Prospective Graduate Students
Explore & Apply
Our Charge
Preparing and inspiring scholars to transform our world.
From admission to graduation, The Graduate School (TGS) supports graduate students throughout their experience, awarding doctoral and master’s degrees in more than seventy disciplines. We are a resource throughout your academic journey.
Find Your ProgramApplication StepsPoints of Pride
See what makes TGS special, by the numbers
Competitive Stipend
$45,000
annually in the 2024–25 academic year for PhD students through fellowships or assistantships. More on stipend rates
Support for Families
12 weeks
paid parental leave for PhD students who are new parents, childcare grants, and more. All family resources
A smooth transition
34%
of students are international, supported through language and other programs. See all supports
Connected to Campus & City
7 miles
between our Evanston campus and Chicago. Travel at a discounted rate on CTA buses and trains. U-Pass transit programs
Funding Your Studies
Fellowships, grants, assistantship options, and more
TGS provides most doctoral students with a stipend and scholarship to pay tuition costs; they are supported for a minimum of five years. For master’s students, external grants and loans make graduate study accessible.
Funding OptionsTGS Spotlight
TGS is home to more than 3,500 PhD and 1,900 master’s students, from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds. Get to know our community.
Happenings at TGS
Don't miss news, opportunities, and announcements.
News
Why Research Communication Matters—Now More Than Ever
Northwestern faculty and students are tackling big problems—advancing everything from cancer therapies to quantum computing and the crisis in local news coverage. But doing great research isn’t enough. We also have to explain its value.
Join us for a Tell your Story: Careers in Research Communications event on Monday, July 14 from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM in the Ford ITW Auditorium (Room 1350) at the Ford Design Center (2133 Sheridan Road) on the Evanston campus.
Events
Last day to add a class or change a section for Summer in CAESAR.
June 27, All Day
Last day to add a class or change a section for Summer in CAESAR.
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a de...
July 11, All Day
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a degree in Summer
Announcements
Why Research Communication Matters—Now More Than Ever
Northwestern faculty and students are tackling big problems—advancing everything from cancer therapies to quantum computing and the crisis in local news coverage. But doing great research isn’t enough. We also have to explain its value.
Register for a Summer PhD and Postdoc Career Development Series
The series will consist of weekly workshops on Mondays from 10:00–11:15 AM from Monday, June 16 – Monday, July 21, as well as alumni programming designed to help participants to understand best practices for navigating, networking, applying, and interviewing for non-academic positions.