Admissions

The M.Eng. in Autonomy and Robotics program is a non-thesis, non-research degree program. Applicants must hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in natural sciences or engineering. In addition, applicants must have at least a 3.0 or higher GPA in their last two years of undergraduate study.

International students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS Exam Scores.

How to Apply

All parts of the application, including the application fee, must be received by the application deadline. Late applications may not be accepted. In addition, incomplete applications will be subject to denial. All admission decisions will be communicated via email to the email address provided in the application.

1. Complete the university's online application.
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2. Pay the application fee – $70 for US citizens and permanent residents and $90 for international students. Application fee must be paid using a credit card through the online application and is non-refundable.
3. Submit/upload unofficial transcripts for all completed university coursework with the Online Application. Official transcripts will be required upon admission and acceptance to the program. If offered admission, you must submit final, official academic credentials from the institution/s within one month of the start of the semester to the Graduate College. 
4. Submit of 3 Letters of Recommendation. Individuals writing letters of recommendation on your behalf should submit their letters through the online application system.
5. Submit Academic and Personal Statements, and Program Essay. This is a part of the online application form. Applicants are required to submit two written statements and an essay.
   
   

   Academic Statement
   Write a statement that answers the following questions (limit of 1000 words):

   1. How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study?
   2. How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals?
   3. What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?
                                                                                                                                                                         

   Personal Statement
   Write a statement answering the following questions. Question number 1 and 2 are required, and number 3 and 4 are optional – not answering these questions will not affect your admissions decision (each question has a limit of 250 words):

   1. Please describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development.
   2. Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively.
   3. Please address any concerns you may have in your application. If, for example, you do not believe your academic credentials demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. Also, describe any gaps in your academic career and work experience, or any extenuating circumstances in your profile of which the admissions committee should be made aware.
   4. If there is something you would like to highlight you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here.
                                                                                                                                                                       

   Program Essay
   Please describe your: (1) experience and interest in Autonomy & Robotics; (2) any related academic coursework or training; and (3) medium-term career plans (limit of 1,000 words).

6. Submit a resumé. This is a part of the online application form. Your resumé should address your education, job experience, remarkable achievements, publications, organizations, awards, and leadership experiences.
7. All applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as evidence of English proficiency. Official scores are required to be submitted directly from TOEFL/ETS or IELTS.  For more information, please visit English Proficiency Requirements. Please note: TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class at the proposed term of entry in order to be valid. International students may check to see if they are exempt from this requirement based on their country of citizenship.
8. Check your status of your application materials to ensure all materials have been submitted.

GRE Scores

At this time, the GRE is optional. If you have already, or plan to take the GRE, you may submit your scores to the Graduate College using institution code number 1836. If GRE scores are submitted, they must be official. (Please follow the Graduate College instructions on submitting Test Scores.)

Financial Certification Form

If admission is offered, international applicants must submit the Financial Form and certification of finances. This form does not need to be submitted with the application materials.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition for the Master of Engineering in Autonomy and Robotics program follows the Graduate and Professional Tuition rate for Engineering on the Office of the Registrar website.

Tuition does not include books, living expenses, and University of Illinois fees, i.e. health insurance and facilities fees.  For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar website.