3+1
Our 3+1 program prepares international college students for future graduate studies. For your final college year, you will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara, through Professional and Continuing Education to gain study abroad experience and prepare for applications to U.S. graduate programs. You will take graduate courses alongside UCSB American students and earn University of California units, which can be transferred to your home university's bachelor's degree and may also apply toward future graduate programs.
Why 3+1 at UCSB?
Studying abroad at UCSB in your final year lets you take graduate-level courses that ease your transition into a U.S. master's program, earn transferable graduate credits for a head start, and fully immerse yourself in campus life for a full academic year. Afterward, you can move directly into grad school or use OPT to stay in the U.S. an extra year for hands-on experience in your field.
Advantages of Joining the 3+1 Program
- Academic coursework: Take UC graduate-level courses across various disciplines and earn credits that transfer back to your home university.
- Professional coursework: Enroll in professional courses to build practical skills and strengthen your readiness for the job market.
- Campus immersion: Spend a full academic year at UCSB, fully immersing yourself in its academic environment and campus community.
- Next steps: After the program, apply to graduate school or pursue Optional Practical Training (OPT) to extend your stay in the U.S. and gain hands-on experience in your field.
Academic Calendar
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Dates | June 16 - September 13 | September 17 - December 11 | January 4 - March 19 | March 25 - June 11 |
| Application Deadline | May 1 (late applications may be considered) |
May 1, 2026 | November 1 (late applications may be considered) |
February 1 (late applications may be considered) |
| Application Link | Apply Now | Apply Now | Apply Now | Apply Now |
| Payment Deadline | May 20 | August 17 | December 4, 2026 | February 27 |
| Orientation Start | June 16 | September 17 | January 4 | March 25 |
| Quarter Starts | June 23 | September 20 | January 4 | March 29 |
| Instruction Starts | June 23 | September 24 | January 4 | March 29 |
| Instruction Ends | September 13 | December 4 | March 12 | June 4 |
| Quarter Ends | September 13 | December 11 | March 19 | June 11 |
Summer Quarter
Quarter Dates:
June 16 - September 13
Application Deadline:
May 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
May 20
Orientation Start:
June 16
Quarter Starts:
June 23
Instruction:
June 23 - September 13
Fall Quarter
Quarter Dates:
September 17 - December 11
Application Deadline:
May 1, 2026
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
August 17
Orientation Start:
September 17
Quarter Starts:
September 20
Instruction:
September 24 - December 4
Winter Quarter
Quarter Dates:
January 4 - March 19
Application Deadline:
November 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
December 4, 2026
Orientation Start:
January 4
Quarter Starts:
January 4
Instruction:
January 4 - March 12
Spring Quarter
Quarter Dates:
March 25 - June 11
Application Deadline:
February 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
February 27
Orientation Start:
March 25
Quarter Starts:
March 29
Instruction:
March 29 - June 4
| Summer | Fall | Winter | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarter Dates | June 21 - September 11, 2027 | September 16 - December 10, 2027 | January 10 - March 24, 2028 | April 3 - June 16, 2028 |
| Application Deadline | May 1 (late applications may be considered) |
June 1, 2027 | November 1 (late applications may be considered) |
February 1 (late applications may be considered) |
| Application Link | Apply Now | Apply Now | Apply Now | Apply Now |
| Payment Deadline | May 15 | August 15 | December 1, 2027 | February 25 |
| Orientation Start | June 17 | September 16 | January 6 | March 30 |
| Quarter Starts | June 21 | September 19 | January 10 | April 3 |
| Instruction Starts | June 23 | September 23 | January 10 | April 3 |
| Instruction Ends | September 11 | December 10 | March 24 | June 16 |
| Quarter Ends | September 11 | December 10 | March 24 | June 16 |
Summer Quarter
Quarter Dates:
June 21 - September 11, 2027
Application Deadline:
May 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
May 15
Orientation Start:
June 17
Quarter Starts:
June 21
Instruction:
June 23 - September 11
Fall Quarter
Quarter Dates:
September 16 - December 10, 2027
Application Deadline:
June 1, 2027
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
August 15
Orientation Start:
September 16
Quarter Starts:
September 19
Instruction:
September 23 - December 10
Winter Quarter
Quarter Dates:
January 10 - March 24, 2028
Application Deadline:
November 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
December 1, 2027
Orientation Start:
January 6
Quarter Starts:
January 10
Instruction:
January 10 - March 24
Spring Quarter
Quarter Dates:
April 3 - June 16, 2028
Application Deadline:
February 1 (late applications may be considered)
Application Link:
Payment Deadline:
February 25
Orientation Start:
March 30
Quarter Starts:
April 3
Instruction:
April 3 - June 16
Flat Tuition Fees
Fees for 2026-2027
$22,800
per quarter
per quarter
Duration:
3 Consecutive Quarters
3 Consecutive Quarters
Application Materials
Have these documents ready to upload:
- Copy of passport (biography page)
- Proof of English proficiency
- Official transcript in English (2.8 GPA or above)
- Payment of application fee ($210)
- Financial statement (tuition plus estimated living expenses)
On