Bachelor in Medieval and Renaissance Studies (Bachelor's)

At Wellesley College, tuition is Tuition for the 2024–2025 academic year is $65,500..

Students study European and Mediterranean civilizations from the fourth to the seventeenth century using a multidisciplinary approach grounded in primary sources and historical methodology. The programme emphasizes analysis of cultural developments across literature, art, music, religion, philosophy, and history. Students develop deep expertise in at least one specialized area through focused coursework and research. The programme integrates hands-on engagement with rare books, manuscripts, and artifacts from campus collections.

Focus areas include Literature, Art, Music, Religion, Philosophy, History.

The major requires coursework across multiple disciplines with at least one area of specialization. Students complete a minimum number of credits in designated subject areas, including upper-level courses and research projects using primary sources.

Graduates pursue careers in academic research, rare book and manuscript conservation, museum work, and advanced study in humanities disciplines.

Applicants must submit a completed application through the college’s admissions office. No specific standardized test scores or prerequisite courses are required for the major. Admission to the college is required before declaring the major.

The programme totals about 32 credit hours. On-campus, full-time, four-year programme. For international students, tuition is well above the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 14% of applicants.

Wellesley was founded on the idea that women have an equal right to the best education in the country. Its liberal arts curriculum offers more than 50 departments and programs, over 1,000 courses, and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Professors, rather than teaching assistants, teach classes, which typically include 17 to 20 students. Undergraduates can work alongside faculty on graduate-level research, co-author articles, and present at national conferences. Writing seminars, public speaking programs, academic centers, and advising support learning across disciplines.

The 500-acre campus includes a Science Complex with an observatory, sustainable laboratories, a makerspace, and botanic gardens. Students also have access to the Davis Museum, Jewett Arts Center, and Keohane Sports Center. Wellesley is a short bus or train ride from Boston and Cambridge, giving students access to nearby cultural and academic resources. Cross-registration expands course options at MIT, Olin College of Engineering, Babson College, and Brandeis University.

International students can choose from more than 180 approved study-abroad programs across academic disciplines, including semester and full-year options. Students in credit-bearing programs pay regular Wellesley tuition and remain eligible for Wellesley financial aid. International applicants are those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The Class of 2029 included 77 international students, with 24 nations represented among non-U.S. citizens. Wellesley also offers a five-year joint B.A./M.A. program in international affairs through the Geneva Graduate Institute.