Ug Prospectus

UNDERGRADUATE PROSPECTUS
2022 Admission
Contents
Message from the Vice-Chancellor 4 Faculty of Law 54
Using this Prospectus 6 Faculty of Science 58
Visiting the University 8 Student Housing 65
About Cape Town and UCT 9 Sports, Student Clubs and Student Societies 68
Application and Admission to UCT 10 International Students 71
National Benchmark Tests 15 Tuition Fees & Residence Costs 75
Faculty of Commerce 18 Funding your studies 76
Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment 27 Student Life at UCT 79
Faculty of Health Sciences 34 NBT Dates for 2021/2022 Applicants 82
Faculty of Humanities 42 Contact information 83
UCT is aware that the current crisis related to COVID-19 will impact the regular operational timelines. Given the fluid situation that prevails all dates
contained in our publications and correspondence are subject to change.
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29 000
students in
6 faculties
Over 100
countries
represented
on campus
44 000
undergraduate
applicants
for 4 000
places
4
Message from the research guarantee your studies will be informed by the latest
advances in knowledge. Our research places a special focus on
Africa. This abiding interest in all things African means our staff and
Vice-Chancellor students are committed to addressing a wide spectrum of issues

facing our continent – including those related to health, economics,
social justice, poverty alleviation and humanitarian relief. If working
on problems affecting your community excites you, UCT is perfectly
We are delighted that you are interested in enrolling for your degree at placed to nurture your passion, so that you can begin to make a
the University of Cape Town (UCT). meaningful contribution to society.
UCT will give you the opportunity to obtain a first-class education Should you choose to study here you will be joining us at a time of
at one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse campuses. Aside unprecedented global change, particularly in education. Even before
from gaining an internationally recognised qualification, we offer the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, UCT was already hard at
you a personally enriching student life, where you will make lasting work ensuring our students had access to a quality digital education
friendships and begin to establish a network that will serve you for the with academic and social support to help students thrive, no matter
rest your professional life. (Where health and safety restrictions might the circumstances. The pandemic simply sped up the process
remain in place because of COVID-19, we have developed online of developing a world-class online learning space that delivers a
opportunities for students to meet and interact with each other, as well consistently high standard of education. (Courses that require face-
as with faculty staff and tutors.) to-face teaching and class participation continue to be offered.
Where necessary we will follow health and safety protocols, such as
Choosing your tertiary institution and selecting your degree providing adequately ventilated venues where classes can be held in
programme may well be two of the most important decisions you will small groups, operating on a rotation basis, to reduce the number of
ever make. This publication contains all the information you need people in each space at any time.)
to choose an academic programme within one of our six faculties:
Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, We are hopeful that by 2022 on-campus classes will resume. which connects employers with future graduates. The career advice
Humanities, Law and Science. Recognising that many new students will be away from home for the and consultation offered by this unit is available to all UCT students
first time, UCT has several support structures that provide a safety net and remains a free service for three years after graduation.
UCT does all it can to facilitate funding for deserving students. Should for students needing help and guidance in adjusting to campus life.
you need financial assistance for your studies, please turn to the In line with this approach to wellness and balance in student life, UCT Good luck with making your decision. I hope to welcome you to UCT
section that outlines how to seek funding from the National Student offers you an opportunity to join one or more of our 40 sports clubs in person early in the coming year, when we launch our annual first-
Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and/or how to apply for one of a and the 100+ societies that can provide an outlet for your cultural or year orientation programme that will introduce you to our spectacular
number of UCT scholarships. spiritual interests, enable you to engage with social justice issues, or campus and the entire range of services that will make your time at
help hone your entrepreneurial skills. UCT as enjoyable and productive as possible.
There are many good reasons for choosing to study at UCT. The
university consistently performs well in international ranking systems UCT alumni remain among South Africa’s most sought-after graduates All the best,
due to the excellence of our research. Many UCT academics are and they enjoy one of the country’s highest graduate employment
internationally recognised as excellent teachers and experts in their rates. Our students are often recruited directly into the private sector, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
fields. Their scholarly work and engagement in ground-breaking thanks to the sterling work undertaken by UCT’s Career Service unit, VICE-CHANCELLOR
Umyalezo ovela uqale ukwakha ukuthungelana nabantu abaza kukukhonza imihla

yonke yobomi bakho bobungcali. (Apho impilo kunye nezithentelo
zokhuseleko zingahlala zihleli endaweni ngenxa yobhubhane
kwizifundo zakho, nceda utyhile kwicandelo elichaza ukuba
ungayifumana njani inkxaso-mali esuka kwi-Nation Student Financial
Aid Scheme (NSFAS) kunye/okanye indlela yokufaka isicelo kwenye
kwiSekela-Ngqonyela i-Covid-19, siye saphuhlisa amathuba kwi-intanethi apho abafundi

badibana kwaye basebenzisane, kunye nabasebenzi bamacandelo
nabancedisi-bahlohli).
yezeengxowa-mali ze-UCT.
