Location: Columbia, South Carolina
About UofSC
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Enrollment: 34,795
Setting: Urban
Type: Public, Co-Ed
City Population: 133,451
Climate: 14.6°C - 35°C
U.S. News Rank: #104
International Student Rate: 2.4%
About UofSC
The University of South Carolina is a top research school located in the charming Southern city of Columbia, South Carolina. UofSC is known for its strong academics, internship opportunities and generous community spirit.
Why UofSC?
The University of South Carolina offers nationally acclaimed undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs. Dedicated to providing you with innovative academics and career opportunities, we prepare our students to be tomorrow’s leaders.
- #1 Undergraduate International Business Program—U.S. News and World Report, 2020
- #44 Top Public School—U.S. News and World Report, 2020
- #1 Sport Science Program—Shanghai Ranking of World Universities, 2018
- 6th Safest Campus in the Nation—ADT Security, 2018
- 100+ countries represented on campus
- 300,000 alumni worldwide
- Partnerships with Fortune 500 companies like Boeing, IBM and Fluor Corp. provide internship opportunities on campus
Get Involved at UofSC
- 500+ student organizations, honor societies and club sports
- 19 Division I athletic teams including basketball and football
- State-of-the-art wellness and fitness facilities
- Walking distance from the Main Street district, home to many of Columbia’s boutiques, restaurants and shops
Campus Life & City Guide
Columbia, SC: Traditional Meets Modern
As the capital of South Carolina, Columbia offers big-city opportunities with a touch of small-town Southern charm.
- Stroll along one of Columbia’s three rivers
- Shop outdoors in the Congaree Vista, a popular area for shopping and dining and entertainment
- Enjoy cultural events, art galleries or a concert
Weather & Climate
Located in the southeastern United States, South Carolina is known for its hot, sunny climate and short, mild winters.
Nearby Charleston
With its unparalleled history and charm, Charleston is an iconic part of American culture – and it’s only an hour and a half away.
- Top City in the United States—Travel + Leisure, 2018
- #10 Best Cities in the World—Travel + Leisure, 2018
- Feast on traditional Southern cuisine and fresh seafood
- Explore beach towns like Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palm
International Student Services
As an international student enrolling at a select U.S. News Global Education school, you will have access to exclusive programs and services.
To make your transition as easy as possible, our enrollment counselors set you up for success with:
Application Assistance
- Streamlined application process
- Assigned counselor
- Major/field of study guidance
Pre-Arrival Guidance
- Visa interview help
- Prep webinars & checklists
- Help with required forms
Campus Transition
- Airport welcome
- Student & parent orientation
- Cultural group outings
Academic Support
- Classes for your academic level
- English-language & ESL help
- Tutoring support
Career Growth
- Career Accelerator Program
- Internship assistance
- Job search help
I'm looking forward to
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Major Lists
College of Arts and Sciences
African American Studies
Anthropology
Art Education
Art History
Art, Studio
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biological Sciences
Cardiovascular Technology
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Classics
Comparative Literature
Criminology and Criminal
Dance
Economics
English
Environmental Science
Environmental Studies
European Studies
Film and Media Studies
French
Geography
Geological Sciences
Geophysics
German
History
International Studies
Justice
Latin American Studies
Marine Science
Mathematics
Media Arts
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Science
Psychology
Religious Studies
Russian
Sociology
Spanish
Statistics
Women’s and Gender Studies
Darla Moore School of Business
Accounting
Business Economics
Finance
International Business
Management
Management Science
Marketing
Real Estate
Risk and Insurance Management
College of Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Middle Level Education
