How to Apply to Mathematics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: A B.S. in Liberal Arts & Sciences with Five Concentrations, Where You Rank a First- and Second-Choice Major, Plus Admission and Prerequisite Details for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Students

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Illinois) teaches mathematics through the Department of Mathematics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS). This guide follows Illinois's websites and covers domestic students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students. Where the pages are silent, the guide says so. Computer science and statistics are not covered here; the statistics major and minor are offered by the Department of Statistics.

1. Degrees and options

• Degree: the 2026-2027 catalog lists a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts & Sciences (BSLAS) with a major in Mathematics; there is no separate B.A.
• Five options: the department says students choose one of General Mathematics, Graduate Preparatory, Applied Mathematics, Teaching of Mathematics and Data Optimization. The catalog words it as no concentration, or one of the Applied Mathematics, Data Optimization, Math Doctoral Preparation and Mathematics Teaching concentrations. See the catalog for the requirements of each concentration.
• Major core: Calculus (MATH 220 or 221), Calculus II (MATH 231), Calculus III (MATH 241), Introduction to Higher Mathematics (MATH 347 or 314), Abstract Linear Algebra (MATH 416), Introduction to Abstract Algebra (MATH 417, or Honors 427), Probability Theory (MATH 461, or STAT 400) and CS 101 or 124.
• Math coursework without a concentration: one analysis course (MATH 444, 447 or Honors 424); two courses from a list of eight breadth courses (non-Euclidean geometry, Euclidean geometry, differential geometry, differential equations, applied complex variables, complex variables, number theory, vector and tensor analysis); and two more 400-level (or approved 500-level) MATH courses.
• Supporting coursework: every math major completes 12 hours of supporting coursework (12 advisor-approved hours of a single math-related area with at least one advanced course, or a qualifying minor of at least 12 hours, or any double major or dual degree). Major and supporting coursework normally total 54 to 59 hours; the degree needs 120 hours.
• Related majors: Mathematics & Computer Science (with the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science), Mathematics & Data Science (BSLAS) and Actuarial Science; the department also mentions teacher education options. These are not expanded here.
• Minors: the Mathematics Minor requires at least 6 hours of 300/400-level classes not used for the major or any other minor; there is also a Teacher Education Minor in Mathematics for grades 9-12 for students in other teacher education curricula.
• Honors courses and placement: see section 3.

2. How admission to the major works

• You choose a major when applying: first-years apply through the Common App and choose a first-choice major and an optional second-choice major. Illinois suggests choosing majors you are genuinely interested in because this can affect review; reviewers consider how your background, interests and goals align with the major, and some programs have specific expectations or prerequisites.
• Second-choice rule: Illinois says that if you are admitted to your second-choice major, space was limited in your first choice, and you are automatically wait listed for your first-choice program.
• Math-specific admit rate: admit rates are published by college. For 2026 first-years, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (first-choice majors only) was 40.6%, and the overall admit rate was 38.1%. A mathematics-specific rate is not published on the pages read.
• Switching to math within LAS: the LAS declaration page says that for majors without listed criteria, the standard is at least one completed course in the intended major (or test-based credit) and a 2.00 minimum major GPA when an actual course has been taken; mathematics is not listed separately, so this general rule applies. First-year students who wish to change from one LAS major to another may request a change at the beginning of their second semester; changes can be requested at two times each semester (beginning and mid-semester).
• Transferring in from another college on campus: the department says University of Illinois students interested in transferring into Mathematics must have completed the calculus sequence and at least one advanced mathematics course (typically MATH 347 or MATH 314) with a 2.5 average by the end of the sophomore year. This differs from the 2.00 in the LAS rule above; confirm with the math advising team (mathadvising@illinois.edu).
• Mathematics & Computer Science: a Computer Science + X major with a higher high school math requirement (next section); moving in requires MATH 241 and MATH 314 or 347 with at least B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.67 or higher. Not expanded here.
• After you enroll: the catalog says students complete a Major Plan of Study form declaring their concentration and supporting coursework, with an advisor in the Mathematics Undergraduate Office, within 1 to 2 semesters of completing MATH 347 or 348 (except the Teaching of Mathematics concentration).

