The links below take you to different sections of the General Catalog and provide information about the grading system and grading options for UCSB students. For additional information on grades and how they affect your GPA, including a GPA Calculator, go to the Grade Information page under Degree Planning.

• Grade System
• Passed/Not Passed Grades
• Incomplete Grades
• In-Progress Grades
• Withdrawal Grade
• Grade Changes
• Contesting a Grade

The New Retroactive Grade Option Change policy, introduced in the 2023-24 academic year, is a pivotal resource designed to support first-year students as they acclimate to the academic demands of UC Santa Barbara. Recognizing the challenges students face in navigating UC expectations, this policy provides a safety net, allowing students to retroactively modify their grading option (from letter-graded to P/NP) on GOLD during their first three quarters with the following restrictions:

1. You can use this option only for courses in which you earned a C- or lower.
2. You can use this option only for your first three quarters at UCSB.
3. The change is only available during subsequent quarters. For example, you have until the end of Winter quarter to make the change for your Fall classes.
4. This applies to courses with "optional" grading only.
5. You must be in good academic standing.
6. Once changed, it's final! Intercollegiate athletes and those on veteran’s benefits should always check with advising before making any grading changes.
    

Students may repeat courses in which they receive a grade of C-or lower, or an NP, to improve their UC GPA. The policies on repeating courses can be found in the UCSB General Catalog. Below is a summary of what students should know and frequently asked questions regarding the policy.

Grade Limitation. Only courses in which you received a grade of C- or lower or an NP can be repeated.

16 units of Letter Grade Repeat Limit. Your GPA is calculated using the most recent grade for the first 16 repeated units. After that, you can still repeat courses; however, the grades for all attempts of the course are calculated into your GPA.

All grades are recorded on your transcript. Repeated courses do not replace your grade on your transcript. All grades are recorded on your transcript; however, only the most recent grade will be calculated into your GPA.

Only 1 repeat is allowed per course. You may only repeat a course once. To repeat a course more than once, you need to request a "Second Repeat" by petitioning the college using the Credit and Enrollment Clarification petition.

Credit/units will only be earned once. You will only get credit/units for a course once. You will not get additional credits for taking a course twice.

You may repeat courses at other UC campuses. You will need approval from your college before repeating a UCSB course at another UC campus by submitting the Credit and Enrollment Clarification petition. This petition requires your major department’s endorsement and signature.

Indicate the repeated course when registering. You will need to indicate that you are repeating a course for a better grade when registering or adding the course on GOLD.

Each quarter every UCSB student must register for courses and pay fees. Each step must be completed at a specific time. Students use GOLD to enroll on the web. The links below go to policies on enrollment procedures and guidelines at the Registrar's website and the General Catalog.

• Enrollment/Registration Procedures & Deadlines
• Quarterly Enrollment Requirements/Limits
• Absence and Withdrawal
• Auditing Courses
• UC Online Cross-Campus Enrollment Program (UCOE)
• Concurrent Enrollment
• Intercampus Transfer
• Intercampus Visitor Program (ICV)
• PaCE courses (UC Professional and Continuing Education)

Students can earn credit for coursework through various methods within established guidelines. Review the credit policies through these links to the General Catalog to explore your options and understand the requirements. 

• Advanced Placement Credit and Chart
• International Baccalaureate Credit and Chart
• A Level (GCE) Credit and Chart
• 200 Unit Enrollment Limit
• Independent Study Courses (See Course Numbers 198-199)
• ESS Credit Limit
• Lower Division Transfer Limit

Quarterly Unit Minimum
For undergraduates, the minimum full-time study load is 12 units. To enroll in fewer than 12 units for a regular quarter, students must request a "Deficit Load" using the Course Load Change petition.

Note:

• International Students on an F-1 Visa should submit the OISS Reduced Course Load (RCL) form through UCSBGlobal in place of this form. The RCL will be signed by the College advisor and OISS. 
• ICA Student-Athletes need to speak to their Athletics Academic Advisor before requesting a deficit load due to NCAA eligibility.

Quarterly Unit Maximum
For undergraduates, students in regular academic standing are limited to 21 units per quarter during the regular academic year and 16 units per session during the summer. Students on Academic Review/Notice are limited to 17 units during a regular quarter. To enroll in more than the maximum number of units for a quarter, students must request an "Excess Load" using the Course Load Change petition.

Students may need to take a temporary leave during a quarter, cancel their registration before a quarter begins, or fully withdraw after a quarter has started. The General Catalog provides a comprehensive guide on the withdrawal process and how to apply for readmission when ready to return to UCSB.

The UCSB Student Conduct Code exists to support the highest standards of social and academic behavior and ensure an environment conducive to student learning. It is expected that students attending UCSB understand and subscribe to the ideal of academic integrity and are willing to bear individual responsibility for their work. Any submission that fulfills an academic requirement must represent a student’s original work. Any act of academic dishonesty will subject a person to University disciplinary action.

The Office of Student Conduct provides more information regarding academic integrity policies and procedures.

Religious Accommodation
In accordance with California State Education Code section 92640, it is UCSB policy that an instructor will make a reasonable attempt to accommodate to a student's needs in the case of serious incompatibility between religious creed and a scheduled test or examination. In the event of a scheduling incompatibility with the course calendar, keep in mind of the following:

1. Accommodation for alternative examination dates will be worked out directly and on an individual basis between the student and the instructor involved.

2. Students should make religious accommodation requests during the first two weeks of an academic term, or as soon as possible after a particular examination date is announced by the instructor.

3. Students or faculty with questions may contact the Dean of the related school or college.

Religious Observance
Students may also observe religious holidays that are not official university holidays. Observance of these holidays may impact test or examination schedules. When looking over the course's calendar, it is important to note that the date(s) religious holidays fall on may vary by year. Particularly with Muslim Holy Days, observance begins at sundown on the preceding day. Although Muslim Holy Days are always on the same day of the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies from year to year (since the Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar). This difference in calendars means Muslim Holy Days move in the Gregorian calendar approximately 11 days every year. The date of a Muslim Holy Day may also vary from country to country, depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.