International Applicants

Required Academic Preparation

Applicants who have conducted their post-secondary education outside of the United States must have completed an undergraduate degree program equivalent to a University of California bachelor's degree by the beginning of their graduate program at UCSB. Equivalent undergraduate degrees usually include a minimum four years of university work and above-average scholarship. The degree must be awarded by an accredited institution. 

Applicants holding only professional diplomas, higher certificates in accounting, business, physical education, or health education from universities or technical and vocational schools may not apply.

Please check your department's application requirements ​for any specific instructions pertaining to international applicants to your department or program of interest.

Reporting your Education History in your Application:

When you complete your application, you are required to upload an official transcript created by your university. This transcript will be used to review and evaluate your application. If you have received your degree, please include your degree certificate within the same file as your transcripts. The uploaded document must include both the original language transcript and the certified English translation. English transcripts are required and must be a complete, exact and literal translation of the original transcripts. English translations must be provided by the school or an official agency.

Do not send your final/official transcripts or other documents to UCSB unless you have been admitted and chosen to attend UCSB or you have been specifically instructed to do so. Admitted applicants who have earned degree(s) from institutions outside of the United States and who choose to attend UC Santa Barbara must provide a WES Course-by-Course evaluation in order for their admission to be finalized. Detailed information can be found here.