Master of Science in Biomedical Image Computing

Application Deadlines

Applications are accepted on a rolling deadline and are reviewed on the first of each month. You can expect your admission decision in no more than 8 weeks.

Application Materials

At time of application, you will need to designate if you are applying to the in-person or online program and which concentration you are applying to: Bioinstrumentation Concentration or General Bioengineering . 

• 3.00/4.00GPA
• Resume/CV
• [Optional] GRE
• Academic Statement (1,000 words maximum):
  • How has your academic and professional background, including any professional training, prepared you for graduate study? How will our program help you achieve your intellectual and professional goals? What are your academic interests, and why do you wish to pursue graduate studies in this specific program?
• Personal Statements (250 words maximum):
  • Please describe pivotal experiences, opportunities, and/or challenges (including any financial or access to education barriers) that have influenced your educational and professional development.
  • At Illinois, we value a student’s ability to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect where our graduate students can learn and collaborate productively and positively. Please provide an example of how you contributed to or engaged with a community of students or colleagues with different perspectives, abilities, and experiences to achieve a positive outcome, and reflect on what you learned from this experience. 
  • [Optional] If you believe that your academic record does not demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. You may also discuss any gaps in your academic and professional experience.
  • [Optional] If there is something that you would like to share with the admissions committee that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here. If needed, you may also use this space to expand upon the topics discussed in the above essays.
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Copies of transcripts (unofficial are encouraged here)
• [International Applicants Only] Copy of diploma
• [International Applicants Only] Copy of passport
• [International Applicants Only] English proficiency scores, if not exempt. Minimum score and waiver requirements are listed on the Graduate College website here.
• $90 application fee

[International Applicants Only] If admitted, you will be required to submit a Funding Declaration Form and Proof of Funding documentation shortly after you accept your offer of admission for SEVIS purposes.

Conditional Admission

Conditional Admission waives the requirement for 3 letters of recommendation. Students who qualify for Conditional Admission will have earned a 3.00GPA with a bachelor's degree from the following University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign colleges or programs:

All Grainger Engineering undergraduate majors
Agricultural & Biological Engineering (ACES)
Chemical Engineering (LAS)
Mathematics + Computer Science (LAS)
Statistics + Computer Science (LAS)

Selection Criteria

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, we practice holistic review. Embracing this practice, the Admissions Committee reviews all pieces of your application.

Outstanding applicants demonstrate the potential to be a leader, share how our MS in BIC program can help realize their goals, and show success in engineering-related coursework or hold an engineering degree. 

Successful applicants have strong backgrounds in foundational math courses, specifically calculus and linear algebra, signal and systems knowledge and skills, and basic probability and statistics coursework. Preferably, students also have introductory-level knowledge of biomedical imaging, though not required.

Financial Support

We’re committed to helping you plan for graduate school with clear information on tuition, scholarships, and employment opportunities. Our professional masters program is a self-supporting program without state support, as defined by University policy. Students are not eligible for tuition-waiver-generating assistantships.  

Tuition & Fees

In-Person Program

View current Graduate and Professional Tuition Rates by Academic Year. MS in BIC tuition is listed under “ Grainger Engineering & Engineering Related”. The in-person MS in BIC program is a three-semester program.

Online Program

Tuition: Tuition is assessed by credit hour. The current tuition rate for Non-MCS online degree program: $1,180/credit hour

Fees: Students enrolled in fully online experiences are not eligible for the university provided student health insurance program. Beginning in Fall 2025, all students enrolled in these experiences will be assessed a $3 per billing hour Online Service Fee for services by the Office of the Dean of Students, the library, technology services, and counseling services. No other campus-based fees are charged.

Scholarships

We are excited to offer small scholarships funded by donors to help supplement other funding sources for our MS in BIC students. These scholarships are awarded to newly admitted students based on outstanding applications. Selected students are notified prior to the start of the fall term. 

Additionally, students who enroll fall 2026 or later to the in-person program may apply for the MS in BIC Excellence Scholarship. Up to four scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded during the final, third semester.

 Employment

Many students hold part-time or hourly positions to self-fund themselves while enrolled in the program. These positions may be with faculty as hourly researchers, in a student position through campus, or off-campus work. Students are responsible for finding employment, if desired.

Engineering Health. Advancing Careers.