CS + X Degree Programs

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an innovative blended degree option called CS + X that allows students to pursue a flexible program of study incorporating a solid grounding in computer science with technical or professional training in the arts and sciences.

Computing is ubiquitous, with applications in virtually any field imaginable—from developing gene-sequencing algorithms to designing methods for high-frequency trading, creating computer-generated graphics and special effects, analyzing social data from internet communications, and creating embedded real-time systems for medical devices.

X represents the major blended with the core computer science curriculum. Several colleges across campus offer majors – you apply to and graduate from the college that provides the X major. Illinois graduates with a CS + X degree are uniquely positioned to launch careers or pursue graduate studies in many fields.

All computer science programs prefer students to be on a calculus track, having either precalculus or calculus by their senior year in high school.

Students should also demonstrate teamwork, interpersonal communication skills, an interest in improving society through engineering, and a genuine interest in the X aspect of the CS + X degree.

See details about major-specific review criteria and the holistic review process for first-year applicants.

Guaranteed Admission

When you complete, in the last two years of your undergraduate degree, any Illinois CS, CS + X, or CS minor with a GPA of 3.0 or better and a GPA of 3.2 or better in CS courses, you are guaranteed admission to our Online MCS or MCS in Data Science (MCS-DS) programs.

Recent UIUC graduates may qualify for an application fee waiver.

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