University of California, Santa Cruz, USA

The University of California, Santa Cruz was established in 1965 and is home to approximately 19000 students. As a renowned modern research university, it is known for its progressive and multidisciplinary education as well as its innovative teaching methods. The southern part of its large campus consists primarily of the open Great Meadow, and the university administration and student body alike have become known for their conservation efforts. Being one of 10 University of California campuses, UC Santa Cruz combines the student support of a small college with the resources of a major, world-leading university.

Located in California, Santa Cruz is home to a population of approximately 63000. Known for its moderate climate and beautiful coastline, the region counts tourism and agriculture as two of its most important industries. Despite being considered a small city with a serene vibe, the area is well connected to larger nearby cities, with San Jose and San Francisco being easily accessible by car.

Mobility partner

>> Follow this link if you are an incoming student

  • Estimated number of mobility places: 20 full-year places or 40 semester places for California's campuses (not per campus) 

Available Subject Areas

Please ensure that you research the courses available to you as an exchange student, and check with your subject coordinator(s) that these courses are suitable for your Glasgow degree programme. Please note that partner course offerings may change on a yearly basis.

Please research course level; content and assessment structures; partner academic pre-requisites for exchange students; whether enough courses / credits are available in your degree subject(s) to meet your Glasgow degree credit requirements; language of teaching and for Joint Honours students, whether the partner has any restrictions on taking courses from different Schools/Faculties.

  • Accounting & Finance
  • Aerospace Engineering/Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Business & Management
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Classics
  • Comparative Literature
  • Computing Science
  • Digital Media & Information Studies
  • Earth Science and Geology
  • Economic & Social History
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Electronics/Electrical Engineering
  • English Language
  • English Literature
  • Film & TV
  • Geography
  • History
  • History of Art
  • Life Sciences
  • Maths
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Product Design Engineering
  • Psychology
  • School of Interdisciplinary subjects Dumfries
  • Scottish Literature
  • Sociology
  • Statistics
  • Theatre Studies
  • Theology & Religious Studies
  • University Wide
  • Urban Studies/Public & Social Policy

Key facts

  • Estimated number of places: there are 20 full-year places or 40 semester places for California's nine campuses (not per campus)
  • Application process: this is a very competitive destination and places here are always in high demand
  • Calendar
  • Grading system
  • Credit guidance: typical full course load per semester = 15 (credit range/semester 15-17)
  • Accommodation

Travel and costs

  • University of Glasgow Financial Support
  • Cost of living 
  • Travel
  • USA Immigration: protocol states that students applying to a US partner usually in March/April must provide evidence that they have sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in the United States. Full information of the financial sum required will be found on the US partner webpages and on the US Embassy webpages for their home country.

Useful weblinks

Applying to the University of California (UC)

UC counts as 1 option on your Go Abroad programme application; you can select 2 additional partners.

Note that you should select 3 campuses at UC and include a learning agreement and a budget for each of the 3 in your application. If offered a place, UC will decide which of your 3 options you will be placed at.

California partner campuses


University of California, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA

Partner web
https://www.ucsc.edu/

Partner mobility web
https://reciprocity.uceap.universityofcalifornia.edu/discover-uc/discover-uc-santa-cruz

Disability support
https://drc.ucsc.edu/