Apply to study with us
As a physics student in the School of Science, you’ll earn a Purdue University degree. But you’ll also have access to the best programs of Indiana University.
Ready to apply? Here’s what you need to know.
Apply to our undergraduate program
Before you can start earning your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to apply to IUPUI. You’ll have two options to enter the School of Science: through direct admission as a beginning or transfer student, or through University College after you’ve completed requirements.
Get the details about applying to the School of ScienceQuestions?
Contact Chloe Broeker, Associate Director of Undergraduate Enrollment
Apply to our graduate program
Questions about our graduate programs?
Contact Horia Petrache Ph.D., director of graduate program.
To enroll in a physics graduate program, you should have a background in the usual undergraduate courses in physics, math, and other sciences. If your undergraduate degree is from a related field of study in pure and applied sciences and engineering, you may be accepted on a probationary basis until you complete any necessary undergraduate physics courses.
Note that you must take the physics qualifying exam after your first semester as a Ph.D. student at the latest. You may make two consecutive attempts to earn a passing grade. (A free attempt is granted when you first enter the Ph.D. program.)
Graduate program application deadlines
Fall start
January 15 to receive full consideration for Financial Aid. Applications will continue to be accepted until March 15.
Spring start
July 15 to receive full consideration for Financial Aid. Applications will continue to be accepted until November 15.
Graduate program application steps and requirements
In the online application, complete the personal statement regarding your goals and plans for your professional career. Make sure you include enough information on your statement of purpose to answer these questions:
- Why do you want to study advanced physics?
- What would motivate you to spend long hours in a physics lab or on your theoretical or computational project?
- What are your special abilities that you think will make you successful in research?
- What do you plan to do professionally after earning your Ph.D. in physics?
Write a short (300 words or fewer) essay within your statement of purpose describing your approach to finding the answer to a scientific problem when the answer is not a priori known. This could be a homework problem or research problem you have encountered. Make sure you address what part you will attempt on your own, and what part will be more of a team effort. Also clearly indicate at what stage you would stop trying to find an answer, and why.
Note the specific area of physics that interests you.
We require three letters of recommendation from people familiar with you and your student and/or professional career. After you complete the online application, the letter writers you specify will receive an email with a form to fill out.
We require an original copy of the official transcript(s) for all of your previous university work. All degrees you have received should be documented. Additionally, we require a list of all university courses and their titles which do not appear on your transcript(s).
GRE
GRE tests are not required, however GRE scores can be submitted with the application, if available. The subject test in physics is not required but is strongly encouraged. IUPUI’s school code for the GRE is 1325.
TOEFL and IELTS
If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Minimum TOEFL scores:
- Writing: 18
- Speaking: 18
- Listening: 14
- Reading: 19
- Total: 79
Minimum IELTS scores:
- Writing: 5.5
- Speaking: 6.0
- Listening: 6.0
- Reading: 6.5
- Total: 6.5
Apply now
To apply to one of our graduate programs, you must complete the IUPUI Online Application.
When you do, please be sure to complete the personal statement regarding your goals and plans for your professional career, and include information for your recommendation providers. Electronic copies of transcripts and degree certificates may be attached to the application for an initial review.
You may pay the required application fee by credit or debit card.