Options for UIC Graduate Applicants
The Tutorium Can Help
The Tutorium has partnered with UIC’s Graduate College to provide flexible pathways for admitting highly qualified international students.
After applying to a UIC graduate program, your department will review your application and English proficiency scores. Based on your results, the department can recommend one of two supportive options through UIC Tutorium: Grad+ Professional Skills or Intensive English Pre-Grad (IEP). These two options are designed to help you meet your English language requirements while preparing for academic success.
1. Grad+Professional Skills
Admitted students take our support courses in addition to the minimum number (9 credit hours or more) of graduate academic courses to supplement their professional communication skills. Our Advanced Professional Skills series assists non-native English speakers and/or international students build their communication skills to be successful in U.S. Academia and a global workforce.
2. Intensive English pre-Grad
Prospective students enroll in our Intensive English Program (IEP) and transition into a graduate program after successfully completing their English studies.
No scores, no worries! UIC also offers the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) – a convenient alternative to external English testing. Save time by taking the ELPA directly through the Tutorium.
Learn More
Grad+Professional Skills Process
Description
Graduate departments may determine through factors other than test scores that an applicant’s English proficiency is sufficient for the degree program, but they could still benefit from supplemental coursework related to certain professional skills. The Grad+Professional Skills option allows graduate programs to fully admit applicants to the graduate program with a requirement to take professional skills courses within our Advanced Professional Skills series. These courses would be in addition to full-time graduate enrollment (9 credit hours or more), which is required to maintain the student’s immigration status.
- The Tutorium designed the Advanced Professional Skills series specifically for graduate students who need refinement of the skills necessary to be successful in U.S. higher education and the global workforce.
- The Advanced Professional Skills courses (ELSI 081-089) are 8-week (5 in summer) skill-based courses that focus on common academic needs.
- ELSI 08X course descriptions can be found under the ELSI rubric in the course catalog.
- View Information about Advanced Professionals Skills Courses for UIC Students to learn how to sign up for courses.
Grad+Professional Skills Process / Information for Advisors / Admissions Officers
For information on the process related to admitting a student to Grad+Professional Skills, please see Grad+Professional Skills: Information for Advisors.
Please note Grad+Professional skills is a fully admitted student (NOT Limited Standing), and there is a concurrent option as well as a prior to option for fulfilling the requirement of taking Professional Skills courses.
Intensive English pre-Grad Process
Academically qualified applicants who have submitted language scores (or ELPA results) indicating a clear need for significant English language support, would study in the University’s Intensive English Program full-time before starting their graduate studies. Upon successful completion of the Intensive English Program, the student will be fully admitted to the graduate program and their level will be changed from Intensive English Program to graduate student.
Intensive English pre-Grad Process — Information for Advisors / Admissions Officers
To admit qualified students who need English language proficiency before entering their graduate program, please choose Intensive English pre-Grad.
When you choose this option, students will receive a one-year deferred admission to the graduate program provided they study with the Intensive English Program at UIC Tutorium in Intensive English. The student’s application portal will provide this information, ask them to fill out an intent to enroll, and refer them to the Intensive English application. Advisors should contact tutorium@uic.edu to check the status of students.
Time to Complete IEP
If a student submits an English language proficiency exam score, below is a schedule of the time needed prior to beginning the graduate degree.
If a student does not submit a score, the student may take the Tutorium English Language Placement Assessment (ELPA) prior to arrival to determine the estimated timeline.
- Upon arrival, the Tutorium administers a department placement exam to verify language levels. The estimated timeline may be adjusted according to the placement exam given upon arrival.
- This timeline presumes a student will successfully complete the set of leveled courses each semester.
- Students complete all of the necessary language training (Placement testing through IEP level 4) to be considered for the academic program.
- While in level 4, students communicate with Tutorium administration to determine the best time to start the request to enter (matriculate into) the academic degree program. Request to Matriculate to Degree Program form
Estimated Timeline In IEP for Intensive English Pre-Grad
| 1 Semester before Grad (estimated based on placement in IEP level 4) | 2 Semesters before Grad (estimated based on placement in IEP level 3) | 3 Semesters before Grad (estimated based on placement in IEP Level 1 or 2) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Total Score: 60-69 | Total Score: 50-59 | Total Score: <50 |
| IELTS Academic | Total Score: 5.0 | Total Score: 4.5 | Total Score: <4.5 |
| PTE Academic | Total Score: 44 to 46 | Total Score: 40 to 43 | Total Score: <40 |
| TOEFL rPT | Total Score^: 45 to 51 | Total Score^: 37 to 44 | Total Score^: <37 |
Table notes
^Each section of the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test has a score range of 0–30. No total score is reported.
Students will be assessed when they finish the Intensive English Program to determine if any courses from the Grad+Professional Skills program are required or recommended.
English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) as Alternative to TOEFL
No scores, no worries!
Applicants can take Tutorium’s English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA).
For students unable to submit a test score, Tutorium administers the ELPA, an in-house English language proficiency assessment. We can administer it remotely or in-person.
- The in-house assessment serves as an alternative to expensive exams such as TOEFL or IELTS.
- The Tutorium can also use ELPA as a way to inform departments on students’ specific needs or progress.
- The ELPA results also assist in determining the best option:
- full admission,
- Grad+Professional Skills,
- or Intensive English pre-Grad.
Important Note: The ELPA is not a test for UIC International Teaching Assistants (ITA). Click here for information on the UIC ITA Oral Certification Interview.
Recommended score ranges for admission to each option
| Recommended Minimum Total Score for Full Admission: Grad+Professional Skills | Intensive English pre-Grad (If total score is less than below, students should attend the Intensive English pre-Grad Program) |
|
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 70 | <70 |
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 | <5.5 |
| PTE Academic | 47 | <47 |
| TOEFL rPT | 52 | <52 |