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
Extinction is not inevitable: Genomics symposium explores using DNA to save life on Earth
Conservation genomics is a bold new tool for protecting life on earth, but it will take all of us to slow the extinction crisis.
UC Santa Cruz Library publishes vast photo archive from iconic ‘Death of a Valley’
UC Santa Cruz Library has digitized and made publicly available 3,200 images taken by Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones from their photo project that captured the final year of Monticello.
Threat of California’s native tree loss is greater than current estimates
New study finds that many of the state’s most valuable and recognizable trees — including the blue oak — could decline sooner than expected because current risk calculations don’t incorporate climate change. UCSC researchers in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology found that under even the most conservative climate forecasts, most species qualify for higher threat levels than their current conservation status reflects.
Inspiring Change: The Campaign for UC Santa Cruz
Inspiring Change supports the entire university and spotlights its work on advancing five interconnected themes.
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.