NOTE: The information below is for external transfer applicants looking to transfer into UIC. If you are a current UIC student, please refer to the Intercollegiate Transfer Student FAQ.
WHEN MAY I START THE BDES DEGREE PROGRAM?
New BDes students are only admitted in the Fall. BA students may begin in the spring.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ME TO COMPLETE THE BDES DEGREE PROGRAM?
UIC’s design courses are sequenced with specific goals in mild and, regardless of the number of general education requirements you have already completed at UIC, it will take you an additional four full years to complete the BDes degree. It may be possible to complete the BA degree in less than 4 years if you have credits to transfer.
WILL IT REALLY TAKE ME FOUR MORE YEARS TO COMPLETE THE BDES DEGREE?! I ALREADY HAVE UIC CREDITS.
Yes, it really will take you four additional years to complete the BDes degree. If you are not able to commit to being at UIC an additional four full years, the BDes degree program may not be a good fit for you.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION?
You may view the full requirements for transfer admission here:
UIC Undergraduate Transfer Admission
In addition to the University's general admission requirements, applicants to the College of Architecture, Design and the Arts must also meet the following additional criteria noted below.
A supplemental Common Application personal statement explaining interest in UIC’s Design program and area of study in Graphic or Industrial Design is highly recommended. Students must select Graphic/Industrial Design Foundation as their major on the Common Application. No portfolio is required for acceptance.
WHY AM I APPLYING TO THE DESIGN FOUNDATION PROGRAM WHEN I WANT THE BDES DEGREE?
All students begin in the year-long Design Foundation program. Acceptance to the Bachelor of Design (BDes) degree program and the BA Design Studites program is subject to a portfolio review that takes place at the end of the Spring semester after successful completion of the 7 required foundation courses.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC GPA REQUIREMENT FOR ACCEPTANCE?
We give preference to students with a UIC GPA of 3.0 and above. If your GPA is low, you may want to submit a statement with your application explaining why and what changes you plan to make to be successful if accepted for transfer.
DO YOU HAVE A MATH REQUIREMENT?
No
WHAT CLASSES WILL I TAKE?
Below are links to course sequencing info for UIC’s Bachelor of Design (BDes)/Bachelor of Design Studies (BA) degrees presented in two different formats along with degree planning worksheets:
BDes Graphic Design / Industrial Design Curriculum Guide
BDes Overview / Program Requirements / Courses
BDes Graphic Design / Degree Planning Worksheet
BDes Industrial Design / Degree Planning Worksheet
BA Design Studies Curriculum Guide
BA Design Studies / Degree Planning Worksheet (In Progress)
HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF MY PREVIOUS CLASSES WILL TRANSFER TO UIC?
This will be explained in detail at the required summer orientation. In the meantime, you may utilize one of the two sites linked below to see if specific non-design courses you have taken will transfer to UIC.
Transferology / an online tool that will help you view program requirements, course equivalencies, and see how courses you have taken or plan to take transfer to UIC.
itransfer.org / The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) web site. The IAI is a statewide agreement for participating colleges and universities in Illinois. UIC is a participating university.
I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN DESIGN CLASSES AT MY CURRENT COLLEGE. MAY I BE EXEMPTED FROM SOME/ALL THE DESIGN FOUNDATION CLASSES?
No, we do not accept transfer credits for any design classes. If you take/have taken any design courses previously, they will only transfer as general electives.
SINCE I CAN’T START UNTIL THE FALL, WHAT SHOULD I TAKE THIS SPRING/SUMMER?
The department's recommendation is that you focus on general education classes as we are able to accept up to 60 credits of general education/elective requirements. You may utilize Transferology or iTransfer to see if specific courses you plan to take will transfer to UIC.
DO YOU OFFER EVENING OR WEEKEND CLASSES?
No
DO YOU OFFER A MINOR?
No
DO YOU OFFER SUMMER CLASSES?
Design classes are not typically offered in the summer and have not been offered in over three years. In the past, a limited number of Design Foundation classes have been occasionally offered in the summer but there is no plan to return to this model at this time. Please note that taking summer classes will not allow you to complete the BDes degree faster. For more information about UIC’s Summer Session, click the link below.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO MAJOR IN BOTH GRAPHIC DESIGN AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN?
Yes. Students who pass both the Graphic Design and Industrial Design portfolio reviews at the end of the Design Foundation year may request to double major but please note that completing both degrees will take five full years.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT DESIGN AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FIELD?
A great way to learn about design is to look over the faculty news/bios and portfolios on the School of Design website, view student work on the Year End Show website, or check out the UIC Innovation Center website. The School of Design website also lists all upcoming events (lectures, exhibits, workshops) hosted by/at the School of Design. Nearly all of these are free and open to the public. The School of Design’s Instagram account is also a great place to learn more about our design community and what our faculty, current students, and alumni are working on.
WHAT IS THE JOB PLACEMENT RATE FOR SCHOOL OF DESIGN GRADUATES?
According to a recent survey of School of Design graduates, of the students who responded, 65-70% were working in their field after six months and 85-90% were working in their field after a year.
OTHER PROSPECTIVE/ADMITTED RESOURCES:
Timeline for Newly-admitted Students
WHAT IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
If you would like to learn more about the program and view the School of Design facilities, please sign up for a tour or attend an accepted student event.
CADA/School of Design Overview Facilities Tour
CADA/School of Design Events for Accepted Students
School of Design Events/Exhibitions Information
HOW MAY I VIEW STUDENT WORK?
You may view recent student work examples on online at the following sites:
UIC School of Design Year End Show website
UIC School of Design Instagram account (@uic.design)