Frequently Asked Questions

Career Opportunities

Are companies looking for engineers with a master’s degree in engineering focusing on energy?

The explosive growth of the renewable and carbon-free energy industry and a dynamic energy sector are now creating many new global job opportunities.

The United States Office of Policy identifies energy as a high-growth industry, noting that many companies prefer to hire individuals with a master’s degree for professional jobs.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has identified careers in fields such as Wind Energy, Biofuels, Solar Power, and Geothermal Energy as growing, as the United States continues to develop sustainable sources of renewable energy. While entry into these professions can be accomplished with a bachelor’s degree, a significant number of jobs – along with opportunities for advancement – require additional education, such as a master’s degree.

What types of jobs will I be able to do with an MEng in Energy Systems degree?

An M.Eng. in Energy Systems degree will prepare you to make an impact in the dynamic field of energy systems, by serving in professional roles including (but not limited to) the following:

• Energy systems engineer
• Energy consultant
• Energy modeling analyst
• Energy manager
• Environmental compliance engineer
• Sustainability analyst
• Solar farm site manager
• Renewable energy project manager
• Power plant engineer
• Energy project engineer

Admissions

How do I apply?

Instructions are available at https://grad.illinois.edu/admissions/apply

What are the admission requirements?

A detailed explanation of components of a complete application for academic programs is available on the Admissions page.

Costs and Funding

What is the cost of the program?

The cost will vary depending on whether a student is on campus or online. For on-campus students, tuition and fee rates can be found here. International students who will be requesting an F-1 visa will need to complete the Declaration of Finances form. Students in the online program are charged a flat rate. More information about tuition and payments can be found here. If your employer is paying your tuition, you may set up Sponsor Billing.

When is tuition due and how do I pay my bill?

More Information about paying your bill, deadlines, and payment options can be found here.

I will be an on-campus student. May I hold a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching Assistantship (TA) while in the MEng (Energy Systems) program?

The Master of Engineering (MEng) in Energy Systems is a self-funded program where students are responsible for paying their tuition and fees. Students in this program are not eligible for Board of Trustee (BOT) tuition-waiver-generating assistantships at the University of Illinois. Students in the MEng (Energy Systems) program may therefore not hold an RA or TA position, nor are they eligible for a tuition waiver. MEng (Energy Systems) students are, however, eligible for hourly work on campus and may be appointed as Course Assistants (CAs), for instance. Students may learn about on campus job opportunities on the Virtual Job Board. Another good job source is the Research Park Virtual Job Board.

What about scholarships?

A limited number of merit-based scholarships are awarded every year. For instance, candidates for the Taber Scholarship are identified by the MEng (Energy Systems) Admissions Committee based on the student’s admission application materials; there is not an additional scholarship application required. 

Students are welcome and encouraged to apply for external fellowships or scholarships, such as the Fulbright National and International Scholarship Program.

Transfer of credits

Can I transfer credits to the MEng (Energy Systems) program?

You may transfer up to 12 credits from University of Illinois or other universities, if requirements are met. Please refer to this site for more details.

MEng versus MS degrees

Can I apply to the Master of Engineering (MEng (Energy Systems)) program and later transfer to a Master of Science (MS) program?

No. Admission or enrollment in the Master of Engineering program is not transferable to Master of Science programs at the UIUC.

Can I pursue a PhD at UIUC after the MEng (Energy Systems) degree?

Upon completion of the MEng (Energy Systems) degree, students are eligible to apply for PhD programs. However, PhD admissions are highly selective. If you would like to pursue a PhD degree, we recommend that you apply for a MS or PhD degree program. 

Note that at many schools you can enroll directly from a BS degree into a PhD program, which removes the requirement to write an MS thesis and credits all your research work to the PhD dissertation.

Selection of courses

Some courses offer several sections. How do I know which section is right for me?

You will find information about each class on Course Explorer. This information describes the type of class (i.e., in-person, online for on-campus students (ONC), online for off-campus students (ONL), lecture-discussion, lab), who can take the class, prerequisite course work, and Section Type. Under “Type,” it should describe if a class is online or in-person. Some online classes may have sections that are designated only for ONL students, while other sections may be for ONC students.

GPAs

After enrollment in the program, is there a minimum GPA that I must maintain?

Yes. All students enrolled in the MEng (Energy Systems) program are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

What is the minimum GPA required to apply for the program?

3.0 is the minimum GPA to be an eligible applicant. Although exceptions are allowed, those must be justified. For a full list of Application Requirements, go to Program Information - Admissions.

Timing

How long will it require to earn my degree?

Students have a maximum of 5 years to complete their degree. (Most students complete their degree in three semesters.) Course planning with an academic advisor will help each student develop an individualized academic plan. If an extension is desired beyond 5 years, students may request such an extension through the Graduate College petition process.

Is it possible for me to defer my admission?

Admitted students may defer admission for up to one calendar year. For example, if you have been admitted for Fall 2022 and are unable to attend during that semester, you may defer to Spring 2023, or Fall 2023. To defer admission, please go to the Application portal where you will have the option of selecting to defer your admission to a future term. Please select the term in which you would like to be enrolled. You could also contact the MEng Program Office (energy-meng@illinois.edu ) to notify them of your decision to defer.

Essential first steps

I am a new student. How do I set up my Net-ID, University email, and register for classes?

Please refer to this Quick Guide for information on how to set up your Net-ID and other essential first steps.