3. Prerequisites and courses

• High school mathematics: the first-year requirements page says 3 or 3.5 years of math are required and 4 recommended (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra, trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus and statistics). It lists majors needing at least 3.5 years including trigonometry or higher, such as all Computer Science + X majors, all Gies and Grainger majors, several LAS science majors and Secondary Education: Mathematics. The list read does not name the LAS Mathematics major; confirm with admissions.
• What the catalog says about starting: an entering mathematics student should be prepared to enroll in MATH 220 in the first semester; MATH 220 needs an acceptable ALEKS score; and students should earn grades of B in calculus to complete the advanced courses successfully.
• ALEKS PPL placement: required of all incoming first-year students before registration, "there are no exceptions, even if you are expecting advanced placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course proficiency credit"; recommended for transfer students; free for incoming students. Score recommendations: MATH 112, 40%; MATH 115, 65% (or C- or higher in MATH 112); MATH 220 and 221, 80% (or C- or higher in MATH 115); MATH 234, 65% (or C- or higher in MATH 112). The adaptive assessment covers precalculus, has about 30 questions, averages 90 minutes and must be finished within 24 hours of starting; incoming students may take up to 3 assessments for fall and 2 for spring. Scores are valid only in the stated placement windows (the page lists 13 April to 4 September 2026 for Fall 2026 and 21 September 2026 to 1 February 2027 for Spring 2027).
• AP and IB credit: the pages read do not say how AP or IB scores replace required math courses; not published there, so ask admissions or math advising. The honors page names only AP Calculus BC (score 5) or IB Further Math HL (6 or 7) as one route to approval for MATH 241H.
• Proficiency exams: the department offers proficiency exams for MATH 220, 231, 241, 257, 285 and 314 through the Computer-Based Testing Facility; they are pass/fail, the department typically uses an 80% threshold, and a pass earns credit for the course. Windows are published by the department.
• Honors entry: Mathematics Honors courses (Math 424 Honors Real Analysis, 425 Honors Advanced Analysis, 427 Honors Abstract Algebra, 428 Honors Topics) are for highly motivated, mathematically talented students. Approval criteria: MATH 241H needs A- or higher in MATH 231, or AP Calculus BC 5, or IB Further Math HL 6 or 7; MATH 314H/347H needs A- or higher in MATH 241 or 90% or higher on the MATH 241 proficiency exam; MATH 424, 427 and 428 need at least 3 upper-division courses, a math GPA of 3.5 and completion of MATH 314/347 or 416. Honors courses count toward the major.

4. Dates and materials

• Plans and deadlines: the application opens 1 September; Early Action (non-binding) closes 1 November with all materials due by 7 November; Regular closes 5 January with all materials due by 11 January. Early Action decisions 29 January, Regular decisions 26 February, honors and scholarship notification no later than 1 April, and the commit deadline is 1 May. The pages show no year, so confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Fee: USD 75; if you qualify for a fee waiver, your counselor must send the waiver form by the deadline.
• Materials: the Common App, a self-reported academic record (SRAR) listing courses and grades, any test scores you choose to report, and English proficiency scores if required. Official transcripts are needed only if you enroll. The materials list read does not include recommendation letters, and a math-teacher recommendation is not mentioned.
• Essays: you answer a few prompts about interests, experiences and goals; Illinois says there are no right answers.
• Tests: test-optional. If you include scores, report your highest ACT composite and/or highest SAT total (no superscoring) and highest sub-scores, even from different dates; the ACT writing test is not used.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how math competitions are viewed in admission; not published there. The department runs three local contests and takes part in the Putnam Competition with training sessions.
• Review: holistic; academics are central, including the rigor of classes available to you and chosen, performance over time and current coursework; senior-year courses are important.

