How to Enroll: International Student

• Intend to stay in the U.S. temporarily (summer only) and need to apply for a visa to be allowed to enter the U.S.,
• Do not have U.S. citizenship or legal permanent resident status (a valid green card), or
• Currently live in the U.S. in a non-immigrant visa status

If you were admitted to attend UC Santa Cruz in the fall (but you would like to start your enrollment early over summer), go to our newly admitted page.

UC credits, in-person or online

Whether you are currently in the United States studying at another institution or studying in your home country, UC Santa Cruz is a great choice for your summer educational plans. You can summer study on our 2,000-acre campus nestled in the redwood forest overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Monterey Bay or take an online class from anywhere in the world.

We offer five-week, for-credit sessions to allow students to make the most of their time on the California coast. Visiting International students earn official UC Santa Cruz academic credit that you can transfer back to your college or university.

Welcome to California

UC Santa Cruz is a distinctive learning environment where students, faculty, and staff work together to make positive impacts on a worldwide scale. Over the summer, UCSC has an open enrollment policy, and our world-renowned classes are available to visiting summer-only international students.

Popular courses for visiting international summer students

The Summer Session staff, along with your home university academic advisor, can assist you with choosing the courses that best match your educational and career goals. You’ll have access to hundreds of classes in our most popular departments, including Art, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computational Media, Environmental Studies, Physics, and Statistics. Registration opens on April 1.

Visit our Courses by Department for the latest classes!

Summer in Santa Cruz

A popular California destination, Santa Cruz is the home of the iconic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and has everything you imagine when picturing a classic California beach town. You can find great surf, sandy beaches, and redwood-covered mountains all on the same day! We’re also only 70 miles south of San Francisco.

On-campus housing available

Visiting Summer Only International students can apply for Summer Housing in our residence hall. A variety of room types, from doubles to large triples, are available to meet your class schedule. All room contracts include dining packages.

Any international student who meets the proficiency requirements below is welcome to register. The registration process is not immediate and involves multiple offices – we estimate it will take 1-2 business days to complete.

Before you register:

• Understand your costs, our policies, and deadlines on adding, dropping, and requesting a W grade.
• Learn when and how to pay

Next steps for online classes:

If you elect to enroll in online classes only during Summer Session, and you plan to remain outside of the U.S. during that time, you do not need to apply for (nor are you eligible for) a student visa. Your next step is to:

1. Register as a Visiting Student

Please note: You may NOT attend Summer Session while in B-1/B-2 Visitor status in the U.S. If you need to transfer your SEVIS record to UCSC, please contact istudent@ucsc.edu to discuss eligibility before you request your transfer.

Next steps for in-person classes:

1. Submit a Summer Interest Form to start the document submission process if you need a UCSC I-20 or DS-2019. Students are encouraged to submit as early as possible to avoid delays in processing their I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) and obtaining their F-1 Student Visas.
2. Register as a Visiting Student (starting April 1)
3. Submit proof of English Proficiency to summer@ucsc.edu

Document submission deadlines:

• April 15 to attend Session 1, 8-week, 10-week (classes that begin June 24)
• May 15 to attend Session 2 (classes that begin July 29)

Do I need a UCSC I-20 or DS-2019?

Yes, if you are:

• Currently living outside of the U.S. and planning to enroll in in-person courses for Summer Session only
• Participating in a special exchange program (KAIST, etc.)
• Attending another school in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 student and you do NOT plan to resume your studies at that same school after summer. If you plan to attend a third institution in the fall term, contact ISSS at iStudent@ucsc.edu.

No, if you are:

• A continuing F-1 or J-1 student AND enrolled in the spring term and will either be enrolled in fall term too, or enrolled in summer as your last term of required enrollment. You should already have an I-20 or DS-2019 with a future end date. Email ISSS at istudent@ucsc.edu if you have questions.
• Currently in the U.S. and in another valid visa status (H-4, etc.) which allows part-time or full-time enrollment. If you have any questions, please consult with ISSS at iStudent@ucsc.edu.

