Admissions Info for Global Studies Major
Current UVA Students
Undergraduate students from across the University may apply for entrance to the Global Studies major in the spring semester of their first* or second year. Students who apply in their first year may apply again in their second year if not admitted. You may only apply to a maximum of two (2) tracks.
*Please note, students interested in the Global Public Health track may only apply in their second year.
Transfer Students
Students transferring to UVA and beginning their third year in Fall 2026 are eligible to apply to the program. Application materials should be emailed to fxw8rv@virginia.edu by August 1, 2026.
Application Materials
Assemble all three documents into a single PDF file and save using the following naming convention:
Ex. First Name-Last Name-ConcentrationTrack-GS Application.pdf
The following documents are required to apply:
- TRANSCRIPT - An unofficial one that you print from SIS is sufficient.
- RESUME - Include important extracurricular activities, work experience, academic honors, and other relevant experiences.
- PERSONAL STATEMENT - No more than 500 words (total for the entire statement), typed and double-spaced. Please answer the following questions based on the track you are interested in:
Concentration Track Personal Statements
Global Development Studies (GDS)
Why are you interested in entering the Global Development Studies track of the Global Studies major?
• What is your conception of development and what issues in development have interested you to this point?
• What is your proposed area of study within the major, and how would you support that area of study with courses, research, etc.?
Global Public Health (GPH)
Why are you interested in entering the Global Public Health track of the Global Studies major?
• What is your proposed area or particular topic of study within the major, and how would you support that area of study with courses, research, etc.? Please be specific in describing how you will design your program of study.
• What are your future plans and professional goals, and how would the GPH program contribute to these goals?
Global Sustainability (GSVS)
- Why are you interested in the Global Sustainability track of the Global Studies major?
- What is your proposed area of focus within the major, and how would you support that focus with courses, research and/or study abroad? Focus areas may be geographical or topical, such as water, food, energy, urbanism, business, social equity, environmental restoration, etc.
Global Security & Justice (GSSJ)
- Why are you interested in majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in Security and Justice?
• What specific issues of global security and justice most concern you?
Global Commerce in Culture & Society (GCCS)
• If you are admitted to GCCS, in your fourth year capstone seminar you will do research independently about an issue of your own choosing. Imagine you are in that seminar now: what issue would you take on? In a 500-word essay, describe this issue, explain its importance, and tell us what fields or subjects you would need to learn more about to research it. You will not need to actually stay with the topic you write about for this application; we understand that your interests may change. We just want to get a sense of the kind of issues that interest you and how you approach them.
Have more questions?
Declaring the Global Studies Major
Once you have confirmed your admission to Global Studies, submit your major declaration using the Declare a Major or Minor form on the College website. Instructions for logging in and accessing the form can be found at the above link. Be sure to select the correct major so that we receive your declaration.
Once you have submitted your declaration, you can expect an email response from us in 5 business days during the Fall/Spring semester and within 10 business days at any other time.
Having trouble using the form? Email CollegeForms@virginia.edu with as much information as possible about your specific problem.
Haven’t heard back from us? Thank you for your patience! If your declaration is still in progress but you haven’t received an email from us in the time windows mentioned above, feel free to email us at globalstudies@virginia.edu, including your full name, computing ID, and the major/minor you are trying to declare.