Gold
for excellence in sustainability
by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Leading at the intersection of innovation and social justice.
A global research university with an uncommon emphasis on undergraduate research and education, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the most renowned institutions of higher learning.
News
Investigating the genetic roots of autism
UC Santa Cruz researchers are exploring the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorder and investigating possible treatments, in collaboration with teams at UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley.
Gathering cosmic clues
The Milky Way’s vastness and the dynamics of the cosmos defy attempts to understand our home galaxy and its history. So scientists plan to use a powerful space telescope to capture images of galaxies in the nearby universe—and the cosmic clues that surround them that could explain their formation.
Bear necessities
The National Science Foundation will fund research at UC Santa Cruz that will examine the DNA of brown bears in the lower 48 states, where the iconic animal’s numbers have seen catastrophic declines over the last century.
Voices of the Century: César Rojas-Bravo, celebrating our celestial bond
César Rojas Bravo, a Ph.D. candidate in astronomy, shows how all humanity is linked by the vast canopy of our shared night sky.
To lead means …
Creating real change
Students at UC Santa Cruz learn from incredible faculty, develop new skills through hands-on research opportunities, and have a track record of making an impact. What kind of a pathbreaker, innovator, or changemaker will you become?
Serving our society
World-class researchers at UC Santa Cruz unlock mysteries and help to transform our world, addressing some of our most pressing needs—from decoding cancer to protecting our natural environment to creating art that challenges assumptions. What will you contribute?
Shaping our future
A global community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are committed to climate and economic resiliency for our local and coastal environments through multidisciplinary research, and sustainable and equitable practices.
Become a Banana Slug, and lead the change.
Get ready for your future
UC Santa Cruz graduates are sought after for their knowledge, skills, and passion. Whether you plan to start working right away, or pursue graduate school or professional school, your UC Santa Cruz degree will help you on your way.
See for yourself
One of the most extraordinary campuses in the world, UC Santa Cruz pairs high-impact research with 10 residential colleges—offering students the experience of a small liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.
Here to help
A UC degree is worth it—and we can help you pay for it. Our financial aid program is one of the best out there. It supports students in all kinds of ways, whatever their background—with grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and more.
Your journey awaits.
When you become a Banana Slug, you join a community of artists, innovators, creators,
and justice seekers united in using their voices to change the world.