University in United States
Santa Barbara, CA, United States
University profile
The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a leading research university that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Students are known as Gauchos, and teaching and research are meant to go hand in hand, with an interdisciplinary culture of collaboration.
UCSB offers more than 200 majors, degrees and credentials, including 90+ undergraduate majors and more than 50 graduate programs. Academic work is organised in five schools and colleges:
The Graduate Division coordinates graduate admission and funding. The Department of Technology Management and the online Master of Engineering and Technology Leadership programme are also part of the graduate offer.
UCSB is a member of the Association of American Universities (elected 1995) and is home to 10 national centres and institutes, among them the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, the Materials Research Laboratory, the Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies and the California NanoSystems Institute. Eight faculty members have won Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry and economics, and an alumna of the College of Creative Studies won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. UCSB has been a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2014.
Campus life is organised around Housing, Dining & Auxiliary Enterprises, which provides housing for 10,000 students on campus and supports 9,300 living nearby, with three dining commons, a takeout operation and several retail markets. The Transfer Student Center in the UCSB Library supports transfer students, and the Education Abroad Program, launched at UCSB in 1961, administers the University of California systemwide study-abroad initiative. The Gauchos compete in NCAA athletics.
International students come from 107 countries. The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) provides visa and immigration support. UCSB is a campus of the University of California system, designated a general campus of the system in 1958.
UCSB's Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships administers federal, state and university aid. 69% of students receive aid, over $442M is awarded annually and the average undergraduate grant is $21K. Students apply with the FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application (school code 001320); the priority deadline is March 2.
Internal university scholarships are awarded on the basis of need to undergraduates who filed a FAFSA or CADAA, mostly to continuing students with a record of academic achievement. They are applied for through the Supplemental Scholarship Application in Scholarship Universe (2026-27 deadline September 7, 2026). Scholarship Universe
Financial aid and scholarships for international undergraduates are very limited because, as a California public university, UCSB primarily awards aid to U.S. residents. International undergraduates are responsible for securing private funding. All new international doctoral students automatically receive the International Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship, which pays non-resident supplemental tuition (currently $15,102 annually) from the fourth quarter of enrolment until advancement to candidacy. Most doctoral students receive multiyear funding packages combining fellowships with teaching or research assistantships. IDRF
International Doctoral Recruitment Fellowship (IDRF) →
UCSB University Scholarships (need-based) →
Browse the scholarships listed for University of California, Santa Barbara and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for University of California, Santa Barbara →Applicants apply through the UC Application, which opens August 1; the filing period for fall 2027 is October 1 to November 30, 2026. UCSB admits for fall quarter only. Eligibility requires UC-approved A-G subject courses completed with a C or better and a minimum GPA of 3.0 in A-G courses (3.4 for non-California residents), calculated from grades 10 and 11. Admitted applicants exceed these minimums and are reviewed holistically on 13 factors, including personal accomplishments in light of the opportunities available. SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission or scholarship decisions; if admitted, scores may be used for course placement. The application fee is $80 per campus for U.S. residents and $95 per campus for international students. Engineering applicants are not considered for alternate Engineering majors; College of Creative Studies applicants submit a supplemental application; dance and music performance majors require an audition.
Key dates for first-year applicants: statement of intent to register May 1, housing request May 15, official transcripts July 1, and official test scores (AP, IB, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) July 15.
UCSB admits junior-level transfers for fall quarter only; senior-standing students are not eligible. The UCSB TAG application is submitted September 1-30 and the UC Application October 1 to November 30. A Transfer Academic Update with fall grades is submitted December 15 to January 31. Statement of intent to register is due June 1.
International students apply as first-year or transfer applicants and must meet University of California subject requirements. Grades are not converted to a UC GPA; coursework is reported as it appears on the academic record and evaluated within the context of the home country's system. Predicted exam results (A-Levels, IB, CBSE and others) may be self-reported. English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test) are self-reported on the application, and official, unexpired scores must be sent after accepting an offer. Admitted students submit official records for grades 9-12, a graduation certificate and exam results directly from the issuing institutions. An I-20 can be requested after submitting the statement of intent to register, and proof of funding for the first year goes to OISS.
Graduate applicants apply online through the Graduate Division to a specific program by its deadline. The application requires transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, a statement of purpose, a personal history statement, a CV, three letters of recommendation and the application fee (fee waivers can be requested). Programs that require the GRE use institution code 4835. Applicants whose native language is not English submit TOEFL (code 4835), IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores. International applicants need a degree equivalent to a UC bachelor's degree, normally at least four years of university work, and admitted applicants with non-U.S. degrees provide a WES document-by-document evaluation.
Main campus, Goleta (Santa Barbara), California. All colleges and schools are taught on the coastal campus beside the Pacific Ocean and Isla Vista.
Study programmes offered at University of California, Santa Barbara.
Experiences shared by students of University of California, Santa Barbara.
Studied here? Share your experience to help other applicants.
Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.
Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.
Enter your credentials to continue.
Join us and start your study abroad journey.
