BFA Theater at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

The acting emphasis is a highly selective three-year program beginning in the sophomore year. To join the B.F.A. program, you'll be required to audition either at the end of the freshman year or the beginning of the sophomore year for acceptance.

Faculty: College of Letters and Science | Department: Department of Theater and Dance | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Barbara, CA, United States

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Preparation For The Major: THTR 1, THTR 5, THTR 2A, THTR 2B, THTR 2C, THTR 2D, THTR 10A, THTR 10B, THTR 10C, THTR 11A, THTR 11B, THTR 11C, THTR 15A, THTR 15B; Upper-Division Major: THTR 110A, THTR 110B, THTR 110C, THTR 110D, THTR 111A, THTR 111B, THTR 111C, THTR 112, THTR 149, THTR 151A, THTR 151B, THTR 151C, THTR 151D, THTR 151F. Advisory Note: Students should declare their major and degree (BA or BFA) by winter quarter of junior year. Emphases offered: Acting.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Entertainment Industry; Education; Regional/Local Theaters.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to UCSB is to the university and a college (College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Creative Studies), not to the individual major; applicants must meet the University of California subject requirements for first-year or transfer applicants and apply through the UC Application. Selective-major and second-choice-major rules are described by UCSB Undergraduate Admissions.

Entry term: fall. First-year and transfer applicants apply for fall 2027 through the UC Application.

First-year and transfer applications for fall 2027: UC Application filing period October 1 - November 30, 2026 (opens August 1). Application fee: $80 per campus for U.S. residents, $95 per campus for international students. Transfer applicants also submit the UCSB TAG Application September 1-30. First-year decisions mid-March; transfer decisions mid-April; Statement of Intent to Register May 1 (first-year) and June 1 (transfer).

SAT and ACT scores are not used in admission selection or scholarships; submission is optional and may be used for course placement. Students applying to College of Creative Studies majors submit a supplemental application; Dance and Music B.M. applicants complete an audition.

Graduate applicants apply through the UCSB online graduate application; the deadline is set by each department. Application fee: $135 for US citizens and permanent residents, $155 for all others, payable by credit card, check or money order. GRE required only by some programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities