About the course

An independent interdisciplinary major (IIM) offers students with diverse academic interests the opportunity to design a course of study not available in the regular curriculum. Our student-focused learning environment provides meaningful interactions between students and professors, making Brandeis an ideal setting for pursuing an independent major.

　　To pursue an IIM, you?ll propose a course of study, drawing on at least three departments, that will enable you to probe your topic through a variety of lenses, perspectives and schools of thought. Once your proposal is accepted (by the end of the fall semester of your junior year), you?ll work ly with three carefully chosen faculty advisors as you complete the 12 courses required for your IIM. Your IIM experience will culminate in a senior capstone project.

　　The IIM allows for truly original and interdisciplinary inquiry, as you can see from these recent examples: Communication and Media Studies, Conflict and Cooperation Studies, Global Hunger and Food Security, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 8 Semester(s)Fees: US$237,632

Intake	Location
Spring (January), 2024	Waltham
Fall (August), 2024	Waltham
Fall (August), 2025	Waltham

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Brandeis University

Transcripts: Official copies of all high school transcripts as well as marks from any national exams. If the original documents are not in English, please submit both the original documents as well as English translations. Transcripts must include official grades from ninth through eleventh grades to complete this required component. Also, applicants are expected to submit a mid-year report from their senior year which includes grades for all classes. For Early Decision I students, first quarter or first trimester grades will fulfill this requirement.

　　Official standardized test scores: Except for U.S. and Canadian citizens and U.S. Permanent Residents, international applicants must submit either SAT or ACT test results. All tests should be completed by the end of January of the senior year.

　　English Proficiency: International students for whom English is not their native language should submit results from either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

　　Applicants who, for four or more years, have attended a high school where the full academic curriculum is in English are exempt from this requirement.

　　Applicants applying directly from United World College (UWC) campuses are also exempt from this requirement.

　　Two teacher evaluationsor letters of recommendation from teachers who have instructed you in core academic courses (Math, Science, History, Foreign Language, or English).

　　School profile and a letter of recommendation from a secondary school official.

　　

English language requirements

　　6.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 60.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Brandeis University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　251st / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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