Fall 2025 Deadline: December 1, 2024; Most offers have already been made. If funding circumstances change, we may make more offers during the summer. If you have not yet heard from us, your application is still under consideration.

**All application materials should be received by the deadline in order to be reviewed by the NSP Admissions Committee. 

Neuroscience Program Requirements

The Neuroscience Program welcomes applications from research-oriented students with strong qualifications and laboratory experience. Applications are evaluated using a holistic admissions rubric that focuses on three areas: 1) research aptitude and interest in neuroscience and/or related disciplines, 2) academic performance, and 3) leadership and service. Previous research experience in neuroscience or a related field is required. 

Students are normally admitted to work with a specific faculty mentor. As such, we highly recommend that you reach out to faculty before the application deadline. In rare circumstances, students may also be admitted to rotate between a few different labs for the first semester or year before being matched with a faculty mentor.

The NSP is committed to recruiting highly qualified students, including underrepresented minority students and international students. No fixed number of students in any category is admitted during any given year. 

  • Applicants should have a grade-point average of at least 3.0 (4.0 = A) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. Master’s degrees and significant post-bac experience can make up for this.
  • Significant research experience of one or more years is highly desirable.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are NOT REQUIRED. 
  • Students are accepted from a wide range of academic, experience, and degree backgrounds.
  • Students typically have strong preparation in several of the following: biology (including cell biology, genetics, molecular biology, physiology, and behavior), psychology (especially experimental and physiological), biochemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics.

Funding: All students, both domestic and international, receive an annual stipend, tuition, and health insurance while in good academic standing. This funding comes from a variety of sources. In addition, at least one term of support while you are a student will come from a teaching experience. The current stipend level is at least $31,500.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested in joining the NSP? Apply here: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply 

  1. Select Fall 2025 as the term.
  2. Use the links to the right for more information.
  3. Select departmental Field of Specialization: please select the field or field that most closely resembles your ongoing research interests.
  4. We highly recommend that you include faculty whose research interests match yours in the “Proposed Program of Study” section of the application.
  5. Help?  Email nsp-admin@illinois.edu or call 217-300-7978

WHAT TO SUBMIT

  1. Online Application
  2. Test Scores - TOEFL; the GRE is not required
  3. Letters of Recommendation (at least 3)
  4. Personal Statement that speaks to past, current, and future research interests
  5. Transcripts from all institutions

Application Fee:

  1. Domestic Applicants:  $70.00
  2. International Applicants:  $90.00
  3. MUST be paid to submit the application.  Can be paid by credit card.  **Fee waivers are available for some domestic students at http://www.grad.illinois.edu/application-fee. Please note that we do not offer application fee waivers for international students.

International Applicants: Please visit: https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply/begin/international for information on applying and for TOEFL/IELTS requirements and exemptions. International applicants have the same access to fellowships and assistantships that domestic students do.

 

TRANSFER PROCESS - Current University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Graduate Students

Current UIUC graduate students who have already been accepted to a different department and wish to transfer into the Neuroscience Program do not have to reapply through the Graduate College.  They can do a curriculum change and transfer.  To be considered for a transfer, please see the requirements below:

To evaluate your candidacy for our program we require the following:

  • A release of your graduate application from your home department. This should include your undergraduate/previous transcripts and original letters of recommendation. Please ask your department to forward your application materials to the NSP program at nsp-admin@illinois.edu.
  • Transcript of your graduate program grades (unofficial copy is ok).
  • A short list of faculty that you are interested in working with.
  • A personal statement/letter of application that indicates why you are seeking a degree in the Neuroscience Program.

Your application materials will be considered by at least two members of the Neuroscience Program. We will notify you of our decision as soon as possible. Please forward your materials to nsp-admin@illinois.edu. Let us know if you have any questions.

Medical Scholars Program
Carle Illinois College of Medicine

The Medical Scholars Program has previously offered a joint M.D./Ph.D. degree.  In the fall of 2018, the new Carle Illinois College of Medicine welcomed its inaugural class and is working to create a new Medical Scholars Program.  As the world’s first engineering-based college of medicine, we are leveraging advanced technology to train physician-innovators who will deliver better, more compassionate and accessible care to patients worldwide.

Carle Illinois College of Medicine:

VISION

We will be global leaders in transformative medical education, research and clinical care innovation, designed to improve the health and well-being of patients and communities around the world.

MISSION

We educate exceptional physician-innovators to deliver high-value, compassionate health care through transformative solutions developed at the intersection of engineering, science and medicine.