Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) International students have always played an essential role in the life of Santa Barbara City College. Santa Barbara City College welcomes international students and encourages them to utilize all the services provided by Student Support Services and the International Student Support Program (ISSP) staff. Santa Barbara City College is in Santa Barbara, California, also known as the American Riviera. Just 100 steps from the beach, Santa Barbara City College offers one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, it's close to the entertainment industry capital of the world, Los Angeles to the south, San Francisco to the north, and Las Vegas to the East. 283 days of sunshine and its unique location offer plenty of activities year-round. The International Student Support Program office staff strives to provide international students with an opportunity to benefit from a high-quality academic curriculum, as well as from intellectually stimulating and fun social and extra-curricular activities. International students can enroll at Santa Barbara City College to improve their English Language skills through the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program or complete an associate's degree, a certificate of achievement or diploma, or a competency or departmental award through the Academic Program. Attending for a Gap year (for one year or a semester) or enrolling at another U.S. Institution while at Santa Barbara City College are also options for international students. Santa Barbara City College offers 250-degree programs, 80 certificates, and 28 fully online programs, degrees, and certificates. Selected as the #1 Value Community College 3 years in a row as well as having received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Santa Barbara City College is a great choice for international students academically and financially.
Our Vision
Santa Barbara City College strives to build a socially conscious community where knowledge and respect empower individuals to transform our world.
Our Mission
As a public community college dedicated to the success of each student . . .
Santa Barbara City College welcomes all students. The College provides a diverse learning environment and opportunities for students to enrich their lives, advance their careers, complete certificates, earn associate degrees, and transfer to four-year institutions.
The College is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive, respectful, participatory, and supportive community dedicated to the success of every student.
Our Core Principles
Santa Barbara City College’s core principles guide all aspects of instruction, organization, and innovation:
- Student-centered policies, practices, and programs
- Participatory governance
- A psychologically and physically supportive environment
- Free exchange of ideas across a diversity of learners
- The pursuit of excellence in all college endeavors.
Our Charter
Santa Barbara City College’s mission and core principles honor our commitment to the spirit and intent of the foundational framework of the California Community Colleges, as described in California Education Code §66010.4:
- Primary Mission: Academic and vocational instruction at the lower division level; advancement of California’s economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services.
- Essential and Important Functions: Remedial instruction, ESL, adult noncredit instruction (in areas defined as being in the state’s interest), and student support services.
- Authorized Function: Community services courses.