Ibrahim Gardner
The College of General Studies (CGS) is a small liberal arts college within Boston University, offering a unique, interdisciplinary and global curriculum to first- and second-year students. The CGS program is a two-year core-curriculum general education program that is part of a four-year degree at Boston University. Students can choose to study abroad in London or continue their studies in New England during their first year. The CGS program has one of the university's highest retention rates, with 93% of first-year students returning for their second year. Approximately 600 students were admitted to the CGS program in January 2026.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of students starting in January 2026 | 600 |
| First semester | January |
| Spring semester location | Boston |
| Summer semester location options | London or New England |
| Number of degree-granting schools or colleges at BU | 9 |
| Average percentage of second-year CGS students transitioning to another BU school or college | 96% |
| Average percentage of first-year students returning for their second year | 93% |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Boston University's College of General Studies (CGS) is a small liberal arts college
- CGS students start in January, with a spring semester in Boston
- CGS students can study abroad in London in their first year
- CGS has a high retention rate, with 93% of first-year students returning
- CGS students are guaranteed on-campus housing in their first year
Boston University's College of General Studies (CGS) is a small liberal arts college
The CGS program consists of four semesters, with students starting their first semester in January. This means students have a gap semester before they begin their studies, which they can use for various activities such as travelling or learning about other cultures. The spring semester is then spent in Boston, followed by a six-week summer semester in London or the option to continue studies in New England.
The college offers a strong foundation for a specialised field of study and fulfils most BU Hub general education requirements. Students can explore various subjects through an interdisciplinary lens, developing skills in synthesising information, critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication. CGS has a high retention rate, with 93% of first-year students returning for their second year.
The college organises its students, faculty, and advisors using a team system, with teams of around 80 students sharing the same faculty throughout the year. This enhances the teaching, learning, and social experience by creating a robust learning community. CGS students live in various residence options on campus, including Gilbane House, which houses 40 current and former CGS undergraduates as part of the Specialty Community Residence Program.
Enrolment Insights: Seattle U's Full-Time Student Population
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CGS students start in January, with a spring semester in Boston
The College of General Studies (CGS) at Boston University offers a unique program for first-year students, allowing them to start their academic journey in January with a spring semester in Boston. This provides an opportunity for students to begin their college experience with a gap semester, during which they can pursue various interests, such as diving, mountaineering, volunteering, internships, or exploring new cultures.
The CGS program is designed as a small, liberal arts college within Boston University, offering a global and interdisciplinary curriculum. By starting in January, CGS students can take advantage of the spring semester in Boston, followed by a six-week summer semester in London or the option to continue their studies in New England. This provides a seamless transition into college life, allowing students to explore the city of Boston, connect with their classmates and faculty, and engage in the dynamic community that BU offers.
During the spring semester, CGS students will earn a total of 32 credits, fulfilling their first-year credit requirements. The spring semester is followed by the summer semester, which is crucial for completing the first-year course load. Students can choose to spend the summer in London, studying and exploring the city with their CGS peers and faculty. Alternatively, they can remain in Boston, continuing their studies at BU.
The Boston-London Experience is a distinctive feature of the CGS program, providing students with global education opportunities and enriching experiences. Students are billed separately for the spring and summer semesters, with charges for the spring semester due before the start of the semester and summer semester charges billed in April. The spring semester portion of any award is posted to the MyBU portal, while the summer portion is accessible through the student's BU web account.
The CGS program at Boston University offers a flexible and immersive educational experience, allowing students to begin their college journey in January and providing them with a well-rounded foundation for their academic pursuits. With approximately 600 students starting their first semester in January 2026, the CGS program fosters a vibrant and diverse learning community.
Enrolment Figures at Washburn University: An Overview
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CGS students can study abroad in London in their first year
The College of General Studies (CGS) at Boston University offers a unique opportunity for its students to study abroad in London during their first year. CGS is a small, liberal arts college within Boston University, providing first- and second-year students with a strong foundation in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and writing. The CGS program spans a total of four semesters, completed during the first two years of college.
