University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 3+2 Dual Degree Program
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Department of Materials Science actively collaborates with world-class international universities, encouraging students to go global. The department has launched a 3+2 Dual Degree Program with the Department of Materials Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). This program allows students to earn both a Master's degree in Materials Science from UIUC and a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in just five years.
Dual Degree Program Introduction
Features and Advantages
This program is currently the only one of its kind in Taiwan's top universities and is one of the best options for students who wish to pursue a dual degree program with a prestigious U.S. university. The partner university is ranked sixth in the U.S. News Materials Science department, providing a great opportunity for students who wish to further their studies and career in the U.S. Additionally, obtaining a U.S. master's degree typically takes six years (four years of undergraduate studies and two years of graduate studies), but this 3+2 program allows students to earn a master's degree from a top U.S. university one year earlier than the standard timeline. Therefore, this program enables students to graduate a year earlier and start working in the U.S. industry.
This dual degree program significantly **lowers the threshold for NYCU Materials Science students to study abroad at top U.S. universities**. Generally, applying to U.S. research institutions requires taking the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination). TOEFL scores must exceed the minimum requirement set by each university, and GRE scores must meet specific standards. However, since this program allows students to begin their studies at the University of Illinois starting in their fourth year of university, applicants are not required to submit GRE scores. Additionally, even if the TOEFL score does not meet the threshold, students can still apply and take English courses at the University of Illinois to improve their proficiency. The academic requirement is a GPA of 3.0 or higher, which is achievable for approximately the top 60% of NYCU Materials Science students.
Application Requirements
- Undergraduate Academic Requirements: During the 3 years of study in the Department of Materials Science at NYCU, students must maintain a GPA of no less than 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Currently, the average GPA of successful applicants is 3.5 or higher.
- Language Requirements: An average IELTS score of no less than 7.5, or an average TOEFL score of no less than 104.
- GRE Requirements: The GRE is required and can be taken during the first semester of the 3+2 program. The average score requirements are: Quantitative: 86% Verbal: 72% Writing Assessment: 51%
FAQs
A: The tuition and accommodation fees are the same as those for graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (without the requirement to write a thesis). The average annual tuition for graduate students is USD $34,330, and 36 credit hours must be completed over two years. The total estimated annual cost for tuition, accommodation, and living expenses is approximately USD $57,000 (about NT$1.7 million). For more information, please refer to the following webpage: https://cost.illinois.edu/Home/Cost
Q2: When can I apply, and what documents are required?
- Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (within two years)
- Statement of Purpose
- Study Plan (How many credits have been completed so far? What courses will be completed in the second semester of junior year? Which courses will be taken at UIUC?)