Application

Each year, UC Santa Cruz welcomes international exchange and visiting students from around the world to study on our campus. All students who are currently enrolled in a degree-granting course of study at a partner institution abroad are eligible to apply.

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. Study in the Summer Session (June to August) is also possible on a tuition-paying basis. All students will receive an official UC Santa Cruz transcript of courses upon successful completion of their period of study.

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

Procedure

» Exchange

» Visiting

Exchange Students

Agreement: Must apply through students’ home institution exchange/mobility office under an established student exchange agreement with UC Santa Cruz.

Nomination: Must be formally nominated first before submitting the online application.

Tuition/Fees: Students continue to pay any applicable tuition and/or fees to home institution and are granted a waiver of tuition and certain fees at UC Santa Cruz.

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 exchange/visiting study has been accepted.
• Copy of applicant’s valid passport biographical/photo page
• Proof of funding / financial sponsorship information

Visiting Students

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 exchange/visiting study has been accepted.
• Copy of applicant’s valid passport biographical/photo page
• Proof of funding / financial sponsorship information