About the school

Since its inception in 1890, University of Chicago (UChicago) alumni have contributed to some of the world’s greatest discoveries and advancements. UChicago is an urban research university, ranking No. 6 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best College Ranking.

The University of Chicago - Division of Physical Sciences has a rich history of defining and advancing new fields in the physical and mathematical sciences and continues its tradition of innovation to this day. The division includes Astronomy And Astrophysics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geophysical Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and many other prominent departments.

Its location in the vibrant city of Chicago offers international students an enriching academic experience. Additionally, the city’s proximity to major airports and thriving global business hub make it an ideal choice for those seeking a global education in an exciting urban environment.

Where is the school located?

The University of Chicago - Division of Physical Science is located in Chicago. The city is considered an international hub for finance, education, technology, telecommunications, culture, and commerce, and has the largest and most diverse derivatives market worldwide.

Life at Division of Physical Sciences

UChicagoGRAD's International Student Initiatives provides various programmes, resources, and strategies to nurture international graduate students’ personal and professional growth. In close coordination with 400 student organisations, it facilitates the formation of student communities and enables international students to discover fulfilling academic, career, and personal opportunities.

On-campus accommodation facilities for graduate students include residence halls with furnished single, double, and triple sharing rooms, as well as apartment-style living quarters. The college campus also features an international house with a wide range of amenities that foster cross-cultural coordination, mutual respect, and friendships among students.

UChicagoGRAD offers a series of webinars and online resources (like apartment listing websites, property management companies, etc.) to help graduate students secure off-campus accommodation, including studios, co-living private rooms, or two- to four-bedroom apartments. Average rental rates range between $1,000 to $6,000.

Dining options include a variety of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meals. The campus features dining locations that include student-run cafes, food courts, coffee shops, and food markets, offering various meal plans for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Students also have easy access to numerous athletics and recreation facilities, including intramural sports, sports clubs, swimming pools, and free fitness classes through the institute’s FitChicago programme.

Furthermore, the university manages contracts with reliable vendors providing shuttle service (day and night), bus service through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and parking services, as well as alternative transportation programmes.

Additional benefits of studying at Division of Physical Sciences

Studying at the Division of Physical Sciences at the University of Chicago offers a plethora of unique advantages.

• Extensive Faculty Expertise: The university is home to an impressive 97 Nobel laureates, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence.

• World-class Facilities: Within the division students have access to a range of cross-disciplinary research institutes and centres, including the Enrico Fermi Institute, the James Franck Institute, and the Kavli Centre for Cosmological Physics, which serve as hubs for groundbreaking research.

• Supportive Environment” The Graduate Student Lounge serves as a dedicated space for students to engage in individual study, collaborate in small groups, or simply socialise, further enriching the graduate experience.

Admissions criteria

International students applying to University of Chicago - Division of Physical Sciences, have to submit supporting documents along with their online application. Generally, the admission criteria look like this:

• A Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

• Letter(s) of Recommendation (numbers differ by individual programmes)

• Undergraduate transcripts (translated into English)

• Graduate admissions test result (GMAT, GRE, LSAT): For specific programmes

• Proof of English proficiency: You must obtain the minimum score in the following exams to be eligible- TOEFL iBT: 102 (for Applied Data Science MS), 100 (for Masters Programme in Computer Science MS), 90 (for all other PSD programmes), and IELTS: 7.0.

• Resume/CV

• Proof of financial support

Please refer to this link for more information on Graduate admissions at UChicago - PSD.

Fees and other expenses

Here’s an illustrative estimate of the annual/four-quarter expenditure for international students aspiring to join graduate level programmes:

• Books and course materials: $2,300 (approx)
• Housing and food: $27,000
• Personal expenses: $4,200
• Transportation: $3,500
• Health insurance (if required): $5,000

Please consult the school’s necessary admissions and financial aid websites for detailed information, and any updates to this information.

Job placements

The International Student Career Resource Centre at UChicago offers a comprehensive suite of career development resources tailored to international students. These include career counselling, job and internship application preparation, industry guides, and a specialised resume and interview toolkit.

• Excellent Career Services: The centre facilitates various engagement opportunities, such as on-campus recruitment, internship programmes, and job search platforms like Handshake. Graduate students can also benefit from unique networking experiences through Career Treks, Job Shadowing, and Wisr.

• Sought-after Graduates: UChicago has over 1,000 employer connections with leading organisations and offers over 3,000 internships with leading organisations that hire from the institute including Amazon, BCG, Deloitte, Accenture, Goldman Sachs, Google, Citi.

• Empowering Career Events: The university hosts numerous career events for graduate students such as the Science and Engineering Industry Expo, GRADUcon, and the BSD Alumni Career Forum.