Santa Barbara City College
13,000
Number of Students
1,000
International Students
80
Number of Programs

University Description:
SBCC is located 100 steps from the beach in Santa Barbara, California, which offers 283 days of sunshine and plenty of activities year-round. The prestigious Aspen Institute honored SBCC as #1 Community College for their outstanding achievements in the areas of teaching and learning. SBCC also ranked as #1 Community College Best Value Community College in the U.S. three years in a row for its low annual cost, reputation, and return on investment! The award-winning transfer center supports students if they seek to accomplish a bachelor's degree.
Term system & start dates:
Bachelor: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to May 24, 2025
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 13, 2025
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Bachelor: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to May 24, 2025
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 13, 2025
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Study Area | Study Course | Bachelor | Gap Year | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Term 1 | Term 2 | |||
Social Sciences | Political Science | |||
Sociology | ||||
International Relations | ||||
Psychology | ||||
Integrated Social Sciences | ||||
History | ||||
Natural Sciences | Geology | |||
Mathematics | ||||
Physics | ||||
Marine Science | ||||
Geo Sciences | ||||
Geography | ||||
IT | ||||
Computer Technology | ||||
Environmental Sciences | ||||
Computer Sciences | ||||
Data Analytics | ||||
Biology | ||||
Chemistry | ||||
Biotechnology | ||||
Computer Design | ||||
Astronomy | ||||
Languages, Cultures, Leisure | Media Studies | |||
Public Relations | ||||
Journalism | ||||
Cultural Anthropology | ||||
International Studies | ||||
Languages and Cultures | ||||
English Studies | ||||
Art History | ||||
Communication Science | ||||
Engineering | Renewable Energy | |||
Videogames | ||||
Sustainabilty Management | ||||
Civil Engineering | ||||
Education | Physical Education | |||
Teaching (Elementary Education) | ||||
Business | International Business | |||
Media and Communication | ||||
Marketing | ||||
Advertising and Public Relations | ||||
Hospitality | ||||
Information Management | ||||
Global Brand Management | ||||
Human Resource Management | ||||
Economics | ||||
Finance | ||||
Business Administration | ||||
Entrepreneurship | ||||
Accounting | ||||
Arts | Webdesign | |||
Theatre | ||||
Photography | ||||
Philosophy | ||||
Music | ||||
Graphic Design | ||||
Media Design | ||||
Liberal Arts | ||||
Film Studies | ||||
Culinary Arts |
University Facts
University Description
SBCC is located 100 steps from the beach in Santa Barbara, California, which offers 283 days of sunshine and plenty of activities year-round. The prestigious Aspen Institute honored SBCC as #1 Community College for their outstanding achievements in the areas of teaching and learning. SBCC also ranked as #1 Community College Best Value Community College in the U.S. three years in a row for its low annual cost, reputation, and return on investment! The award-winning transfer center supports students if they seek to accomplish a bachelor's degree.Bachelor: Semester
2. Term: January 27, 2025 to May 24, 2025
1. Term: August 25, 2025 to December 13, 2025
Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
More dates
2. Term: January, 2026 to May, 2026
1. Term: August, 2026 to December, 2026
Visa Information:
After the application has been accepted, students need to apply for the visa before arriving in the US. They are receiving a F-1 Student Visa. The duration of your visa depends on the duration of your study program abroad. With the F-1 visa students can profit from the so called grace period. That means they are able to arrive 30 days prior to their semester start and can also extend their stay up to 60 days after their last exam. Many students use that time to travel around the US and get to know the country better.Why should you come and study with us?
