Common Questions
Find answers to common questions and links to where you can find more information on the IEI website.
What are the eligbility requirements for admission to the IEI?
To be eligible for admission to the IEI:
- You must not have a degree from a university where English is the primary language of instruction.
- You must be at least 17 years of age.
- You must have completed high school/secondary school.
What are the application requirements for IEI programs?
To apply, submit the following:
- Application fee: $100 (non-refundable)
- Completed IEI Application
- Copy of current passport (and dependents, if applicable)
- Academic records (translated into English)
- Financial Statements (see the Financial Statement of Support page; must be translated into English)
- Affidavit of Support (if not self-funded)
Program Types
What types of programs does the IEI offer?
The Intensive English Program teaches general academic English and is designed for individuals or groups who want to improve their English to meet personal, professional, and academic goals.
The Intensive English Program is a full-time curriculum of 20 hours per week. A full-time 15-week intensive English program is offered in both the fall and spring semesters, following the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign academic calendar. A full-time 9-week intensive English program is also offered in the summer.
Do you have any programs that are 4 or 6 weeks long?
No. The IEI offer three programs during each calendar year. The Spring program (January-May) and the Fall program (August-December) are both 15 weeks. The Summer program (June-August) is 8 weeks.
Admissions and Placement
Do I need IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo English Test scores?
No minimum score is required. All students take an English Placement Test during Registration and Orientation Week.
Can I be conditionally admitted to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign through the IEI?
No. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign does not offer conditional admission. IEI and the university are separate programs.
The IEI does have a conditional admission agreement with Eastern Illinois University (EIU) in Charleston, Illinois. The IEI-EIU partnership provides conditional admission for students who do not have the English Proficiency Score (IELTS, or TOEFL etc.) that EIU requires. Learn more about the IEI-EIU Conditional Admission Partnership.
Does completing IEI waive the IELTS requirement for graduate school?
No. Completing IEI does not exempt students from submitting IELTS or TOEFL scores for U.S. graduate programs. Some affiliated programs may offer conditional admission.
I-20 and Visa Information
How long does it take to receive an I-20?
Approximately 5–10 business days after all documents are received and the application fee is paid.
Who issues the I-20?
The IEI issues the initial I-20. Upon transitioning to a university, IEI facilitates the I-20 transfer to the new institution, including the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Can IEI students work while on an F-1 visa?
No. IEI students on F-1 visas can only work at the IEI, and there are currently no open positions.
Do I need to transfer my visa from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to IEI?
No, not if you are continuing to study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and taking IEI classes concurrently.
Transfers
How do I transfer to the IEI from another school?
- Complete the IEI application and pay the fee.
- You will receive a transfer-in form. Complete the top half, and your DSO must complete the bottom half.
- Return the form to receive your IEI admissions letter.
How do I transfer from the IEI to another school?
- Submit a Formal Request to Withdraw Form.
- Provide the admission letter and signed transfer form from the new school.
- Submit these before the semester ends and pay the applicable Attendance Incompletion Fee.
Tuition and Fees
Where can I find the tuition and fee information?
Refer to the latest Tuition Payment Policy on the Costs and Dates page for detailed instructions.
How do I pay the Flywire Application Fee?
Pay directly through your application or via this link: https://IEIApp.flywire.com.
Your student ID (UIN) is not required to make the payment.
Academics
What is the course load based on my visa status?
A full-time course load is considered 20 hours during a week of classes. For more information about the IEI program structure, visit the Intensive English Program page.
When will I receive my schedule?
- New Students: Must attend Registration and Orientation Week and complete a placement test.
- Returning Students: Notify the IEI of your intent to return to receive your schedule.
Housing
Where can I find information on housing options?
For on-campus or local housing options, visit our Housing page.
Travel Guidelines
After your IEI Program
- Returning to the IEI: Obtain a confirmation letter after registering for the next term.
- Transferring to a new school: Reenter the U.S. using the new school’s I-20.
- Not returning to study: Do not reenter the U.S. on F-1 unless continuing studies. A tourist visa (B2) is required for personal visits.
During the Semester
Holiday travel (e.g., fall break, spring break): Request a letter of attendance from the IEI and notify the international student advisor prior to travel.
Summer Program
If I am a continuing IEI student and I take classes in the summer, will I move up to the next level in the fall?
The fall and spring semesters are not equal to the IEI’s summer program. The fall and spring semesters have 276 total instructional hours and 263 hours of optional co-curricular activities, whereas the summer session has 164 total instructional hours and 72 hours of co-curricular activities. By spending adequate time outside of class on homework, by meeting with your language conversation partner, and by participating in co-curricular activities, a significant amount of progress is expected, but it may not be as much progress as you would make by attending in the fall and spring.
A student enrolled in IEI summer program will take an end-of-course proficiency test which measures current proficiency levels. For students continuing in the fall, these test results will also be used for fall placement. Individual progress will depend on a variety of factors: your effort, hours of homework completed, language background, facility with learning languages, etc. Some returning IEI students will move up to the next level in the fall semester based on proficiency test results. Some returning learners will be placed in an similar level from summer to fall.
In addition to classes, what other opportunities will I have to practice English?
The IEI offers a variety of academic and cross-cultural programming during the summer. Students can take advantage of the IEI Conversation Partners Program, Wednesday study clubs, field trips, and local community events. The more you participate in these events, the more opportunities you will have to use your English.
Campus Life and Community
What can students do during their free time?
Finding More Information
Where can I find more information about the campus and local community?
Visit the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign website and use the search feature in the upper-left corner. You can also search online by including “Illinois” or “UIUC” in your query (e.g., “Illinois ISSS hours”).
What if I still have an unanswered question?
If there is still a question you cannot find the answer to, please contact the IEI.
Learn English at Every Level
The Intensive English Institute has provided excellent, accredited English language instruction for more than 50 years.