Physical Education
College of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Information Systems
Computer Science
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
College of Hospitality, Retail, & Sports Management
Hospitality Management
Integrated Information Technology
Interdisciplinary Studies
Retailing with Specialization in Retail Management or Fashion Merchandising
Sport and Entertainment Management
Tourism Management
College of Information and Communications
Advertising
Broadcast Journalism
Information Science
Journalism
Public Relations
Visual Communications
School of Music
Composition
Music Education
Band, Strings, Vocal
Jazz Studies
Performance
Brass, Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds
Theory
College of Nursing
Nursing
College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy (B.S. to Pharm.D. six-year program)
Arnold School of Public Health
Exercise Science
Public Health
College of Social Work
Social Work
South Carolina Honors College
Baccalaureus Artium et Scientiae
B.A. (B.S.)/J.D. (six-year pre-law/law degree program)
Dates & Costs
Spring 2020
 | International Direct, Academic Accelerator Program and Extended Accelerator Program | Pre-Sessional English Program |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | December 5, 2019 | December 5, 2019 |
| Move-In Date | January 7, 2020 | January 7, 2020 |
| Program Start Date | January 8, 2020 | January 8, 2020 |
Summer 2020
| International Direct, Academic Accelerator Program and Extended Accelerator Program | Pre-Sessional English Program |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | April 24, 2020 | April 20, 2020 |
| Move-In Date | May 26, 2020 | May 19, 2020 |
| Program Start Date | May 27, 2020 | May 20, 2020 |
Note: The Application Deadline is the deadline to submit all documents stated on your offer letter and must be met for both academic acceptance and I-20 issuance. All necessary items must be received by admissions on or before this deadline or the student will be unable to enroll for the intended semester and will be encouraged to defer enrollment to the following semester.
Fall 2020
| International Direct, Academic Accelerator Program and Extended Accelerator Program | Pre-Sessional English Program |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | July 15, 2019 | July 15, 2019 |
| Move-In Date | August 12, 2020 | August 12, 2020 |
| Program Start Date | August 13, 2020 | August 13, 2020 |
Entering Spring 2020 Costs*
| 2 Semesters | 3 Semesters |
| Tuition* | $35,158 – $36,158 USD | $40,977 USD |
| Fees (estimate) | $1,670 USD | $3,322 USD |
| Health Insurance** | $2,000 USD | $2,000 USD |
| Housing | $8,306 – $12,474 USD | $12,496 – $17,033 USD |
| Dining | $1,728 – $4,080 USD | $2,592 – $6,120 USD |
| Total | $48,862 – $56,382 USD | $61,387 – $69,452 USD |
*International Direct students are required to pay college-specific fees that are assessed and vary by major ($200 - $1,800). These fees are not reflected in the estimate.
Pre-Sessional English Language
Fall and Spring (17-week session)
| Tuition* | $6,700 USD |
| Total | $6,700 USD |
|---|
or
Summer (9-week session)
| Tuition* | $3,350 USD |
| Total | $3,350 USD |
|---|
After completion of the Pre-Sessional English program, students will enter the Extended Accelerator Program.
*Tuition is set by the University Board of Trustees each year and is subject to change. Tuition quoted represents 2019 - 2020 pricing.
**The health insurance provided is offered for International Direct students only and is not the same as that offered by the university. Students will have access to the university health center.
All students will take an English language assessment test during their orientation. This test is the primary means for final placement and could vary from the preliminary placement identified on your offer letter. As a result, the length of study may be longer than originally anticipated, and involve additional costs including tuition and other fees.
Entry Requirements
International Direct students may pursue any of the 140 undergraduate degree options offered. However, many degree programs have unique entry and progression requirements based on academic background and performance.
