University

of California
Santa Barbara

A G U I D E F O R I N T E R N AT I O N A L S T U D E N T S
 UC Santa Barbara is part of the
10-campus University of California system,
one of the largest and most respected
public universities in the world.

UCSB Rankings
NUMBER 2 among the world’s public universities.
(Centre for Science & Technology Studies at Leiden University,
Netherlands, 2013)

NUMBER 10 among U.S. public universities.

(U.S. News and World Report, 2012)

NUMBER 35 among all the world’s universities.

(Times Higher Education, London, 2012)
• Five Nobel Laureates – two in Chemistry, two in Physics, and one in Economics.
• Alumna Carol Greider won the Nobel Prize in Physiology/Medicine.
• Professor Shuji Nakamura won the Millennium Technology Prize for the blue laser diode.
• UCSB is one of only 62 institutions in the Association of American Universities.
• Economics and Accounting graduates are actively recruited by top accounting firms.
• UCSB is a pioneer in Environmental Science, a leader in the field for over 40 years.
• The Institute for Energy Efficiency is changing how energy is produced and used.

 1
 Academics
THE COLLEGE OF
LETTERS & SCIENCE
offers a broad liberal arts
curriculum that prepares
students well for careers or
graduate study. An exciting
array of majors develops
critical thinking and com-
munication skills needed in
today’s changing world – in
the mathematical, life and
physical sciences, the social
sciences, humanities and fine
arts. The Honors Program
creates a community of
scholars for highly motivated
students. The Undergraduate
Research and Creative Activ-
ities program funds student
research projects. Freshman
Seminars, taught by research
faculty, explore challenging
contemporary topics in small
discussion groups.
www.duels.ucsb.edu
2
THE COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING offers five
majors, plus accelerated pro-
grams that lead to master’s
degrees in five years. The
environment and modern
laboratory facilities foster
creativity, collaboration and
discovery. Courses balance
theory and applied science,
leading students to success-
ful careers in academia and
industry. An exceptionally
low student-to-faculty ratio
encourages students to
take part in faculty-directed
research and independent
study. An entrepreneurial
attitude infuses the college,
where the outcome of scien-
tific inquiry solves real-world
problems. www.
engineering.ucsb.edu
THE COLLEGE OF
CREATIVE STUDIES (CCS)
supports highly motivated
students in research and the
creation of new knowledge
in one of eight disciplines in
science, humanities and the
arts. Small CCS seminars and
close mentorship by faculty,
coupled with access to
classes and resources of the
entire campus, help students
make original contributions
in their fields. Applicants
must submit a supplemental
application for review by
faculty. www.ccs.ucsb.edu
A
World
of
Learning
The UC Santa
Barbara campus is
an exciting envi-
ronment in which
to learn and grow.
More than half
of UCSB students
collaborate with
faculty on research
or creative projects.
Professors are ac-
cessible and respon-
sive to the needs of
their students.

 3
 L I S T O F M A J O R S
DEGREE OFFERED
MAJOR Bachelors Masters Doctorate
COLLEGE OF LETTERS & SCIENCE
http://www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu
Actuarial Science 5
Anthropology 5 5 5
Aquatic Biology 5
Art 5 5
Art History 5 5 5
Asian American Studies 5
Asian Studies 5 5 5
Biochemistry 5
Biochemistry-Molecular Biology 5 5
Biological Sciences 5
Biopsychology 5
Black Studies 5
Cell & Developmental Biology 5
Chemistry 5 5 5
Chicana & Chicano Studies 5 5 5
Chinese 5
Classics 5 5 5
Communication 5 5 5
Comparative Literature 5 5 5
Dance 5
Earth Science 5 5 5
Ecology & Evolution 5 5 5
Economics 5 5 5
Economics & Accounting 5
Economics/Mathematics 5
English 5 5 5
Environmental Studies 5 5 5
Feminist Studies 5 5 5
Film & Media Studies 5 5 5
Financial Mathematics & Statistics 5
French 5
Geography 5 5 5
German 5 5 5
Global Studies 5 5
History 5 5 5
History of Public Policy 5
Hydrologic Sciences & Policy 5
Interdisciplinary Studies 5
Italian Studies 5
Japanese 5 5 5
Language, Culture & Society 5
Latin American & Iberian Studies 5 5
Linguistics 5 5 5
Marine Science 5 5
Mathematical Sciences 5 5 5
Mathematics 5 5 5
Medieval Studies 5 5 5
Media Arts & Technology 5 5
Microbiology 5

4
 DEGREE OFFERED
MAJOR Bachelors Masters Doctorate
Middle East Studies 5
Music 5 5 5
Pharmacology 5
Philosophy 5 5 5
Physics 5 5
Physiology 5
Political Science 5 5 5
Portuguese 5 5
Psychology 5 5
Religious Studies 5 5 5
Renaissance Studies 5
Slavic Languages and Literatures 5 5 5
Sociology 5 5 5
Spanish 5 5 5
Statistical Science 5 5 5
Theater 5 5 5
Zoology 5 5

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
http://engineering.ucsb.edu
Chemical Engineering 5 5
Computer Engineering 5 5 5
Computer Science 5 5 5
Electrical Engineering 5 5 5
Mechanical Engineering 5 5 5
Materials 5 5
Five-Year Programs
Computer Science, plus MS
5 5
in Computer Science
Computer Engineering, plus MS
in Computer Science or Electrical and 5 5
Computer Engineering
Electrical Engineering, plus
5 5
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical
5 5
Engineering plus MS in Materials

COLLEGE OF CREATIVE STUDIES

http://ccs.ucsb.edu
Art 5
Biology 5
Chemistry & Biochemistry 5
Computer Science 5
Literature 5
Mathematics 5
Music Composition 5
Physics 5

See the UCSB Catalog for more information about majors:

http://my.sa.ucsb.edu/catalog
Also visit: www.admissions.ucsb.edu/allmajors.asp
or http://www.ucsb.edu/academics

 5
 Living at UC Santa Barbara
Entering students are guar-
anteed university housing,
with many rooms offering
ocean views.

More than 80% of students

live on campus or a short
bike ride away.

Housing options allow stu-

dents to remain in residence
halls during breaks.

Rated one of the fittest uni-

versities in the nation, UCSB
offers excellent recreation fa-
cilities. Students play soccer,
basketball, volleyball, rugby
and more, and compete in
NCAA Division 1 sports.

Reader’s Digest, a leading

U.S. magazine, has given
UCSB its highest ranking for
campus safety.

6
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
More than 400 campus organizations connect students based
on cultural and professional interests.

C U LT U R A L G R O U P S AT U C S B
VISIT: THE OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE
http://osl.sa.ucsb.edu

ARAB STUDENT GROUP

ARMENIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION
ASIAN RESOURCE CENTER
CARIBBEAN STUDENT COLLECTIVE
CHICANO-LATINO CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER
CHINESE STUDENT AND SCHOLAR ASSOCIATION
EL CONGRESO
GERMAN CLUB UCSB
HERMANOS UNIDOS
HONG KONG STUDENT ASSOCIATION
SANTA BARBARA
SOUTH ASIA STUDENT ASSOCIATION (INDUS)
IAORANA TE OTEA (POLYNESIAN DANCE) Coastal Santa Barbara offers
ITALIAN CLUB @ UCSB extraordinary weather and
JAPANESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION a healthy lifestyle amid
KAPATIRANG PILIPINO the cultural resources of a
KHMER STUDENT ASSOCIATION sophisticated city.
KOREAN INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SOCIETY
LOS INGENIEROS
Convenient transportation
MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURAL RESOURCE CENTER
PACIFIC ASIAN COALITION
is available to Los Angeles,
PACIFIC ISLANDER STUDENT ASSOCIATION San Francisco and other
PAN-AFRICAN STUDENT UNION cities around the world.
PERSIAN STUDENT GROUP
RHYTHMS OF BRAZIL CULTURAL CLUB Visit Santa Barbara for
RUSSIAN CLUB excellent shopping, restau-
SOUTH ASIAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
rants, movies and music, or
TAIWANESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION
enjoy the surf and sun at
THAI STUDENT UNION
TURKISH STUDENT ASSOCIATION the beach.
VIETNAMESE STUDENT ASSOCIATION www.santabarbara.com

 7
 Estimated Undergraduate Budget
ESTIMATED COSTS — 2013-14 ACADEMIC YEAR NON-RESIDENT STUDENT
UC Tuition & Fees $36,624
Room and Board 14,115
Books and Supplies 1,444
Health Insurance 2,414
Transporation, Phone, and PersonalExpenses 2,458
TOTAL $57,055
Source: UCSB Financial Aid & Scholarships: www.finaid.ucsb.edu. Costs subject to change.
Documentation showing financial ability will be required after submitting intention to register.

Global Scholarship for International Students

UC Santa Barbara has established the Global Scholarship for international freshman applicants
who will hold a U.S. visa if they attend UCSB. A supplemental application is not required.
Scholarship recipients will receive $2,500 for each of their first two years at UCSB, and $5,000
for their third and fourth years.
For more information, visit www.finaid.ucsb.edu

UCSB Office of International Students and Scholars

The Office of International
Students and Scholars (OISS)
is an excellent resource for
international applicants,
providing assistance in
securing a student visa,
orienting you to the campus,
and in helping you plan your
academic program. The office
will also link you to the inter-
national student associations
on campus, offer classes in
English oral proficiency and
American culture, and even
advise you on careers and
continuing education. For
students making their first
exciting visit to the United
States, OISS will be a helpful
partner.
Visit www.oiss.ucsb.edu

8
Preparing for
UC Santa Barbara
In general, an applicant to
UC Santa Barbara will have
graduated from a secondary
school and earned a cer-
tificate of completion that
enables attendance at a
university in your country.

INTERNATIONAL
SCHOOLS
Your international school
must have an appropriate
level of recognition in the
educational system it follows.
If your international school
follows a U.S. curriculum,
the school must have U.S.
accreditation and you must
graduate with a U.S. high
school diploma or an equiva-
lent credential.

13-YEAR EDUCATIONAL
SYSTEMS
If pre-university education
is 13 years long in your
country, you must complete
all 13 years before entering
UC Santa Barbara.

BRITISH SYSTEMS AND

SINGAPORE
You must complete at least
five IGCSE/GCSE/GCE O Lev-
els, and at least three GCE A
Levels to be considered for
admission. If you receive A,
B or C grades on your GCE
A Level examinations, UC
Santa Barbara may grant
you transfer credit toward
your bachelor’s degree. The
exact amount of credit will
be determined after you are
formally admitted and pro-
vide your official Statement
of Results.
INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAUREATE
IB diploma students must
take a minimum of five IB
exams. Two exams must be
taken at the higher level. The
overall average must be 5
with no exam score below 4.

 9
 BRAZIL
Complete the Certificado de
Ensino Medio with a min-
imum average of 7 on the
1-10 scale or an average of
4 on the 1-5 scale.
CANADA
Students must have academ-
ic preparation that leads to
university entrance in your
province, with grades equiv-
alent to a strong B average
or better.  XII years of education and
CHINA
Requirements vary based
on the type of school you
attend. See the 13 year
system, IB, or US diploma
program if appropriate. If
you are following the tradi-
tional Chinese system, you
10
are expected to complete a
level of preparation for the
Gao Kao.
HONG KONG
Complete the Hong Kong
Diploma of Secondary Edu-
cation (HKDSE) or the HKCEE
and HKALE system with
superior grades.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN
Complete your standard
sit for 10th and 12th year
board/state examinations. An
average of 70, Division I, is
required.
INDONESIA
Complete the Academic
Senior Secondary School
Diploma (SMA) with an
average score of 7.5. 
JAPAN
Complete the upper sec-
ondary school graduation
diploma requirement with
a minimum average grade
of 4.4.
MALAYSIA
Complete your SPM and
STPM or A Levels with at
least a strong ‘B’ average.
SOUTH KOREA
Complete the Senior High
School Diploma with a min-
imum B+ grade average in
academic courses. 
TAIWAN
Complete the Senior High
School Diploma with an av-
 December prior to enroll-
ment.

erage percentage of 77.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Complete the Secondary
School Certificate of Educa-
tion (GSCE) with an average
of 70 percent or higher.   admissions.ucsb.edu/
Apply to UCSB
online by
November 30
UC Santa Barbara is one of
the top research universities
in the world so admission
is competitive. The Office of
Admissions is familiar with
educational systems around
the world, and will provide
each applicant with a com-
prehensive review.
Apply online at: www.
universityofcalifornia.
edu/apply
More information about
applying to UCSB: http://
internationaladmission.
asp
REQUIRED TESTS
For freshman students
SAT Reasoning Test
 OR
ACT plus Writing
For students whose language
of instruction was not En-
glish:
TOEFL – Minimum score
of 80
 OR
IELTS – Minimum score of 7
OFFICIAL
DOCUMENTATION
Newly admitted international
students who live outside
the United States will need
to obtain either an I-20
or DS-2019 form from the
UCSB Office of International
Students and Scholars (OISS)
in order to secure an F-1 or
J-1 student visa from a U.S.
consulate. 
MINIMUM FINANCIAL
REQUIREMENT
To obtain your visa doc-
ument, you will need to
submit, online, proof of
your ability to pay for your
expenses for your first year
of study at UCSB. More infor-
mation on these important
topics is available at www.
oiss.ucsb.edu

Academic requirements are RECOMMENDED TESTS

described on our website at:
www.admissions.ucsb.edu/
selectionprocess.asp
Submit an application on-
line during November for
enrollment the following
September.
College of Engineering:
SAT Math 2 subject test.
College of Creative Studies:
SAT subject test related to
major choice.
Exams must be taken by

  11
 UC SANTA BARBARA CAMPUS DIRECTORY
UCSB Campus General Information (805) 893-8000
www.ucsb.edu
Office of Undergraduate Admissions (805) 893-2881
www.admissions.ucsb.edu
Graduate Admissions 805) 893-2277
www.graddiv.ucsb.edu
Majors at UCSB http://admissions.sa.ucsb.edu/allmajors.asp

Office of International Students and Scholars (805) 893-2929

www.oiss.ucsb.edu
UCSB General Catalog http://my.sa.ucsb.edu/Catalog/

Housing Office (805) 893-2760

www.housing.ucsb.edu
Financial Aid and Scholarships (805) 893-2432
www.finaid.ucsb.edu
Career Services 805) 893-4412
http://career.sa.ucsb.edu
Residency Email: residency@sa.ucsb.edu
http://registrar.sa.ucsb.edu/residenc.aspx
Athletics (805) 893-8272
www.ucsbgauchos.com
Follow UCSB Admissions

http://www.facebook.com/ https://twitter.com/ http://www.youtube.com/user/

UCSBadmissions ucsbadmissions UCSB4Me

12
 UC SANTA BARBARA AT A GLANCE
CAMPUS SIZE AND LOCATION
SANTA BARBARA
1,055 acres on the California Coast
100 miles north of Los Angeles
Pacific Ocean Los Angeles

TOTAL STUDENTS: 21,927 San Francisco

C
al
if
18,977 Undergraduates; or
ni
a
United States
2,950 Graduates Santa Barbara

Los Angeles

DAYS OF SUN PER YEAR: 300+

FRESHMAN SNAPSHOT, FALL 2013

Freshman applicants 62,413
Students admitted 24,850
Estimated enrolled 4,550
Average GPA, admitted freshmen 4.13
Average SAT score 1944

TRANSFER SNAPSHOT, FALL 2013

Transfer applicants 13,635
Students admitted 6,475
Estimated enrolled 1,550
Average GPA, admitted transfers 3.55

DATES AND DEADLINES

Application opens online October 1
Submit UC application November 1 – 30
Admission notification (freshman) Mid-March
Admission notification (transfer) Mid-March – May 1
Deposit deadline (freshman) May 1
Deposit deadline (transfer) June 1
Financial statements due* After deposit
Campus orientation sessions Late June to early August
First day of classes October 2, 2014
(*Note: The I-20 is issued two to three weeks after deposit.)

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