University of California, Santa Barbara

UCSB is located on cliffs directly above the Pacific Ocean. UCSB's campus is completely autonomous from local government and has not been annexed to the city of Santa Barbara and thus is not part of the city. It appears closer to the recently set city of Goleta, a parcel of the City of Santa Barbara that forms a strip of "city" through the ocean to the Santa Barbara airport, runs through the west entrance of the university campus. 

UCSB is one of a few universities in the United States with its own beach. The campus bordered on three sides by the Pacific Ocean has miles of coastline, its own lagoon, and the rocky extension, Goleta Point, which is also known as "Campus Point". There are numerous walking and bicycle paths across the campus,  around the lagoon and along the beach. UCSB owns and manages Coal Oil Point nature preserve on the West Campus.

There are a number of academic resources offered by the university, including a writing center, open computer labs, a machine shop, a career and counseling center, and drop-in academic advising.

A large Recreation Center provides classes and facilities for students and faculty. The Center has swimming pools, racquetball courts, a rock wall, and exercise machines. The University Center has facilities for meetings and presentations, and also contains a bookstore, restaurants, and a cashier.

Besides, UCSB has a health clinic. Students with ailments or seeking medical assistance may consult a physician at the clinic.

There are 500 student organizations at UCSB, many involved in the community on tutoring, animal welfare, food banks, the homeless, the environment and more. Students say the work helps them clarify their life goals.

Most students live in residence halls or in apartments within walking distance or a quick bike ride from campus. In fact, bicycles are the main transportation in the UCSB community.

There are eight residence halls at UCSB, seven of which are located at the main campus. One, Santa Catalina, is located near the entrance to West Campus north of Isla Vista. Other sources of housing include the Greek System and outlying communities.

The residence halls include high- and low-rise buildings with spectacular ocean, lagoon, and mountain views. The apartments are conveniently located between the main campus, Isla Vista and shopping centers accessible by bus, bike, or on foot. Many of communities feature spacious outdoor areas for playing and studying.

Career Services helps the students and recent graduates of the University of California identify and fulfill their career goals. It connects their college experience and practice helping apply what they have learned. 

One of the best ways to explore jobs, gain industry knowledge, explore grad schools and meet “hiring decision makers” is to attend recruiting events such as career fairs, information sessions and networking events, organized by the service. Local, state, national and international companies come to campus each year to hire UCSB students.

Total undergraduate costs for nine-month academic year 2016–2017 are about $62,000 for a non-resident living in university residence halls. This sum includes tuition and fees - about $41,000 per year, books and supplies - $1,400, room and board - $13,600, personal and transportation costs - $1,500, health insurance - $3,200.

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 traces its origins back to the Anna Blake School which was founded in 1891 and offered training in home economics and industrial art. Today the University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. 

Because of best practices in teaching and research at UC Santa Barbara its students entirely participate an educational process that stimulates independent thought, critical reasoning, and creativity. 

University students and staff are characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that meet the needs of multicultural and global society. With a living environment like no other UCSB draws inspiration in the beauty and resources of UC Santa Barbara's extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

The university is a comprehensive doctoral university and is organized into five colleges and schools offering 87 undergraduate degrees and 55 graduate degrees. It is a "very high activity" research university with 12 national research centers. Current UCSB faculty includes six Nobel Prize laureates, one Fields Medalist, 29 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 27 members of the National Academy of Engineering, and 31 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. 

Undergraduate teaching is focused on lectures, with larger lecture classes having sections. Sections may be tutorial style, or they may be set up as seminars or discussions.

UCSB is ranked 37th among "National Universities", 8th among U.S. public universities and 24th among Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report 's 2016 rankings. The university is also ranked 48th worldwide for 2016-17 by the Times Higher Education and 42nd worldwide by the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2016.

Undergraduates at UCSB enroll one of three colleges:

• The Сollege of Letters and Science offers more than 80 majors, including both traditional academic study and a variety of unique, interdisciplinary programs that reflect the long-standing faculty tradition of collaboration and partnership. Biological sciences, economics, global and international studies, religious studies and film and media studies are popular majors.
• The College of Creative Studies offers an alternative approach for students who are ready for advanced, independent work in the arts or sciences. To be admitted to the college students must demonstrate unusual talent as well as commitment to pursuing independent work at a high level in art, biology, chemistry/biochemistry, computing, mathematics, music composition, physics or writing and literature.
• The College of Engineering offers degree programs in chemical, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering, and in computer science. Research by the UCSB engineering faculty is at the forefront in materials science, microelectronics and nanotechnology.

In the United States National Research Council rankings of graduate programs 2011, 10 UCSB departments were ranked in the top ten in the country: materials, chemical engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, marine science institute, geography, history, and theater and dance.