- Study directly at the coast of Santa Barbara- very modern, large campus with view of the ocean
- Campus features restaurants, bars, cafes, high-tech fitness gym, large library and computer labs
- only 10 minutes walk to downtown Santa Barbara
Study opportunities:
SBCC offers over 100 different subjects, 80 certificates, and 28 fully online programs, degrees, and certificates and one of the best student support and student activities. The Community College does not offer Bachelor's or Master's degrees but has a guaranteed transfer program with many top colleges and universities and an award-winning transfer academy to help students transfer to graduate programs. SBCC offers Certificate and Associate degrees. International Students may also study abroad for one semester to transfer their credits to Germany.Scholarship possibilities for international students:
Some scholarships are available once international students are enrolled at SBCC, including book grants.Please check out our World of Students webpage for different scholarship opportunities. You will find the information in the upper section "Tipps & Tricks".
Internships:
SBCC does not offer internships for international students.Application Deadline:
We recommend to turn in your application by:Fall Semester: 1st of June
Spring Semester: 1st of October
Please contact the World of Students team in case of late application.
Application requirements:
• Application fee receipts (see application portal for more information)• Passport copy (picture ID + expiration date page)
• Financial declaration form
• Bank statement (if applicable also sponsor statement)
• Proof of English proficiency, e.g. TOEFL iBT, DAAD certificate (B2)
• Emergeny Contact Form (can be downloaded at SBCC directly)
• Transcripts in English incl. stamp and signature by home institution
Orientation:
Orientation period before the start of classes is mandatory for all students. If the student cannot make it, they will need to work with their advisor to find a time to makeup the orientation.Examperiod:
Throughout the term students will have to turn in several assignments (such as presentations, essays, etc.). The final exams will take place during the last week of each semester.Accessibility:
YesWorking while studying:
Students are not allowed to work in the USA while they are on the F-1 student visa status, with the exception of on-campus work. Students can look at the SBCC Job Connection, work with the Career Center or check with departments for available positions. Currently, there are positions for student workers in the International Education Office and other programs and departments.


Fees
Bachelor Semester Abroad:
5,148 USD
Gap Year (per Term):
5,028 USD to 6,285 USD
Application Fee:
81 USD
Additional Costs:
Student Activity Pass: 8,00 USD
Valid: 2023-08-17 to 2024-08-17
City & Living
City features:
Study at the "American Riviera" - mediterranean climate right at the Pacific coast on the one side and the Ynez mountains on the other. This area is one of the top spots of celebrities due to its high standard of living. Shopping, Theater, Museums and a gorgeous wine country are only a few attractions of Santa Barbara.Santa Barbara also has a great nightlife which is very popular with the students.
Address in Santa Barbara, USA:
Santa Barbara City College721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, USA
Population:
90,000Closest Airport:
Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and LAX Los Angeles International AirportSightseeing:
Apart from the great beaches, you can visit El Presidio de Santa Barbara. This is an old mexican-spanish part of the city surrounding the fortress Fernald Mansion. Every Sunday, you can check out the Arts & Crafts Show displaying beautiful pieces from artists at Cabrillo Boulevard. The city offers, concert locations, museum, theaters, but also great shopping opportunities and certainly water sport programs at the ocean.Shopping:
Santa Barbara - as one of the great vacation locations for celebrities offers a vast variety of shopping opportunities. From large shopping malls to lots of small high-end boutiques and designer label stores - everyone will find something that fits their taste. https://santabarbaraca.com/plan-your-trip/shopping/How to get to university:
Public transportation is available for students to get from the airport to the university.Housing On-Campus:
There is no on-campus living option at SBCC.Housing Off-Campus:
estimate 0 per month for 9 months The SBCC provides help in finding a suitable accommodation. There is also the option to have a placement in a host family.


