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University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BA Film and Media Studies

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Training

One of the longest-standing undergraduate critical studies majors in the country, established in 1973 and enrolling roughly 500 majors

Combines film and media history and theory, critical writing, and screenwriting with hands-on production coursework

Production sequence includes Introduction to Production Technology (shooting, lighting, sound, editing), the two-quarter Crew Production course, and Animation across cel, direct, photo, three-dimensional, and computer techniques

Specialized workshops in Sound Production, Lighting, GreenScreen, and the Coastal Media Project, overseen by Head of Production Chris Jenkins and Equipment Manager Keith Boynton

Professional Development

Student organizations include the Delta Kappa Alpha professional film society, Filmmakers' Co-op, Focus Media Journal, Women in Media, and Writers' Room

Department events include the Cam-Con cinematography camp, the Reel Loud silent film festival, and the Word Farm screenwriting workshop

The Paul N. and Elinor T. Lazarus Scholarship supports screenwriting-focused juniors; the Alexander Sesonske Prize recognizes scholarly essays

Degree Flexibility

Apply through the standard UC application; the department does not conduct a separate undergraduate admissions review

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.30

Admit rate

33%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

23.1K

Earnings

$75K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,673

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$56,943

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$50,946

Before aid

Average net price

$16,109

After aid

Ucsb Undergraduate Cost Attendance Budget · finaid.ucsb.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 22, 7:47 PM

Program Highlights

Training

One of the longest-standing undergraduate critical studies majors in the country, established in 1973 and enrolling roughly 500 majors

Combines film and media history and theory, critical writing, and screenwriting with hands-on production coursework

Specialized workshops in Sound Production, Lighting, GreenScreen, and the Coastal Media Project, overseen by Head of Production Chris Jenkins and Equipment Manager Keith Boynton

Professional Development

Student organizations include the Delta Kappa Alpha professional film society, Filmmakers' Co-op, Focus Media Journal, Women in Media, and Writers' Room

Department events include the Cam-Con cinematography camp, the Reel Loud silent film festival, and the Word Farm screenwriting workshop

The Paul N. and Elinor T. Lazarus Scholarship supports screenwriting-focused juniors; the Alexander Sesonske Prize recognizes scholarly essays

Degree Flexibility

Apply through the standard UC application; the department does not conduct a separate undergraduate admissions review

Program Highlights

Training

One of the longest-standing undergraduate critical studies majors in the country, established in 1973 and enrolling roughly 500 majors

Combines film and media history and theory, critical writing, and screenwriting with hands-on production coursework

Specialized workshops in Sound Production, Lighting, GreenScreen, and the Coastal Media Project, overseen by Head of Production Chris Jenkins and Equipment Manager Keith Boynton

Professional Development

Student organizations include the Delta Kappa Alpha professional film society, Filmmakers' Co-op, Focus Media Journal, Women in Media, and Writers' Room

Department events include the Cam-Con cinematography camp, the Reel Loud silent film festival, and the Word Farm screenwriting workshop

The Paul N. and Elinor T. Lazarus Scholarship supports screenwriting-focused juniors; the Alexander Sesonske Prize recognizes scholarly essays

Degree Flexibility

Apply through the standard UC application; the department does not conduct a separate undergraduate admissions review

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

UC Application

Opens

UCSB TAG Application filing period opens (transfer)Sep 1, 2026

UC Application filing period opensOct 1, 2026

Deadline

UCSB TAG Application filing deadline (transfer)Sep 30, 2026

Regular DecisionNov 30, 2026

Transfer Academic Update deadline (transfer)Jan 31, 2027

Deadlines · admissions.sa.ucsb.edu

Program AppApplication

Dates

Opens later

Undergraduate Program · filmandmedia.ucsb.edu

University Essays

UC Personal Insight Questions

350 words each · Answer 4 of 8 · Written once for all your UC Application schools

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Personal Insight Questions · admission.universityofcalifornia.edu Official page · ccs.ucsb.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Process

Apply through the University of California application.

Complete any department declaration, emphasis selection, or secondary process published for the program.

What's The Process

Admissions

No separate entrance audition, interview, or artistic supplement is required for this program.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

4.30

Admit rate

33%

school-wide

Grad rate

83%

Enrollment

23.1K

Earnings

$75K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$17,673

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$56,943

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$50,946

Before aid

Average net price

$16,109

After aid

Ucsb Undergraduate Cost Attendance Budget · finaid.ucsb.edu College Scorecard

Training

One of the longest-standing undergraduate critical studies majors in the country, established in 1973 and enrolling roughly 500 majors

Combines film and media history and theory, critical writing, and screenwriting with hands-on production coursework

Specialized workshops in Sound Production, Lighting, GreenScreen, and the Coastal Media Project, overseen by Head of Production Chris Jenkins and Equipment Manager Keith Boynton

Professional Development

Student organizations include the Delta Kappa Alpha professional film society, Filmmakers' Co-op, Focus Media Journal, Women in Media, and Writers' Room

Department events include the Cam-Con cinematography camp, the Reel Loud silent film festival, and the Word Farm screenwriting workshop

The Paul N. and Elinor T. Lazarus Scholarship supports screenwriting-focused juniors; the Alexander Sesonske Prize recognizes scholarly essays

Degree Flexibility

Apply through the standard UC application; the department does not conduct a separate undergraduate admissions review

Updated Aug 22, 7:47 PM