History
Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Santa Cruz, has earned international distinction as a university with high-impact research and an uncommon commitment to teaching and public service.
Education
Undergraduates pursue course work in 65 majors in the arts, engineering, humanities, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences. Graduate students work toward master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates in 41 academic programs
Research
At UCSC, formal research activities or research groups include the following:
- Arboretum
- Archaeological Research Center (ARC)
- Arts Research Institute
- Baskin School of Engineering Research Labs
- Blum Center
- Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO)
- Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS)
- Center for Analytical Finance
- Center for Collaborative Research for an Equitable California (CCREC)
- Center for Cultural Studies
- Center for Educational Research in the Interest of Underserved Students (CERIUS)
- Center for Emerging Worlds
- Center for Force Majeure Studies
- Center for Games and Playable Media (CGPM)
- Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS)
Career
UCSC people, including about 93,000 alumni, are leaders in virtually every field; and the campus is highly regarded for the positive impact it has on society.
University of California, Santa Cruz Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to University of California, Santa Cruz. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Independent provider
Grant
72000 USD
Deadline
31 Oct 2025
Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF)
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
01 Dec 2025
Latin American Caribbean Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
07 Oct 2025
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Other Scholarships For Graduate Students
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
332500 USD
Deadline
31 May 2026
Study Abroad Graudate Scholarships Of SBS Foundation
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
300000 HKD
Deadline
30 Sep 2025
Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships For Overseas Studies
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
30 Sep 2025
Study Abroad Graduate Scholarships of Chungcheongnam-do
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 AUD
Deadline
30 Sep 2025
Veterans’ Fund Indigenous Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Becas Fulbright - Ampliación De Estudios
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
38000 GBP
Deadline
18 Sep 2025
Marshall Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Baltic American Freedom Foundation Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
30000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
International Education Center's Study Abroad Programs
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
20000 USD
Deadline
04 Mar 2026
Thanks To Scandinavia Grants To Danish Students
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
11000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Dositeja Fund For Young Talents Of Serbia
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2025
Udaan India Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
31 Jul 2025
MPOWER 追梦永不息 Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Korean American Scholarship Foundation
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
Anytime
Belizean Student Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1580 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
The Marietta Blau Grant
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
01 Nov 2025
Fulbright-Masaryk Award
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
151
2023
151
2022
151
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
196 5
2024
201 -9
2023
192
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
393 -61
2024
332 43
2023
375
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
129 -24
2023
105
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
SOMeCA stands for Student Organization Advising & Resources (SOAR), Student Media and Cultural Arts & Diversity, and we are dedicated to the success of UC Santa Cruz's campus-wide student organizations and government
Housing services
- The residence halls (often referred to as dorms or dormitories), include both shared and private rooms; they typically house 15 to 50 students per floor and have common bathrooms.
- Nine of the colleges have both residence halls and apartments, while Kresge College is all apartments.
- Rooms are furnished and have window coverings. Each resident is provided an extra-long twin bed (39"x80"), a desk, a chair, and storage space such as wardrobe or closet. You will need to bring your own bedding (sheets, pillowcase, etc.), lamp, clock, and other personal items essential to your daily life.
Library services
The UCSC University Library has two buildings:
McHenry Library- Special Collections and Archives
- The Grateful Dead Archive
- Media Collection
- Digital Scholarship Commons
- University Library Administration
- Yoga & Meditation Space
- East Asian Collection
- Video Gaming Lab
ICT services
The Advisory Committee for Information Technology (ACIT) provides a forum for reviewing, evaluating, and recommending strategies, plans, and policies for campus information technology in order to support and advance campus priorities.
Medical services
The UCSC Student Health Services mission is to provide high quality services which promote physical and emotional well being focused on the diverse needs of students.
Campus life
A campus with world-class facilities and one of the most visually spectacular settings in higher education, UC Santa Cruz offers rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities that guide students in how to think, not what to think. A commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement are central to the core values of UC Santa Cruz.
Sports facilities
East Field House
- 6,500 square foot of workout space
- Olympic Weight Lifting Platforms
- Over 50 pieces of Cardio Equipment
- Weight Racks
- 2 TRX Training Zones
West Field House
- Square Foot: 7625
- Bleacher Seating capacity is 350 people.
- Court Deminsions: Basketball 94' x 50', Volleyball 59' x 29' 6" and Badminton 44' x 20'
- Includes: Hardwood Floor, 6 Adjustable Basketball Hoops, Court Lining: Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Bleachers, Upper Balcony and Scoreboard.
- Activities: Basketball, Volleyball, Badminton, Dance, Fencing and Futsal
Student clubs
- Delta Omega Chi (ΔΩΧ)
- Psi Chi Omega (ΨΧΩ)
- Ski and Snowboard Club
- Theta Chi (ϴΧ)
Accreditation
UC Santa Cruz has been fully accredited since 1965 by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Being accredited means the campus has met rigorous standards for quality, capacity and effectiveness. Accreditation confers a variety of benefits, including access to federal financial aid resources.