Have a question about a specific degree? Our admissions team would be happy to help.
| INTERNATIONAL DIRECT Two Semesters | ACADEMIC ACCELERATOR (AAP) Two Semesters | EXTENDED ACCELERATOR (EAP) Three Semesters | PRE-SESSIONAL ENGLISH 9-17 weeks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPA Requirement | 3.0 GPA or equivalent | 2.5 GPA or equivalent | 2.5 GPA or equivalent | 2.5 GPA or equivalent |
| TOEFL® Requirement | 77; No subscore below 18 | 68; No subscore below 14 | 60; No subscore below 12 | <60 |
| IELTS™ Requirement | 6.5+; No subscore below 6.0 | 5.5; No subscore below 5.0 | 5.0; No subscore below 4.5 | <5.0 |
| ITEP Requirement | 4.5+ | 3.5; No subscore below 3.0 | 3.0; No subscore below 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Additional Admissions Requirements* | Post-secondary credit requires additional review | Post-secondary credit requires additional review | Post-secondary credit requires additional review | Post-secondary credit requires additional review |
All students will take an English language assessment test during their orientation. This test is the primary means for final placement and could vary from the preliminary placement identified on your offer letter. As a result, the length of study may be longer than originally anticipated, and involve additional costs including tuition and other fees.
*Students with post-secondary studies applying to through USC’s International Direct are subject to the following additional requirements:
1. Students who have studied university level courses after completion of high school must meet current secondary school GPA requirements (U.S. equivalent of a 2.5 secondary school GPA) as well as a 2.5 average collegiate GPA for all post-secondary college credits.
2. Vocational, diploma and ESL studies are not considered in the admissions review process.
3. Students with more than 18 credits of transferable credit are not eligible for the International Accelerator Program.
4. Students applying for the Integrated Accelerator may have additional GPA requirements to be admitted into their desired major. Details can be found here.
5. A course-by-course evaluation of all post-secondary college credit must be submitted to a NACES accredited evaluation service (WES, Silny) as soon as possible after admission to ensure that transfer credit can be awarded. This evaluation must be submitted prior to the registration period for the second term. For more information on course-by-course evaluation, click here.
Major Lists
Arnold School of Public Health
Exercise Science, MS (STEM designated)
Environmental Science, MS (STEM designated)
Collect of Arts and Sciences
Criminology and Criminal Justice, MA
College of Engineering and Computing
Aerospace Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Biomedical Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Chemical Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Civil Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Electrical Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Mechanical Engineering (ME/MS) STEM Designated
Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurial Engineering (MS)
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
International Hospitality and Tourism Management, MIHTM
Sport and Entertainment Management, MSEM
Dates & Costs
| All MAP Programs | Pre-Sessional English Program |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | July 15, 2020 | July 15, 2020 |
| Move-in Date | August 12, 2020 | August 12, 2020 |
| Program Start Date | August 13, 2020 | August 13, 2020 |
Tuition and Fees
| Direct Master’s Accelerator (1 semester) | Advanced Master’s Accelerator (1 semester) | Master’s Accelerator (2 semesters) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $15,789 | $16,815 | $32,646 |
| Fees | $1,317 | $1,084 | $1,718 |
| Total | $17,106 | $17,899 | $34,364 |
| 17-week session (Full Semester Length) | 9-week session (Summer) | |
| Pre-sessional English | $6,700 (USD) | $3,350 (USD) |
Note: This cost is an estimate and is subject to change. Cost does not include health insurance, housing and dining fees, books, or other living expenses. Costs may differ per degree program.
Price does not include tuition and fees following the MAP semesters. Please visit sc.edu/bursar for additional information about tuition rates.
Costs may vary depending on program placement. Please check sc.edu/iap for more details.
Living Expenses
Estimated Living Expenses: 2 Semesters (10 Months)
Estimated Housing Costs: $8,380 – $12,474 USD
Estimated Mandatory Health Insurance: $2,000 USD
Estimated Total Living Expenses: $11,860 USD
Note: Estimated total living expense is for housing and health insurance only and does not include dining, transportation, books and other incidental costs. Students should budget accordingly.
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Location: Columbia, South Carolina
About UofSC
Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Enrollment: 34,795
Setting: Urban
Type: Public, Co-Ed
City Population: 133,451
Climate: 14.6°C - 35°C
U.S. News Rank: #104
International Student Rate: 2.4%