English proficiency

English language proficiency documentation (like TOEFL) is required for in person classes.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Overall band score of 6.5+
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test
• SAT (March 2016 or later) Writing & Language Test: 31+
• ACT combined English-Writing or English Language Arts portion: 24+
• AP English Language and Composition, or English Literature and Composition: 3, 4, or 5
• IB in English: Literature, or Language and Literature: 6 or 7
• Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum of 115

Guidance on selecting courses

• You can search classes by department.
• Some prerequisites and restrictions are lifted for visiting students.
• Be sure to check the “Class Notes” section of each class for summer-specific details.
• Learn more about UC Santa Cruz Math courses
• Explore previous years’ syllabi to see the pace and course load of specific courses

Sample schedules

M/W – 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.	T/TH – 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
M/W – 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.	T/TH – 1 – 4:30 p.m.
M/W – 6 – 9:30 p.m.	T/TH – 6-9:30 p.m.
MWF – 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.	MWF 1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

• There is not an additional “finals week.” Instructors schedule the final on the last meeting block of the session

Course days and times

• After March 15, you can click on the course from our website or search for it in Class Search. If days/times are listed, they are synchronous, and students are expected to attend all classes during those days/times
• No accommodations can be made for vacations, extensions, or ending your UC Santa Cruz course early, so be mindful of dates before enrolling

Course credits

• Most courses are 5 credits. Students should expect a minimum of 35 hours of class meeting time. UCSC Academic Advising recommends 2 hours of studying for every 1 hour of class time. One 5-credit course is ideal for 5 weeks – that’s what we recommend

Lower Division Math Overview (course numbers less than 100)

• Math 2 and 3 are general mathematics courses at the precalculus level. Math 2 is College Algebra, Math 3 is Precalculus
• Math 11A, 11B, 19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, 22, 23A, and 23B are the calculus courses. Math 11A is Calculus with Applications I, and 11B is Calc 2. Math 19A is Calculus for the Sciences, Mathematics & Engineering I, and 19B is Calc 2
• Math 21 is Linear Algebra, and Math 24 is Ordinary Differential Equations

While prerequisites and restrictions on math courses are lifted for visiting high school students, it is always in your best interest to have met them.

Summer accommodations

• If you need testing or other accommodations, you must first become affiliated with our Disability Resource Center (DRC). Email them at drc@ucsc.edu for an appointment.

How to add a course

• Enroll via My Student Center on your MyUCSC portal. This enrollment tutorial document and corresponding video show you how to add a summer class
• If you have questions about prerequisites and restrictions, or the course class notes indicate that you need a permission code, email summer@ucsc.edu

Please remember:

• If you cannot attend a course you’re enrolled in; you MUST DROP yourself. If you do not drop yourself from a class, you will be responsible for paying the tuition for it
• See our academic calendar for important summer deadlines and our summer-specific add, drop and request for W policies

Individual costs can vary based on the course you take. Prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change.

Online: One five credit course

These estimates are for a 5-week, 5-credit class.

Type of Expense	Cost
Tuition for 5 Credits	$1,395 ($279 per credit)
Campus Fee	$344.90
Total	$1,739.90

In Person: One five credit course

These estimates are for a for a 5-week, 5-credit program and do not include transportation to and from San Francisco International Airport to campus. Estimates are subject to change.

Type of Expense	Cost
Tuition for 10 Credits	$1,395.00 ($279 per credit)
Campus Fee	$344.90
Housing and Dining	$3100.00 (varies by room type)
Health Insurance	$500.00
International Student Fee	$300.00
Total	~$5,639.90

How to Calculate Costs for Additional Credits

Select classes and note the credit value of each course, for example:

• MATH 19A: 5 credits
• MATH 19B: 5 credits

Total credits: 10

Calculate Total Tuition: $279 x 10 = $2,790.00

Add Mandatory Campus Fee: $344.90

Add Health Insurance Fee: $500.00 [In Person Only]

Add International Fee: $300.00 [In Person Only]

Add Housing and Dining Fee: $3,100.00 [In Person Only]

This total does not include any additional living expenses, travel/visa expenses, or Course Materials and Services Fee(s).

International student fee

The International Student Fee is assessed to all international visitors coming to UC Santa Cruz. Only Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) and U.S. passport holders are exempt from this fee.

For students enrolled in classes held in person and require travel to campus, the International Student Fee becomes non-refundable once the visa document (I-20) has been issued. International Student Fees may be waived for partner institutions.

This fee becomes non-refundable once your first enrolled session begins.

Course materials and services fees

Some departments charge Course Materials and Services Fee for specific classes, such as those with science or computer labs, photography labs, art supplies, or similar costs. Courses with this fee should be noted in the Class Schedule, although the amounts may not be known at the time of publication.

Payment and refunds

• When and how to pay for tuition and the mandatory campus fee
• Chart of refundable charges (if drop deadline is met)

Financial aid & scholarships

• UC Santa Cruz Financial Aid or Scholarships are not available for Visiting International Students.

Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the Academic Year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.