MS/PhD Admissions

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.

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

Degree options:

PhD

MS (thesis and non-thesis)

PhD students can earn their MS on their way to the PhD. Students interested in the PhD program should apply directly to the PhD program.

Students who apply for the MS thesis program but have not secured a research advisor may only be admitted to the non-thesis track. However, once a research advisor is secured, students may then transfer into the thesis track.

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM)

Degree options:

PhD

MS (thesis and non-thesis)

PhD students can earn their MS on their way to the PhD. Students interested in the PhD program should apply directly to the PhD program.

Students who apply for the MS thesis program but have not secured a research advisor may only be admitted to the non-thesis track. However, once a research advisor is secured, students may then transfer into the thesis track.

Students should not apply to both the MS and PhD program. 

We are unable to provide application fee waivers for anyone outside of the below categories:
1) U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents with a 3.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
2) Current University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign MechSE undergraduate students with a 3.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale
3) Current University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign MechSE MS students who are applying to a MechSE PhD program

Which degree program is right for me? 

	MS (thesis)	MS (non thesis)	M. Eng in ME	PhD
Expectations	Research focused; advisor required	Coursework based, independent study required, advisor not needed	Coursework based, professional development, industry oriented	Most students have an advisor identified at the time of admission, research based, qualifying, preliminary, and final exams required.
Length	Full time enrollment required, typically 2 years to complete	Full time enrollment required, typically 2 years to complete	Flexible, full time/part time, in person or online	Full time enrollment required, 5 - 7 years to complete from BS, 3 - 5 years to complete from MS
Online option	No	No	Yes	No
TA/RA/Fellowships	Eligible (however not guaranteed)	Eligible (however not guaranteed)	Not eligible	Eligible  and guaranteed funding for first 5 years of program per the Grainger Funding Guarantee
Fees/Tuition	See the Office of the Registrar for tuition and fee information	See the Office of the Registrar for tuition and fee information	See the Office of the Registrar for tuition and fee information	See the Office of the Registrar for tuition and fee information.  See Tuition and Fee Waiver information here.
Targeted Students	Great option for those who may be interested in continuing in a PhD program	Not intended for students interested in pursuing a PhD	Students can apply to the PhD program however; not as common.	Students can apply directly from BS degree or with an MS degree