BS Psychological and Brain Sciences at University of California, Santa Barbara

Programme overview

The B.S. in Psychological & Brain Sciences is designed to provide students with an appreciation of the scientific study of mind and behavior. Our focus at UCSB is on experimental research psychology.

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

What you will study

Major requirements are organised as Pre-Major Requirements: PSY 1, MATH 34A, MATH 2A, MATH 3A, PSTAT 5LS, PSY 10A, PSY 10B, CHEM 1A, CHEM 2A, CHEM 1B, CHEM 2B, MCDB 6, MCDB 1A, EEMB 7; Preparation For The Major: ANTH 2, ANTH 5, ANTH 7, CHEM 1C, CMPSC 8, CMPSC 16, EARTH 2, EARTH 3, ECON 1, ECON 2, ECON 9, EEMB 3, GEOG 5, LING 20; Upper-Division Major - 45 Ud Units Are Required: PSY 102, PSY 105, PSY 106, PSY 108, JC26U52IhBevgkNy49wN, Area B (8 units), PSY 113L, PSY 117L, PSY 118L, PSY 119L, PSY 120L, PSY 129L, PSY 138L, PSY 150L. Admission to the major is contingent upon fulfilling the following requirements: At least a 2.7 University of California grade-point average in Area I At least a 2.0 University of California grade-point average in Area II All courses must be completed on a letter-grade basis No course with a grade lower than C- in Area I & II Not more than one course with a C- in Area I & II Students must submit a “Petition to Change Major” to the departmental main office (1814 Psychology East) for admission to the pre-major and major.

Career pathways

Graduate and professional pathways include Graduate School in Neuroscience, Cognition, Clinical Psychology, and Social Psychology; Health Care; Public Health/Administration; Social Psychology; Neuroscience; Cognition. Top employers include Seneca Family of Agencies, National Institute of Health, Technology & Services Industry Association.

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/

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