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, but are highly recommended for all new students who would like to be considered for fellowship support. 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 2024, the deadline for applications is extended to January 12, 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.