Kunezizathu ezibalulekileyo ezininzi zokuba ukhethe ukufunda e-UCT.

Le yunivesithi ngokungagungqiyo isoloko iqhuba kakuhle kwinkqubo
Ukukhetha iziko lemfundo ephakamileyo kunye nokukhetha inkqubo yokubeka kwinqanaba lehlabathi ngenxa yokugqwesa kophando
Siyachulumanca kukuba unomdla ekubhaliseleni isidanga yakho yesidanga kunokuba zezona zigqibo zibalulekileyo oya kuzenza. lwethu. Uninzi lwabahlohli base-UCT baziwa kwilizwe liphela
kwiYunivesithi YaseKapa (UCT). Olu papasho luqulathe lonke ulwazi oludingayo ukuze ukhethe inkqubo njengootitshala abagqwesileyo kunye neengcali kumacandelo abo.
yokufunda kwelinye lamacandelo ethu amathandathu: ezoRhwebo, Umsebenzi wabo wobunkcuba buchopho kunye nokuzibandakanya
I-UCT iza kukunika ithuba lokuba ufumane imfundo ekwinqanaba ezobuNjineli kunye neNdawo yezaKhiwo, ezoNyango neeNzululwazi kuphando oluza nezisombululo ezintsha kwaye oluyiliweyo luqinisekisa
eliphezulu kwezona khampasi zakhe zantle kwaye ezahlukileyo kwezeMpilo, ezoLuntu, ezoMthetho kunye neNzululwazi. ukuba izifundo zakho ziya kwaziswa ngenkqubela phambili entsha
kumhlaba uphela. Ngaphandle kokuzuza isidanga esidumileyo kulwazi.
kwizizwe jikelele, sikunika ngokobuqu ubomi bomfundi I-UCT yenza konke ekwazi ukwenza ukulungiselela inkxaso-mali
obutyetyisiweyo, apho uza kwenza ubuhlobo banaphakade kwaye kubafundi abafanelekileyo. Ukuba udinga uncedo lwezezimali Uphando lwethu lubeka ingqwalasela eyodwa e-Afrika. Lo mdla
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uhlala kuzo zonke izinto zaseAfrika uthetha ukuba abasebenzi kunye ezinjengokubonelela ngendawo ekungena umoya ngokufanelekileyo abaphumeleleyo eMzantsi Afrika kwaye bonwabela elinye lawona
nabafundi bethu bazibophelele ekujonganeni nemiba emininzi kwaye apho iiklasi zinokubanjelwa khona ngokwamaqela amancinci, mazinga aphezulu eliqeshwayo elizweni. Abafundi bethu bahlala
ejongene nelizwekazi lethu - kubandakanya leyo inxulumene nezempilo, zisebenza ngokujikeleza, ukunciphisa inani labantu kwindawo nganye bebizwa ngokuthe ngqo kwicandelo labucala, ngenxa yomsebenzi
ezoqoqosho, ubulungisa kwezentlalo, ukuphelisa intlupheko kunye ngamaxesha onke.) ogqwesileyo owenziwe licandelo lenkonzo yomsebenzi ye-UCT,
noncedo lwabantu. Ukuba ukusebenza kwiingxaki ezichaphazela uluntu edibanisa abaqeshi kunye nabathweswa-zidanga bangomso. Ingcebiso
lwakho kuyakuvuyisa, i-UCT ibekwe ngokugqibeleleyo ukuphuhlisa Sinethemba lokuba ngo-2022 ukufundela emagumbini ekhampasini ngamakhondo omsebenzi kunye nokubonisana okubonelelwa leli
uthando lwakho ukuze uqale ukwenza igalelo elibonakalayo eluntwini. kuya kuqhubeka kwakhona. Siqaphela ukuba uninzi lwabafundi candelo kuyafumaneka kubo bonke abafundi base-UCT kwaye ihlala
abatsha baya kuba kude nekhaya ityeli lokuqala, i-UCT ineziseko iyinkonzo yasimahla iminyaka emithathu emva kokuthweswa isidanga.
