BA Political Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Programme overview

Are you interested in politics in the U.S. and globally? Questions concerning how we ought to govern ourselves? Critical issues such as health, the environment, migration, and civil rights? Theories about how power and resources are allocated in society? Do you want to study these subjects and pursue a career based on your interests? If so, you should consider studying political science. As Harold Laswell famously noted, politics is “who gets what, when, and how.” Political science focuses on the study of politics in the United States and around the world.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Political Science | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chapel Hill, NC, United States

What you will study

Required courses include POLI 100 American Democracy in Changing Times; POLI 150 International Relations and Global Politics; POLI 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics; POLI 232 Politics of the United Kingdom; POLI 233 Comparative Politics of the Middle East; POLI 234 Comparative Politics of the Global South.

Career pathways

Do you want to study these subjects and pursue a career based on your interests? Political science majors gain a versatile set of analytical and organizational skills that can be applied in a wide range of exciting careers in government, law, business, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, survey research, journalism, and teaching.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level admission applies (not programme-specific): apply through UNC-Chapel Hill Undergraduate Admissions; international applicants submit an English proficiency score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge C1/C2) unless they qualify for the waiver, and transcripts translated into English.

Domestic applicants: USD 7,230 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 in-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (NC resident rate, $3,615 per semester on the University Source

International applicants: USD 47,472 a year (2026-27). Full-time (12+ credit hours) undergraduate tuition for the year, stated as the tuition line of the 2026-27 out-of-state budget; one undergraduate rate band applies to all undergraduate degree programmes (non-resident rate, $23,736 per semester on the Univ Source

First-year applicants apply for fall enrollment (fall 2027 entry); transfer applicants apply through the Common Application with decisions by April 30.

First-year Early Action (non-binding): application deadline October 15, decision by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all other applicants. Regular Decision: application deadline January 15, decision by March 31. Enrollment confirmation deadline for both is May 1. Apply through the Common Application. The non-refundable application fee is $85, with a fee waiver available. SAT or ACT scores are optional with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale; students below 2.8 must submit an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher.

Transfer applicants: application and fee or waiver due February 15; supporting materials and residency due March 15; decisions by April 30; enrollment confirmation by May 15. Apply through the Common Application; the non-refundable application fee is $85.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.unc.edu/

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