Why International students choose UIS

A U of I degree

We are proud to be one of three campuses of the world class University of Illinois. Your degree will be among the most recognizable and prestigious in the nation and open doors for you in whatever field you choose.

Small Classes and Professors Who Know You

We are the U of I campus where classes are small (student-professor ratio averages 15:1) and professors know their students – not just their names but their strengths and their goals. You’ll enjoy the close relationships that naturally occur with these teacher-scholars. Professors, not teaching assistants, teach our classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level.   

Government Connections

The Illinois Statehouse is full of UIS graduates who earned degrees in government-related majors. Our students who study government and public service are hired by legislators, Illinois state agencies, lobbying firms, and dozens of non-profit organizations. Strong programs in Political Science, Public Administration and Criminal Justice, along with extraordinary connections to government and lots of opportunities for internships, make UIS the university to attend if you are interested in a public service or government career.

Research Opportunities

Both undergraduates and graduate students are not only invited but encouraged to share labs and projects with professors, and to publish and present alongside them. UIS is home to research institutes such as the Center for State Policy and Leadership and owns research facilities such as the Emiquon Field Station, where students work alongside scientists from the Nature Conservancy, documenting one of the largest wetlands restorations in the world.

Nationally recognized Online Learning

The difference between UIS and other online programs? The same professors who teach in the classrooms teach in our 16 entirely online degree programs and the dozens of online classes offered each semester. Every term, you’ll find more than 50 percent of all UIS students taking at least one online class.

Living on Campus

A safe, beautiful campus and the most luxurious residence halls in Illinois. Visit us and you’ll see we can back that up. Our townhouses are also highly sought after – offering private bedrooms, cathedral ceilings, high speed internet, and private parking lots. Comfortable apartments and family housing round out the residential offerings.

Assistance with Career Goals

Our Career Services Center will help international students find jobs in their field if they choose to stay and work in the United States. The Center has many resources and holds Career Fairs every year to bring employers to campus to talk with students. Our GPSI program for graduate students often results in mentors/employers offering full time jobs to their interns. Finally, UIS graduates can join the University of Illinois Alumni Association, the largest alumni network in the world. We'll keep in touch with you no matter where you decide to live in the world and hope you'll keep in touch with us, too.