Application Process

Students holding bachelor's degrees in physics, astronomy, or related fields, or a master’s degree in related fields, or who minored in physics will be considered for admission if they have an overall grade point average of at least 3.00 (A = 4.00) for the last two years of undergraduate study. Since you'll be taking graduate-level physics courses here, we will look most closely at your physics and math grades: we'll want to be sure that you'll thrive with us, both in your courses and in your project work. ("Related fields" are ones in which the student has taken courses that would satisfy the requirements for a physics minor at the student's baccalaureate institution.)

We do not require prospective students to take the GRE.

Fall 2025 Application Deadlines

June 1, 2025 for all students

International students are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2025.  Late applications may be considered.

How to Apply

All parts of the application, including the application fee, must be received by the application deadline.
Admission decisions will be communicated via email to the email address provided in the application.

1. Complete the university's online application.
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2. Pay the application fee. $70 for US citizens and permanent residents and $90 for international students. Application fee must be paid using a credit card through the online application and is nonrefundable.
3. Submit/upload unofficial transcripts for all completed university coursework with the Online Application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission and acceptance to the program. If offered admission, you must submit final, official academic credentials from the institution/s within one month of the start of the semester to the Graduate College. 
4. Submission of 2 letters of recommendation. Individuals writing letters of recommendation on your behalf should submit their letters through the online application system.
5. Submit a statement of purpose. 

   Our program’s primary goal is to prepare graduates for stimulating professional careers in research and development in industrial, national laboratory, healthcare, and other settings upon graduation. The Illinois M.Eng. is a stand-alone degree, and is not intended as a first step towards acceptance into a university PhD program. We want to make sure that you understand this, and that we will be able to help you achieve your professional goals.

   The Statement of Purpose is an important part of your application, and will let us see that our program is appropriate for you, and show us how we can best help you find stimulating, productive, and creative employment upon graduation. In your statement please tell us about your professional goals (or developing thoughts on potential professional goals) as well as the industry sectors that might be especially interesting to you.

6. Submit a resumé. This is a part of the online application form. Your resumé should address your education, job experience, remarkable achievements, publications, organizations, awards, and leadership experiences.
7. All applicants whose native language is not English and have NOT studied for two years in a program that used English as its principal language of instruction are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as evidence of English proficiency. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from TOEFL/ETS or IELTS.  For more information, please visit English Proficiency Requirements. Please note: TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed term of entry in order to be valid. International students may check to see if they are exempt from this requirement based on their country of citizenship.
8. Check the status of your application materials to ensure all materials have been submitted.

GRE Scores

We do not require prospective students to take the GRE.

Financial Certification Form

If admission is offered, international applicants must complete the Declaration & Certification of Finances for I-20 / DS-2019 Application. This form does not need to be submitted with the application materials but should be added to your online application.

Tuition and Fees

The Master of Engineering in Instrumentation and Applied Physics is a self-funded program and students are responsible for paying their tuition and fees. Students in this program are not eligible for Board of Trustee (BOT) tuition-waiver-generating assistantships at the University of Illinois. 

Tuition for the academic year for the Master of Engineering in Instrumentation and Applied Physics follows the Graduate and Professional Tuition rate for Engineering on the Office of the Registrar website.

Tuition does not include books, living expenses, and University of Illinois fees, e.g. health insurance and facilities fees.  For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar website.

You may find the Cost Calculator useful. Our program is listed as "Instrumentation & Applied Physics—MENG" and you will be taking 16 credit hours per semester.