South Carolina Honors College

At the South Carolina Honors College, you can choose from hundreds of engaging courses designed specifically for you, live with high-achieving classmates, and experience learning that takes you far beyond the classroom.

The Best of Both Worlds

When you combine the resources of a top-tier research university and the feel of a small liberal arts college, you get the top-ranked public honors college in the United States. You get the best of both worlds, the South Carolina Honors College.

Choose What You Want to Study

Your academic experience at the Honors College will inspire you. You'll carry what you learn here throughout the rest of your life and career. As you explore your interests, you'll also have access to some of the coolest courses on campus. With nearly 600 honors courses offered each year, you and your dedicated honors advisor can find perfect courses that fit your major and your interests. And speaking of majors, if you can't find one that fits your unique educational goals, you have a unique option available only to Honors College students — the Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae [BARSC] degree, which allows you to design your own major.

Experience Life at the Honors College

Once you're here, you'll have access to special campus housing for honors students as well as all the amenities the University of South Carolina has to offer. No doubt you are accustomed to challenging course work and strong academics, but there's a great big world beyond the classroom and Honors College students are encouraged, make that required, to apply what they learn through research projects, study abroad, service learning and internships. As you navigate that big world, you'll also be part of a supportive community, including other honors students and a devoted team of faculty and staff.

Become Part of an Active Alumni Network

Our alumni live and work all over the world, and we make every effort to keep you in touch with each other. From alumni awards to regional events, getting together with this accomplished group can open doors for you.

Schedule a Visit

We have information sessions for prospective students on a weekly basis. Staff and students share their experiences, discuss the academic offerings provided by the college, review the application process and requirements and answer your questions. We look forward to meeting you! We also encourage prospective students to check out our new "Prospective Student" page!

News

3 brothers, 3 Goldwater Scholarships, 1 passion

Reggie, Connor and Ian Bain all double majored in mathematics and a field of science, they’re all alumni of the University of South Carolina’s Honors College (Ian graduates in May) and Carolina Scholars and each was named a Goldwater Scholar, which is considered the nation’s most prestigious undergraduate award for STEM majors.

Dean's Letter: Spring 2021

"The South Carolina Honors College has acquired many things the past decade. Continuous top rankings since 2012 comes to mind, but there are many other large and small acquisitions to celebrate."

Eradicating barriers

Alumna and author Casey Richardson uses her voice to help people and businesses overcome personal and economic problems.

Everyone who knew him loved him

After 46 years teaching at the University of South Carolina, nearly 20 of them in the South Carolina Honors College, Don Fowler is remember for his wisdom and dedication to students.

Lost in space? Here's what happened to 388 senior theses since 2014

For the last seven years, Honors College seniors have been uploading their theses to Scholar Commons, unsure of what would happen after that. Thanks to some digital digging by University Libraries, we now have solid worldwide data.

More News

Nation’s Best

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.