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UC University of California, Santa Cruz logo

University of California, Santa Cruz

ยท Public University

Admissions open
Type
Public University
Founded
โ€”
Students
โ€”
International
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University of California, Santa Cruz: the applicant's brief

6 findings
  1. The short answer

    University of California, Santa Cruz is a public research university in Santa Cruz, California, and it suits students who want a large undergraduate offer at a UC campus. It is also a good fit if you want a coastal setting and are applying to a university with multiple residential colleges.

  2. What you can study

    You can study 70 undergraduate programmes, with examples including Accounting, Anthropology, Art Education, Art History, Art Studio, Behavioral Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Biology, Business Administration, Business Analytics, Business and Sustainability, and Canadian-American Studies. The only degree level listed is Bachelor's Degree.

  3. Getting in

    International applicants should apply for undergraduate study and check the official admissions pages for entry requirements, deadlines, document rules, and any major-specific conditions. The university website is the place to confirm how your previous qualifications are assessed and whether any English-language requirement applies for your case.

  4. What it costs

    The university does not publish a tuition fee range in the available information; confirm the current rate with its admissions office. Living costs in Santa Cruz will depend on housing, food, transport, and personal spending, so check current estimates before you apply.

  5. Coming from abroad

    The language of instruction is not stated, so confirm it on the official site before applying. If you are moving from abroad, also check visa timing, housing options, arrival plans, and whether your programme has any extra entry requirements.

  6. How it compares

    Among the 2,515 universities in the United States, UC Santa Cruz stands out as a public university with a broad undergraduate programme offer rather than a small specialist school. Its size, residential-college structure, and location by Monterey Bay make it different from many mainland campuses, so it may suit students who want a large public university with a defined campus setting.

Written from this university's catalogue entry and its cited encyclopedia summary. Figures are only shown where the institution or a cited source publishes them โ€” always confirm fees and entry requirements with the university itself before applying.

Questions about University of California, Santa Cruz

What type of university is UC Santa Cruz?

It is a public university.

How many programmes does it list?

It lists 70 programmes.

What degree level is available?

The listed degree level is Bachelor's Degree.

Where is the main campus?

The main campus is in Santa Cruz, California, on 2,001 acres overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Overview

The University of California, Santa Cruz is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California, United States. It is one of the ten campuses in the University of California system. Located on Monterey Bay, on the edge of the coastal community of Santa Cruz, the main campus lies on 2,001 acres (810ย ha) of rolling, forested hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean. As of Fall 2024, its ten residential colleges enroll some 17,940 undergraduate and 1,998 graduate students. Satellite facilities in other Santa Cruz locations include the Coastal Science Campus and the Westside Research Park and the Silicon Valley Center in Santa Clara, along with administrative control of the Lick Observatory near San Jose in the Diablo Range and the Keck Observatory near the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Programs at University of California, Santa Cruz

20 programs across 1 study levels.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor's Degree Life Sciences

Agroecology

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Social Sciences & Psychology

Anthropology

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Science

Applied Mathematics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Science

Applied Physics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Arts, Design & Architecture

Art

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Computer Science & IT

Artificial Intelligence

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Engineering

Assistive Technology

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Science

Astrophysics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Computer Science & IT

Bioinformatics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Life Sciences

Biotechnology

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Social Sciences & Psychology

Black Studies

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Business & Management

Business

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Business & Management

Business Management Economics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time
Bachelor's Degree Economics & Public Policy

Economics

University of California, Santa Cruz

โฑ 4 years ๐ŸŽ“ Full Time

Tuition fees & costs

Indicative annual tuition

On request

Indicative living cost

โ€”

Fees vary by programme and are indicative. Confirm exact fees with the university before applying.

Admission requirements

How to apply

  1. 1Check the entry requirements and intake dates for your chosen programme on the official university website.
  2. 2Confirm you meet the academic requirements (high-school certificate, bachelorโ€™s degree or equivalent) for the programme.
  3. 3Apply directly through the university admission portal, or via its official application platform.
  4. 4Submit your transcripts and English-proficiency scores (IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo English Test) and pay the application fee.
  5. 5On receiving your offer letter, accept it and begin your student-visa process for United States.

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Last updated 29 Aug 2026. Information is provided for guidance โ€” verify with official sources before applying.

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