Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application deadline?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.  

In which terms is admission offered?

Students are admitted for the fall term only.

Is an application fee waiver available?

Some highly qualified students may qualify for an application fee waiver. Questions regarding eligibility should be addressed to the bioengineering graduate programs coordinator via email to bioe-gradprograms@illinois.edu. 

What tests are required for admission?

For Fall 2023 admission consideration only, GRE scores are optional and will not be required. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS is required of all applicants who have attended a school in a country where English is not the primary language, or whose native language is not English. The TOEFL and IELTS test scores must be less than two years old at the time the student starts the graduate program. Here is the Grad College's English Proficiency Requirements for Admission.

In addition to GPA and test scores, what other criteria are used in the admissions decision?

The Admissions Committee reviews applications in a holistic manner. In addition to a solid academic background, they would like to see a well-written personal essay, as well as strong letters of recommendation.

What is the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required to be considered for admission?

For admission, all international applicants or applicants whose native language is not English should have a TOEFL score of at least 590 (paper-based), 243 (computer-based), or 97 (iBT). Students with TOEFL scores below 610 (paper-based), 253 (computer-based), or 103 (iBT) will need to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) course(s) based on the results of an English Placement Test (EPT) taken upon arrival to campus.

For students who elect to take the IELTS, applicants should have scores above 6.5 overall and above 6.0 on all subsections. Students who score below 7.0 overall will need to enroll in ESL courses based on an English Placement Test (EPT) taken upon arrival to campus. Here is the Grad College's English Proficiency Requirements for Admission.

When are admissions decisions made?

The Admissions Committee reviews application files on a rolling basis through the application deadline. Decisions typically are sent to applicants within 3-4 weeks of application submission.

What types of funding are available for graduate students?

The M.S. in BIC program is a self-funded program, and students are not eligible for tuition-waiver generating assistantships.

What is the difference between this master’s degree and a traditional M.S. in Bioengineering?

The M.S. in Biomedical Image Computing is a one-year (3 semesters), non-thesis professional program that prepares students for a career in industry. Students train to be prepared to become industry leaders by completing rigorous graduate-level technical coursework in medical imaging and machine learning. Some students may also decide to pursue a PhD degree after program completion.

In comparison, the M.S. in Bioengineering is a two-year degree program that is traditionally for students who plan to work in a research laboratory setting or are on their way to earning a Ph.D., which typically requires a thesis.

How long is the program?

M.S. in BIC is a one-year (3 semesters) degree program. Students complete their coursework in the Fall, Spring and Fall semesters, and each cohort begins in the Fall.

Do I have to be on campus, or can I take classes online?

Currently, students must take coursework physically on-campus, and there is no online component available for the on-campus program.

Does my undergraduate degree have to be in bioengineering?

No; however, because of the technical focus of the coursework, we highly recommend foundational coursework in engineering concepts. This includes physics, advanced math (including linear algebra and differential equations) and computer programming. Courses in biology are also beneficial.

What is the capstone project?

The capstone project is the final requirement for the M.S. in BIC degree. The program will culminate with a capstone project in which students will develop and implement machine learning solutions to real-world problems in biomedical imaging.

Students work in teams to apply what they have learned and solve real-world problems by applying quantitative skills, engineering principles, and computational principles to propose novel and practical solutions to biomedical imaging problems, develop effective leadership skills to foster the ability to collaborate and work with a diverse team, which is essential for a career in either academia or industry.

Do you offer job placement assistance?

The campus offers career management services through Engineering Career Services, the Graduate College Career Development Office, and The Career Center. They provide career planning advice and job search support to students.