University Bridge @ Santa Monica College (SMC) is located in the beautiful city of Santa Monica. Close to downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, and a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Santa Monica Beach and Third Street Promenade, the college is located in one of the most desirable areas in the United States.
Campus Fast Facts
- Over 1,000 university majors available through transfer
- Pathway to the University of California
- #1 in transfers to all UC’s for 33 years in a row, ~1,300 students (2023/24)
- #1 in transfers to UCLA, ~550 students (2023/24)
- #1 in transfers to USC, ~110 students (2023/24)
- #1 in transfers to Columbia University west of the Mississippi River, ~40 students (2023/24)
- A vibrant global community with over 3,000 international students from more than 110 countries
- Notable alumni include Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dustin Hoffman, Sean Penn, and Astronaut Walter Cunningham
- 70+ student clubs and 17 athletic teams
Want to apply to this campus? Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
Location at a Glance
- Located in Santa Monica, California
- Near downtown LA and Hollywood
- Close to UCLA, USC, and beautiful Santa Monica beach
- Mild climate ranging from 10°C (January) to 24°C (July) with great weather all year round
Guaranteed Admissions Universities
At the heart of University Bridge is access to guaranteed admissions into elite US universities. Students at the University Bridge @ Santa Monica College campus enjoy guaranteed or priority progression to the universities below, provided they meet the required GPA after two years/60 credits of study.
UCLA Pathway
The UCLA pathway is a targeted program specifically created for UBridge students aiming to attend UCLA. As a UBridge student in this program, you will attend courses at our host campus, Santa Monica College (SMC). For over 33 years, SMC has been the #1 transfer college into the UC system. SMC is also #1 in transfers to UCLA, sending around 550 students this year. Santa Monica College’s campus is located just 5.4 miles (8.6 km) from UCLA and hosts regular visits from UCLA undergraduate admissions staff.
Santa Monica College is a UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) participant institution. The UCLA TAP program offers additional benefits for students looking to transfer into UCLA. Additionally, the UCLA pathway at UBridge@SMC prepares you for successful transfer with the personalized academic guidance you need to succeed. Students who attend Santa Monica College are given priority admissions into UCLA versus those from other states applying as transfer students. Come see why 83% of UBridge students were accepted to a Top 40 US university in 2024!
This campus offers transfer pathways to many other universities, depending on the GPA you achieve. Feel free to contact us if you would like to learn more.
Program Fees
Fees include up to 36 credits, transportation and all the benefits of CollegeCare®. Fall students may elect to use their 36 credits over three consecutive semesters.
Upon acceptance into UBridge and payment of a deposit, your I-20 will be generated and sent out.
| Start Date | UBRIDGE@SMC |
|---|---|
| FALL 2025 INTAKE | $38,450 |
| SPRING 2025 INTAKE* | $30,925 |
| Additional Fees | Medical insurance and accommodations |
* Program fees include up to 24 credits for UB@SMC
Housing at UBridge@Santa Monica College
Our apartments in Santa Monica have many high-end facilities: swimming pool, BBQ area, hot tub, clubhouse, gym and, most importantly, 24/7 security.
The standard configuration for our apartments are two bedroom, two bathroom units. They are fully furnished with a kitchen (stove, microwave, oven, fridge/freezer, and dishwasher) and a living/dining area. You will share a twin room with another UBridge student. Please note that single rooms may be available on request for a significant fee.
We provide a bed, desk, and closet in your room, and each apartment has a TV, internet, cable TV, and a washer/dryer. Students can add their own personality to the apartments by putting up their favorite posters or pictures from home.
Housing Fees
| Start Date | UBRIDGE@SMC |
|---|---|
| FALL 2025 INTAKE | $29,580 |
| SPRING 2025 INTAKE* | $20,955 |
* Spring start housing fee is for 6 months
Living and community at UBridge@SMC
Be Part of a Community
Living with your fellow classmates is one of the best parts of studying in the U.S. First year University Bridge students live in the same community, and many students choose to stay for their second year. This creates a great atmosphere. You will make friends quickly. Our advisors stay close by, so we are always there if you need anything.
More Than Just Accommodations
There are many social events included with your housing: from meals out to trips to watch the NBA, from go-karting to cooking lessons, you can always keep busy. Your advisor is there to support you with anything you need, whether it is a trip to the doctor’s office, or help buying a car – we’ll always be there to help.
Local Area
The apartments at the UBridge@SMC campus are located just minutes from school. The community provides luxury Los Angeles County living, surrounded by countless recreational venues, bustling shopping districts, and delicious eateries.
There is plenty to do in Santa Monica! Experience the surf-and-sun life at Santa Monica State Beach, a famous 3.5-mile stretch of sand and sea with a paved path for biking and running. Head to the iconic Santa Monica Pier to enjoy an open-air movie screening or twilight concert series, and then take a spin on the solar-powered Ferris wheel at Pacific Park.
At the Third Street Promenade, you will find popular stores, charming cafes and theaters in a vibrant, open-air shopping center. Santa Monica’s Main Street district also offers several boutique shops, in addition to many restaurants featuring stunning terraces and breathtaking beachside dining experiences. Santa Monica offers a great cultural and academic experience and will set you up for a great future.
Support
Each University Bridge student is assigned a private advisor who is an expert on the community college system as well as the university transfer process. With UBridge’s CollegeCare®, students enjoy a student-to-advisor ratio of less than 25:1 and, therefore, have immediate access to advisors. Additionally, many of our advisors were international community college students themselves who were admitted to schools such as UCLA and Berkeley through the transfer process.
Testimonials
Luowei Liu
“My UBridge advisor Michelle helped me adjust to the online classes and gave me very crucial advice when I was considering changing my major. I couldn’t get into UCLA without this help, and I really appreciate it.”
Yi-Ting Lu
“Online courses and administrative matters are difficult to stay on top of because they are so different from in-person classes. Thanks to my advisor's help in providing organized information and answering all my questions every time.”
Yik Haw Teoh
“Coming from a complicated background, I was not used to the US education in the beginning. My UB advisor assisted me in various difficult situations revolving around academics and lifestyle in the US.”
UBridge Alumni
Jorge Jaen
Graduating from SMC with an overall transferable GPA: 4.0
University of California- Berkeley- Film and Media Studies
Yi Ting Lu
Graduating from SMC with an overall transferable GPA: 3.92
University of California, Davis – Animal Science
Quy Thi Kim Le
Graduating from SMC with an overall transferable GPA: 3.50
University of California – Irvine, Business Economics
Want to apply to this campus? Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us,
