Fully Funded PhD in Computer Science at University of Illinois
The Illinois CS PhD program is designed to guide students through the process of becoming an independent researcher and educator in their field of expertise. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a fully funded PhD program in Computer Science. The program is designed to guide students through the process of becoming an independent researcher and educator.
PhD Program Requirements
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
PhD Funding Coverage
Our PhD students, with very few exceptions, are funded by a research or a teaching assistantship. These provide a stipend and a full tuition waiver.
Applicants to Illinois Computer Science graduate programs are automatically considered for fellowships from the department, Grainger Engineering, and Graduate College based on the strength of their application materials.
Fellowship offers are made after admissions offers and are typically awarded either as (1) a supplement to a research or teaching assistantship, or (2) a full fellowship. In either case, students receive a tuition waiver.
Application Requirement
1. University’s Online Application
2. Unofficial Transcripts: Illinois Computer Science does not require submission of official transcripts during the initial application review process. Applicants must 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.
3. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants to the PhD 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.
4. Academic Statement of Purpose: The Academic Statement of Purpose is a required 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.
5. Personal Statements: The Personal Statement is required for Computer Science admissions purposes. The Personal Statements must be within 250 words.
6. 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.
7. General Record Examination (GRE): 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.
8. English Proficiency Test: This applies to all applicants whose native language is not English, including permanent residents of the US.
Application Deadline
December 15, 2023
Application Fees
The university’s application fee is $70 for US citizens and permanent residents and $90 for all other applicants.
