The Five College Consortium

One of the country's most exciting and active educational collaborations

Hampshire’s founders were Amherst, Smith, and Mount Holyoke Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. They set out to create a lab of an undergraduate institution, experimenting with how a college could be a more effective intellectual and moral force in the world. Part of the plan: share the resources of all five schools.

Students studying together in the Kern Center

The Consortium enables our students to enjoy:

Expanded course options: more than 7,000 from which to choose taught by over 2,000 faculty members.
One of the largest library collections in the country: 28 libraries with more than NINE MILLION books.
More than 900 student organizations and activities and some 3,400 events each year open to all.
A free bus system connects the FIVE COLLEGES and THREE towns, day and night.
Active recruiting by almost 500 companies.
30,000+ potential friends to make.

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The Five College Student Experience

Enrolling at Hampshire College means you'll find yourself a member of a vibrant community made up of all five. Students from each of the five colleges share how the consortium enriches their campus experiences.

Certificate Programs (similar to a minor)

Approved by a committee of Five College faculty, these certificates demonstrate extensive work in your field and are awarded with your bachelor's degree.

Five College Centers & Initiatives

Accelerated Master's Programs

Working with UMass Amherst, students may complete both the bachelor's and master's degree in the following areas:

Economics
Linguistics
Mathematics
Molecular and Cellular Biology
Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

Plant Biology
Political Science
Public Policy and Administration
Sustainability Studies

Around here, everybody takes the bus.

The Five College campuses are linked by a daily bus service during the academic year called the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). Some routes include stops at local towns and shopping centers. The routes are free to anyone with an ID from a Five College campus during the academic year.

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Five College Resources

Accessibility services

Students with disabilities may obtain accommodations and services when taking courses at any of the Five Colleges.

Clubs & Organizations

Most clubs, intramural sports, and extracurricular activities on each Five College campus are open to Five College students. The exception is varsity sports, which in most cases are not open to students from other campuses.

Lgbtq resources

A rich assortment of campus and community organizations and resources support LGBTQ students and advocate for the respect and safety of all members of their communities

Multicultural Resources

Organizations and resources support students of color through programs and workshops, fostering leadership skills, student affinity groups, student leadership opportunities, and more.

Religious & Spiritual Life

Respective programs seek to stimulate and nurture spiritual development, religious practice, tolerance, and social engagement consistent with the values of academic freedom, mutual respect, diversity, and interfaith dialogue.

Student Event Funding

The Student Coordinating Board, made up of student leaders from each campus, often has funds available to support events aimed at bringing together students from all five campuses.