How to apply
Plan to begin your online application at least one week prior to the deadline.
There is an application fee of $60.
There are two-parts to the application process:
Part 1: UIC Graduate College Application
This application is reviewed by the University Office of Admissions. Go to the section at the bottom of the online application portal to select the appropriate link (Domestic or International Degree Seeking). In addition to completing the application, you will need to upload:
An electronic copy of your transcript. An official transcript will be requested only after acceptance to the program.
Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professional colleagues (your letters will also be submitted to slideroom). By submitting this information online you have waived the right to inspect confidential letters from your recommenders. It is not necessary to use any forms for letters of recommendation at this time. Should you be selected for nomination for a fellowship or other award, we will request additional information from your recommenders.
Part 2: UIC School of Design Support Materials
Your portfolio, statement of intent, resumé, and letters of recommendation are all submitted online via: uicdesign.slideroom.com. These materials are reviewed by UIC Design Graduate Faculty.
A complete file and a portfolio review is required for acceptance into any program. It is imperative that all your application materials arrive by application deadline. Do not mail portfolios or application materials, as they will not be reviewed. There are no exceptions to this policy.Please use the following guidelines when preparing your application packet and portfolio.
Portfolio Requirements
Upload a portfolio containing no more than 20 images as a single PDF document with your resume and statement as the first pages of the PDF. You are also able to upload individual image (jpg) and/or video (mov) files. Please reduce your PDF file size to 10 megabytes or less. If your pdf exceeds 10 megabytes, you may upload a second multi-page pdf. Images should be sized no larger than 1280 x 1280 px @ 72 dpi. Video files must be kept under 20MB. Our Slideroom portal offers additional instruction for submitting work online. For technical assistance, contact support@slideroom.com
Additional Requirements for International Students
Original results of TOEFL scores are required.
Minimum English Competency Test Score: TOEFL 580 (paper-based); 237 (computer-based); 92, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR, IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
TOEFL scores and Certified Financial Documentation is required at the same time as all other application materials. Do not wait until the results of the portfolio review are released before sending these documents.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is the responsibility of each graduate student and it is encouraged that applicants fill out financial aid forms early to cover tuition, fees and other school expenses. The UIC School of Design offers several possible avenues for financial support. Hourly design positions for MDes students are available in several campus departments. The UIC Innovation Center offers the possibility for paid engagement in research projects. Second year students who are interested in teaching will be considered for Teaching Assistantships. TAships include a tuition waiver and stipend and are offered on a per-semester basis. Awards without work obligation including scholarship programs and University Fellowships, are highly competitive. For financial aid consideration, we strongly encourage application by our December 15 priority deadline.
If you are applying for a Fellowship, you must have final grades posted from your school. If you attended a school that utilized a Pass/Fail grading system you must submit grading sheets from your professors indicating letter grade equivalents.
We have no special financial aid designated for international students. International students are required to certify that they can provide for their own tuition, fees and living expense for their entire stay here and without proof of your financial support an I-20 will not be issued.
Financial aid Fellowships are not available for the initial year of the 3-year program.