Thank you for your interest in our programs

We are no longer accepting applications from students seeking F-1 sponsorship as we have closed our certificate programs to new students. For questions, please contact extensioninternational@ucsc.edu.

Where careers are reimagined

There is no place quite like Silicon Valley. International students will experience life in one of the most dynamic economic regions in the world while studying with industry professionals from global tech companies and groundbreaking startups.

You will join a welcoming and diverse community committed to providing you with the most up-to-date practical and project-based, professional certificate programs.

University of California, Santa Cruz, founded in 1965, is a top-ranking, accredited institution collaborating with industry to provide a professional curriculum to prepare students for the latest demands in the workforce.

What makes us particularly unique, however, are the instructors who bring their passion for excellence to the classroom with hands-on practical training that helps you move your career forward. And, of course, the unmatched experience of Silicon Valley.

Certificate programs + short programs for international students

New courses start each quarter allowing students to launch their 9¨C12-month full certificate program quickly. 

Want to complete a focused, 12-unit study in a single quarter?

Choose from several exciting short programs to learn skills, explore Silicon Valley, and network with professionals.

Have questions about the °®½´ÊÓƵ Silicon Valley experience?

Current International Students
Already enrolled? You can meet with an international advisor in person or online by emailing us at extensioninternational@ucsc.edu

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Internships & Opt

Nearly all of our international students who complete a professional certificate program go on to qualify for unpaid internships and paid work experiences through the federally managed Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.

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Housing & Transportation

Find the best resources for housing and transportation in Silicon Valley.

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Academic Integrity

Every student is responsible for following the °®½´ÊÓƵ Silicon Valley Extension Academic Integrity Policy and understanding the difference between attribution and plagiarism.

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Certificates & Costs

The average tuition cost of our programs is $16,000.

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One-Quarter Short Programs

Spend a quarter in an immersive, focused study and earn a digital badge specialization in a top Silicon Valley program.

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Recent international stories

Student Renato Roschel Ribeiro, MBA

It was pretty deep and the assignments were demanding so I had to work hard to get the point.

Renato Roschel Ribeiro,
Director of Digital & Analytics | Data Analytics Professor
Data Science and Data Analytics
Bouwien Luppes

The response from my fellow students was so enthusiastic that I had to think more in depth. It evolved. Every course demands that you think in a certain way. Every course took me a step further.

Bouwien Luppes,
Art Entrepreneur and Marketer
Marketing Management
Agnieszka Zimolag

The class involved whiteboard sessions and collaboration projects which really prepared me well to start working in the industry and tackle UX design interviews.

Agnieszka Zimolag,
Product Design, Cloud at IonQ
User Experience and Web Design
Demo