NCUK announces partnership with Illinois Institute of Technology
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NCUK is delighted to announce a new university partnership with Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), which joins the NCUK global community as our highest-ranked university partner in the United States.
Illinois Tech is known for innovation, technology, and career-ready education. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the university offers an incredible place to experience unforgettable student life. Named Condé Nast Traveler’s Best Big City in the United States for 10 straight years, Chicago serves as the backdrop for students at this university, offering beautiful urban campuses, fascinating events, and a variety of clubs to join, grow, and lead.
In an environment designed to help students thrive in communities, they can connect with others, develop new skills academically and socially, and build friendships that last a lifetime.
On the careers front, students at Illinois Tech will be supported by the university’s holistic Career Services, where they can get their resume and LinkedIn reviewed, be prepped for interviews, attend career fairs, and have access to employer networking. The Career Services goes above and beyond for students, even offering one-on-one coaching, providing support throughout the student journey.
Here, Illinois Tech’s students become well-rounded and prepared for the workforce from internships and entrepreneurship opportunities before graduating. This sets the tone for the post-graduation outcomes, where Illinois Tech ranks #1 in Illinois and #22 in the U.S. for Best Salaries of Graduates in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 rankings.
Illinois Tech’s standing is also reflected in its wider rankings. It is placed among the top 100 universities in the U.S. in TIME magazine’s inaugural World’s Top Universities ranking and is ranked as the #33 Best Value School and #64 Top Private College in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings. It is also ranked #64 for Computer Science in Times Higher Education’s 2026 subject listing, and Brookings places it #1 in the Chicago region for occupational earnings power.
Illinois Tech has also been named an “Opportunity College and University” by the American Council on Education and Carnegie Foundation (2025), recognising universities for high educational access and students’ post-graduation success.
Illinois Tech graduates have made their mark on industries as diverse as technology, design, business, public service, and research. The late Virgil Abloh, fashion designer and entrepreneur, and tech icon Martin Cooper, the “Father of the Cell Phone” whose work has pioneered the advancement of wireless communications technology, earned their master’s degrees at Illinois Tech. Former Chief Technology Officer of Cisco Systems Padmasree Warrior got her degree in chemical engineering here too. Rohit Prasad, the CEO of Boston Dynamics and former head of AI at Amazon, received his master’s from Illinois Tech. These alumni are only a few examples of stellar graduates that Illinois Tech has produced over the years.
The university also collaborates with several major industry, government, and academic partners, opening doors for its students and their respective career pathways. For example, Illinois Tech is a partner in Fermilab’s Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems Center (SQMS) and the forthcoming Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP), offering the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in ground-breaking quantum computing research. The university has partnered with Discovery Partners Institute, allowing students to participate in educational and research activities. With partners like NIT Trichy, students can engage in exchange and joint research programs. Collaborations with leading tech companies like Dassault Systèmes and Gamma Technologies provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in applied learning and real-life work.
We’re delighted to announce the addition of Illinois Institute of Technology to our network of university partners. Illinois Tech has made a remarkable reputation in technology excellence, innovation and research, making the university a valuable addition to the progression routes available for our NCUK students.
As our highest-ranked U.S. partner, Illinois Tech’s strong rankings and graduate outcomes make it an especially compelling progression route for NCUK students looking to study in the United States. We look forward to a successful partnership and seeing our students thriving at Illinois Tech!
Holly Searson, Head of University Partnerships, NCUK
We welcome NCUK as a valued pathway partner of Illinois Tech. As one of the most established and respected pathway providers, NCUK brings a strong record of preparing students for success at leading universities worldwide. This partnership aligns closely with Illinois Tech’s commitment to innovation, experiential learning, and supporting a diverse community of ambitious students as they progress toward their academic and career goals.
Mariam Thomas, Chief Global Officer, Illinois Institute of Technology
NCUK’s partnership with Illinois Institute of Technology marks the expanding reach of our network. Through partnerships with top universities like Illinois Tech, we can offer students a wide range of progression options, which supports our mission of making higher education more flexible and accessible.