BA Anthropology at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

The anthropology bachelor of arts (B.A.) incorporates the three anthropological subfields of anthropological archaeology, cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology, while providing undergraduates with a solid grounding in theory and methods. Students do not declare an emphasis or concentration within the anthropology major.

Faculty: Social Sciences Division | Department: Anthropology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include Introduction to Biological Anthropology, Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, Introduction to Archaeology, Biological Anthropology Senior Thesis Series: Research Design, Biological Anthropology Senior Thesis Series: Guided Laboratory Research, Biological Anthropology Senior Thesis Series: Thesis Writing.

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Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): In order to qualify for the major, students must have received a "C/P" or better in at least one lower-division anthropology course (ANTH 1, ANTH 2, or ANTH 3) and have either received a "C/P" or better in a second lower-division anthropology course or be enrolled in a second lower-division anthropology course at the time of declaration. Transfer students should consult the Transfer Information and Policy section of

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). UC undergraduate Tuition for California residents first enrolled in 2026-27 (Tuition Stability Plan cohort rate); one rate for all undergraduate majors. Excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees, UC SHIP health insurance and records fee. Non-residents ad Source

Fall quarter entry (classes for fall 2026 began September 24, 2026); winter quarter entry (winter 2027 instruction begins January 4, 2027).

UC Application for fall 2027 opens October 1, 2026 and the filing deadline is November 30, 2026; the application is available online from August 1, 2026. Fall 2027 first-year decisions appear on the Admissions Portal late February to mid-March 2027; transfer decisions April 1-30, 2027. Transfer Academic Update due January 31, 2027; UCSC TAG filing period September 1-30, 2026.

UC Santa Cruz does not use ACT/SAT scores in its comprehensive review and selection process. Applications are made through the UC Application. Minimum GPA is 3.00 for California residents and 3.40 for non-residents and international applicants.

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