The steps below will guide you through the application process, required documents, important deadlines, and what to expect after you submit your application.
Ready to apply?
Step 1: Review admission deadlines
| Quarter | I-20 Program Start Date |
UCSC Extension Academic Quarter (Continuing Student I-20 Program Dates) |
Initial I-20 Application Deadline |
Transfer Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | August 20* | September 1–December 31 | July 15 | August 1 |
| Winter | January 4* | January 1–March 31 | November 15 | December 1 |
| Spring | March 12* | April 1–June 15 | February 15 | March 1 |
| Summer | May 31* | June 16–August 31 | May 1 | May 15 |
*New International Student Orientation Date — In-person attendance is mandatory. Orientation date is subject to change.
Step 2: Collect the following documents
Collect Transcripts or Diploma
Applicants must have at least two years of college experience. This could be at an associate’s, bachelor’s, master's, doctorate level, or relevant job experience. Only proof of your highest level degree is required. Documentation must be in English.
For students applying to the UCSC Extension Merit Scholarship, please upload both a transcript AND a diploma.
Proof of English Proficiency
English test scores must be less than two years old. Acceptable test scores include:
- iBT TOEFL 70
- IELTS 6.0
- Duolingo 95
- TOEIC 76
We also accept qualifications from a few language institutions.
An English waiver may apply if you have completed a university or college degree from an English-speaking country. An English-speaking country refers to a country whose majority of inhabitants conduct their day-to-day life in English and whose official language is or includes English. Completing an English-based degree program is not the same as completing your degree in an English-speaking country.
Valid Passport
Passport should be valid and must not expire within the next 6 months.
Proof of Finances
Applicants must provide proof of financial ability to pay for their education and living expenses while in the United States.
- For nine-month certificate programs, a minimum of $30,000 is required.
- For one-quarter short programs, a minimum of $15,000 is required.
- If being accompanied by dependents, add $4,000 for a spouse and $3,000 for each child or dependent.
- All financial documents must be in English.
- All financial documents must be dated within the past six months of when you submit your application.
- All financial documents must show the amount in dollars (USD).
Bank Letter (Checking or Savings Account)
A signed and dated letter from a financial institution confirming the account holder’s name, type of account, current balance, and currency.
Bank Statement (Checking or Savings Account)
A recent statement that shows the account holder’s name, account type, available balance, and transaction history.
- Mortgages
- Solvency letters
- Employment verification or salary statements
- Pending education loans
- Asset valuations (real estate, jewelry, automobiles, etc.)
- Life insurance policy
- Retirement accounts
- Fixed / Term / Time Deposits
- Investment statements (stocks, mutual funds, portfolios, etc.)
If you will have a private sponsor such as a family member or acquaintance, they must complete the Affidavit of Support form in addition to providing proof of financial ability.
If you will have an organizational sponsor such as an employer, a letter confirming sponsorship is required in addition to providing proof of financial ability. The letter must:
- Be printed on official company letterhead and signed by an authorized company representative.
- List the applicant’s full legal name.
- Confirm the applicant’s employment with the company.
- State the dates of financial support, covering the entire duration of the program: Ex. January 6, 2026 to August 31, 2026.
- Confirm the total amount of funding provided, showing that the student will receive a minimum of $30,000 to cover tuition and living expenses during the program.
- Include the name, title, and contact information of the company representative issuing the letter.
- All amounts must be listed in USD or include a clear USD conversion.
- Letters must be current (issued within the past 6 months).
Additional Documentation
If you are already in the U.S. or planning to transfer from another U.S. institution, please provide:
- A copy of your current visa
- A copy of your I-94
-
A copy of your recent I-20 (For Transfer Students Only)
Step 3: Submit an International Student Application
- Click on “Create my New Student Account”
- After creating an account, login with your new UserID and Password
- Complete the application and upload all required documents
- Pay the $150 Application Fee
Please allow 3 to 5 business days for application processing.
In the meantime, please review our UCSC Extension Merit Scholarship.
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I made a lot of good connections while I was here.
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It’s a very supportive program. The engagement within our class was great. We learned from the professors as well as our classmates.
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She’s really inspired me to do a lot of things I was not doing with the kids. It helps you think differently about your role. It helped me a lot with teaching art and creativity. If they want to color a heart blue, we let them do it. Testing for longer text Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.
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The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews.
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