5. Domestic students

• Costs (2026-27 estimates): in-state tuition and fees USD 18,530 to 24,018, food and housing USD 15,858, books and supplies USD 1,200, other expenses USD 2,500, total USD 38,088 to 43,576. Out-of-state tuition and fees USD 41,206 to 49,618, other expenses USD 2,840, total USD 61,104 to 69,516. Amounts vary by major, housing, meal plan and lifestyle; the page does not say which band mathematics falls in.
• Tuition guarantee: a program that keeps tuition the same each year; check whether you qualify.
• Illinois residents: the Illinois Commitment covers tuition and campus fees for up to four years for Illinois residents with family income of USD 75,000 or less. Admission preference or guarantee for in-state applicants is not stated on the pages read.
• Applying for aid: the FAFSA, with a priority deadline of 15 March; funds are limited. By type, scholarships and grants account for 67% of aid, loans 28% and student employment 5%.
• Department scholarships: the department lists scholarships including the Bradley M. and Karen A. Smith, Elizabeth R. Bennett, Josephine Chanler, Dr. Lois M. Lackner, Gail V. Kellogg, Illinois Mathematics Excellence, Ruth V. Shaff and Genevie I. Andrews, Susan C. Morisato and Vincent O. Greene scholarships, and prizes including the H. Roy Brahana Prize, the Salma Wanna Memorial Award and the Elsie Thomas Fraser Award; amounts and criteria are not stated. The Robert Noyce Scholarship (funded by the National Science Foundation) supports math majors with a secondary education minor, with two years of teaching required for each year of support.
• Undergraduate research: the department has an undergraduate research page that this guide did not read; specific programs and funding are not published in the pages read.

6. International students

• English proficiency: required of all students regardless of citizenship, permanent residency or curriculum. First-year applicants who did not complete grades 10 to 12 in an approved English-speaking country must submit a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, ACT or SAT score taken within two years of the intended entry term; this requirement cannot be waived. If you choose to have your SAT/ACT considered, it will be used for all aspects of review and cannot just be sent to meet the English requirement. For TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo, report your highest overall and sub-scores (not MyBest for TOEFL); official scores are needed only if you enroll. Minimum scores were not on the pages read.
• Credentials: first-years do not submit official transcripts when applying; you self-report all coursework and external exam results, and official documents are required only if you enroll. Illinois gives guidance for several countries and curricula (China, IB, GCE A-levels, India and others).
• Proof of funds: the pages read do not describe a financial certificate or bank statement requirement; not published there, so ask admissions or International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
• Aid: Illinois says plainly that it does not provide need-based financial aid for international undergraduate students; you must have sufficient funds for your entire period of study, though limited scholarships and loans may be available through ISSS.
• Costs (2026-27 estimates): for international students the page gives tuition and fees of USD 42,248 to 53,078, food and housing USD 15,858, books and supplies USD 1,200 and other expenses USD 2,840, total USD 62,146 to 72,976.
• Other: Illinois does not use private recruiting agents. If your country requires military service after secondary school, complete it before applying; admission cannot be deferred for pending service. Homeschooled students are reviewed individually, and anyone homeschooled outside the United States must earn a GED before enrolling. International students who change majors should update their I-20 with the "Change of Field" form in ISSS iSTART.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: neither the international requirements page nor the China application help page says whether Gaokao results are used or how; this is not published there. Ask admissions (admissions@illinois.edu).
• Transcript entry: the China application help page explains how to fill in the SRAR after submitting the Common App: under Grading Scale/Conversion choose Other and enter the numerical ranges that equate to letter grades (0-100 or 0-150 scale), or use the descriptor scale (Excellent, Good, Average, etc.); for grades 9 to 11 report the grade and the maximum possible grade for each course; for grade 12 report the final grade and maximum if finished, or In Progress (IP); list Civics and Politics under Social Science. Students who took O Levels/GCSEs then switched to an IB program report only grade 11 and 12 IB courses (with SL or HL and full names) and list the O Levels/GCSEs under International External Exam Results.
• Huikao materials: the pages read do not mention Huikao requirements; not published there.
• English: see section 6; the same for all students.
• Transfer applicants from China: submit high school transcripts showing the graduation month and year, or a graduation certificate.

8. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall: the application opens 15 January; priority deadline 1 February (other materials by 15 February); regular deadline 1 April (materials by 5 April); priority decisions by 15 April and regular decisions by 1 June. Spring: deadline 1 October (materials by 15 October), decisions by 15 November; Illinois notes that not all programs offer spring admission, and whether mathematics does is not stated on the pages read.
• GPA: the transfer requirements page lists, for the College of LAS, Mathematics: 2.7 cumulative and 3.0 technical. The mathematics transfer handbook says a minimum GPA of 2.7 is expected and that Mathematics and Actuarial Science require a 3.00 GPA on all transfer mathematics coursework.
• Required courses: with fewer than 50 transferable hours, transfer coursework equivalent to MATH 220 Calculus and MATH 231 Calculus II must be completed before or during the term you apply; with 50 or more hours, also MATH 241 Calculus III and, for mathematics, CS 101 or CS 124. The handbook strongly recommends completing a calculus sequence comparable to MATH 220, 231 and 241 before transfer, and recommends (not requires) ECON 102 and 103.
• Further rules: applicants with more than 6 semesters or 80 hours of coursework face an additional review, with priority given to students who can finish within a total of ten semesters (not counting summers). To graduate, you complete at least 45 semester hours at Illinois, including at least 21 at the 300 or 400 level. The language requirement is not required for admission but is required (level 4) for graduation.
• Review focus: college coursework and the classes required for the major; missing prerequisites is the most common reason for denial; with fewer than 36 graded transferable hours, high school performance is also considered. Admission may depend on space in the major.
• Transcripts: official transcripts from all colleges are required with the application; Illinois cannot accept transcripts emailed by students or sent from international institutions, but accepts electronic transcripts through approved third-party vendors. Credit results come from the Transfer Course Evaluation Report after admission.
• English: transfer applicants must meet one of the listed English conditions; TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores report the highest overall and sub-scores and must be taken within two years of enrollment.

9. Outcomes

• The department and catalog pages read print no placement or employment data. The catalog states that BSLAS Mathematics graduates will be able to construct proofs and recognize when proofs are complete, use theorems to solve problems, demonstrate technical proficiency in calculus and linear algebra, and apply mathematics by translating real-world problems into mathematical ones and solving them.
• For graduate outcomes, ask the department or LAS career services.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Common App, USD 75 fee; Early Action 1 November, Regular 5 January; first- and second-choice major; test scores optional
• FAFSA (priority 15 March); take ALEKS PPL and aim to start in MATH 220; check the Illinois Commitment if you are an Illinois resident

International students and applicants from China:

• Prepare a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, ACT or SAT score (cannot be waived); fill in the SRAR using the China help page
• No need-based aid for international undergraduates, so plan for the full cost; Gaokao and Huikao use is not published, so contact admissions

Transfer students:

• Fall 1 February (priority) or 1 April, spring 1 October; 2.7 cumulative and 3.0 technical, with 3.00 in math coursework
• Finish the calculus sequence (MATH 220, 231, 241) and CS 101/124; missing prerequisites is the most common reason for denial

Sources: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Mathematics undergraduate admissions; Undergraduate program in mathematics; Majors and minors; ALEKS PPL math placement; Proficiency examinations; Honors courses in mathematics; Scholarships and awards; Catalog: Mathematics, BSLAS; LAS declaring or changing a major; First-year dates; How to apply: first-year; First-year requirements; How admission works; International requirements; China application help; Admit rates; Tuition and costs; Financial aid; Transfer dates; Transfer requirements; Mathematics and actuarial science transfer handbook. The pages show no year for dates; confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 estimates). Check Illinois for the latest.