IllDoctor of Philosophy in EconomicsUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, United States

Program Overview

Dates and tuition are specific to the 2027 intake

Please check the official program website (link below) for specific writing guidelines

Statement of purpose

No character limit in the application system.

CV or resume

Assume required with the Graduate College application unless contradicted.

Personal statement short answers

Short-answer questions in the Graduate College application.

Recommendation letters x 3

Three letters required.

Official transcript(s)

Unofficial copies uploaded for review; official credentials typically after admission. English translation if needed.

Academic: Bachelor's degree; No fixed GPA threshold because grading conventions differ. Grades in economics and mathematics courses weigh most. A master's is not required.
Prerequisites: Quantitative background; Strong background in economics, statistics, and mathematics. Important: intermediate micro and macro, statistics/econometrics, advanced math (proof-based real analysis strongly recommended), and technically challenging field courses such as advanced econometrics and advanced microeconomics.
IELTS: 7.5 overall; Graduate College full-status admission minimum. Limited status is 6.5 overall and typically requires ESL placement. Scores must be dated within two years of the proposed term.
TOEFL: New scale: 5.0 overall | Old scale: 103 overall; Graduate College full-status admission minimum. Limited status is 79 overall (old scale) / 4.0 (new scale) and typically requires ESL placement. New scale applies to tests dated after 20 Jan 2026; old scale applies before 21 Jan 2026.; Graduate College full-status admission minimum. Limited status is 79 overall (old scale) / 4.0 (new scale) and typically requires ESL placement. Scores must be dated within two years of the proposed term.