Visiting International Students (Summer Only) Program
Visiting international summer-only students are non-immigrant visitors who come to the U.S. temporarily to take classes. This applies to you if you:
- 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 Course 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 2023 Courses by Department to get an idea of what will be offered in 2024.
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.
Next Step: Registration
Questions: summer@ucsc.edu
