BA Government at University of Virginia

Programme overview

The Government major covers American politics and the history of political thought, from the origins of liberalism and fascism to global debates about social democracy.

Faculty: College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Department: Department of Politics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Two introductory Politics courses covering the four subfields, upper-division Politics coursework, electives and related coursework, with optional study abroad, a Distinguished Majors Program and 5000-level seminars in the fourth year.

Career pathways

Recent Politics graduates hold roles such as policy analyst (US House of Representatives), director of US government relations, political correspondent and communications director (listed for Politics majors generally).

Official programme page

Application information

First-year entry for Fall 2027 via Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision; transfer applicants can apply for Spring or Fall entry.

First-year deadlines: Early Decision and Early Action November 1 (decisions by December 15 and February 15 respectively); Regular Decision January 5 (decision by April 1). Applications are submitted through the Common Application. Standardized testing is test optional for Fall 2027 first-year applicants.

Transfer deadlines: Spring Transfer October 1 (notification by December 1); Fall Transfer March 1 (notification by May 1). Transfer applications are test optional.

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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