PhD Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Chicago

Programme overview

The PhD offers a post-master's option and a direct-PhD option, each with a written qualifying exam, an oral preliminary exam and dissertation research.

Faculty: College of Engineering | Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering | Duration: 108 semester hours (Option I post-MS includes 32 transferred hours; Option II Direct PhD) | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Option I: 28 coursework hours, 48 hours of ECE 599 research and two semesters of seminar. Option II: 52 coursework hours, 56 hours of ECE 599 research and two semesters of seminar.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Prior degree: Applicants must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering or computer engineering or a related field. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and an outstanding academic record are encouraged to seek admission directly to the PhD program. GPA: At least 3.50/4.00. Letters of recommendation: Three required. Personal statement: Required for applicants seeking financial aid.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate and professional programmes admit for Fall, Spring and Summer terms depending on the programme; applications for Fall 2027, Spring 2028 and Summer 2028 are expected to open on August 1, 2026.

Graduate and professional application deadlines are set per programme, with separate deadlines for domestic and international applicants for most non-online programmes; optional earlier priority, recommended or fellowship dates apply to both.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.uic.edu/admissions/

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