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in your best interest, Would you like to find out what the UIUC CS PHD acceptance rate is? This article contains the information you need on UIUC CS PHD acceptance rate.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public research institution with an acceptance rate of 62%. The flagship campus of the University of Illinois system spans the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign. UIUC consistently ranks among the top public universities in the country. The school boasts over 47,000 students and 150 different majors, and is well known for its outstanding engineering and science programs. UIUC’s strengths in the liberal arts and sciences earned it a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Illinois has the largest university library in the U.S. outside of the Ivy League. Along with strong academics, UIUC is a member of the Big Ten Conference and fields 21 varsity teams.
More on UIUC CS PHD Acceptance Rate
Founded in 1867 under the Morrill Act and developed by first president John Milton Gregory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is now a major public flagship land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant institution with very high research activity. Boasting the nation’s second-largest library after Harvard, UIUC is located on a spacious 4,552-acre urban campus in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign just 135 miles south of Chicago. Across its 17 distinctive academic colleges, UIUC enrolls more than 32,000 undergraduates and 12,000 post-graduates. Thanks to its world-class educational technology, many of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s 150 programs offer online or hybrid learning options.
According to the U.S. News and World Report, UIUC is currently ranked as the 42nd best university and 11th top public school in the entire country. In particular, UIUC is highly acclaimed for having America’s 82nd best online bachelor’s programs, 47th best online graduate teaching degrees, and 35th best online master’s in engineering programs. Microsoft hires more graduates from the University of Illinois than any other worldwide. UIUC was crowned the 26th best master’s-level institution in Washington Monthly magazine for service and ethics. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also was honored by the Times Higher Education as the 29th best global university.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Accreditation Details
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was re-accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA) in 2010. This regional accrediting body is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Furthermore, several of the university’s academic departments have received discipline-specific accreditation from professional agencies. Business-related degrees are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Teaching programs are given the stamp of approval from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Engineering degrees are accredited through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Application Requirements
UIUC has a selective acceptance rate of 62 percent, so you’ll need to meet some strict requirements before being given admissions. For pursuing one of the online master’s programs, graduate students must have obtained at least a four-year bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college in America or a foreign equivalent. Having a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate studies is mandated. Certain programs of study will require a higher GPA as well as satisfactory scores on the GRE, GMAT, or MAT exams. International applicants should also demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL scores using the institutional code of 1836.
Before the posted deadlines three times each year, interested students should submit an application to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with these materials:
- Official transcripts from schools attended
- Graduate entrance exam scores
- A one to two-page personal statement
- Program-specific essay responses
- Three letters of reference
- A current, up-to-date professional resume
- Payment for the $70 application fee (if not waived)
Tuition and Financial Aid
In accordance with Illinois’ guaranteed-tuition law, UIUC allows students to lock in their fixed tuition rate for every year of uninterrupted college attendance. Per academic year, graduate students living in Illinois can expect a base tuition rate of $11,824. Non-resident students earning their online master’s degree from UIUC must afford a base tuition rate of $25,546. Depending on the program of study, extra expenses may be accrued. For instance, the MBA costs $19,979 in-state and $29,976 out-of-state due to additional fees. Online learners at UIUC are also asked to budget $1,800 for textbooks and $2,750 for other supplies every year.
Nearly 45 percent of full-time students at UIUC receive some type of need-based financial aid to afford these tuition expenses. Graduate students could supplement their university aid with Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Perkins, PLUS, or private loans, but borrowing should be done carefully to avoid interest-filled debt. UIUC offers a payment plan for graduate students to pay anticipated tuition and fees over 12 installments throughout the academic year. Financially needy students from low income households could qualify for the Illinois Promise program to cover all of their tuition. UIUC has abundant scholarship opportunities, such as the Illinois Achievement Scholarship, Stamps Family Scholarship, Provost Scholarship, and Matthews Scholars Program. Graduate assistantships and fellowships are also available.
