How to Apply to Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: Direct Admission to Grainger Engineering Majors or Engineering Undeclared First, and Admission Routes and Prerequisites for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), undergraduate engineering is offered by The Grainger College of Engineering. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on official Illinois information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Majors

• Majors (Grainger majors page): Aerospace Engineering, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering + Data Science, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Science + Bioengineering, Computer Science + Physics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Materials Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering + Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Neural Engineering, Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering, Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering + Data Science, Physics, and Systems Engineering and Design.
• The count varies: the majors page says 19 majors, the first-year page’s quiz says 16 programs, and the list itself has more than twenty entries (including the computer science majors and Physics). Use the admissions major list.
• Dual degrees: Grainger students can add a second engineering major or the Innovation, Leadership and Engineering Entrepreneurship (ILEE) dual degree.

2. Admission: direct to a major, or Engineering Undeclared first

• Apply to a major: Grainger says first-year students apply directly to their engineering major, so they connect with the department from day one. You list a first-choice and a second-choice major.
• Engineering Undeclared (EU): if you are not sure yet, you can list EU as your first choice (it cannot be a second choice). In EU you take a special ENG 100, math, physics and introductory courses in several majors; you can stay up to four semesters and apply to declare a major (Interdepartmental Transfer, IDT) after two semesters.
• Declaring from EU: complete General Chemistry I and lab (CHEM 102 and 103; the lab is waived if CHEM 102 credit came from AP, IB or A-Level), University Physics: Mechanics (PHYS 211), Composition I and the EU exploration course (ENG 100 or 101); keep at least a 2.5 Illinois GPA and a 2.5 STEM GPA; earn B- or higher in ENG 100/101 and at least C in foundational technical courses; and meet any grade rules for your intended major. You list three majors in order of preference on the application and must declare by the tenth day of your fifth semester.
• No computer science through EU: Computer Science, CS + Bioengineering and CS + Physics are direct-admission only and cannot be a second choice.
• From other colleges: first-year students admitted to a major outside Grainger must move to EU within their first year to become eligible for an engineering major; current students in other colleges apply to EU in their second or third semester, stay in EU at least one semester, and move into a major by the start of their fifth semester.
• Changing within Grainger: current Grainger students can petition to change to another engineering major, starting with college and department advisors.

3. High school courses and application materials

• Math: all Grainger majors require at least 3.5 years of high school math, including trigonometry or higher; business math, computer and information technology courses do not count.
• What Grainger looks for: strong math and science coursework and grades; calculus preferred and physics expected (if your school offers it); teamwork and communication; understanding of and interest in your chosen major; activities outside class.
• Writing: two to three short answers of about 150 words each (depending on whether you choose a major or EU and whether you add a second choice), plus one essay.
• SAT/ACT: optional; if you submit scores they are used in review, course placement and possibly scholarships.
• How to apply: myIllini or the Common App, with no preference; after submitting, self-report grades 9 to 12 in the SRAR.

4. Students at high schools in China

• The same 3.5-year math rule applies; Illinois does not say how the Gaokao is used.
• English: if you did not complete grades 10 to 12 in an approved English-speaking country, you must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo; minimum first-year scores are not published. SAT/ACT cannot be sent only to meet the English requirement.
• Illinois does not work with recruitment agents.

5. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• English: approved English-speaking countries include Canada (except Quebec); students who complete grades 10 to 12 there do not need an English test.
• The math requirement still applies; Illinois does not publish grade requirements for BC courses. Report your grades accurately in the SRAR.

6. Timeline and admit rates

• Early Action (non-binding): apply by 1 November, materials by 7 November, decisions on 29 January.
• Regular: apply by 5 January, materials by 11 January, decisions on 26 February.
• Honors and scholarship notifications by 1 April; commit by 1 May. The dates page does not show a year, so check the application system.
• Admit rates: the admissions office reports a 38.1% total first-year admit rate and 32.8% for first-choice majors; Grainger Engineering is 23.3% for first-choice majors (the page does not say which year).

7. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 international estimate (full-time, before aid): tuition and fees US$42,248 to 53,078 depending on major, food and housing 15,858, books 1,200, other 2,840, total 62,146 to 72,976. Use the cost calculator to see your engineering major’s rate.
• Tuition stays the same for four continuous years. International undergraduates do not receive need-based aid.

8. External transfer students

• Grainger at the time of transfer only: to complete any Grainger major (including a dual degree), you must apply and be admitted to the college when you transfer; transfer students who enter other colleges cannot move into Grainger later, including EU.
• Mechanical Engineering example (Transfer Handbook): GPA of at least 3.0; before the application term, complete General Chemistry I and lab, Calculus I, II and III, University Physics Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism, and one of CS 101 or CS 124, SE 101 or ME 170, each with a B or better. Other majors are listed in the Transfer Handbook.
• Graduation: at least 45 hours at Illinois, at least 21 of them at the 300 or 400 level.
• Deadlines: fall applications open 15 January; priority deadline 1 February (materials by 15 February); regular 1 April (materials by 5 April); decisions by 15 April and 1 June.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• At least 3.5 years of math through trigonometry; calculus and physics preferred
• Choose a first and second choice; list EU first if you are not sure of a major
• Early Action by 1 November or Regular by 5 January; TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo required
• Plan to pay the full cost

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• No English test if you complete grades 10 to 12 in Canada outside Quebec
• Meet the math requirement and report grades accurately in the SRAR

Transfer students:

• Apply directly to a Grainger major when you transfer; GPA of at least 3.0
• Finish the Transfer Handbook prerequisites such as chemistry, Calculus I to III and two physics courses with B or better; priority deadline 1 February for fall

Sources: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Grainger Engineering majors; Grainger first-year admissions; Engineering Undeclared; EU major declaration; Changing majors; First-year dates; First-year requirements; International requirements; Admit rates; Tuition; Transfer dates; Transfer Handbook: Mechanical Engineering. Information is for fall 2027 entry (2026-27 cost estimates). Check Illinois for the latest details.