Overview

The Environmental Studies programme at the University of California, Santa Barbara provides students with the interdisciplinary tools necessary to address modern ecological challenges. By integrating diverse academic perspectives, the curriculum prepares graduates to analyse environmental threats and develop sustainable solutions. Students benefit from a flexible structure that allows for deep specialisation in specific areas of interest.

Why Environmental Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara?

The University of California, Santa Barbara is home to one of the oldest and most respected environmental programmes in the nation. Students have access to unique resources such as the Environmental Leadership Incubator and the Yardi Scholars for Environmental Justice. The programme's location provides a living laboratory for field studies, while the curriculum offers a distinctive "outside concentration" option. This allows undergraduates to complete a double major or minor in other departments, ensuring a highly personalised and competitive academic profile.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 14934 per year
National fee: USD 14934 per year
Local fee: USD 14934 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is designed to move from broad interdisciplinary foundations to specialised expertise. Students begin with core introductory sequences before progressing to advanced thematic clusters. Modules may include:

Ecology and Society
Energy, Water, and Climate
The Built Environment
Environmental Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Calculus
Hydrology

Careers with Environmental Studies

Graduates from the University of California, Santa Barbara are well-equipped for diverse professional paths in the public and private sectors. The programme prepares students for roles in environmental policy, conservation science, and urban planning. Many alumni pursue careers in sustainability consultancy, resource management, or environmental law. The rigorous scientific and analytical training also provides a strong foundation for those wishing to continue their education in specialised graduate programmes or research-focused positions globally.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Ecology and Management of California Wildlands

Soil Science

Environmental Toxicology

Renewable Energy Systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Environmental Applications

Seminar in Community and Personal Resilience

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-23 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Santa Barbara, United States

Disciplines

Environmental Sciences View 1439 other Bachelors in Environmental Sciences in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

3.4

3.0 GPA For California residents

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

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IELTS

6.5

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Other requirements

General requirements

In general, international applicants will have graduated from a secondary school and earned a certificate of completion that enables attendance at a university in that country.

If your native language is not English - and your high school, college, or university education was in a country where the language of instruction was not English - you must meet UCSB's English Language Proficiency requirement.

Visit the Freshman Eligibility and Selection page for domestic applicants to review UCSB's ACT and SAT exam policy, information on how our three colleges evaluate applicants, and information on which majors require supplemental applications.

Your international school must have an appropriate level of recognition in the educational system it follows. If your international school follows a U.S. curriculum, the school must have U.S. accreditation and you must graduate with a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent credential.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

14934 USD / year

≈ 14934 USD / year
Out-of-State

14934 USD / year

≈ 14934 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14934 USD / year

≈ 14934 USD / year

Living costs

Santa Barbara

United States

1640 - 2480 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Environmental Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Santa Barbara

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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