Online Degrees Available
Using the same high-quality, accredited curricula, the University of Illinois Online offers programs fully online for completion from anywhere with high-speed Internet, excluding Maryland. From the Urbana-Champaign campus, students can select from one bachelor’s degree, 25 master’s degrees, and 26 certificate programs delivered online. While engaging in stimulating virtual classroom discussions, graduate students will also have access to the award-winning campus library and 24/7 technical support service. A few of the notable UIUC online master’s programs include the:
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Requiring no campus visits, the M.S. in Mechanical Engineering is delivered 100 percent online through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to prepare working engineers for career advancement. Students will build essential skills in the fundamental areas of biomechanical science, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, chemistry, computational science, applied physics, and more. Within the 36-credit curriculum, students can follow the master’s thesis track or a non-thesis option with an independent study project. There are similar programs for Aerospace Engineering and Civil/Environmental Engineering.
M.Ed. in Learning Design and Leadership
Building on a rigorous 32-credit curriculum, the online M.Ed. in Learning Design and Leadership (LDL) program at UIUC is structured to provide busy educators a convenient pathway for developing the strategies to create more engaging learning environments. Drawing on the latest new media technologies, the program trains teachers to differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs of students in K-12. Courses will cover topics in eLearning, mobile technology, learning assessment, bilingual education, literacy development, classroom culture, educational psychology, and educational technology reform.
Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations
In an asynchronous format that accommodates the lifestyle of working professionals, the Master of Human Resources and Industrial Relations (MHRIR) program is tailored to unlock upper-level positions in the exciting HR management field. Within the 48-credit program, students will work with nationally recognized faculty to better understand how organization’s can maximize their employees’ productivity and satisfaction. Coursework will explore employee motivation, labor relations, change management, workplace diversity, collective bargaining, staffing, employment law, and compensation. Aspiring HR specialists can complete a master’s in just two years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign without disrupting their career.
Tips for UIUC CS PHD admission
If you finished a Bachelors or Masters over the summer, now could be the time to think about applying for a PhD position.
This can seem like a daunting and intense process (especially if you’re also working hard on your current degree). But there are a few things you can do to make your life easier! Here are my top 10 tips and tricks to navigate this exciting time!
#1 Start early!
While most deadlines for applications aren’t until late autumn (and there are still many opportunities accepting applications until the spring) it is a good idea to start thinking about your application before term starts.
Make sure you understand the different types of doctorate on offer. Then take advantage of any down-time to research potential PhD places and programmes (Christmas, Easter and summer holidays are all great for this). You’ll soon start getting ideas about the sort of work you want to do!
Many of the other tips in this blog assume you’ve started thinking about your PhD application early. You won’t be able to complete them all at once, so give yourself enough time.
#2 Decide what area you want to specialise in
If you’re even considering a PhD, you’re clearly very passionate about your subject and committed to making a difference. So make sure you spend a few weeks zeroing in onto the exact area you want to specialise in. Bear in mind that this could be your bread-and-butter for the next half-decade (or thereabouts)!
Make sure you consider not only how interesting you find the theory of a specific subject, but also the practical aspects of researching it.
If you’re a Science or Engineering student, think about whether you’d rather get your hands dirty in the lab and workshop, or work on theoretical and conceptual principles. And would you prefer to stay on campus, or do you want to spend more time on field work?
If you’re in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences you’ll still need to decide how to balance theory and practice. Do you want to focus on more creative work? Would you prefer to interact directly with people to examine their views and experiences, or work on existing records and materials?
#3 Spend time researching potential supervisors
Deciding who to do your PhD with could be the most important decision you make at this stage. So spend some time looking up the person (or people) who might be supervising you.
Are they an established academic? Or have they just started their own research group? What is their publication record like? Are they supervising lots of other PhD students or would you be on your own? Can you speak to one of their current or future students? Can you speak to the supervisor themselves and discuss your project in advance?
Researching supervisors can be easy if you’re applying to a set project (as is common in Science and Engineering subjects). But Arts and Humanities students can still investigate potential supervisors at their chosen university and perhaps contact them to discuss ideas. In fact, this can be even more important for these kinds of projects. After all, it doesn’t really matter how good a university is if there’s no one there who can supervise your project.
Now is also a good time to think about what you’ll expect from a PhD supervisor and the kind of support you think your project needs.
