University of Virginia

What you'll study

This programme centres on humanities and broadly defined liberal arts study, allowing students to build an interdisciplinary curriculum from disciplines such as English, History, Philosophy, Art History, Classics, Religious Studies, Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. Students typically complete a mix of lower-division introductory surveys and upper-division specialised seminars. Core components include academic writing and communication, research methods in the humanities, foreign language proficiency, and courses that develop historical thinking, textual analysis, and theory.

Typical modules and subjects you might take include:

• Survey courses in world, European and American literature
• Historical methods and thematic history seminars
• Philosophy of ethics, epistemology and political thought
• Art and visual culture, museum studies and material culture
• Modern and classical language study (e.g. French, Spanish, German, Latin, Greek)
• Digital humanities, introductory methods in digital editing and textual analysis
• Interdisciplinary seminars that combine cultural studies, gender studies, race and ethnicity studies
• Independent research or honours thesis options supervised by faculty

Students design their programme within the College of Arts & Sciences degree requirements, balancing major requirements, electives and general education expectations such as laboratory science or quantitative reasoning as appropriate to their chosen path.

Entry requirements

Admission to the College of Arts & Sciences is competitive. Typical applicants present a strong secondary school record with a rigorous course load that includes humanities and language study. The university evaluates applications holistically, considering academic performance, recommendation letters, personal essays and extracurricular engagement that demonstrates intellectual curiosity and communication skills.

For international applicants, equivalent secondary credentials are required along with evidence of English language proficiency if the applicant’s prior education was not in English. Transfer students are considered from other accredited institutions; they should have a solid record of college-level work and be prepared to meet residency and major-specific requirements.

Career prospects

A humanities-focused liberal arts degree from the University of Virginia prepares graduates for a wide range of careers that value critical thinking, writing and analytical skills. Common career paths include:

• Graduate and professional studies (law, education, public policy, humanities and social sciences research)
• Public service, government and non-profit roles
• Publishing, journalism, communications and marketing
• Museum, gallery and cultural heritage work
• Teaching at the secondary level (with appropriate certification) and educational programme development
• Business, consulting and roles in tech that require strong analytical and communication abilities

Many graduates combine the degree with internships, research projects, study abroad or language training to enhance employability and professional focus.

Why study at University of Virginia

The University of Virginia has a long-standing commitment to a collegiate liberal arts education housed within a residential, research-focused university. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, small upper-level seminars, and access to extensive library collections and archival resources. The university’s location and alumni network also create internship and career opportunities across cultural, governmental and private sectors.

Within the College of Arts & Sciences students can pursue interdisciplinary study, take advantage of research and honours options, and engage with campus cultural institutions such as university museums and language centres. The environment supports both breadth and depth, preparing students for diverse futures while fostering rigorous intellectual development.