Participate in undergraduate and graduate classes on a space-available basis, and study innovative courses alongside U.S. students to enhance your academic journey. Learn from renowned professors who are recognized experts in their academic and research fields, on a vibrant, culturally diverse campus nestled in the redwood forest, overlooking the Monterey Bay.
The Visiting Student Access Program invites international students enrolled in a degree program at an institution outside the U.S. to broaden their academic experience by spending one, two, or up to three quarters–a full academic year–studying abroad at the University of California, Santa Cruz, a global research university that is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education.
Students enroll in undergraduate and/or graduate classes on a non-degree, space-available basis, studying alongside matriculated UC Santa Cruz degree students, and earn academic credits that may be applied toward their degree program at their home institution.
Students may be nominated by their home university or apply independently to the Access Program. Students may study for a period of study of one quarter up to a full academic year (three quarters), and may take courses in a range of academic fields that align with or complement students’ majors at their home universities. All students will receive an official transcript from the UC Santa Cruz Extension upon successful completion of their program.
Why Study at UC Santa Cruz?
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the intimacy of a small liberal arts college setting and a distinctive undergraduate experience characterized by our residential college system, with the facilities and resources of a world-class research university.
UC Santa Cruz offers rigorous academics from award-winning faculty who teach students how to think, not what to think. Our unique, cross-disciplinary approach has resulted in paradigm-changing discovery since our founding in 1965. Known as a major research center for marine and coastal sciences, astronomy and astrophysics, and genomics, to name a few, UC Santa Cruz is recognized among the most influential research universities in the world.
The campus rests among redwood forests on a hill overlooking the coastal city of Santa Cruz and the Pacific Ocean—both of which provide tremendous opportunities for study, research, and recreation.
We invite you to learn from distinguished professors, highly esteemed in their fields, on a naturally beautiful and culturally diverse campus. Come find your voice at UC Santa Cruz—which is not just a place, but a community of learning that spans the globe.
With the Access Program, you can:
- Earn transferable UC credit
- Take courses not offered at your university
- Immerse yourself in a U.S. university campus
- Explore the central California coast and the San Francisco Bay Area
- Acquire new intercultural and professional skills
- Discover new passions
Learn more about UC Santa Cruz.
Learn about the beloved UC Santa Cruz mascot, the Banana Slug.
Our Campuses
Main Campus
- With sweeping, panoramic views of the Monterey Bay and Pacific Ocean and footpaths and bridges through forests of giant redwood trees, UC Santa Cruz is one of the world’s most spectacular and naturally stunning university campuses. The main campus is located only minutes from beaches and surfing, the lively boardwalk, and the arts and culture of downtown Santa Cruz, California.
- This is where the vast majority of student classes take place.
- The nearby 100-acre Coastal Science Campus, located on the edge of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is home to UC Santa Cruz research and education facilities and state and federal research labs.
- Just 45 minutes away is the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Campus, located in Santa Clara. This campus is home to a multi-disciplinary teaching and research facility in the heart of the world’s technology headquarters.
Estimated Cost
Total costs depend on the number of credits in which you are enrolled and personal living expenses. While a student on an F-1/J-1 visa is required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per quarter, some students may be required by their home university to enroll in more than the 12-credit minimum. The figures below are expressed in USD and are subject to change without notice. Note: 12 quarter credits are approximately equivalent to 8 U.S. Semester credits, or 16 ECTS.
Plan expenses carefully for study in the U.S. and consider the following:
- Tuition and fees
- Living expenses
- Visa application fee
- Health insurance (A requirement of the UC system and U.S. Government)
- Personal spending, including travel to and around the U.S.
Estimated Cost
| One-Quarter Program | Two-Quarter Program | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. of Quarter Credits | 18 | 24 | 18 quarter credits = approx. 12 U.S. semester credits / 24 ECTS. 24 quarter credits = approx. 16 U.S. semester credits / 32 ECTS. |
| Tuition * | $6,300 | $8,400 | $350 per credit, undergraduate / $450 per credit, graduate. Tuition excludes course fees which may be applicable depending on the courses in which a student enrolls. Certain courses with materials costs, e.g. labs, art studio courses, etc., will have additional applicable course fees. |
| Estimated Fees * | $260 | $520 | For registration and access to campus services. |
| Estimated Living Expenses * | $6,520 | $13,040 | Living expenses are estimated based on average costs and do not include miscellaneous costs such as textbooks, supplies, daily expenses, travel, and entertainment. Individual expenses can vary greatly. Most students will live in off-campus apartments or shared housing in Santa Cruz. For off-campus housing options, including average costs, please see the UCSC Community Rentals website. |
| Health Insurance * | $675 | $1,350 | Required for all students on U.S. student visas (F-1/J-1). |
| Total Estimated Cost | $13,755 | $23,310 |
* Based on 2024-25 rates, subject to change.
