Challenge yourself: Take courses on the UC Santa Cruz campus

Whether you are looking to earn university-level credit, complete a degree requirement or explore a new subject, Open Campus offers a flexible way to learn!

You might be:

  • Looking to earn university-level credit
  • Considering a return to school without committing full-time
  • Needing one or two courses to complete degree requirements
  • Interested in taking a graduate-level course
  • Trying to stay current in your field or learning something new
  • A high school student ready to try a college course

Open Campus allows you to explore a subject of interest or make progress toward your academic goals without applying to a degree program. Note: Enrollment is handled differently depending on your student status and which quarter you choose to enroll. Open enrollment meets different needs. 

Open Campus fees and schedules

Open Campus course options

Open Campus students may choose from a wide variety of courses. Here are a few of our featured courses.

Spring courses are now available. Final enrollment closes April 13.

See what's new this spring!

 

Lecture hall at Kresge College on the UCSC Campus filled wit

Returning UCSC students

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High school students

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Community members

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UCSC alumni

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Graduate students

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Visiting students

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Grad school preparation

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International students

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Important enrollment details

Enrollment is processed by Open Campus. Students do not enroll through MyUCSC.

CruzID access

If a course has a discussion section, include your CruzID and the discussion ID in the course ID field on your application. If you need a CruzID, email the Open Campus team at opencampus@ucsc.edu to request one.

Instructor approval

Enrollment is based on instructor approval. If the instructor signs the enrollment form, you may enroll in the course even if it is full or has a waitlist.

Summer quarter enrollment

The Open Campus program is available during the fall, winter, and spring quarters only. Refer to the UCSC academic calendar. In the summer quarter, courses are available through UCSC Summer Session.

ADA accommodations for Open Campus students

Open Campus students who participate in courses taught at the main campus in Santa Cruz must contact the UCSC Disability Resource Center for services. Contact opencampus@ucsc.edu. The Open Campus team will help connect your with the Disability Resource Center.

Resources for UCSC instructors and advisors

Check prerequisites before signing the form

When a student requests enrollment, the Silicon Valley Extension Open Campus Registrar will reach out to the instructor or the department for approval. If the course has prerequisites, Extension may request transcripts from the student and send them to the instructor or department for review before the enrollment form is signed. Instructors may decline approval if prerequisites are not met.

Priority goes to matriculated students

Please note that priority for enrollment goes to matriculated, degree-seeking students. It is at the discretion of the instructor and department to allow Open Campus students to enroll into the courses on an available basis.

No registration codes needed

Open Campus students do not need registration codes and do not appear on the course roster. Because of this, they do not take up seats or join waitlists. Enrollment is based on instructor approval. If the instructor signs the enrollment form, you may enroll in the course even if it is full or has a waitlist.

Submit grades through DocuSign

UCSC Extension will send a DocuSign form to submit grades, please check your email for the form at the end of the quarter.

Contact us!

If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance, please email opencampus@ucsc.edu