Master's in Technology Management (MSTM) Admissions

Admission decisions to the MSTM program are based on a holistic review of your previous academic accomplishments, work experience, test scores, statement/essays, resume, reference letters, and demonstrated potential for graduate and professional success.

Fall 2024 Application Deadlines

Fall 2024 applications are open.  Attend an admission webinar to learn what’s new this year.  

 Submission deadlineDecision by
Round 1November 1, 2023December 21, 2023
Round 2
January 15, 2024March 15, 2024
Round 3
March 31, 2024April 29, 2024
Round 4
April 30, 2024*May 31, 2024
April 30
Round 4 Application Deadline

Note: Applications submitted by the deadlines above without an official English proficiency score report, a GRE/GMAT report (if required) will be considered incomplete. Any reference letter received more than 7 days after the submission deadline will result in the application being moved to the next round decision date. 

*Last deadline to accept new applications from international students who are currently outside of the US without an F-1 visa. 

Interviews: A small number Invitation-only interviews are conducted at the discretion of the admissions committee.  Admission decisions could be released with or without an interview.

Rolling admission: In general, the admissions committee reviews applications on a rolling basis, however, the committee reserves the right to hold or waitlist an application to consider a candidate’s competitiveness within a larger applicant pool.

Ready to apply? Start your application through the Graduate College

Application Materials

It’s simple to apply online for the MSTM program. To speed up the process, here are the items you’ll need and what you’ll need to do:

1. Graduate College application

Start with creating your Graduate College application online. Choose your program: Technology Management, then Technology Management - MS as degree.

2. Academic records

Unofficial transcripts: The most recent unofficial transcripts must include applicant's name, institution name, and a transcript legend, grade scale, or grade criteria. GPA calculation is administered by UIUC Graduate College (WES report is not needed). If an offer of admission is made, the official transcript(s) are required to be submitted upon arrival to campus.

Diploma/Certificate of Degree (for applicant who earned a bachelor’s degree already): If you have earned your bachelor’s degree, you need to also upload a copy of your certificate of degree/provisional certificate of degree/diploma.

**U.S. Bachelor’s Equivalence: All international candidates should check the Illinois Graduate College Admissions Requirements for a Country to ensure your education meets eligibility requirements for admission. E.g. A three-year degree from India alone is not accepted as a comparable bachelor’s degree. These candidates will also need a post-graduate diploma or significant work experience to be considered for admission.

3. Professional résumé

Your professional résumé should include educational background and work/internship experience (include start & end date). You may also include professional certificates/associations and community services. 2 pages maximum.

4. GMAT or GRE score report (optional)

The GMAT or GRE is not required for the application, however, submitting the score gives us better insight of your potential ability in the program. Unofficial scores can be uploaded into your application, but your official GRE/GMAT scores must be sent directly to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Institution Code – 1836.

5. Application essays

The Graduate College and the academic program require 4 essays below to be submitted within your application:

Academic Statement of Purpose (300-500 words): Please write a statement that answers the following questions:

  • 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?

Short Personal Statements 1 & 2 (250 words maximum each):

  • Please describe any experiences and/or challenges that may have shaped your intellectual and personal development. 
  • Provide insight into your potential to contribute to a community of inclusion, belonging, and respect in which scholars with diverse perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn and collaborate productively and positively.

Program essay (250 words maximum):

  • Please share an exciting technology you recently learned from academic settings, workplace or the news, and how would it be utilized in your field of interest.
6. Optional essay

There is extra space for you to touch upon additional topics you would like to address in your application. Please note that submitting an optional essay itself does not give you advantages in the evaluation process.

  • Strongly recommended for applicants with a lower than 3.0 GPA (250 words maximum): Please address any concerns you may have in your application. If, for example, you do not believe that your academic credentials demonstrate your true capabilities, please explain why. Also, describe any gaps in your academic career and work experience or any extenuating circumstances in your profile of which the admissions committee should be made aware. 
  • If there is something that you would like to highlight that you have yet to discuss in other areas of the application, please do so here (250 words maximum).
7. Video essay (required)

There is a video component in the application which will present 3 randomly assigned questions for you to briefly answer in 2 minutes, and allow you to speak directly to the admissions committee via a recorded response. If you run into technical issues, please contact grad@business.illinois.edu.

8. Two reference letters

Choose two references from academic and/or professional sources. Once you enter their information and institution/company email address into the online application, they will be notified to submit a letter of reference on your behalf.  All letters of reference should be signed and dated by the recommender. 

9. Gies scholarship application form

At Gies College of Business, we are committed to breaking down barriers and making high-quality business education affordable and accessible to as many learners as possible. To support this, there are a limited number of merit and need-based scholarships available to cover partial tuition. To apply, choose “Yes” at the “Financial Aid” section. You can then fill out the scholarship form. The scholarship form must be received with the application for full consideration for the scholarship.

10. Application fee

The nonrefundable application fee for domestic candidates is $70 and $90 for international students. Applications received without payment of this fee cannot be processed. The application fee cannot be refunded.

Additional materials for international students only:

11. English proficiency scores

All scores must be dated after August 26, 2022

Accepted TestsLimited Status Admission MinimumFull Status Admission

TOEFL iBT
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
TOEFL iBT Paper Edition

79103

IELTS Academic Exam

6.57.5
Duolingo
(Accepting for Fall 2024 admission)
115135

*Limited Status admissions are considered to have fully met our admission requirements. However, they will be required to take an English Placement Test (EPT) upon arrival to campus. The results of this test will determine if the student needs to take any English as a Second Language (ESL) coursework. Students must take the EPT and any subsequent ESL coursework during their first year of enrollment. This is considered a degree requirement and not a condition of admission.

Official score reports are needed for admission. Request your official TOEFL scores be sent electronically to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Institution Code – 1836).

English proficiency test exemption is available for applicants who meet the criteria required by the Graduate College

12. Passport and proof of funding

Passport and proof of funding are not required for application review, but will be needed if you are offered admission. International students are required to show proof of funding for living expenses in addition to all tuition and fees. Detailed amount needed for the program can be found on the 2nd page of the Declaration and Certification of Finances Form.

How can I strengthen my application?

If you want to put your best foot forward in applying to the MSTM program, here are some recommendations that you can do to strengthen your application.

  1. Submit a GMAT or GRE score. A GMAT or GRE is not required, but submitting your score does give us better insight of your potential ability in the program. The admission committee does reserve the right to request GRE or GMAT reports if we are unable to make the admission decisions based on what you have submitted, so this can also speed up the review process of your application.
  2. Include optional essay to explain GPA lower than 3.0. It is important that the admission committee is confident in your ability to succeed in the classroom and one of the first things they look at is your GPA. If it is lower than the minimum 3.0, that will cause concern, so use the optional essay to provide an explanation of why it was low and how you plan to do well in the classroom. This can be a critical piece for moving candidates through the admission process so don’t skip this step if your GPA is low.

Apply to the MSTM program today!