BA History at University of California, Santa Cruz

Programme overview

History is about the past, but it is also about understanding the world we live in today. Our faculty seek to understand and help you understand how the challenges that confront us today like economic inequality, environmental degradation, and racism developed and changed over time.

Faculty: Humanities Division | Department: History | Study mode: full-time | Location: Santa Cruz, CA, United States

What you will study

Required courses listed in the catalogue include Latin America: Colonial Period, Latin America: National Period, Introduction to Latino American History, Early Modern East Asia, The Making of Modern East Asia, Modern South Asia, 1500 to Present.

Career pathways

These skills are also invaluable to careers in law, business, government, foreign service, management, publishing, journalism, social media, and many other areas.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Catalogue preparation guidance for the major (admission to the university is separate): The history major has no qualification. All students, including transfers, are eligible to pursue this major, even if they did not list history on their UC Santa Cruz application.

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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