Skip to the navigation | content

University of Illinois Department of History

nformation for Prospective Students

Fields of Study and Graduate Courses

The History department is the proud home of dozens of scholars engaged in over thirty fields of research and study. The history department also offers students the possibility of creating one major or minor "constructed" field tailored to their individual interests. Graduate student coursework provides many opportunities to combine and refine these areas of intellectual discussion.

Application Information

Applications for admission can be submitted by electronic application. While all valid applications are considered regardless of their means of submission, the department recommends that you submit your application electronically to avoid delays in processing. Please do not use both methods.

The deadline for applying for admission to the graduate program for the Fall 2008 academic year is December 17, 2007. You will normally be informed of our decisions regarding admission by March 1st. Decisions regarding financial aid are usually made by April 1st.

*Special Note related to the Paper Application*

If you cannot apply online, you can request a dowloadable application from gradadmissions@uiuc.edu complete it, and then mail it with a check or money order to Office of Admissions and Records.

The Office of Admissions and Records
901 W. Illinois Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801.

*Special Note related to the Electronic Application*

There is a $50.00 nonrefundable application fee for domestic students and a $60.00 (USDollars) for international students.  You may submit your application fee electronically (VISA or MASTERCARD) during on-line application.

Required Supporting Materials for All Applications

IMPORTANT NOTE:  We have moved to an on-line review of admissions materials and are asking applicants to submit their letters of reference electronically (see specific instructions below).  If electronic submissions are impossible in any particular case, we will accept hard copy, but electronic submission is strongly preferred.

Letters of Reference

Three current (not more than one year old) letters of reference from persons who have direct knowledge of your academic performance and potential for graduate study.  You will be required to enter three recommenders within the online application, and you can mark them as either offline or online recommenders.  We prefer that your recommenders be online; they will be sent an automatic e-mail with instructions for submitting their recommendation.  Recommenders can upload their recommendations as documents or type their recommendation directly into the system.  Alternatively, recommenders can send their letters to us electronically, preferably as PDF documents, on letterhead and with their signatures, otherwise as Word documents. The hard copy original letters not submitted directly through the application process should be sent to Elaine Sampson, Graduate Secretary, 309 Gregory Hall, 810 S. Wright St., Urbana, Illinois  61801.

Transcripts

Complete official transcripts for all previous academic training, both  graduate and undergraduate.  Each transcript must arrive in our office sealed in its original envelope.  FOR DOMESTIC APPLICANTS ONLY:  Transcripts must be sent directly to our office from the issuing institution.  FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY:  Each transcript must be in its original sealed envelope but the applicant may send it to our office in a packet with other materials.  Also, if the transcript does not show the degree earned, a separate certificate of degree must be provided.  FOR APPLICANTS FROM CHINA ONLY:  In addition to the transcript, a separate certificate of degree is required, regardless of whether the degree earned is shown on the transcript.

Graduate Records Examination

Arrange to have your Graduate Record Examination aptitude scores (verbal, analytical and quantitative) sent directly to the History Department. You’ll need to ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to electronically submit official scores to the university databse.  When ETS asks for destination codes, put 1836 for the institution and 00 for the department.  You can also send copies of your ETS score reports directly to our department, in case the electronic reporting is delayed.  The department does not require or consider scores from the GRE subject exam in History. However, it pays considerable attention to GRE verbal scores, which have proven to have a high correlation with long-term success in our program. The average GRE percentage score for domestic (U.S.) students accepted into the program in the last few years has been in the 80's. In all admissions cases, we examine the whole application package, and in the case of students educated in a language other than English our GRE expectations are somewhat lower. If you are currently in a MA program we will accept a copy of a GRE report regardless of when the exam was taken. If you are not currently in an MA program and your GRE scores are more than five years old at the date of application you will need to retake the GRE exam.

TOEFL

If English is not your first language, you must demonstrate your proficiency in the English language by submitting a TOEFL score of 600 or above on the paper test, or a score of 253 on the computer based test. We strongly recommend that you take the Test of Written English (TWE) section of the TOEFL, which is given on certain test dates; contact TOEFL Services (phone number 609-683-2091) for more detailed information. A copy of your score should be sent to the Department of History. All international students should refer to our special information for international students section for further information.

Sample of Written Work

A sample of your written work showing your ability as a historian to engage in historical debate using primary and secondary sources. This should be no more than 30 pages in length.  It should be mailed to the Graduate Secretary, Elaine Sampson, 309 Gregory Hall, 810 S. Wright St., Urbana, Illinois  61801.

Research Ability

An estimate of your ability to do research in a language not your own; this may be done in a cover letter or in a paragraph as part of your statement of purpose in the application.

Financial Aid

The Department of History at the University of Illinois has built one of the best records for student financial aid among graduate History programs at public research universities. Financial aid opportunities include fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, minority student fellowships, and tuition waivers.

