The Graduate College considers for admission only those applicants who hold, or will be granted at the end of the current academic year, a baccalaureate, M.A., or equivalent degree comparable to that granted by the University of Illinois, and whose admission average is at least 3.0 (A=4.0). Admission averages are computed from the last sixty hours of undergraduate work and any graduate work completed.
GRE scores are not required for admission to the PhD or to receive fellowship support, but strong scores can boost applications for competitive fellowships made available by the university. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores are required for new applicants whose native language is not English (please see the Graduate College handbook for exemptions.) After enrolling, students may also be required to take additional English language courses in the Division of English as an International Language.
For admission in Fall 2025, the deadline for applications is December 20, 2024. Learn how to apply online here. Some things to consider as you prepare your application.
Students applying to the Department are expected, in addition to the Graduate College requirements, to have had a minimum of four years of college-level Russian, or comparable proficiency, as well as course work in Russian literature. If a student plans to specialize in a language and literature other than Russian, comparable coursework and language levels are expected.