Junior English Program at UCSB
Our UCSB junior program is not running in 2027. The guide stays online for a later summer.
A sunny campus by the beach
The ELC Summer Junior Program at the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB) offers a spectacular and sunny location that gives students access to outdoor activities and is within walking distance to the beach. During the summer, students enrolled in our Summer Junior Program at UCSB will live in a UCSB dormitory, take English classes in the mornings, and choose one of three activity programs in the afternoon: our Classic Program or Surf Explorer Program. On the weekends, students will be able to participate in optional Saturday activities and an included full-day excursion on Sunday. UCSB is a world famous university located in Goleta, California, about a 1.5-hour drive from Los Angeles.
- World Rankings: Ranked 37th in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and 41st in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- National Rankings: Ranked 10th best public university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, and 23rd in the U.S. by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- Access to UCSB library and bookstore
- Outdoor tennis courts, basketball court, pool, field space and sand volleyball court, walking distance to beautiful beaches
The program in brief
Living on campus
Most students in our Summer Junior Program stay on campus in our dormitory. The UCSB dormitory has double occupancy with full board (half board on Saturday and breakfast only on Sunday). Rooms are furnished with beds, desks, chairs and closets. Bathrooms are en suite (bathrooms adjoin two double rooms, so four students share each bathroom). Linens and bath towels are included, and students can receive fresh linens from the front desk upon request. Bathrooms and common areas are cleaned daily. Laundry facilities are located in the dormitory (estimated $1.25 per wash and $0.25 per dry per 10 minutes). Free wireless internet is available in each room. A single-room supplemental fee of $120 per week is available.
Students can register without accommodation and meals as Day Students. Day students stay with family or family friends while they participate in the Summer Junior Program. The day program includes the morning courses, the afternoon activities and the Sunday full-day excursion. Day students arrive on campus by 8:30 AM Monday through Friday and depart by 6 PM once afternoon activities are completed; the student is responsible for their own transportation to and from campus. Like every student, day students can also participate in optional Saturday activities for an additional cost. Courses-only attendance is available on request; contact us for a price.
What students study
Two 40-minute lessons and two 60-minute lessons per day (total 16.67 hours per week). Students in our Semi-Intensive English Course will improve their English skills using the communicative approach. They will study grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking and listening comprehension in real-life situations.
Take advantage of Santa Barbara's world-famous beaches with group surf lessons (requires a supplemental fee, $350 per week): two lessons a week, a wetsuit, and transportation included. Surf Explorers will learn to surf in the waters off the coast of Santa Barbara, famous for their mild temperatures and great waves, with professional surf instruction, boogie-boarding and other exciting outdoor activities.
Afternoons and weekends
Students at UCSB may choose from up to three different Activities Programs for their afternoon activity at no additional cost. Students may choose up to one program each week, and must choose their selection at enrollment to ensure availability. Classic afternoon activities take place on weekday afternoons from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. In the Classic Program, students will enjoy the diversity that the city offers through a variety of cultural, sports, sightseeing, and shopping activities, from the Santa Barbara Zoo and the Santa Barbara Mission to paddle boarding, shopping on State Street, and beach days. Evening and Saturday activities are always optional and offered to all students, with a combination of free and low-cost options determined on campus based on students' interests.
- Junior Program students are required to participate in the full-day Sunday excursion, included in the package: Universal Studios, Six Flags Amusement Park, and beach barbecue days
- Optional Saturday activities: Disneyland (reserve in advance, +$330), kayaking, hiking, bike tours, beach trips, shopping trips, movies, and museums
- Optional evening activities: dance parties, shopping trips, talent shows, concerts, tie-dye t-shirts, movie nights, and sports on campus (basketball, soccer, tennis, volleyball). Some optional evening activities may have fees.