Campus News

Make summer count: enrollment is open!

Summer Session 2026 is now open for enrollment, offering hundreds of in-person and online courses for students to make progress toward their degree or explore something new.

May 1, 2026

By Jennifer Gallacher

With summer planning underway, students, faculty, and staff can now sign up for hundreds of in-person and online courses.

Summer Session provides students with the classes they need to make progress toward graduation, whether that means completing a General Education (GE) requirement or a course for their major. At the same time, summer offers a chance to explore something new through creative, unique courses that may not be available during fall, winter, and spring quarters.

“Students count on summer to stay on track or get ahead, and we partner with departments each year to offer courses that are essential and engaging,” said Jennifer Gallacher, director of Summer Session. “This summer, we’re excited about hands-on classes like Deep Dive: Museums of the Bay Area and Introduction to Horticulture, where lectures and demonstrations are combined with activities in the UCSC Greenhouses and at the UCSC Arboretum to give students direct experience with horticulture practices and principles.”

Summer Session at UC Santa Cruz is open to everyone, including students from other UC campuses, colleges, and high schools, as well as staff and community members.

We want summer to be accessible and affordable. Eligible UC Santa Cruz students can get financial aid, and California Community College students receive 50% off per-credit tuition for summer courses to help with their transfer goals. UC Santa Cruz staff and faculty also get a tuition discount to support their professional and personal growth.

With most classes taught in an accelerated five-week format, students can make progress toward their degree, work, and have fun this summer. 

Find more information and browse courses at summer.ucsc.edu.