Ukuba ukhetha ukufunda apha uya kuba nathi ngexesha lotshintsho zenkxaso ezininzi ezibonelela ngomnatha wokhuseleko kubafundi
olungazange lubonwe ngaphambili, ngakumbi kwimfundo. abafuna uncedo kunye nesikhokelo kulungiselelo lokuqhelana Iminqweno emihle ekwenzeni isigqibo sakho. Ndiyathemba ukuba
Kwanangaphambi kokufika kobhubhane i-COVID-19, i-UCT yayisele nobomi bokuhlala esikolweni. Ngokuhambelana nale ndlela esingisele ndiyakwamkela ngokwam e-UCT kulo nyaka ozayo, xa sisungula
isebenza nzima iqinisekisa ukuba abafundi bethu bayafikelela kwimpilontle kunye nokuxhathisa kubomi bokuba ngumfundi, inkqubo yethu yonyaka wokuqala yokuqhelaniswa nezifundo
kwimfundo esemgangathweni esebenzisa ubuchwephetsha neintanethi i-UCT ikunika ithuba lokuba ujoyine ube lilungu lenye okanye uninzi eziza kukwazisa kule khampasi yethu intle kunye nalo lonke uluhlu
ngenkxaso kwezemfundo nakwezentlalo ukunceda abafundi lwamaqela wethu weemidlalo angamashumi amane (40) ubuninzi lweenkonzo eziza kwenza ukuba ixesha lakho e-UCT libe mnandi
baphumelele, nokuba iimeko zithini na. Lo bhubhane ukhawulezise kunye nemibutho engaphezulu kwekhulu (100 +) enokunika indawo kwaye libe nemveliso ngokunokwenzeka.
nje inkqubo yokuphuhlisa indawo ekumgangatho ophezulu yokuba uveze iminqweno yakho kwinkcubeko okanye kwimicimbi
yokufundela ekwi-intanethi eqhubekeka isiza nemfundo ekwinqanaba yokomoya, ikwenza ukwazi ukuzibandakanya nemiba yezobulungisa Konke okuhle,
eliphezulu. (Izifundo ezifuna ukufundiswa ubuso ngobuso kunye kwezentlalo, okanye incede iphuhlise izakhono zakho zobushishini.
nokuthatha inxaxheba egumbini ziya kuqhubeka ukufundiswa. Apho Unjingalwazi Mamokgethi Phakeng
kufanelekileyo siya kulandela iinkqubo zempilo nezokhuseleko, Abafundi abaphumeleleyo base-UCT baphakathi kwabafundi USEKELA-TSHANSELA
Boodskap van die Daar is baie goeie redes om te kies om by die UK te studeer.
Die universiteit vaar voortdurend goed in internasionale peilings
as gevolg van die hoë gehalte van ons navorsing. Verskeie UK
Ons is hoopvol dat klasse in 2022 op kampus sal hervat. Ons erken
dat baie nuwe studente vir die eerste keer weg van die huis af sal
woon, daarom het die UK verskeie ondersteuningstrukture in plek wat
Visekanselier akademici word internasionaal erken as uitnemende onderwysers en

kenners in hulle veld. Hulle akademiese werk en betrokkenheid by
baanbrekersnavorsing waarborg dat jou studies ondersteun sal word
ŉ veilige vangnet vir studente sal skep wat hulp of leiding benodig
om by die kampuslewe aan te pas. In pas met hierdie benadering tot
gesondheid en balans gedurende jou studentelewe, bied die UK jou
deur die nuutste vooruitgang in navorsing en kennis. die geleentheid om by een of meer van ons 40 sportklubs en 100+
Ons is verjeug dat jy belangstel om by die Universiteit van Kaapstad verenigings aan te sluit wat ŉ uitlaatklep vir jou kulturele en geestelike
(UK) vir jou graad in te skryf. Ons navorsing plaas ŉ spesiale fokus op Afrika. Hierdie voortdurende behoeftes bied. Wat jou die geleentheid sal gee om betrokke te
belangstelling in Afrika beteken dat ons personeel en studente raak by sosiale geregtigheidskwessies, of jou sal help om jou
Die UK sal vir jou die geleentheid op ŉ eersteklas opvoeding bied toegewyd is aan ŉ wye spektrum kwessies wat ons kontinent in die entrepreneursvaardighede te ontwikkel.
