University of California, Santa Barbara campus
Santa Barbara, United States
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University of California, Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara·university

#159

QS Rank

21%

Acceptance rate

25,000

Enrollment

About University of California, Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara is a world-renowned public research university with exceptional strength in engineering, sciences, and materials science. Located in beautiful Santa Barbara, California, UCSB combines cutting-edge research with a stunning coastal environment. The university emphasizes undergraduate research and offers state-of-the-art laboratories across disciplines. UCSB has produced numerous leaders in technology, science, and business, with strong alumni networks in Silicon Valley and beyond. The university's commitment to diversity and student success, combined with its exceptional academic reputation, makes it highly attractive for international students.

World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings (2026)#159
Times Higher Education (THE) (2025)#74
ARWU / Shanghai Rankings (2024)#53
US News Best Global Universities (2025)#30

Campus & Location

Province

CA

Campus setting

Suburban

Cost of living: Housing: USD 1,700–2,800/mo. Food: USD 450–700/mo. Coastal CA; high cost but excellent quality of life. Strong tech and biotech sectors.

Optional Practical Training (OPT)

All graduates from CRICOS-registered programs qualify for 12-month Optional Practical Training (OPT). STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total of US work authorisation.

Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents

A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:

GPA 3.060%+ in NEB +2, B+ average in Cambridge A-levels, or Second Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.370%+ in NEB +2 or First Division in a TU bachelor's degree.
GPA 3.675%+ in NEB +2 or First Division with Distinction in a TU bachelor's degree.
IELTS 6.5The most common graduate minimum — achievable with 2–3 months of focused preparation. IELTS 7.0+ needed for the most competitive programs.

Use our GPA converter to translate your exact score to the 4.0 scale.

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Uses published minimum requirements. Final decisions are always at the university's discretion. Use our GPA converter to get your score on the 4.0 scale.

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Data last verified: 2026-04-29 · Source: https://www.ucsb.edu. Information may change — verify with University of California, Santa Barbara’s official website before applying.