Study Abroad at UC Santa Barbara

School Introduction

UC Santa Barbara was founded in 1909 on California's sunny coast in the Spanish-style town of Santa Barbara, and is a top public research university. It ranks among the best in the U.S. and the world in Electrical Engineering, Modern Physics, and Geographic Information Systems.

The faculty is exceptional, with 7 Nobel Prize laureates, 27 National Academy of Sciences members, 27 National Academy of Engineering members, 23 American Academy of Arts and Sciences members, and 38 AAAS fellows. UCSB is a member of the Association of American Universities.

The campus is surrounded by the ocean on two sides with beautiful beaches along the Pacific, just two hours from Los Angeles. As a Public Ivy, UCSB boasts impressive academic achievements and a stunning campus environment.

Program Details

UCSB operates on a quarter system with three-month terms. Some courses have sequential prerequisites, so students are advised to participate in multi-quarter or year-long exchange based on their academic needs.

Program Schedule

• Winter Quarter: January to March 2026
• Spring Quarter: April to June 2026
• Fall Quarter: September to December 2026

Program Highlights

• Semester or year-long exchange studying alongside local and international students, experiencing world-class academic atmosphere firsthand
• Official UCSB registration with official transcripts and credits; opportunity to obtain professor recommendation letters
• Free course selection identical to UCSB degree-seeking students
• F-1 student visa with high approval rate
• Exchange exceeding 3 quarters (9 months) qualifies for OPT, allowing one year of work in the U.S.

Requirements

Suitable Majors

Exchange students may take all courses available to UCSB students, with over 600 professional courses open to international students each quarter. UCSB offers 87 undergraduate programs and 55 graduate degree programs.

Popular disciplines include Engineering, Business, Economics, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology, and Psychology

Fees

Tuition and program fees are subject to the official final amounts published by each institution. Reference tuition typically excludes accommodation, meals, full-program service, and personal expenses. For programs that require designated housing, the displayed fees may already include accommodation and meals. Final costs are subject to your actual choices and the selected service plan.