#4 Think about your non-academic life as well
A PhD is obviously the ideal time to follow your scholarly passions, get to know other academics and start thinking about a possible career in your field (if that’s your goal).
But you’re also going to be doing other things during the 3 to 4 years of your PhD that aren’t related to your research. Keep this in mind as you make decisions that will affect other aspects of your life as a PhD student.
For example, if you are thinking of moving to a new town for your PhD, make sure you would enjoy living there! And don’t take substantial changes to your social life and routine lightly. You need to be happy and stable for the duration of your doctorate. Sacrifices are understandable, but so are compromises.
#5 Do some reconnaissance
Unless you’re staying at the same university, starting a PhD probably means adopting a new home as well as a new place of work. This means you need to enjoy your new university and home city on a personal and professional level. The best way to ensure this is check them out for yourself!
This is easy enough to do (unless you’re studying abroad). In many cases you can also take advantage of postgraduate open days and events.
But don’t just settle for a visit to the university campus and a quick walk around the city centre. If at all possible, email the academic you are considering working with and ask if you can visit their lab or work space informally.
Many supervisors will be happy to meet up and show you around! On the flip side, if you do visit and decide to apply, having already met your future supervisor can give you an advantage when applying to very competitive programmes.
#6 Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket
You’ve found the perfect place. You love the town, the academics are great and you find their work both stimulating and exciting. You’ve gone to visit and you feel a great chemistry both with the boss and with the rest of the group.
The temptation to put all of your eggs in the one basket and only prepare one or two applications is strong. Resist that temptation!
Apply to as many places as you can! This will be time-consuming and rather painful, but having several backup choices will give you more confidence.
On the other hand, make sure you never apply anywhere you wouldn’t actually choose to go. You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have several offers you don’t care for and feel pressured to accept at least one of them.
#7 Ask yourself what sort of programme you’re interested in
There are a lot of PhD options out there – and things can even vary quite a bit within different subject areas.
An Arts or Humanities project could involve lots of time spent doing original archival work, or it could be more concerned with re-evaluating well-known materials.
A Science or Engineering project could be very flexible, with the freedom to continue with your own specific research. Or it could be more structured, with the requirement to complete specific ‘rotation’ periods doing research in different laboratories (or different parts of the same laboratory).
Some projects will involve formal teaching responsibilities, others will treat this kind of work as an optional professional development opportunity. Some universities will set specific guidelines for PhD students, including the way they work with supervisors and the targets they need to meet. Others will be much more flexible.
Make sure you know what you’re applying for!
#8 Make sure you’re prepared
Your previous degrees should qualify you academically for a PhD, but advanced research can also require more specific training. It’s a good idea to check what sort of previous experience is expected of candidates in your research area.
For example, students in the life sciences are sometimes expected to have completed at least one 3 month period of lab experience before they apply. You may have acquired this as part of your MSc (particularly if you’ve completed lab work as part of your dissertation). But, if you do not have the necessary preparation, find out how to get it!
In some cases it may not be a bad idea to defer your PhD application until you’re ready.
#9 Ask questions!
There are many, many people involved in the process of applying for a PhD. Your current advisors and lecturers, other academics you’ve met during laboratory work experience, the supervisor you are hoping to work with, the head of the graduate school or research department you are applying to, admissions staff and many more.
Most of these people will the thrilled to help you put together a successful application. Make sure you ask as many questions as you need to, especially before you make any important decisions like deferring your application or accepting an offer!
#10 Spend enough time on your actual application!
It seems obvious, but this is probably the single most important piece of advice anyone can give you!
If you start early enough you should have plenty of time to think about your application and take advantage of the extra research and preparation you’re doing.
Have you taken time to visit your university and meet your supervisor? Use examples to explain why you’re a great fit for the department and its work.
Have you sought out additional opportunities to prepare yourself for PhD research? Mention them.
Have you carefully compared different projects and programmes? Don’t be afraid to show that you’ve put some thought into that process: justify your decision to apply to this PhD, at this university.
Above all, make sure you spend plenty of time writing your personal statement and research proposal as well as updating your CV. And, when you’ve done, ask a few different people to read them!
