Your education at Santa Barbara City College can be the beginning of something much bigger: a transfer to a leading university, a degree in the field you love, and a career that takes you anywhere in the world.

At SBCC, you can begin your U.S. education on a campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean while building a strong academic foundation for your future. You can choose from more than 100 academic majors, earn an associate degree or certificate, strengthen your English, and prepare to transfer to a four-year university.

Whether you dream of studying business, engineering, computer science, communication, film, environmental science, or the arts, SBCC can help you take the next step toward that goal.

Build Your Path to a Top University

Starting at a community college can give you time to explore your interests, strengthen your academic record, and complete transferable courses before moving to a four-year university.

SBCC’s University Transfer Center can help you:

• Explore universities that match your goals
• Choose transferable courses
• Understand admission and major requirements
• Create an academic plan
• Prepare your university applications
• Connect with university representatives

By planning early, you can make sure the courses you take support your intended major and transfer destination. Your SBCC experience can become the foundation for earning a bachelor’s degree at a University of California campus, a California State University, or another university in the United States.

Explore a Guaranteed Transfer Path

If you meet the requirements, you may be eligible for a University of California Transfer Admission Guarantee, commonly called TAG.

Six UC campuses participate in TAG, including UC Santa Barbara. Through this program, you may receive guaranteed admission to one participating campus when you meet and maintain its academic, course, GPA, application, and major requirements.

International students with F-1 status may also be eligible. Because requirements vary by university and major, you should work closely with an SBCC transfer counselor as you plan your courses and prepare your application.

For Fall 2027 transfer, the UC TAG application period is September 1 through September 30, 2026. You must also submit a separate UC application during the required filing period.

Turn Your Interests Into a Career

Your time at SBCC is also an opportunity to discover what you want your future career to look like.

You can explore different subjects, develop practical skills, and build confidence before choosing your next step. Your classes can help you strengthen the communication, critical-thinking, technical, and problem-solving skills that universities and employers value.

You may begin at SBCC with an interest in a subject and leave with a clear plan for your bachelor’s degree and future career. Whether you want to become an engineer, entrepreneur, filmmaker, scientist, communications professional, artist, or technology specialist, your journey can begin here.

Keep Your Future Open

You do not need to have everything figured out before you arrive.

If you are still choosing a major, you can explore different academic areas and meet with counselors. If you already know which university or career you want to pursue, you can begin completing the required courses from your first semester.

SBCC’s transfer resources include academic planning, application workshops, university representative appointments, and guidance for University of California, California State University, private, and out-of-state institutions.

Your goal may be UCSB today and another university tomorrow. With a carefully designed academic plan, you can keep your options open while continuing to move forward.

Find Your Community in Santa Barbara

Your college experience is about more than your classes. It is also about finding a community where you feel supported as you adjust to life and education in the United States.

SBCC offers specialized support for students studying in F-1 status, academic and intensive English programs, and opportunities to learn from other international students. You can meet people from different backgrounds, participate in campus activities, develop leadership skills, and build friendships that become part of your experience abroad.

Hear from SBCC’s international students: 

🇧🇪 Lauren from Belgium, Political Science:
“SBCC feels like family. The professors, students, and staff are always supportive and ready to help.”

🇧🇹 Ugyen from Bhutan, Communications:
“SBCC is one of the most beautiful colleges in the world—and one of the best colleges in the United States.”

🌏 Jaden, Student Ambassador:
“Choosing SBCC was the best decision of my life. The professors care, and the community makes you feel welcome from day one.”

🇮🇹 Cecilia from Italy, Business Administration:
“The campus is beautiful, the professors are supportive, and the community truly feels like home.”

You will do all of this while studying on SBCC’s West Campus, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara, California.

Apply for Spring 2027

To apply for full-time F-1 study, complete the online international application and upload the required documents. Your application will generally include:

• The online international student application
• The $75 application fee receipt
• A financial statement form and qualifying bank documentation
• A copy of your passport and the required student responsibility form
• Academic transcripts and applicable English proficiency documentation
• Additional immigration documents if you are transferring from another U.S. institution

The Spring 2027 application deadline is November 15, 2026, for new international students. If you are a transfer or current F-1 student in the United States, your deadline is December 1, 2026. SBCC generally processes complete applications within three to five business days.

Your path to a top university, a meaningful career, and a new life in California can begin at SBCC.

Review the international application requirements and apply for Spring 2027.