Prospective Graduate Students
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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
Ongoing Inclusion
1:1
mentor/mentee pairings in our Diversity Peer Mentor Program. More diversity initiatives
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 diverse community.
Happenings at TGS
Don't miss news, opportunities and announcements.
News
Holiday Greetings from TGS! ✨
I hope the holidays provide an opportunity to relax and unwind as you spend time with the people and pursuits you enjoy. The year’s end serves as a worthy time of introspection and reflection. It is a chance to emerge with renewed zeal and purpose as we enter a new year.
Events
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a de...
January 31, All Day
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a degree in Winter
Last day to withdraw from a five-week course ending in week 5 of ...
January 31, All Day
Last day to withdraw from a five-week course ending in week 5 of the Winter term (5W1) 5:00 PM
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a de...
February 7, All Day
Application for degree due to The Graduate School to receive a degree in Spring
Announcements
OSL Spotlight: Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA)
The Northwestern CSSA is a vibrant and dynamic organization dedicated to serving the interests and needs of Chinese students and scholars at Northwestern University. It provides a broad spectrum of academic, cultural, and social activities to foster a supportive community. Through events such as cultural nights, career development workshops, and various leisure activities, the CSSA aims to enrich the university experience for its members.
Register for a PhD and Postdoc Career Development Series
This in-person career development series, designed for PhD students and postdocs, will consist of monthly hour-long workshops from Tuesday, January 21 – Tuesday, May 13, as well as two alumni panels during the weeks of March 31 and May 19.