The Department of History welcomes international students, who do much to enliven and enrich the intellectual community at UIUC. Prospective students are encouraged to apply at least 10 months prior to their intended semester of entry due to federal and state processing of the paperwork for your F- or J-visa.
International students should immediately consult the website of the Graduate College, which provides up-to-date information regarding transcripts, language proficiency, visas, and health requirements for international applicants. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides additional resources for prospective and current students.
International applicants should note that additional expenses are normally due prior to the first disbursement of financial aid. These costs can include start-up costs (first and last months’ rent, utilities, and groceries) and university fees. We recommend all students be prepared for additional out of pocket expenses, as the first paycheck usually does not arrive until mid to late September. Students should consider these expenses when figuring the costs of admission.
An International Student Caucus has been formed to promote international diversity in the Department of History. It offers assistance and guidance to first-year international graduate students. It is also an opportunity for networking, event-planning, and collaboration with HSGA through which international students can get more involved in the department and on campus. Meetings will be held regularly and focus on the interests and concerns of international students in the department. Contacts, 2020-21: Alexandra Sundarsigh (ats9@illinois.edu).
TOEFL or IELTS
If you are an international applicant and English is not your first language, you must demonstrate proficiency in English through a TOEFL or IELTS test. See https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/instructions/04c for detailed information and minimum Graduate College scores. Test scores must be no more than two years old at the time of the first day of class of the proposed term of entry.
The History's Departmental minimum test scores are higher than those set by the graduate college, since the need for good command of spoken and written English is greater in humanities fields than in more technical fields. The admissions committee looks at all evidence of English ability, including the writing sample and evidence from faculty letters of recommendation, but we find that applicants with TOEFL iBT scores below 109 (or equivalent) are not likely to succeed in our program. Moreover, since an important part of professional training and financial for graduate students is a teaching assistantship, skill in English is essential. The University requires prospective TAs who are not native speakers of English to pass tests in spoken English (TSE) with a minimum score of 50 (or equivalent).
Transcripts
International applicants must send their original transcripts to the department in a sealed envelope, but the student may send it to our office in a packet with other materials. English and native language transcripts and certificates of degree are required. Students who receive their degree after the application deadline must provide their transcripts to the department and the Graduate College as early as possible in their first semester. For applicants from China: In addition to the transcript, a separate certificate of degree is required, regardless of whether the degree earned is shown on the transcript.
These materials are to be sent to:
Graduate Program Coordinator
309 Gregory Hall, 810 S. Wright St.
Urbana, IL 61801
Official digital transcripts can be sent to:
For more details see "Information for International Students" in the Current Students section.