APPLY TO CCS 

Steps to Apply


Step 1: Apply to UCSB

If you are not currently enrolled at UCSB, or have not applied, then you will first need to submit the UC Undergraduate Application for UCSB, the standard form used to apply to any University of California campus. You will be asked to include your UC application ID in your CCS application.

Please note: When selecting two majors for admission on your UC Application, you should include your preferred CCS major as one of your selections, preferably the primary selection, unless you are also applying for the College of Engineering (CoE). CoE requires that your first choice major is Engineering.

Your CCS application will require your UCSB Application ID number or PERM number (assigned later in the process), so make a note of what it is.

If you did not choose a CCS major on your UCSB application, you can request a change using the instructions listed here 

Step 2: Review the Application Requirements

Take the time to the review the application requirements for the major you are interested in before you start an application. If part of the requirements for your program, once you initiate your recommenders, they will be sent the request. It may be advisable to contact them in advance.

Please note, students who are applying for UCSB at this time may only apply for ① CCS major. If admitted to UCSB, and you submit a positive (SIR), you may apply for a second major of interest at that time. For some programs, program committees want you to have completed a few quarters before application to your second major. Please contact the program for further guidance.

✗ Standardized test policy: The University of California does not use SAT and ACT scores in making Admissions decisions. In accordance with this ruling, CCS will not accept SAT, SAT Subject Exams, or ACT scores in our supplementary application. AP/IB scores may still be requested as noted, by major, below.

Application Requirements for Each Major

Step 3: Apply to CCS

➡ Applicants to UCSB for Fall 2025

It's best to wait until after your UCSB application has been submitted to apply to CCS.
The priority deadline for CCS applications for applicants applying to UCSB for Fall 2025 is January 6, 2025, 11:59pm.
Review major specific application information, some programs may extend this deadline.

All applicants not already at UCSB must create an application using the portal. Click on the bottom right of the portal homepage login box using this link:

➡ Current UCSB Students

You may apply to CCS at any time. However, please note that the College of Creative Studies has a 6-quarter minimum residency requirement (FWS quarters only).

For all students currently attending UCSB, even those new as of Fall 2024, please use the link below, and your UCSB Single Sign On to create an application. If you are an accepted student and have already started an application with a different email address, you may continue with that application.

It's advised to apply within the first two weeks of the quarter in order to be reviewed before the next regular quarter start. However, this timeline is not guaranteed. Some committee reviews may take longer, or pause application reviews if there is no space in the major. Each student at CCS has an assigned Faculty Advisor, and because of this there is a limit to the number of majors a program may support.

Registered UCSB students, you may take Creative Studies classes even if you are not in a CCS major, on a space-available, instructor-approved basis. See the courses tab above for offerings and instructor contacts. Not all classes are open to non-majors.

Finally: Wait for Decisions

For UCSB applicants, the College of Creative Studies cannot inform applicants of decisions on their CCS applications until the University of California Santa Barbara has released admission decisions in March. You will be able to see your decision for CCS once UCSB decisions are released. A denial from CCS does not negatively affect your chances of admission to another college or major at UCSB.

For current students wishing to add or change their major, we try to get committee decisions before the next regular quarter if you submitted a complete application within the first two weeks of the quarter. However some committees may take longer than others, and some programs may not have space at this time. Feel free to stop by the Advising Office, or check in at info@ccs.ucsb.edu for a more accurate estimation of timeline.