by een van die wêreld se mooiste en mees diverse kampusse. gesig staar – insluitende kwessies soos gesondheid, ekonomie, sosiale
Buiten ŉ internasionaal erkende kwalifikasie, bied ons ŉ verrykende geregtigheid, armoedeverligting en humanitêre hulpverlening. As dit UK alumni is steeds onder die mees gesogte gegradueerdes in Suid-
studentelewe ervaring, waar jy blywende vriendskappe sal maak, jou opgewonde maak om aan probleme te werk wat jou gemeenskap Afrika en hulle geniet een van die land se hoogste indiensnemingskoerse
asook om ŉ netwerk te begin wat jou sal kan help vir die res van jou raak, dan is die UK perfek geposisioneer om jou passie te verwesenlik, vir afgestudeerdes. Ons studente word dikwels direk genader uit
professionele loopbaan. (Waar gesondheid- en veiligheidsmaatreëls sodat jy kan begin om ŉ betekenisvolle bydra tot die samelewing te die privaatsektor, wat te danke is aan die uitstekende werk wat deur
in plek mag bly as gevolg van Covid-19, het ons aanlyn geleenthede maak. die UK se Loopbaandienste Eenheid gedoen word, wat werkgewers
ontwikkel vir studente om mekaar te ontmoet en gespreke te kan voer, met toekomstige gegradueerdes verbind. Die loopbaanadvies en
sowel as met fakulteitpersoneel en tutors. Sou jy kies om hier te studeer, sal jy by ons aansluit gedurende ŉ konsultasies wat deur hierdie eenheid aangebied word, is beskikbaar
tydperk van ongekende globale verandering, veral in die onderwys. vir alle UK studente en is beskikbaar vir ŉ verdere 3 jaar nadat hul
Om jou tersiêre inrigting en jou graad-program te kies, mag twee van die Selfs voor die aanbreek van die Covid-19 pandemie, was die UK reeds afgestudeer het.
belangrikste lewensbesluite wees wat jy sal neem. Hierdie publikasie hard aan die werk om te verseker dat ons studente toegang het tot
bevat al die inligting wat jy nodig het om ŉ akademiese program te gelyke digitale onderrig met akademiese en sosiale ondersteuning om Sterkte met jou besluitneming. Ek hoop om jou vroeg in die volgende
kies binne ons ses fakulteite: Handelswetenskappe, Ingenieurswese en studente te help floreer, maak nie saak wat die omstandighede is nie. jaar by die UK in persoon te verwelkom; wanneer ons die jaarlikse
die Bou-omgewing, Gesondheidswetenskappe, Geesteswetenskappe, Die pandemie het bloot die proses van ontwikkeling vir ŉ wêreldklas eerstejaaroriëntasie program afskop, wat jou sal voorstel aan jou
Regsgeleerdheid en Wetenskap. aanlynonderrigruimte, wat ŉ konstante hoë standaard van onderrig ongelooflike kampus en die hele reeks dienste wat jou tyd by die UK so
handhaaf, versnel. (Kursusse wat aangesig-tot-aangesig-onderrig aangenaam en produktief as moontlik sal maak.
Die UK doen alles in sy vermoë om befondsing te fasiliteer vir en klasbywoning vereis, word steeds aangebied. Waar nodig, sal
verdienstelike studente. Sou jy finansiële hulp benodig vir jou studies, ons die gesondheid- en veiligheidsprotokollevolg; soos om lokale van Alles van die beste,
blaai asseblief na die gedeelte wat verduidelik hoe jy aansoek kan doen genoegsame ventilasie te voorsien, waar klasse beperk word tot kleiner
by die Nasionale Studente Finansiële Hulpskema vir Studente (NSFAS) groepe en op ŉ rotasiebasis werk, sodoende word die getal persone Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
en/of hoe om aansoek te doen vir verskeie UK beurse. verminder wat ŉ spesifieke lokaal gebruik.) VISE-KANSELIER
6
Using this Prospectus

This prospectus is a guide for school-leavers and Then, we apply the admissions selection criteria for
others who are interested in studying for a first the programme concerned.
qualification at the University of Cape Town. It
introduces you to life at UCT, describing the campus Applicant: You (A person who applies to study for a
and detailing the services and facilities we provide degree, diploma or certificate). Once you register at
for students. UCT, you become a student.