One of the distinctive features of CGS is its emphasis on global education and experiential learning. As part of this, CGS students have the option to spend their summer semester in London, starting with a semester in Boston in January. This provides a seamless transition for students to continue their studies in the British capital, accompanied by their classmates and faculty. The London semester offers a blend of classroom learning and experiential opportunities, such as trips to museums, historical sites, and theatres.
During their time in London, CGS students are accommodated in residence-hall style buildings or external housing located within commuting distance of BU classrooms. The residence halls foster a sense of community and independence, with shared kitchen spaces where students can cook their meals. Additionally, Boston University Study Abroad provides an optional social program featuring trips to popular destinations outside of London, such as the Harry Potter Studio Tour, St. Paul's Cathedral, and Edinburgh.
The academic aspect of the London semester consists of three CGS classes, totalling 14 credits. The courses are designed to emphasise interdisciplinary learning and provide a cohesive curriculum. Students earn 2 of their 14 credits from experiences outside the classroom, further enhancing their global educational experience. The cost of the semester includes housing, airfare to London from designated cities, mandatory field trips, and international health insurance.
Overall, the CGS program at Boston University offers a well-rounded and enriching experience for students, with the opportunity to study abroad in London in their first year being a key component of its global education focus.
Class Sizes: How Many Students Per University Class?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CGS has a high retention rate, with 93% of first-year students returning
The College of General Studies (CGS) at Boston University has a high retention rate, with 93% of first-year students returning for their second year. This is one of the highest retention rates at the university. CGS is a small, liberal arts college within Boston University, offering first- and second-year students an interdisciplinary and global curriculum. The college provides a unique programme that satisfies most of the BU Hub University-wide general education requirements. Students also gain a strong foundation in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and writing.
The CGS programme is four semesters in total, completed during the first two years of college. Students start their first semester in January, with a gap semester before beginning college. This provides an opportunity for students to travel, explore other cultures, and gain new experiences. During their first year, students spend the spring semester in Boston, followed by a summer semester in London or New England. This study abroad opportunity is a distinctive feature of the CGS programme, allowing students to live, study, and explore a new city.
The interdisciplinary approach at CGS encourages students to explore connections between different subjects, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills. The college organises its students, faculty, and advisors into teams of around 80 students, enhancing teaching, learning, and social experiences. This team system creates a robust learning community, providing a supportive environment for students to thrive.
With its high retention rate, CGS attracts well-qualified students who excel in their academic pursuits. The college offers a balanced education, combining classroom learning with experiential opportunities, such as trips to museums, historical sites, and theatres. The programme also includes the Learning Assistants (LA) initiative, where undergraduate students support their peers in natural science courses, further enhancing the educational experience at CGS.
Discover Lewis University's Student Population
You may want to see also
Explore related products
CGS students are guaranteed on-campus housing in their first year
The College of General Studies (CGS) at Boston University offers a unique, globally-focused curriculum to first- and second-year students. The CGS program is a small, liberal arts college within BU, offering an interdisciplinary and global curriculum. Students can take advantage of the Boston-London Experience, studying in Boston for the spring semester and then choosing to study in London or remaining in New England for the summer semester.
The CGS program guarantees on-campus housing for all incoming first-year students. On BU's Boston campus, students are housed in one of the on-campus residences. In London, students may live in BU's residence-hall-style buildings or in external housing within commuting distance of BU classrooms.
Students are asked to fill out a survey of housing preferences before arriving on campus. Students who begin their first semester in January have reported being given more desirable housing options, which they can keep for their sophomore year.
Approximately 600 students began their first semester in January 2026, and CGS students fit in seamlessly with the rest of the student body. All CGS students attend University Orientation in January, where they connect with their classmates, meet their faculty, and explore Boston.
CGS is a two-year core-curriculum general education program that is part of a four-year degree at Boston University. It is a nationally renowned program that has been providing leadership in general education for over 70 years.
Jewish Student Life at Binghamton University
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Approximately 600 students were enrolled in the College of General Studies at Boston University for the semester beginning in January 2026.
In CGS, teams are similar to cohorts and are made up of about 80 students who share the same faculty throughout the year.
93% of first-year students at CGS return for their second year, one of the University's highest retention rates.
