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The MasterScholar UCSB Summer Research Program

July 5th - July 25th, 2026

The MasterScholar Summer Research Program, offered in collaboration with KSE Global Education, provides an immersive pre-college academic experience for high school students interested in sustainability, engineering, and environmental science.
 

Apply Now
 

Interdisciplinary Summer Studies
at UC Santa Barbara

In this three-week program, students will conduct research in a university setting under the guidance of experts in wide-ranging fields. By choosing a unique concentration in areas such as sustainability, engineering, and environmental science, scholars will navigate topics that intersect with data science, economics, humanities, and social sciences. Working in teams, students will develop a research question to gain interdisciplinary understanding and specialized knowledge by investigating diverse perspectives. By the end of the program, scholars will effectively present their findings to a dynamic audience by demonstrating their contribution to scholarship.

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UCSB campus entrance sign reading "University of California Santa Barbara" with the UC seal, modern architectural gateway structure, and coastal landscape visible beyond.

Top-Tier Public Research University

UCSB is considered one of the top public universities in the United States, known especially for its STEM programs

#8

in Top 25 Public Colleges
(Forbes Magazine,
2024-2025)

#37

in Physical Sciences
(Times Higher Education, 2024)

#39

in National Universities
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)

#35

in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)

The Perfect Summer Destination

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Coastal bluff with sandy beach, turquoise water, and palm trees. Colorful residential buildings sit atop the cliff. Native coastal vegetation grows in foreground.

Santa Barbara, located on the Southern California coast is the perfect summer getaway. With its warm sunshine, beautiful beaches, and hiking trails, it’s a favorite location for tourists and American people. This safe, smaller city offers local markets and a student-friendly atmosphere. The UCSB campus, perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, features its own beach where MasterScholar students can kayak, paddleboard, surf, or stroll along the shore.

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Student wearing cream-colored headphones works on laptop at a white table in a modern educational facility with other students and instructors visible in the background.


Innovative Curriculum
The program's innovative, interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to prepare students for a rigorous university research environment. Students learn collaboratively through a wide variety of teaching methods, including research lectures, mentorship seminars, presentation skills seminars, and expert guest lectures. At the end of the program, students have the chance to present their projects in the form of a research showcase.

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Two students sit at a table with laptops. The student on the left wears a blue UCSB hoodie and smiles while working. The student on the right wears a cream cardigan and looks at her phone. A white water bottle and black beverage container sit on the table between them. Large windows and louvered doors are visible in the background of the modern interior space.


Global Cultural Exchange
MasterScholar programs attract participants from around the world. Through their experience in the program, students have the opportunity to build international friendships—broadening their perspectives, enhancing cross-cultural understanding, and creating lasting memories and connections.

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UCSB campus courtyard with modern concrete buildings, students walking and socializing on paved plaza, landscaped garden areas with plants, bikes parked in foreground, and outdoor seating areas.


Experience UCSB Campus Life
MasterScholar students receive the full campus experience, housed in a residence hall with its own dining commons, a 25-meter swimming pool, basketball courts, and sand volleyball courts. Students also have access to campus academic facilities, research resources, and the University Recreation Center, which features myriad athletic facilities and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
 

Learn more about the MasterScholar UCSB Summer Research Program:

MasterScholar Website Contact KSE

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