Study abroad at Hampshire College

Learn more about studying at Hampshire College as an international student.

Hampshire College campus view
Hampshire College logo

Key facts

  • Type
    Private
  • International students
    10
  • Nationalities
    27
  • Total programs
    50
  • University ranking
    Not ranked

Study abroad at Hampshire College

Hampshire College is a small, tight-knit liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts that has been at the forefront of progressive higher education in the US for over 50 years. The College prides itself on its unconventional approach that makes Hampshire different from any other college in the world.

Every Hampshire student designs a customized program of study in close collaboration with faculty advisors. In your final year, you’ll complete a comprehensive senior project that could be anything from a performance or research study, to a business start-up.

There are no majors at Hampshire, and every student picks a ‘Concentration’ comprising a minimum of two and a maximum of three Areas of Study. There are 50 areas you can choose from covering a wide range of subjects like art, chemistry, dance, history, mathematics, and psychology.

Classes are small and discussion-focused, and you’ll get plenty of opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships, independent studies, and field research semesters. The campus has everything you’ll need, with first-class facilities, cafes, and study areas.

Illustration depicting a student navigating the journey of higher education. Elements include a diploma, graduation cap, magnifying glass with a puzzle piece, books, a "Hi!" speech bubble, and a university building in the background.

Why study at Hampshire College

  • Customized program

    Every student builds a customized, interdisciplinary program of study

  • Five College Consortium

    Every student has access to the Five College Consortium, with nearly 7,000 classes and 1,000 student groups to choose from

  • Graduate success

    Nearly two-thirds of Hampshire alumni receive advanced degrees after graduating from Hampshire

  • Green credentials

    Hampshire features a sustainable campus farm and solar panels that are able to meet 100% of campus electricity needs

Location

Hampshire College

893 West St, Amherst, MA 01002, USA

Amherst is a vibrant college town with lots to see and do. The town is packed with awesome dining spots, lovely green spaces, fascinating museums, brilliant shopping outlets, and social venues.

Illustration of famous landmarks like a tower, a classical building, and a modern skyscraper; a location marker, interconnected on a map-like layout with trees and clouds.

Fees and funding

Fee information

  • Undergraduate tuition

    US$57,158 per year

Funding

Merit Scholarships

  • Amount

    a maximum of US$35,000 per year for a maximum of eight semesters

  • Requirements

    Scholarships are awarded based on applicants’ academic and extracurricular achievements, as evidenced by their applications; there is no separate application needed to qualify for merit scholarships.

International Scholar Award - Full Cost of Attendance

  • Amount

    This scholarship covers tuition fees, room/board, and all other required fees.

  • Requirements

    From our pool of fall semester applicants, one international student will be selected to receive a merit scholarship that covers the full cost of attendance at Hampshire for a maximum of eight semesters. Preference will be given to students who present high financial need.

International Scholar Award - Full Cost of Tuition

  • Amount

    Full cost of tuition at Hampshire for a maximum of eight semesters

  • Requirements

    These scholarships will cover the full cost of tuition, but recipients will be responsible for room/board and all other fees. Preference will be given to students who present high financial need.

United World College (UWC) Scholarships

  • Amount

    Full cost of tuition or full cost of attendance

  • Requirements

    Students who attend/ attended a United World College are eligible for one of three specific merit scholarship awards—two covering the full cost of tuition, and one covering the full cost of attendance. These are separate from the International Scholar Awards listed above.

Illustration of education and financial elements including a graduation cap, trophy, diploma, books, a piggy bank, stacks of cash notes, and coins, representing fees and funding.

What is the cost of living near Hampshire College?

Local figures aren't available yet — values reflect USA-wide averages.

Category Cost  (in United States Dollar)
Rent, 1-bed apartment in city centre$1,652Range: $1,046 to $4,269
Rent, 1-bed apartment outside centre$1,349Range: $891 to $2,857
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, refuse)$214Range: $130 to $400
Internet (60 Mbps unlimited)$73Range: $50 to $110
Mobile phone plan (data + calls)$61Range: $30 to $110
Monthly public transport pass$65Range: $35 to $138
Monthly grocery basket$350Range: $250 to $500
Coffee shop drink$5Range: $3 to $9
Cinema or cultural event ticket$15Range: $11 to $23
Gym membership$45Range: $20 to $135

Indicative monthly costs per person.

Data sourced from numbeo.com (Crowdsourced).

Visa requirements for Hampshire College

Many international students will require a visa to study in the US, and this is a vital step of your study abroad journey. Make sure you understand the requirements you may need to meet before applying.

Life at Hampshire College

Hampshire’s campus is truly cosmopolitan - international students come from many different countries across five different continents: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Through the International Student Services Office, you’ll have access to all the guidance you could need, including visa and immigration assistance, support for finding internships, and help settling into life at Hampshire.

Hampshire also offers a variety of student groups and celebrations for international students including Holi, Eid, Chunjie, and many more. The College boasts more than 70 student groups as well as intramural sports and an outdoor recreation program.

As a Hampshire international student, you’ll enjoy the diversity of Amherst - a community with more than 30,000 undergraduate students from all over the world who make up the Five College Consortium. Hampshire students can also join the student groups and clubs at the other Consortium colleges.

Illustration showing aspects of student life, including a student with a book and pencil, various books, a laptop, fast food, and iconic educational symbols like a graduation cap and a university building.