Fellowships and assistantships may be offered to first-year students, and the great majority of History graduate students receive some form of support from the University of Illinois during years two through six depending on their progress in the program. The department also helps advanced doctoral candidates find outside fellowships from foundations and national and international granting agencies. Graduate students in fields covered by the area studies centers may receive federally funded renewable FLAS fellowships. The department provides pre-dissertations travel and research funding as well as fellowships for dissertation travel and research.

Typically the graduate program is made up of about 125 students, of which nearly one-third serve as teaching assistants or on work-study assignments in the department each semester. Other students are supported through research assistantships and a variety of other positions both inside and outside the department. An additional one-fifth of History graduate students are on internal or external fellowship support at any given time.

Most decisions regarding financial aid are made in the month following admissions decisions, usually between February 15 and March 15. The admitted students most highly ranked for our entering fellowships will be contacted soon after February 15 and encouraged to visit the campus as guests of the department. All other admitted students who have a serious interest in our program are urged to visit if at all possible. There is limited financial support to fund prospective student visits.

Students admitted with an M. A. degree at the time of entry, and who have previous teaching experience in an English language context, are eligible for teaching assistantships in the department. If you are in this category and would like such an opportunity, you are encouraged to mention this briefly in your application, and if at all possible, visit the department for an interview. Students admitted with a B. A. degree are eligible for teaching assistantship-gradership positions.

Highly ranked students accepted into our non-western History fields (Africa, Latin America, and Russia/East Europe) may be nominated for Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships by faculty in the field; there is no separate application process for these awards.

Important: The History department does not usually provide summer funding for its students. Students are encouraged to secure employment from other sources—many of which are listed by the Student Financial Aid Office or the Graduate College. NOTE: International Students should consult the Office of International Student Affairs for further details regarding summer employment.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees are based on the student's residency status, the specific graduate program, and the amount of credit taken each term.  To be considered full-time, students must be registered for 12 or more semester hours. Current tuition and fee information is available through the Graduate College. Departmental fellowships and assistantships are subsidized with a tuition and partial fee waiver.

The History department recommends that all students consider the financial information provided to be an estimate of expenses. Additional expenses that all students should be prepared to cover include: moving expenses (including start-up utility costs), transportation, books and supplies, food, and summer living costs. This is in addition to university fees including health insurance, a Health Center Fee, and other fees, totaling approximately $600/semester.

The Graduate Student Community and Campus Visits

The History department is proud to support a vibrant and active graduate student community. Our students have worked diligently to put together information for prospective and incoming students on living and working in the Urbana-Champaign area.

We recommend that any student interested in our program take the time to visit with our faculty and students, either in person or through email communications. We welcome questions at any stage of the process.

To schedule a campus visit, please contact the Director of Graduate Studies. We recommend that students consult with the Director regarding the date and length of their visit as faculty and graduate student availability varies based on the academic schedule.

Information for International Students

The History Department 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 INS status.  Please note that in order for us to complete paperwork for the I-20 form needed for your visa, we will usually need financial documentation (bank statements etc.) indicating that you or a sponsor are able to cover whatever gap may exist between our financial aid packages and the total funds deemed necessary by the University’s Office of International Student Affairs for an international student to be admitted.  This figure can range between $1500 and $3000 depending on the financial package we are able to offer.

International students should immediately consult 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 Affairs provides additional resources for prospective and current students. OISA provides pre-arrival information and instructions for students including information of the academic system, transportation to/from UIUC, and directions on how to secure housing, a bank account and a Social Security Number (SSN).

A Social Security Number is required for all students to receive US identification. Many landlords, banks, and all state and federal government agencies require the use of the SSN on official paperwork. OISA will meet with all incoming international students to aid them in the application process. Please meet with OISA as soon as you arrive at UIUC —and consult with them before then—as processing of paperwork can be delayed due to high volume. Prior to receiving your SSN, you will need to carry your passport or other authorized identification to complete many tasks.

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.

HGSA provides a Survival Guide for all students that will help students with daily living (entertainment, dining, travel).

TOEFL: The departmental minimum score is 600, which is higher than the university minimum. But few applicants admitted with scores below 630 have succeeded in our program, and we seldom admit such applicants. American graduate education in History puts a high premium on the command of spoken, as well as written, English. Moreover, in this department the chief means of support for graduate students is the teaching assistantship, and our university and state regulations require spoken English exams (TSE) passing score of 50 for all international applicants for such assistantships.

Non-Degree Students

The History department rarely accepts students on a non-degree basis as our program is set up as a PhD program. If you wish to apply as a non-degree student you should follow the same procedures as if you were applying as a degree student. The deadline remains December 15, 2006 and we consider student enrollments during the Fall semester only.

Further Questions

Further questions and special inquiries can be directed to the Director of Graduate Studies or to the departmental Graduate Studies Secretary.