A major chosen after university-wide admission
Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, and the majors you indicate do not bind you in any way. The pages read describe no separate application to Urban Studies.
Undergraduate · Stanford
Stanford Urban Studies: 75 units in five parts, including an internship
Stanford does not admit applicants to a major. Applicants apply to the university as a whole, and majors indicated do not bind them. The Bulletin describes an Urban Studies BA that is unusually structured: at least 75 units made up of a 24-unit core, skills courses, a 20-unit area of concentration, an internship or service-learning requirement and a 10-unit capstone. The practical component is a requirement, not an option.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Stanford says about Stanford Urban Studies
Taken from the Stanford Bulletin entry for the Urban Studies BA and Stanford Undergraduate Admission's First-Year, Testing and International pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Stanford's pages for the 2028-entry details.
75 units in five parts
Core, skills, concentration, internship or service-learning, and a capstone.
A required practical component
An internship or Cardinal service-learning course of at least 3 units.
Study overseas encouraged
Students are encouraged to spend at least one quarter overseas.
The SAT or ACT is required
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and sets no minimum. It has no preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level and IB.
Official sources
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: First-Year Applicantsadmission.stanford.edu
- Stanford Bulletin: Urban Studies (BA)bulletin.stanford.edu
- Stanford Undergraduate Admission: Testingadmission.stanford.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Stanford Bulletin entry for the Urban Studies BA and Stanford Undergraduate Admission's First-Year, Testing and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. The Stanford Bulletin's requirement lists, the department website, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Bulletin says the Urban Studies BA is
The Bulletin describes an interdisciplinary programme that brings together students, faculty and outside specialists concerned with cities. The mission is to develop students' understanding of the nature of cities and their impact, drawing from the social sciences, humanities, engineering and education. The major requires one prerequisite, Principles of Economics, and at least 75 units: a 24-unit core, 9 units of skills, 20 units in an area of concentration, an internship or service-learning course and a 10-unit capstone sequence.
Is it the right major?
Urban Studies beside Public Policy and Science, Technology and Society
Stanford lists these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Urban Studies fits if
you want cities as the object of study, with required practical work.
Public Policy fits if
you want policy analysis across domains. Avandy's Stanford Public Policy guide covers it.
Science, Technology and Society fits if
you want technology and society as the frame. Avandy's Stanford Science, Technology, and Society guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Stanford application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and that there are no minimum test scores required to be admitted. It does not have a preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level, IB, AP and national curricula, and asks international applicants to complete the coursework needed for a bachelor's degree programme in their home country. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Stanford's.
Which area of concentration appeals?
Students take at least 20 units in an area of concentration.
Are you ready for an internship or service-learning requirement?
At least 3 units of an internship or Cardinal service-learning course are required.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required and sets no minimum.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Stanford's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Stanford's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Stanford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Stanford for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the major page and the Stanford Bulletin entry, and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Stanford University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Stanford University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Stanford Urban Studies?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
Can I apply directly to Urban Studies at Stanford?
No. Stanford says you apply to the university as a whole, not to a particular major, department or school.
How many units does the major need?
The Bulletin says at least 75 units across five types of courses.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Stanford says ACT or SAT scores are required, and that there are no minimum test scores required to be admitted.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Stanford says it does not have a preference for a specific curriculum, naming A-Level, IB, AP and national curricula.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Stanford's wording with no entry-year label. Check Stanford's pages again when Stanford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Stanford Urban Studies
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which area of concentration appeals, how an internship or service-learning requirement fits and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.