Auditing

Information about auditor status is described in detail in Section 3-305 of the Student Code. An “auditor” is only a listener in the classes attended; the auditor is not a participant in any part of the exercises.

Allow up to 2 weeks for processing time after the Auditor’s Permit is submitted before students will have access to online resources. Undergraduate students should submit the Auditor’s Permit to their college office which will then submit the form to the Registrar’s Office for processing. Graduate/Professional students should submit the completed form to the Registrar’s Office via secure upload through myIllini profile prior to the submission deadline. After the deadline, graduate students must contact the Graduate College.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to audit a course?

An auditor is only a listener in the course attended and does not actively participate, complete coursework or use any instructor resources. An auditor does not receive a grade other than ‘AU’ in the course. The hours are included in total credit hours toward maximum allowed for the semester.

Do I need to register myself for the course I wish to audit?

No. You only need to complete the Auditor’s Permit and obtain the necessary signatures. The Office of the Registrar will manually add you to the course as an auditor when we process your Auditor’s Permit. Please note: The student will be responsible for any tuition and fee charges incurred if they register for the course and their audit request is denied.

What is the deadline to submit an Auditor’s Permit?

The deadline to submit an Auditor’s Permit for Fall or Spring full semester classes is the 10th day of the semester. For Summer courses, the deadline is the add/drop deadline for the part of term of the course. Please see the Calendars tab for relevant deadlines.

How much does it cost to audit a course?

The cost to audit is $15 per course. (This cost is waived for students billed full-time tuition, waiver-eligible employees, and persons 65 years of age or older.)

When will my auditor’s permit be processed?

Please allow up to 2 weeks for processing time after the Auditor’s Permit is submitted before students will have access to online resources.

What signatures do I need to obtain on the auditor’s permit?

The approval signature of the instructor is required for each course you wish to audit regardless of your student status.

  • For current or former students: Current and former undergraduate students must also obtain an approval signature from an authorized official in their college office. Current and former graduate students do not require a college approval signature as long as the Auditor’s Permit is submitted by the deadline.
  • For non-students: If you have never attended the University of Illinois and you wish to audit an undergraduate-level course, you will need to obtain the signature of the college office overseeing the course. No college signature is required for auditing graduate-level courses as long as the Auditor’s Permit is submitted by the deadline.

How will an audited course appear on my transcript?

During the semester, your audited course will appear on your transcript as “in progress.” At the end of the semester, when grades are posted, your transcript will list “AU” instead of a letter grade.

What if I want to drop the course I am auditing?

If you need to drop the course you are auditing, please email registration@illinois.edu. Please do not attempt to drop the course in your self-service account as this may result in additional charges.