Facilities

  • Tutoring Support
    • Peer & Buddy Program
    • Academic Tutoring & Support
    • Student Tutoring & Support
  • Healthcare & Medical
    • Campus Pharmacy
    • Campus Doctor
    • Family Planning
    • Travel Vaccinations
    • Counselling & Mental Health Services
    • Emergency Contraception
  • Fitness Centre
    • 2 Sauna / Steam Rooms
    • Machines
    • 3 Climbing Walls
    • Swimming Pool
    • Fitness Classes
    • 2 Dance Studio
    • Spin Studio
    • Free Weights
  • Transport
    • Campus Bus Service
    • Campus parking
    • Car Rental
    • Bike Rental
  • All Weather Sports Pitches
    • Swimming pools
    • 8 Tennis Courts
    • 2 Basketball Courts
    • Athletics Track
    • 3 Climbing Wall
  • Food & Restaurants
    • Restaurants
    • 2 Cafe’s
  • Sports Facilities
    • Sport facilities
    • Natural Turf Soccer Pitches
  • Library
    • Group Study Rooms
    • Quiet Areas
    • Computer labs
  • IT Support
    • Campus Wireless Connectivity
    • Loan Laptops
  • Clubs & Organisations
    • 65 Clubs & Organizations
  • Praying Rooms
    • Workshops

Student reviews for Hampshire College

Overall rating

4.1
4 reviews
  • Overall experience
    4
  • Academic
    3.8
  • University social
    4.5
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    4.3
Paula Martínez Bernal
es flag
Studied Art History at Hampshire College
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    3
  • University social
    4
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    4
Tell us about Hampshire College

Hampshire College is a small communtiy where you feel part of a family. This is my first time living on campus, and the accommodations are good for me. The social life is very good, since for the first time I am able to see my friends from college every day.

Phuntsok Palden
in flag
Studied Philosophy at Hampshire College
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    4
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    4
Tell us about Hampshire College

Good college, room accommodation is very nice, transport link between intra college is very convenient.

Aryan Raval
in flag
Studied Computer Science at Hampshire College
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    4
Tell us about Hampshire College

I like the community at Hampshire College (people here are nice). The best part of Hampshire College is Five College Consortium. We can take courses at any 5 colleges. These provide access to great academic classes and their resources. Hampshire College doesn't restrict students from following their dream. They let you take any courses of your interest. It's a unique way of studying and I like it.

Yahui Liu
cn flag
Studied Architecture at Hampshire College
Overall Experience
  • Academic
    4
  • University social
    5
  • Accommodation
    4
  • University facilities
    5
Tell us about Hampshire College

We have some necessary facilities. It has museums, gyms, sports courts, studios, a cafe shop, a small store and so on. Almost every student lives in a single room and we have a common bathroom on every floor. We have heaters in every room but not every dorm has an air conditioner. The tap water and shower water are free. We are a small college so there are fewer students here and we know each other well. Students here are very cool but cute. The faculties are really friendly and care about me a lot. We are like families and I like to talk with people here. We have a variety of activities which are very funny and creative. They have Hampshire style! And we have many OPRA activities which I really like and engage in. I took part in many outdoor programs and had many special experiences here.Besides, the college supports many good opportunities and help to international students. I like my international students friends!

What Hampshire College says

  • Headshot of Dalton Lewis
    Dalton Lewis
    Dalton Lewis says:

    Hampshire is a small, tightly-knit community, so it's easy for international students to feel at home as soon as they arrive on campus. At Hampshire, you're not just a number! At the same time, our international students are part of the much larger Five College Consortium community—which connects them to thousands of other international students.

    Hampshire students have access to the nearly 7,000 classes and 1,000 student organizations offered by the Consortium Colleges, so there are endless opportunities to make new friends and enjoy new experiences!

    Hampshire offers something that's hard to find in the US, let alone the rest of the world: an education that requires students to build their own customized, interdisciplinary programs of study.

    Our students want to make their own education, rather than just take it! Throughout the process of building their curriculum, students are supported by hand-picked faculty advisors have access to the vast resources of the Five College Consortium.

    Our support for international students begins with International Student Orientation, in which students learn about adjusting to life in the US, navigating campus resources, and getting settled in their dormitories. International students at Hampshire are supported by a dedicated International Student Advisor who provides visa/travel planning assistance, OPT/CPT advising, and workshops covering a variety of other topics. Hampshire also has a space on campus dedicated to international student use, the World Lounge, offering students a place to chat, study together, and host events. Finally, Hampshire offers a wide range of student groups serving international students as well as numerous events and celebrations catering to students of different cultural backgrounds. Hampshire's alumni include notable entrepreneurs, an Academy Award-winning actor, and a senior NASA scientist—to name just a few! A Hampshire education prepares students for a variety of different post-graduate paths, but the most popular one is obtaining a graduate degree: 65% of Hampshire alums receive an advanced degree within ten years of graduating, putting us in the top 3% of US colleges for graduate degree placements rates. The top five most frequently attended graduate institutions for Hampshire alums are Columbia University, the University of Massachusetts, New York University, Harvard University, and Yale University. While many of our students choose to jump right into the workforce after graduating, Hampshire is also a great place to develop entrepreneurial skills. 23% of Hampshire alumni have started their own businesses or non-profit organizations; a few examples of companies founded or co-founded by Hampshire graduates include Duolingo, Seventh Generation Inc., and Florentine Films.