What Is the Core Curriculum at the University of Chicago?

The Core Curriculum is the shared foundation of undergraduate study in UChicago's College. According to the College, it "serves as a foundation for coursework in major fields of study—and for a lifetime of intellectual inquiry." In practical terms, that means every student completes Core work alongside—not instead of—the requirements for a major, and the Core is framed as a common intellectual experience that applies across all fields of study rather than being tied to one department.

How the Core relates to your major

The College organizes undergraduate study around two connected layers:

• The Core Curriculum — the foundational curriculum described as transformative and central to the College experience.
• Majors and minors — a wide range of programs that connect faculty expertise with students' interests.

The Core is not a substitute for a major. It is the groundwork that precedes and supports major coursework, which is why the College describes it as a foundation for later specialization.

Where majors fit in

The College lists its programs of study across these areas:

The College also notes that programs extend beyond Hyde Park through opportunities and experiences that further intellectual development. The full list of programs of study is available through the College's programs page.

Why the Core matters to applicants and admitted students

If you are evaluating UChicago or preparing to enroll, the Core is the clearest signal of how the College structures its first years: a shared curriculum for all undergraduates, followed by and combined with deeper work in a chosen field. It is also the reason the College describes its curriculum as transformative—the Core is presented as an intellectual foundation that outlasts any single major.

Where to go next

• Programs of study — browse the full list of majors and minors to see what you would pair with the Core.
• The Core — read the College's own description of the curriculum.
• Orientation — the College notes that orientation begins the summer before arrival with Online Orientation and continues on campus during Orientation Week.

For current students and families, the College also maintains a Student Resource Directory and Family Resources with quick links, news, and key information.