UCSB MasterScholar
Summer Research Program
July 6th - 26th, 2025
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.
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.
Top-Tier Public Research University
UCSB is considered one of the top public universities in the United States, known especially for its STEM programs
in Top 25 Public Colleges
(Forbes Magazine,
2024-2025)
in Physical Sciences
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
in National Universities
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
(U.S. News & World Report, 2025)
The Perfect Summer Destination
Santa Barbara, situated on the coast of Southern California two hours north of Los Angeles, is the perfect place to spend your summer. Between the warm California sunshine, pristine beaches, and mountain hiking trails, it's a top destination for beachgoers and outdoors enthusiasts. UCSB's campus, minutes from downtown Santa Barbara, sits on a coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It features its own campus beach, where MasterScholar students have the opportunity to try out kayaking, paddleboarding, and surfing.
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.
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.
Experience UCSB Campus Life
MasterScholar students are given the full campus experience, housed in a residence hall featuring 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 is equipped with myriad athletic facilities and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Learn more about the UCSB MasterScholar Summer Research Program:
MasterScholar Website Contact KSE