Get as much feedback as you can from people you trust and try to apply it to your work. Make sure you choose the right people as your referees and let them know with plenty of notice so they can prepare something in advance.
If you get invited to a PhD interview, think about the questions you might be asked and don’t be afraid to rehearse! Practice makes perfect.
Applications Process & Requirements
1. Review these general University and Department requirements:
- Applicants must have been awarded (or are about to be awarded) a 4-year bachelor’s degree equivalent to that granted by the University of Illinois to be eligible for the graduate programs at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is a three-year program may not be eligible for graduate level admissions consideration at the University of Illinois. Eligibility depends on the country where the applicant received their degree — please see the Graduate College’s list of eligible degrees.
- The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign policy requires applicants to hold at least a 3.0/4.0 or higher GPA in the last two years of their undergraduate study to be eligible for graduate studies on this campus.
- Applicants who already hold a master’s degree in computer science or computer engineering whose degree requirements are equivalent to a Illinois Computer Science master’s degree are not eligible to apply for our MS or Professional Master of Computer Science (MCS) degree.
- Applicants who do not hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science must have sufficient background in computer programming, data structures and algorithms, computer architecture, and theory of computation. We highly recommend applicants complete courses in these areas at a local university near them prior to submitting their application.
2. Plan to meet the application deadline
Visit our Application Deadlines page to review the deadlines for all of our Graduate Programs. All applications materials, including the application fee, must be received by the posted deadline. (Posted deadlines are for U.S. Central Time Zone). Late applications will not be accepted. In addition, incomplete applications will be subject to denial.
It is highly recommended to have all application materials submitted one month prior to the deadline to expedite admission decisions.
3. Complete the university’s Online Application
Note: Please do not send additional materials (e.g. publications, photographs, videos, CDs, or portfolios). These items are not reviewed during the admissions process.
4. Pay the application fee
The university’s application fee is $70 for US citizens and permanent residents and $90 for all other applicants. The fee must accompany the application by credit card payment with the web application. Application fees are non-refundable.
Application Fee Waivers: Applicants may qualify for an application fee waiver. For details, see Application Fee Waivers. Applicants who have questions about an application fee waiver may contact the Department of Computer Science at academic@cs.illinois.edu.
5. Submit Unofficial Transcripts
Illinois Computer Science does not require submission of official transcripts during the initial applications review process. Applicants will be required to submit official credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc.) only if they are recommended for admission to the Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Applicants recommended for admission will be required to submit their official transcripts directly to the Graduate College.
To complete your application, please follow the instructions provided by the Graduate College:
“Applicants must list in the online application each institution of post-secondary education from which they have earned credit. Applicants must also upload scanned copies of their transcript / academic record (and diplomas or certificates of degrees if the degree is awarded and not listed on the transcript) for each of these institutions to their online application.”
Notes:
- Scanned transcripts must include all grade records and the grading scale used by the institution. (If the grading scale is on the back of the transcript, a separate scanned page should be included.) If the original transcripts are not in English, native language transcripts and an English translation are required to be uploaded. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure uploaded copies are legible and of high resolution.
- Do not upload password-protected transcripts. If you receive password-protected transcripts from your educational institutions, please print them and scan to a PDF file before uploading. Password-protected transcripts cannot be viewed by our Admissions Committee.
Submission of Official Academic Credentials (Graduate College policy)
“All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial. You will only be asked to submit official credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc.) if you are admitted. These must be submitted during your first term of enrollment at the University of Illinois.
The University of Illinois reserves the right to require official academic credentials at any time during the admissions process, and to rescind any offer of admission made if discrepancies between unofficial and official transcript(s) are found.”
6. Request Letters of Recommendation
- Applicants to the PhD and MS with thesis programs are required to have three letters of recommendation submitted. Applicants to the MCS program are not required to have letters of recommendation, but letters will be considered if included, especially if used to justify experience in lieu of required coursework, or other irregularities.
- It is recommended that letters of recommendation be from academics. They can either be your faculty, advisors, supervisors, or colleagues. If you have been away from academics for a significant amount of time, you may substitute non-academic references of your choice (e.g. immediate supervisors, colleagues, etc.).