SBCC and the SBCC Foundation Announce Largest Gift in 112-Year History
Santa Barbara City College and the SBCC Foundation announced today that they have received a $20,000,000 gift from MacKenzie Scott. As a community college dedicated to the success of every student, SBCC will use this unrestricted gift to advance its mission in bold new ways. In her post announcing the gift (one of 276 totaling $2,739,000,000), Scott wrote. “Higher education is a proven pathway to opportunity, so we looked for 2- and 4-year institutions successfully educating students who come from communities that have been chronically underserved.” Dr. Utpal K. Goswami, Superintendent/President of SBCC, said, “I would like to thank MacKenzie Scott for the trust that has been placed in us. This visionary gift could not have come at a better time, as we are embarking on the creation of our new Educational Master Plan. These funds will empower us to implement transformational initiatives that will shape our community college of the future and provide the margin of excellence that we seek.” Dr. Goswami added, "I would be remiss if I did not recognize the good work of our faculty and staff which brought us to where we are today. This gift will energize us to pursue our passion to serve all students." SBCC Foundation CEO Geoff Green said, “We are most grateful for this historic investment in our community’s college. For more than a century SBCC has been serving our region, and for nearly half of that time, the SBCC Foundation has been partnering with donors to enhance college programs, remove barriers for students, and spur innovation. A gift of this size makes an unequivocal statement that our community’s college is worthy of this level of investment, and that the work of our faculty, staff, and students is recognized. Our hope is that it will serve as a signal to other donors and highlight the fact that community colleges are perhaps the best tool we have for increasing social and economic mobility, addressing long-standing inequalities in our communities, and ensuring that all members of our community have access to a life-changing education.” The gift will help support a wide range of critical campus initiatives and student success programs. Dr. Peter Haslund, President of the Santa Barbara Community College District Board of Trustees said, “Our reason for being has to do with helping the next generation acquire the skills and knowledge about the world in which they will live and work so as to be fully successful in life. This task requires the full dedication of our faculty and staff who, on a daily basis, exercise the creativity and professional expertise required to make this happen. When someone outside our City College community recognizes the significance of what we do and offers to provide a truly generous helping hand, it creates a marvelous opportunity to celebrate and to express our heart-felt gratitude!” This comes at a time when SBCC and the nation’s community colleges are facing a serious enrollment decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic and encouraging students to resume their studies is a top priority. A greater percentage of community college students have been financially impacted by the pandemic, forcing many to drop their classes. This timely gift will provide significant resources for helping the college meet these challenges. “This gift is an act of incredible generosity and due to its unrestricted nature, a demonstration of tremendous trust in our community’s college,” Green said. “It reinforces the importance of providing quality higher education that is accessible to everyone.”
Most Popular News:
Arriving in Canada
Before classes start, make sure to explore the vibrant city of Vancouver! Apart from the well-known tourist spots, try some of the delicious food, enjoy a bike tour through Stanley Park or watch a Majour League Soccer game of the Vancouver Whitecaps before taking the ferry or plane over to Vancouver Island to start your classes at VIU.
The best time of your life - Gap Year at UNCW!
You have finished high school and don't know exactly what you want to study? The UNCW offers you a wide range of courses from over 120 fields of study - ideal for orientation after school without having to decide directly on a specific course of study. After successfully completing your gap year, you will receive your official transcript and can ideally transfer the credits you earned during your gap year to your future university in Europe - or you can decide to continue your studies in the U.S. and directly enter the second bachelor year at UNCW. So what are you waiting for? Get a taste of university life in the USA and take one step closer to your dream course of study!
Start your semester abroad in Seattle
Are you looking for the perfect spot for your study abroad semester? City University of Seattle is offering you great programs on a quarterly basis! For those of you seeking to combine studying with international experiences and company visits (e.g. Amazon, Starbucks, Microsoft, Expedia.com) we suggest to apply for our summer programs. You can join one of our two sessions and add a quarter in order to receive more than 30 ECTS in just 4,5 months! Reach out to World of Students for further information or join one of our virtual presentations.
Fairfax Lookout in Manly
Our students love the Fairfax Lookout on the North Head!
Only a couple of minutes from the ICMS campus in Manly you can watch stunning sunsets over Sydney. At the Fairfex lookout students spend a great time together with their international friends, eating pizza and listening to music while watching the Sydney harbour. You may even see one of the whales passing by the coast.
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