Application
Students may come from a range of different academic fields and may study at UC Santa Cruz for one quarter up to a full academic year. Studying in the Summer Session (June to August) is also possible on a tuition-paying basis.
Eligibility
The following are minimum eligibility requirements established by UC Santa Cruz. Partner universities may elect to enforce additional requirements on their students as part of their nomination process.
- Currently enrolled and successfully completed at least one (1) academic year of coursework in a recognized degree-granting program at home institution.
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
- English language proficiency (if applicable):
- TOEFL: iBT 80 / pBT 550 minimum overall score -or-
- IELTS (Academic): Overall band score of 6.5 or higher -or-
- Additional tests recognized by the UC Santa Cruz Office of Admissions may also be considered for demonstrating English proficiency. A full list can be seen here.
Timeline
| Starting Quarter | Nomination Deadline | Application Deadline | Application Review Period | Application Result Email Sent | Acceptance Package Sent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | February 15 | March 15 | February – April | Late April | May |
| Winter | August 15 | September 15 | August – October | Late October | November |
| Spring | October 15 | November 15 | October – December | Late January | February |
Application timeline by quarter.
Procedure
Agreement: Must apply through students’ home institution exchange/mobility office under an established student mobility agreement with UC Santa Cruz.
Nomination: Must be formally nominated first before submitting the online application.
Tuition/Fees: Students are responsible for payment of all applicable tuition and fees to UC Santa Cruz during their period of study.
Document Submission: Online Application ONLY (Documents should be uploaded by the applicant’s home institution).
Required Documents: All documents should be submitted as originals or verified as official copies (in English, or accompanied by official translation).
For Application Review:
- Application Form (online submission):
- Study Plan
- Statement of Purpose
- Official University Transcript (in English, or with official translation)
- Official English test score report (if applicable)
To Request Your “Certificate of Eligibility”, i.e., DS-2019/I-20:
- Submit your DS-2019/I-20 Request through iGlobal. You will receive instructions after you have been notified that your application for visiting study has been accepted.
- Copy of applicant’s valid passport biographical/photo page
- Proof of funding / financial sponsorship information
Academics
Academic Calendar
UC Santa Cruz operates on a quarter system. A full academic year consists of three quarters: fall, winter, and spring. Each quarter consists of approximately ten weeks of instruction and one week of final exams. The summer quarter is an optional term.
| Quarter | Arrival/Housing Move-in/Orientation | Instruction | Transcripts Sent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Mid-September | Late September to mid-December | January |
| Winter | Early January | Early January to late March | April |
| Spring | Late March | Late March/Early April to mid-June | July |
| Summer* | Mid-June | Late June to late August (multiple sessions) | September |
*See Summer Session for more details
For additional calendars, visit https://registrar.ucsc.edu/calendar/future.html.
Courses
Information coming soon.
Enrollment Requirements
Students in this program may study for between one to three quarters. All students on an F-1 or J-1 student visa to study in the U.S. must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per quarter. Your home university may require additional credits while you study abroad. For example, students from European universities must take the equivalent of 30 ECTS, which would require two quarters of study at UC Santa Cruz (two quarters at 12 credits per quarter = 24 credits which is approximately equivalent 32 ECTS).
Housing
Housing Options
Off-Campus
Access Program students are not eligible to live in on-campus housing. The UC Santa Cruz Office of Community Rentals can provide resources and information to support you in finding off-campus housing. Learn more at communityrentals.ucsc.edu.
Health Insurance and Immunizations
All students at UC Santa Cruz must be covered by a health insurance plan.
Immunizations
All new incoming visiting students must comply with the UC Immunization Policy which requires students to provide evidence of vaccinations, including COVID-19 and Flu vaccination requirements, and screening for TB risk prior to attending classes.
Learn more about immunization requirements at healthcenter.ucsc.edu.
Transition and Support
International Student Services & Programs, within the Division of Global Engagement, advises students on immigration status and helps locate resources on campus for support and getting connected. Additionally, they design and facilitate the following programs, events, and activities for international students and scholars to foster increased intercultural learning, build community, and support cultural adjustment.
- International Student Orientation – A mandatory program that helps new incoming international students get to know one another, learn about the campus, and ease the transition to UC Santa Cruz.
- Global Mentorship Program – Pairs new incoming international students with peer mentors who are knowledgeable and experienced UC Santa Cruz students who will connect them with campus resources.