Department of English, College of LAS, University of Illinois

Graduate Studies in English

Graduate Admissions Information

Admissions: Instructions for Applying for Admission

NOTE: Applicants to the Ph.D. program MUST have an M.A. in literature or equivalent by the start of the Fall semester they are entering.

Applicants to the M.A. program in literature or writing studies are required to submit:

  • An online Application for Admission to the Graduate College.
  • Indicate your intent to specialize in Writing Studies or in a particular field or period of literature. If necessary indicate more than one field or period of literature; i.e., Early American literature, Medieval, 16th century British Literature, etc. Use the space provided on the application form.
  • One official copy of each transcript of all previous college-level work.  Official transcripts are sealed in the original envelope issued by the college or university.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores should be requested from the ETS (Educational Testing Service). The scores must not be more than five years old, and an official copy must be sent electronically from ETS. Literature applicants must submit BOTH the General Test and the Subject Test for Literature in English scores. Our institution code is 1836.
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors of your college English courses.  Each letter should arrive in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal. These letters may also be electronically uploaded to your online application by your recommenders.
  • A 300-500 word statement of purpose. Please include on your statement your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available). Please submit only one statement.
  • Writing Sample (15-20 pages). One hard copy needs to be sent to Graduate Office Coordinator. Do not upload document to application. Please include on your writing sample your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available).

Applicants to the Ph.D. program in literature or writing studies are required to submit:

  • An online Application for Admission to the Graduate College.
  • Indicate your intent to specialize in Writing Studies or in a particular field or period of literature. If necessary indicate more than one field or period of literature; i.e., Early American literature, Medieval, 16th century British Literature, etc. Use the space provided on the application form.
  • One official copy of each transcript of all previous college and graduate work.  Official transcripts must be sealed in the original envelope issued by the college or university.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores should be requested from the ETS (Educational Testing Service). The scores must not be more than five years old, and an official copy must be sent electronically from ETS. Literature applicants must submit BOTH the General Test and the Subject Test for Literature in English scores. Our institution code is 1836 .
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors of your college English courses.  Each letter should arrive in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal. These letters may also be uploaded electronically to your online application by your recommenders.
  • A 300-500 word statement of purpose. Please include on your statement your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available). Please submit only one statement.
  • Writing Samples ( 2 different samples are required, 15-20 pages each). All copies should include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available). Please do not upload this document to online application.
  • A succinct description of the requirements in the Master’s Program that you are either currently enrolled in or have already completed. This description should include course requirements (including area distribution requirements) and language requirements.

Applicants to the Writing Studies program:

The only difference for Writing Studies applicants is that the GRE Subject Test for Literature in English is NOT required. All of the other above materials are required.

Applicants to the M.F.A. program in Creative Writing are required to submit:

  • An online Application for Admission to the Graduate College.
  • Indicate your intent to specialize in Poetry or Fiction under heading "Application Information", Field(s) of Specialization on online application.
  • One official copy of each transcript of all previous college and graduate work.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores should be requested from the ETS (Educational Testing Service). The scores must not be more than five years old and must be sent electronically to University. Only the General Test is required. Our institution code is 1836.
  • Three letters of recommendation, preferably from instructors of your college English/Creative Writing courses or from professionals (who know your writing abilities and work habits well).  Each letter should arrive in a sealed envelope with the recommender's signature across the seal. These letters may also be sent electronically to your online application by your recommenders.
  • A 300-500 word statement of purpose. Please include on your statement your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available).  Please submit only one statement.
  • Writing Samples. No more than 20-25  pages of fiction or 15 pages of poetry.  Please send three paper copies. All copies of your writing sample should include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address (if available). Please see address below for sending application materials to.

International Applicants are required to submit:

In addition to the requirements for domestic applicants, international applicants must submit official copies of the following test scores:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required to provide evidence of English proficiency.

Exemption from this test is possible if one of the following criteria is met:

Completion of at least two years of full-time study, as defined by the home institution, in a country where English is the primary language and at an institution where English is the primary medium of instruction, within five years of the proposed initial enrollment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Completion of a graduate degree in a country where English is the primary language and at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction, within five years of the proposed initial enrollment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

A minimum score of 550 on the Paper-based Test (PBT), 213 on the Computer-based Test (CBT), or 79 on the Internet-based Test (iBT), is required. To be valid, the TOEFL must be taken within two years prior to the proposed term of entry.

If the scores on the TOEFL are acceptable, but indicate the need for further English study (scores of 550-610PBT, 213-253 CBT, or 79-102 iBT inclusive), an English placement test will be required upon arrival at the University. On the basis of the placement test results, applicants are generally required to enroll in "English as a Second Language" courses and take a reduced academic load during the first semester at the University.

The computer-based TOEFL is given at Sylvan Technology Centers worldwide and is available throughout the year by appointment. The paper-based program is still offered in some countries. Contact TOEFL at
toefl@ets.org for additional information.

Test of Spoken English (TSE)

In order to bring the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign into compliance with the Illinois Senate Bill 1516, an additional English proficiency test is required of all non-native speakers of English who will be employed as teaching assistants.  As of Fall 1988, screening for oral proficiency in English with the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or SPEAK assessments was required of all non-native English-speaking graduate students to be involved in classroom instruction or student consultation.  A minimum score of 50 is required.  The TSE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and students residing abroad can make arrangements to take the test by visiting www.ets.org.  Students not able to take the TSE before departing for the U.S. will be required to take the SPEAK test upon their arrival on campus and before their T.A. appointments can be confirmed.  Students have only 3 chances to pass the SPEAK test.

The English Department's primary form of financial aid is Teaching Assistantships.  If an international applicant is admitted without TSE scores and does not pass the SPEAK test upon arrival, the applicant will not receive a Teaching Assistantship or the tuition waiver and stipend it supplies.  The English Department may not be able to offer financial assistance to a student who is not eligible for a Teaching Assistantship.  It is in an international applicant's best interest to take the TSE as soon as possible and before the application deadline.  A passing TSE score will only help an applicant's chance of admission.

Application Materials to be Sent to English Department Include:

  1. All certified transcripts, in original, sealed envelopes from issuing institutions (undergraduate and graduate).
  2. Three letters of recommendation or uploaded through Apply Yourself online application system.
  3. GRE scores (General and/or Subject if applicable) electronically from ETS.
  4. TOEFL and TSE scores (if applicable) electronically from ETS.
  5. Writing sample(s)
  6. A program description (PhD applicants only)

Send to:
Graduate Coordinator
English Department
University of Illinois, 210 English
608 S. Wright Street
Urbana, IL 61801

NOTE: Applicants do not need to mail hard copies of material uploaded through ApplyYourself.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 12 noon (CST) Decemeber 17.

Supporting Material must be receieved in our office December 17.