business day to allow for system updates. If you are still unable to register for a downtown orientation, please contact First Year Experience at 407-823-5105.

Prospective students, families, school groups and education-focused organizations with parties of 15 or fewer may register for a campus tour through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by visiting the registration website. Parties of 16 or more, or businesses and organizations who are interested in a campus tour must complete this online form. After review, a member of our team will confirm availability within 3-5 business days.

Tours of UCF Downtown begin with a 30-minute information session led by a UCF First Stop representative. The information session will cover the unique aspects of our urban campus environment, the application and admissions process, tuition and scholarship information and housing. Time for questions will be allotted. The walking tour includes stops in UnionWest at Creative Village (including academic and recreation spaces), the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons and the Communication and Media Building. Tours are led by a current UCF student and will last approximately 90 minutes.

UnionWest Student Living provides tours to guests during business hours. You can also make an appointment ahead of time on the UnionWest Student Living website.

There are several guest and visitor parking options available within the Creative Village. On-street metered parking is managed by the City of Orlando in addition to an hourly parking lot on Livingston Street, adjacent to the Marriott Hotel. The UnionWest garage also has hourly parking available for visitors.

Click here to view the Creative Village parking options and rates.

Once you have parked, proceed to the UnionWest entrance at the corner of W. Livingston St. and N. Terry Avenue to check in with the front desk and receive further instructions. A campus map is available here.

Wheelchairs are available for guests with limited mobility and elevators are available in lieu of stairwells to access the upper floors of the UnionWest building.

Dunkin’, Subway and Vera Asian are open at UnionWest and a variety of restaurants are located within walking distance of campus. Your tour guide can provide recommendations and directions.

Costs to attend UCF Downtown are the same as main campus for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. In fact, undergraduate students will have the opportunity to realize a reduced cost of attendance by taking co-listed general education courses offered to both UCF and Valencia students.

No, there are no additional student fees.

UnionWest Student Living caters to downtown campus students from UCF and Valencia.

There is no meal plan at UCF Downtown.

The first floor of UnionWest includes quick-service food options, including Subway, Vera Asian and Dunkin. Many other restaurants are also available within walking distance of the campus.

We encourage you to share your ideas and questions. Please email us at ucfdowntown@ucf.edu.

To learn more about how you can support UCF Downtown through business partnerships, community initiatives, or philanthropy, please contact the UCF Downtown team at ucfdowntown@ucf.edu.