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.
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 .
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.
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.
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
Upperclassmen turn extraordinary experiences into Honors College senior theses
In their senior theses, Honors students conduct research of their choice. These students are taking this opportunity to examine aspects of their personal life and develop them into valuable analyses.
Booked solid through 2028
Honors College student Sydney Womack’s calendar has been booked nearly solid during her four years at South Carolina and little wonder — she majored in biomedical engineering, minored in mathematics, earned a performance certificate in the School of Music, conducted undergraduate research and co-authored a scholarly article and three poster presentations. She also attended football, basketball and baseball games whenever she could, held leadership positions in two engineering student societies and regularly volunteered to pitch STEM career opportunities to high school students.
Most likely to succeed
Brianna Lewis was voted “most likely to become a brain surgeon” in the first grade, and the Simpsonville, S.C.-native will soon begin earning the “Dr.” portion of that prediction. She’s headed to medical school this fall after wrapping up four years in the Honors College and two bachelor’s degrees — one in biology and another in experimental psychology.
Swanger award winner uses her drive for hard work to help others
Payton Ramsey has overcome a visual disability from childhood to become the first member of her family to attend college. The South Carolina Honors College student has spent her time at UofSC perfecting her leadership skills and expanding her mind through research. For her efforts over her four years at South Carolina, Ramsey received the 2021 Steven N. Swanger Award, the university’s second-highest undergraduate honor.
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.
More News
One day. One goal.
This year, the Honors family is coming together for one day and one goal: giving back
to support one of the most important parts of the Honors experience – Beyond the Classroom . Your Give 4 Garnet donation will empower our students to take part in one (or often
more) of these integral parts of an Honors education.
Make a difference today!
Meet the newest Honors BARSC-MD cohort! These bright and hard-working freshmen are
ready to pursue a rigorous and exciting path of coursework and experiences to follow
their calling into the field of medicine.
Learn more about our amazing students
Student Spotlight
Honors students Kylie Dolbier, Rachel Kirk and Kelley Powell are a dynamic trio who
brought unrivaled energy and passionate leadership to the field as they helmed one
of the best marching bands in the country.
South Carolina Honors College
Want to grab some SCHC gear? Make sure you check out our online store!
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Honors College
16 With an average class size of just 16 students, Honors College courses tend to be
more intimate and encourage thoughtful interaction between our students and faculty.LEARN FROM THE BEST »
