Transfer Admission Requirements

Learn about the various requirements and factors involved with transferring to the University of Illinois.

Admission Decision Factors

Admission of transfer applicants is based on a combination of the hours and content of transferable credit and the transfer GPA. Admission of sophomore applicants is based on a combination of college and high school credentials, including ACT/SAT scores.

The following factors are considered in an admission decision:

• Course prerequisites for specific program
• Transferable cumulative GPA and sometimes a technical GPA
• Number of transferable credit hours required for specific program
• Additional information supplied in your application essays
• High school performance and ACT/SAT scores will be reviewed if you are applying with less than 30 graded transferable college credit hours at the time of review

For more information on requirements, review our detailed list of all requirements.

Prerequisite Coursework

Most transfer programs require the completion of prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment. The Transfer Handbook lists all such requirements by programs of study. Detailed transfer course information is also available to help you determine the transferability of any coursework.

Preference and Restrictions

If the number of qualified applicants to a college or curriculum exceeds the admissions quota, those best qualified will be admitted, and preference may be given to Illinois residents. Sophomore transfer applicants (students with less than 60 transferable semester hours) may be restricted when space is limited. To view which programs are considering applicants at your level, you can check the open and closed list.

Transcripts

Official transcripts are required from each college and/or university you have attended. Official high school transcripts are required to verify graduation. If you have not earned a high school diploma yet, you need to apply as a freshman. If you received a GED certificate, you will need to submit the GED results.

Essays

Applicants are also required to answer one essay question on the application and are given an opportunity to submit additional information:

• Essay: In an essay of 300 words or less, explain your motivation to transfer from your current/previous institution and how your academic interests and/or professional goals will be fulfilled in your intended program of study.
• Additional Information (optional): If you selected a second choice major, please explain your interest in this major.
• Additional Information (optional): If you are unable to meet one or more of the transfer admissions requirements for your program, please explain. Or, is there any additional information you feel we should be aware of while reviewing your application, including extenuating circumstances that affected your academic record?

English Proficiency Requirements

In order to meet our minimum English proficiency requirement, you must:

(1) Have completed all secondary (years 9-12) and post-secondary schooling in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the United States (excluding Puerto Rico). OR (2) Have scored at least 25 on the ACT English portion or a 550 on the SAT I Critical Reading portion.

If you do not meet one of the conditions above, you must:

(1) Have scored a minimum of 79 on the internet-based (ibt) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Colleges of Business, Engineering, and Media require a minimum score of 100 ibt. OR (2) Have scored a minimum of 6.5 total score on the International English Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6 on all four modules.

Test scores that will be used to fulfill the English proficiency requirement must be taken within two years of the student's date of enrollment in the University.

Please note that these are only the minimum requirements needed to meet English proficiency. In many cases, the standards needed to gain admission will be much higher, so it would be to your advantage to submit all test scores demonstrating a high level of English competency, especially if you do not meet the ACT/SAT minimums.