Special Instructions for International Applicants

English Proficiency Requirement

If all your summer courses will be online, you will need only to provide evidence of English proficiency in order to be admitted. No other documentation is required.

Only one of the following minimum test scores is required from you: 80 for TOEFL, or 6.5 for IELTS, or 54 for PTE. You will be prompted to upload your document when you fill out the application. There are exemptions to this requirement, which you can find by checking the International Requirements for each country.

If it is determined that you have registered for any on-campus courses, you will be dropped from those courses before the first day of class.

If you plan to enroll in at least one on-campus (in person) course, you must already be in the U.S. on a valid visa status that permits study, such as the F-1 or J-1. You will need to provide documentation to verify that you are able to remain legally in the U.S. for the duration of the UIC Summer Session in which you wish to enroll. This verification will allow you to register for both on-campus and online summer courses without penalty of being dropped. You also will need to maintain your immigration status with your current sponsor.

• You are not required to enroll full-time during the summer at UIC.
• You will be able to register in any undergraduate-level course in which you have met the prerequisites.

Required documents for students with active F-1 status

You will need to submit the following documents for admission by the application deadline. You will be prompted to upload these documents as you fill out the online Summer Session Only application.

• Copy of your I-20, passport, and I-94.
• A letter from the Designated School Official (D.S.O.) of your home college or university granting permission to attend UIC for the summer. Your home school’s International Student Services office should be able to prepare this letter for you. The letter should be on official school letterhead paper. It should include your name, date of birth, and whether you plan to attend during the 4-week session, 8-week session, or both.
• If you are an F-1 student on Post-Completion or STEM OPT, submit a copy of your current I-20 and valid EAD card to UIC.
• If you have an existing F-1, UIC does not require proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE) for admission.

Required documents for students with active J-1 status

You will need to submit the following documents for admission by the application deadline. You will be prompted to upload these documents as you fill out the online Summer Session Only application.

• Copy of your DS-2019, passport, and I-94.
• A letter from the Responsible Officer (R.O.) or Alternate Responsible Officer (A. R. O.) of your home college or university granting permission to attend UIC for the summer. Your home school’s International Student Services office should be able to prepare this letter for you. The letter should be on official school letterhead paper. It should include your name, date of birth, and whether you plan to attend during the 4-week session, 8-week session, or both.
• If you are a J-1 student on Academic Training after completion of studies, submit a copy of your current DS-2019 showing your current work authorization to UIC.
• If you have an existing J-1, UIC does not require proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE) for admission.

Students with an active status other that F-1 or J-1

If you are already in the U.S. on some other non-immigrant (temporary) status, you might be able to enroll if your status permits study. Please contact the UIC Office of International Services if you have questions about your eligibility.

If you are interested in taking noncredit ESL courses only, you do not need to complete a Summer Session Only application. For more information, visit the Tutorium in Intensive English or contact them by e-mail at tutorium@uic.edu or by phone at (312) 996-8098.