Join in on the Illinois Gen Ed experience!
Welcome to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign! We look forward to having you join us and we are committed to your success. The following information and resources provide guidance for new incoming students about our General Education (Gen Ed) program. Prospective/admitted/accepted students should work directly with Undergraduate Admissions and current students are encouraged to work directly with their Academic Advisor.
Getting Started with Gen Eds
New students may know a little bit about Gen Eds, but we encourage you to learn more about our Gen Ed program so you are able to design a more impactful and meaningful academic experience. Please visit these website pages to explore:
Test-Based/Proficiency Credit
Gen Ed credit may be earned from pre-college test-based proficiency testing such as AP, IB, A Level, through the ACT/SAT, or through Departmental Proficiency Exams taken on campus. Information about awarded academic credit is provided on the Placement & Proficiency website. Test scores and awarded credit is updated for each academic year. Gen Ed credit is awarded when direct course credit is received for a campus approved Gen Ed course. Indirect academic credit (such as HIST 1–) or credit for courses not approved as a Gen Ed will count as elective credit, but not Gen Ed credit will be awarded. Please discuss your test-based credit with your Academic Advisor.
Gen Ed Requirements
All students must complete all of the campus-wide Gen Ed Requirements as well as the program specific requirements prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree. Transfer students do not need to complete Gen Ed requirements prior to transferring unless specifically required by a program as listed in the Admissions Transfer Handbook. It is important to review the Transfer Guide and discuss with Undergraduate Admissions. Accepted students should discuss Gen Ed completion and selection with their Academic Advisor during New Student Registration.
Illinois Transfer Students & Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)
If you’ve attended a college or university in Illinois, the Admissions Transfer Guide is useful to discover prerequisite course and GPA requirements, necessary application materials, and term availability for each program of study. Students attending 2-year and some 4-year institutions should work with an advisor at their current institution to discuss Gen Ed and major courses aligning with transfer requirements.
We accept the IAI General Education Core on a course-by-course basis (refer to Transferology), applying courses completed in the core to campus general education requirements. Some programs of study require specific courses in the major which may also be listed as general education courses. Please consult the Transfer Handbook for information on courses required for transfer.
Transferring Gen Ed Courses to Illinois
Current University of Illinois undergraduate students should contact their college office for information on transfer credit restrictions prior to enrolling in courses at other institutions. Visit the Transfer Credits to Illinois website for additional information.
Students may use Transferology to view what coursework will transfer to the university including any Gen Ed categories the course will fulfill. The transfer course equivalencies and the reports generated from the system do not constitute a contract between the student and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Students still need to contact their college offices to verify how the transfer coursework will be accepted and used towards graduation requirements in that college.
Transfer Course Gen Ed Evaluation
To review courses for transferability including courses approved for Gen Ed categories, refer to Transferology. Courses are evaluated after you submit your application and application fee. If admitted, you will be provided a Transfer Evaluation Report which will show you the transferability of your coursework, and an Academic Advisor will discuss Gen Ed completion and other program requirements.