Thank you for your interest in the graduate programs in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at Illinois! 

The Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering (MechSE) is a large and comprehensive department, and our Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) graduate programs are among the top-ranked in the world.
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MS/PhD Admissions Deadline Extension for Fall 2021 Applications

The priority deadline to apply to MS and PhD programs in the Mechanical Science and Engineering Department is January 6, 2021. Applications received by 11:59 PM Central Standard Time on January 6, 2021 will be given priority consideration for admission and funding. The department will continue to accept applications until 11:59 PM Central Standard time on January 20, 2021. 
 

Application Fee Waiver Programs

Domestic PhD applicants (US citizens and USLPRs) who have a current undergraduate GPA of 3.5/4.0 or above (or a final GPA of 3.5/4.0 or above, if the BS has already been earned) will receive an application fee waiver for their PhD applications. Please select "application fee waiver" when you submit your application.

Please contact Amy Williams at acate2@illinois.edu if you have any questions about application fee waivers.
 

GRE Policy for Fall 2021

The Mechanical Science and Engineering Department will not accept or review GRE scores for any applicants to any of our graduate programs for the Fall 2021 admissions cycle.

The MechSE department offers 7 graduate degree programs:

Research Programs
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering 
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (online)
Master of Science in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
Doctor of Philosophy in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Industry-Oriented Programs
​Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering 
Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering (online)

The standards for admission for the MS and PhD programs are identical. No advantage is conferred by applying to the MS program rather than the PhD program. Applicants are not considered for the MS program if denied for the PhD program. Direct PhD applicants as well as MS/PhD track applicants should apply to the PhD program in ME or TAM.