Away from urban pressures, yet deeply involved in the intellectual and cultural issues of our time, the University of California, Santa Barbara, provides a superb learning environment, with a relaxed relationship between faculty and students and all the resources of an internationally recognized research institution. UCSB fosters a less tradition-bound approach to education, stressing close collaboration between students and instructors across academic lines in small classes.

UCSB is one of only 62 institutions elected to membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities. Its 1,084-member faculty includes FIVE RECENT NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS as well as winners of the National Humanities Medal, National Medal of Science and National Medal of Technology. A total of 86 UCSB faculty members have won Guggenheim Fellowships.

Located on the PACIFIC COAST at the foot of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the campus is known for its breathtaking beauty. Most students live in residence halls or in apartments within walking distance of — or a quick bike ride from — campus. In fact, bicycles are the principal mode of transportation in the UCSB community. Campus support staff includes many alumni who serve as a smart and caring resource for students.

Language of instruction: English

Course restrictions:
Information Management, Journalism and Law courses in all UC campuses are not available to exchange students.
In general, limited engineering, business/management, legal studies and architecture courses are available.

Some majors (fields of study) are not open to Exchange students or have restrictions on enrolment.

For more information on undergraduate exchange, please refer to http://www.eap.ucop.edu/reciprocity/undergraduate/

Course descriptions:
http://www.catalog.ucsb.edu/

Academic calendar:

• Fall Quarter: End September to Mid December
• Winter Quarter: Beginning January to End March
• Spring Quarter: End March to Mid June

*Note: Students may apply to start their exchange term in the Fall and Winter Quarter only. They may apply for 2 quarters of exchange in either the Winter Quarter (ie to start their exchange in the Winter Quarter and remain at UC for the Spring Quarter) subject to the approval of their faculties/schools.

Application deadlines:
Please obtain information on deadlines and application procedures from your faculty's Student Exchange Programme (SEP) Administrator/Coordinator.

For more information on undergraduate exchange, please refer to http://www.eap.ucop.edu/reciprocity/undergraduate/

On-campus:
Exchange students are guaranteed a contract for University housing, as long as they adhere to all procedures and deadlines. UCSB offers approximately 4700 residence hall spaces to single students and Undergraduate Apartments provide approximately 290 furnished apartments for single (unmarried) full-time UCSB students. All apartments have shared bedrooms and are rented on an academic year basis (9-months). To apply and for further information, please go to http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/application/transfer/default.htm.

Off-campus:
Santa Barbara Student Housing Co-Ops: The Living environment of the Co-op emphasises community, cooperation, and contribution to the care of their surroundings through monthly work hours and weekly participation in meal preparation and house chores. Visit http://www.sbcoop.org/ for more information.

Community Housing Office: The Off-Campus Rental Listing Service is free to currently enrolled UCSB students. Students can search and/submit listings for off-campus housing at http://www.housing.ucsb.edu/hchoices/cho-general-info.htm.

Other Housing Links:

• Craigslist: http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/apa/
• Santa Barbara News Press Rentals: http://class.newspress.com/sect/rentals

Useful links:

• University website: http://www.ucsb.edu
• UC Education Abroad Programs Reciprocal Exchanges: http://eap.ucop.edu/reciprocity/undergraduate/

Health insurance:
All registered UC students are required to have major medical health insurance while attending school. Student Health Directors and University administrators determined that the best way to ensure that all students have health insurance was to implement a process through which all students would be covered by campus-sponsored plans unless they could demonstrate comparable private health insurance. Waiver request forms must be submitted to Student Health each year prior to the posted deadlines. Once a waiver has been accepted, it is good for the rest of the year (through the following September.)

All students are required to have insurance that is comparable to the SHIP program. This means that the student must be able to obtain primary care services within 25 miles of Student Health and that the services include physician/primary care visits, specialty visits, outpatient diagnostic testing (MRI, ultrasound, etc.), emergency care, and non-parity mental health benefits. Please note that the nearest Kaiser facility is more than 25 miles away and students with Kaiser plans will not be allowed to waive out of SHIP. High deductible plans, even those associated with health or medical savings accounts are not allowed.

For more information regarding SHIP, please refer to http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/insurance/index.asp.

Estimated Cost of Living: