Spotlight on Illinois Engineering
Everything about applying to the University of Illinois College of Engineering, financing your masters, and how is life in Urbana-Champaign.
Ready to learn everything you need to know about engineering and STEM masters degrees at the University of Illinois’ College of Engineering? You're in the right place!
Although you’d think that the University of Illinois’ first campus would have been located in the Chicago, it’s a couple of hours away in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign. (Although the university lists Urbana first, the locals usually say Champaign-Urbana as Champaign is actually the larger town.) Whichever way you call it, this isn’t a bad spot to call home for a year or two.
You might call it a campus of duality. The university is in the middle of farmland, but the campus and its surrounds don’t feel rural. There’s a sincere academic demand, both from incoming students and those who are already on campus, but students also know how to cut loose and enjoy their down times.
Whatever factors you use when choosing the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for your MS engineering programme (rankings, cost, location, size, reputation, research aims), you’ll feel right at home as soon as you arrive on campus.
Where is the University of Illinois?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign fast facts
Public university
University enrollment: 49,339
Living alumni: 450,000+
Graduate students: 15,666
Engineering grad students: 4096
Engineering masters students: 2167
Full-time international grad students: 66.8%
Countries represented: 110+
Most represented countries in engineering: China, India, South Korea, Iran, Taiwan (China)
What can you study at UIUC Engineering?
Engineering at Illinois UC job placement
What's it like to live at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign?
The twin cities of Champaign and Urbana are a far cry from big city life. Indeed, in China, this campus is known as the university in the corn. But, you shouldn’t make the mistake of believing there’s nothing to do this far from Chicago (about two hours drive) or any other major city; this area is thriving. That’s thanks, mostly, to the university. That means there’s plenty to do and see both on and off campus. And that’s both within and outside of the engineering department.
But, first, you’ll need to find a place to live. While there are graduate-level dorms and some family apartments on campus, most grad students choose to rent an apartment off-campus as the rents are substantially cheaper - especially if you prefer living on your own.
Off-campus living, however, becomes a balancing act between proximity to the campus and bus lines versus cheaper accommodation. You’ll need to look closely at whether apartments are furnished or not, and find your own roommate. (HINT: your department can likely assist you with that.) But, it’s absolutely doable - and without a car.
Most grad students use the campus bus system, and this is usually the easiest until you want to travel further away, at which point, renting a car isn’t a bad idea. Getting a US driver’s license is also a good idea if you have the time as it’s the most used form of ID in the US.
And, if you are staying off-campus, you’ll likely prepare your own meals, though there a meal plans available that cater to off-campus students. Wherever you live, be certain to make use the of university’s services which will help you find a reliable and safe place to live - and be sure to register your address with the international student office as soon as you have one.
How to get into Engineering at Illinois
At the undergraduate level, admission to the University of Illinois is fierce - and they definitely expect a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA). The same applies at the graduate level, where the competition increases.
Currently, the acceptance rate for engineering masters candidates is just over 28%. Depending on the individual department, it may be even more intense. For example, in the very popular Computer Science department, the acceptance rate may be closer to 10%.
So, what can you do to improve your chances of admission. For a start, consider your numbers - both your undergrad GPA and your GRE scores. With such a high number of applications for the seats available, you can bet that you’ll need to have something that really stands out if you don’t meet the minimums.
And, even when your scores are in order, take the time to ensure that your Statement of Purpose essay, along with every other submission is as polished as it can be. You’ll also want to keep these numbers in mind:
Average GRE scores: 155 verbal, 166 quantitative, 3.7 analytical writing
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Engineering at Illinois admissions details
Illinois engineering cost of attendance for 2018
Tuition: $34,762
Fees: $4124
Room and board: $13,710
Books and supplies: $1800
Other expenses: $3090
Estimated CoA for 1 year: $57,486
TIP: While every specific engineering department has their own set of criteria for admissions, you can use these details as a guide. But, be sure to check out the deadlines and requirements for your intended course as soon as possible to give you as much time as possible to prepare.
Does Engineering at Illinois offer scholarships to international students?
Yes, they do. But, there are only a few general scholarships that apply across the entire field of engineering - and most are for specific nationalities or doctorate level students.
But, there is better news, individual departments at Illinois also offer scholarships to talented students, and there are a number of assistantship programmes available as well. Of course, both of these funding options are immensely popular and you should expect strong competition. Get your programme application in early and spend time looking at the requirements for each scholarship or assistantship before that.
And, never stop looking for other options. You may qualify for a scholarship from your home country that the University of Illinois doesn’t even know about.
Prodigy Finance international student loans for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Prodigy Finance offers loans for international masters students at the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Students from supported countries pursuing masters programmes that can be completed in less than 2 years are eligible to apply.
Maximum loan amount: up to 100% of the school-provided cost of attendance (tuition plus living expenses)
Minimum loan amount: $15,000
Repayment period of 7 or 10 years, depending on your programme and application
All loans disbursed directly to the university according to due dates
Prodigy Finance also supports loans for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students pursuing masters degrees in these schools:
Ready to transform your future with a MS degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?
Prodigy Finance provides loans to international masters students pursuing their masters degrees at the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
If you want to go ahead and know the difference between master of science and master of engineering, or if you want to know what and where to study, try our Study Centre which is filled with expert opinions on a range of topics.
For any other information about Prodigy Finance, or our student loan process, feel free to browse through our site, or register for a webinar to have your questions answered by one of our team.
