AP Credit

UC Santa Barbara AP Credit

UC Santa Barbara awards credit on 11 of the 11 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on each.

Lowest score accepted

Limit on AP credit

None stated on the page

Chart applies to

All colleges (quarter units)

Credit is limited to 8 quarter units for both English exams together, both calculus exams together, and both Physics C exams together.

What each AP exam earns at UC Santa Barbara

Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when UC Santa Barbara’s page does not name it.

AP exam	Lowest score	What it earns	With a 5
Calculus AB	3	4 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
Calculus BC	3	8 units; two Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE courses; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
English Language and Composition	3	8 units; satisfies Entry-Level Writing requirement	8 units; satisfies Entry-Level Writing and the entire English Reading and Composition GE requirement
English Literature and Composition	3	8 units; satisfies Entry-Level Writing requirement	8 units; satisfies Entry-Level Writing and the entire English Reading and Composition GE requirement
United States History	3	8 units; one Social Sciences GE course; satisfies American History and Institutions requirement	Same
Biology	3	8 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course	Same
Chemistry	3	8 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
Physics C: Mechanics	3	4 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
Computer Science A	3	8 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
Statistics	3	4 units; one Science, Mathematics, and Technology GE course; satisfies Quantitative Relationships requirement	Same
Psychology	3	4 units; one Social Science GE course	Same

“Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on designated College Board Advanced Placement tests will receive credit toward graduation.”

UC Santa Barbara

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Frequently asked questions

Does UC Santa Barbara accept AP credit?

UC Santa Barbara awards credit on 11 of the 11 common AP exams listed here. A 3 is enough on each. Credit is limited to 8 quarter units for both English exams together, both calculus exams together, and both Physics C exams together.

What AP score do you need at UC Santa Barbara?

The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 3. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.

Read from UC Santa Barbara’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.