Sail into Summer — Explore Courses Now
Enrollment opens May 1 at 9 a.m. Open to UCSC students, new admits, high schoolers, and visiting students.
Anyone can take classes at UC Santa Cruz this summer! Whether you’re staying on track or getting ahead, Summer Session offers flexible in-person and online courses to fit your goals. Find your perfect course and spend your summer as a Slug!
Current UCSC
students
Earn units to stay
on track
Fall
admits
Get a head start with
Summer Edge
High school
students
Experience college and
earn UC credits
Visiting
students
UC credit for students, community members & more
Former UCSC
students
Earn units to finish
your degree
International
students
Take classes and
earn transfer credit
Graduate
students
Take undergrad or
specialized courses
UCSC
alumni
Enjoy courses in person
or online
Staff and
faculty
Take summer classes
at half price
Immersive, impact-driven courses
Featured courses
ART 155
Photo Field Research: California Road Trip
Hit the road from July 1–19 on a 2,400-mile journey across California, from Mendocino to the Salton Sea, the Eastern Sierra, Death Valley, and Big Sur. This immersive field course takes learning beyond the classroom, offering hands-on experience in photographing and exploring the cultural, historical, and environmental landscapes that shape the state.
CMPM 80K
Foundations of Video Game Design
Dive into the world of video games and their power to shape experiences and express ideas. This course invites students to design and interpret games while exploring key topics in the field—no programming experience required. Engage in required synchronous section meetings, with optional events for deeper discussion and collaboration.
MUSC 58
Songwriting
Craft and Practice
Explore the craft of songwriting through listening, analysis, and hands-on composition. Engage with a variety of musical styles including pop, rock, jazz, folk, classical, and world music. Develop your ability to analyze song structure, rhythm, mood, and performance while composing, recording, and performing original pieces.
Summer calendar
Living on campus
Housing is available to all eligible Summer students! Starting May 1, you can apply for housing in two of our colleges, Cowell & Stevenson.
Looking for Dates & Deadlines?
Session 1 – June 23 – July 25
Session 2 – July 28 – August 29
8-Week – June 23 – August 15
10-Week – June 23 – August 29
Have Questions?
Check our FAQs for answers to common questions, or get in touch with us by phone or email or join our mailing list for updates.