BA Comparative History of Ideas at University of Washington

Programme overview

The Comparative History of Ideas Program (CHID) is a unique interdisciplinary undergraduate program emphasizing the examination of ideas and their cultural, historical, and political contexts through experiential learning and self-reflection. CHID offers students the creative freedom to follow their curiosity by tailoring their education to their own interests and professional goals, while providing and supporting direct contact with faculty, staff, and local and international organizations.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: Comparative History of Ideas | Duration: 60 credits | Location: Seattle, WA, United States

What you will study

60 credits; CHID 101 (2 credits); Gateways to CHID (10 credits); Cultural and historical engagements (5 to 10 credits). Students choose from three options: CHID study abroad program; local/global engagements; or encounters across cultures. Must be chosen with guidance of program adviser.; Ideas in the world (5 credits). Must be chosen with guidance of program adviser.; Power and difference (5 credits). Must be chosen with guidance of program adviser.; CHID 390 (5 credits)

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Students in good academic standing may declare this major after meeting with an adviser.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,664 a year (2026-27). Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and fac Source

International applicants: USD 44,580 a year (2026-27). Non-Resident rate. Seattle campus, full-time, Autumn+Winter+Spring quarters, rate band "Undergraduate" Undergraduate rate for tuition-based programs. Tuition only (operating + building fee); excludes technology fee, services & activities fee, IMA bond and Source

First-year entry quarters: Autumn (begins late September), Winter (begins early January; not open to international first-year applicants), Summer (begins mid-June; most degree-seeking students apply for Autumn). Spring quarter is not open to first-year applicants.

Transfer entry: Autumn and Summer quarters; Spring quarter transfer admission is open only to applicants to specific departments in engineering and computer science.

First-year applications for Autumn (and Summer) open August 15 and close November 15; notification March 1-15. Winter applications open August 1 and close September 1, with notification in November and December. The UW does not offer early decision or early action. Apply through the Common App.

First-year application fee is $85 for U.S. students (fee waivers available) and $95 for international students (no fee waivers). Application requires a Common App essay and a self-reported academic record in STARS. SAT/ACT scores are not required for most applicants; homeschooled applicants and applicants from schools without letter or numeric grades must submit SAT or ACT scores. International applicants submit TOEFL or IELTS scores meeting the minimum English proficiency requirement.

Transfer applications for Autumn and Summer open December 15 and close February 28; notification May 1 to June 30. Transfer application fee is $85 (U.S., fee waivers available) or $95 (international, no fee waivers). SAT/ACT scores are not required for transfer applicants.

Apply through the official page: https://admit.washington.edu/apply/

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