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.

Looking for information on Incoming First-Year Advising? Check out our comprehensive guide for your first advising session.

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 academic 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 applicants to learn more about Honors life through our prospective student page!

News

Greenville senior wins first place in annual state writing contest

Three seniors and one junior have won the top awards in the annual South Carolina High School Writing Contest.

USC has 2 Goldwater scholars in 2025

They are: Linden McGregor, a junior biomedical engineering major from Lexington, Kentucky, and Michael Pitre, a junior BARSC-MD candidate from West Sayville, New York.

Blended genres and blurred memories

South Carolina Honors College sophomore Abby Short, a studio art major, was selected for this year's Stormwater Collaborative Residency, adding a cooperative dimension to her artistic pursuits. Her work encompasses storytelling through visuals and text.

More News

Love, Honors

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.