Thank you for your interest in the chemistry Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Since the founding of the University of Illinois in 1867, the Department of Chemistry has been at the forefront of discovery, innovation, and education in the chemical sciences. Today, we are consistently recognized among the nation’s top 10 chemistry departments, with nationally ranked research programs spanning every area of chemistry as well as a wide range of interdisciplinary fields. Our culture of excellence has shaped generations of scientific leaders and innovators, including 12 Nobel Prize winners who have been part of our community as faculty, fellows, and alumni. Building on this remarkable legacy, we continue to advance groundbreaking research and prepare the next generation of scientists to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.
Our application deadline for the Fall 2027 semester is December 1, 2026, but we strongly encourage earlier submission to maximize opportunities for fellowships. Our admission cycle is on an annual basis, so there is no Spring semester admission.
Applications open August 2026.
Learn more about our Ph.D. program on the Graduate Degrees in Chemistry webpage.
We are committed to providing an exceptional educational and research experience for every student. From state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) facilities to expert glass shop services, our researchers have access to some of the finest scientific resources in the world. Students and faculty work with advanced, cutting-edge instrumentation that enables discoveries at the frontiers of chemistry, while benefiting from one of North America's most comprehensive chemistry library collections. Together, these resources create an environment where innovation thrives and groundbreaking research becomes possible. Above all, we maintain a collegial atmosphere, which focuses on personal attention to students and cooperation between research groups. As a result, our students are able to draw upon expertise from various research areas during the course of their graduate study. We firmly believe the most important product of our graduate research program is our exemplary students, and we know the strength of our research program is sustained by the work of individual students in the laboratory.
If you have any additional questions about our program or the application process, please feel free to contact us at chem-adm@illinois.edu.
Minimum Application Requirements
- Undergraduate Degree (must be the equivalent of a 4-year Bachelor's Degree in the U.S.)
- At least 25 semester hours in chemistry (properly distributed)
- GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) is the minimum admission requirement for the Graduate College (however, Chemistry typically does not make offers to students with an undergraduate GPA below 3.5, unless they have a high graduate GPA or extensive research experience to compensate for a lower undergraduate GPA)
- A completed online application (link below, in the application process section)
- Academic Statement and Personal Statements
- Academic Statement (1,000 words max)
- Two Personal Statements (250 words max)
- Optional Personal Statements (250 words max)
- Resume/CV
- Three letters of reference
- Official Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work (one transcript for each institution attended). Electronic transcripts must contain the name of the university/college and the university/college seal and/or signature of a registrar/dean. The university/college seal and/or the signature of a registrar/dean must be present for the document to be considered a transcript. "Self-service, student versions of transcripts" and/or grade lists that students are able to obtain without submitting a request to their university/college will not be accepted.
- Graduate Records Examination
- GRE scores (general or subject) are not required. Please do not submit them.
- English Language Proficiency Requirements: official test scores are required. The Department of Chemistry requires graduate students to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA), with in person teaching duties. As a result, English Proficiency requirements are more stringent than general admission into the Graduate College. All applicants who were born outside of the United States should follow the link above about English Proficiency requirements, to confirm whether or not they will qualify to TA.
- Minimum TOEFL iBT (before January 1, 2026): 103 overall, 24 on the speaking subsection
- Minimum TOEFL iBT (after January 1, 2026): 5 overall, 5 on the speaking subsection
- Minimum IELTS: 7.5 overall, 8 on speaking subsection, no less than 6 on any subsection
- Duolingo is not accepted, due to TA requirements.
- Your academic record and recommendations must be a strong indicator of your capability to pursue advanced study and research in chemistry.
Transfer Students
A student who is currently enrolled in a graduate program at another institution must complete the degree that the student is currently pursuing before being considered for admission to our program. Only under exceptional circumstances will a student be admitted without a degree from their current institution. In all cases, we require the student to submit a complete application, including a statement from the applicant detailing the situation, along with a letter from the applicant's research advisor or department head. Any such student will be expected to begin our program as a first-year student, take all of our normal coursework, and join a research lab via our normal group-joining process.
Graduate College Application Process
Graduate College Application
- To apply online, please fill out the Graduate College Application.
- International applicants must upload a copy of their passport. Additionally, Proof of Funding documentation will be required for students requesting a F-1 or J-1 visa.
- You will be asked which research area specialization and program code you are applying to for admission; Degree Codes and research areas are listed below.
Application Fees and Waivers
There is an application fee of $90 for all applicants, regardless of citizenship. The fee must be paid by credit card at the time the online application is submitted. These fees are non-refundable.
Application fees are assessed by our Graduate College. As a result, individual departments are unable to waive the application fee. However, the Graduate College does offer several application fee waivers that you may be eligible to receive. Please follow this link for more information about application fee waivers offered through our Graduate College: Application Fee Waivers.
Program Codes
10KS0335PHD — Chemistry-PhD
10KS0294MS — Teaching of Chemistry-MS
Fields of Specialization for the Chemistry PhD Program (10KS0335PHD)
(Please list up to 3 areas on your applications under "Specialization")
Research Areas
Analytical, Chemical Biology, Inorganic, Materials, Organic, and Physical Chemistry.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the application process.
Fellowship and Award Opportunities
A large number of fellowships are awarded to graduate students in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois. These range from Departmental fellowships sponsored by chemical companies and private donations to national fellowships from various federal and private foundations. Details about specific opportunities can be found at the following Fellowship and Award Opportunities webpage.
Graduate Admissions Flyers
Graduate Admissions flyer: information about the department, technology, facilities, and "where to start".
Research Area flyers: listing of faculty members along with their research interests.
Lab Tour Videos
The following webpage has a series of Lab Tour Videos for you to watch at your leisure.
Contact Information
Chemistry Graduate Admissions
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
109 Noyes Laboratory, MC-712, Box 57-1
505 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 244-6245
Fax: (217) 244-7091
Email: chem-adm@illinois.edu