- The letters should address your academic abilities and your potential to be successful at graduate level academic performance. If you are applying to our M.S. or Ph.D. program, your letters should also address your research abilities and potential.
- Individuals writing letters of recommendation on your behalf should submit their letters through the online application system. Any recommendations that do not follow this process may impact timely application processing.
- Please make sure recommenders complete the section on the “Recommender’s Form” that states “To what extent do you recommend this applicant for admissions as a graduate student in their proposed field of study”.
7. Write an Academic Statement of Purpose
- The Academic Statement of Purpose is part of the online application form.
- This statement should include your goals and background as it relates to the field of computer science. It is good to include any past work history, your interests, and reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in computer science.
- Your statement will be evaluated for your conciseness, reasons for pursuing a graduate degree, leadership skills, and eloquence. Applicants to our M.S. or Ph.D. program will also be evaluated according to their scientific research interests.
- Generally the Academic Statement of Purpose is between one to two pages.
8. Write an (optional) Personal Statement
- The Personal Statement is optional for Computer Science admissions purposes.
- It is required for M.S. and Ph.D. applicants who wish to be considered for fellowship or scholarship opportunities funded by the Graduate College at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
- The University of Illinois strives to cultivate graduates and future alumni to be responsible citizens and leaders who value knowledge, creativity, global awareness, and social and cultural understanding. Please use this Personal Statement to describe how your personal background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Provide insight on your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively together.
- The Personal Statement must be within 500 words.
9. Create a CV/Resume
- Your CV/resume is a part of the online application form.
- Your CV/resume should address your education, job experience, research experience (M.S. or Ph.D. applicants), remarkable achievements, publications, organizations, awards, and leadership experiences.
- This information helps the admissions committee understand your background. In addition, it helps when identifying M.S. or Ph.D. applicants for RA and TA assistantships.
10. General Record Examination (GRE) – Not Required
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general aptitude tests (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) and subject test scores are recommended, but not required. In some cases, the scores may provide helpful supporting information. If you would like to submit scores, we recommend that you scan your official score report as a PDF file and attach it to your application. You do NOT need to submit official scores through ETS.
11. English Proficiency and International Requirements
English proficiency requirements. This applies to all applicants whose native language is not English, including permanent residents of the US.
- The minimum requirements for admission are as follows: Proficiency Requirements for Admission.
- To be eligible department financial aid, such as a teaching assistantship, you must submit recent TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores and/or meet the requirements detailed here: Proficiency Requirements for Funding (summary).
- All international applicants should make every effort to meet English proficiency requirements for funding. Applicants that meet the proficiency requirements are given preference for admission. Applicants with TOEFL iBT speak scores below 22 have a low chance of admission.
If admission is offered, international applicants to the on-campus programs must submit the Declaration & Certification of Finances Form. This form does not need to be submitted with the application materials.
12. Data Structures Proficiency Exam for Online MCS
Applicants to the Online MCS or MCS in Data Science who already have a bachelor’s degree in an area outside of computer science and who do not have graded and transcripted prerequisite coursework in the areas of data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming can strengthen their application for admission by passing the Data Structures Proficiency Exam. Note that passing this Exam does not guarantee admission, nor is it required for your application.
13. Check the status of your application materials to ensure all materials have been submitted.
Please check your application in the Graduate College application portal to ensure all required materials have been submitted.
If your email address changes between the time you submit your application and the decision deadline, email your updated email address to admissions@cs.illinois.edu. Include your old email address, your new email address, your first and last name, and your application reference number in the email message.
14. Wait for admissions results
Admissions results will be sent to your email address by the posted decision deadline.
Any applicant can appeal the admission decision by submitting the CS Appeal Form. Fall term admission appeals for the PhD and CS MS programs must be submitted by April 15th and will be reviewed no later than May 15th by the CS Admissions Committee. Admissions appeals for the MCS (on-campus and online), MS Bioinformatics, BS-MS, and BS-MCS programs must be submitted within 14 days of the date when admissions decisions were released.
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