Details of all undergraduate programmes offered Application fee: This is the fee required as part of
are provided. We recommend that you also visit the your application. It is non-refundable, even if your
websites of faculties and departments in which you application is unsuccessful.
may be interested.
Applicant number: An alpha-numeric number will be
To help you understand the contents of this prospectus, allocated to you to identify and track your application.
we list below some of the terms that we use in this It normally consists of the first three consonants of
prospectus and what we mean by these terms. your surname, and the first three characters of your
first name, followed by a unique three digit number.
Admission Points Score (APS): This is the measure of
your academic achievement based on your school- It is important that you quote this number in any
leaving results (or an acceptable equivalent). The APS subsequent correspondence that you have with us.
either on its own or (as in some faculties) combined
with your NBT scores produces a Faculty Points Score Applicant status: Once you have submitted your
(FPS) which we use to rank applicants. application, you can check the progress of your
application on the UCT website. You will need to use
Admissions selection criteria: We use these to select your applicant number or personal details to access
whom we will accept to study at UCT. First, we decide information.
who has met the (minimum) admission requirements.
Disadvantage factor: This is a percentage, between
0 and 10%, by which we adjust the FPS of South
African NSC candidates to arrive at the WPS. The
disadvantage factor is in turn derived from factors
related to the disadvantage experienced by applicants
in their school and at home.
Read this
prospectus in Early conditional offer: This is an offer of admission,
conjunction with made during the course of the year preceding
the 2022 Directions admission, which is conditional on performance in
for Undergraduate your final school examinations. Early conditional
Applicants offers are not made to all applicants.
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An early conditional offer will be withdrawn if the conditions National Senior Certificate (NSC): Since 2008, South African
for admission are not met. school-leavers write the NSC examinations. This may be
under the auspices of one of three examining authorities:
Faculty Points Score (FPS): This is the score we use to rank The Department of Basic Education (DBE), the Independent
applicants. In two faculties it combines the APS and NBT Examinations Board (IEB) or the South African Comprehensive
scores. In other faculties it is the APS. Assessment Institute (SACAI). Scores in this prospectus are
calculated for NSC applicants.
Faculty: A faculty is a grouping of departments and offers
specific degree and diploma programmes. There are six Programme: Students enter a degree, diploma or certificate
faculties at UCT. Students register in a faculty. programme, which is a combination of subjects that have
been constructed to provide you with a particular knowledge
Matriculation / Matriculation Endorsement: If you obtain and skills base, and leads to a qualification.
a NSC endorsed for bachelors degree study you do
not need a matriculation certificate or a certificate of Redress Category: The redress category is derived, for South
exemption. If your school-leaving certificate is from another African applicants only, from the racial classification of their
examining authority you will need to obtain a matriculation parents during Apartheid.
exemption certificate.
Registration: If you are offered a study place, you must sign
Minimum Admission re- up before the start of the first term. We call this registration.
GLOSSARY AND ABBREVIATIONS OF COMMON
quirements: What you Registration gives you student status, commits you to a
APPLICATION-RELATED TERMS
must have: for example, certain programme, and to pay fees for it.
A Level Advanced Level Mathematics is required
AL Academic Literacy for admission to some School subject requirements: The subjects and ratings
AP Advanced Programme programmes. These are that you must obtain to be considered for admission for a
APS Admission Points Score necessary requirements particular degree or diploma programme. Obtaining the NSC
AS Level Advanced Subsidiary Level you must meet, but are with bachelors endorsement and meeting the minimum
FPS Faculty Points Score not necessarily sufficient admission requirement does not guarantee admission to the
GCSE General Certificate of Secondary Education for entry. University.
IB SL International Baccalaureate Standard Level
IB HL International Baccalaureate Higher Level National Benchmark Undergraduate: A university student registered for a first
IGCSE International General Certificate of Tests (NBT): All applicants degree or an undergraduate diploma. This Prospectus
Secondary to undergraduate pro- is intended for you if you wish to be admitted to an
Education grammes living in, or at undergraduate programme at UCT.
NBT National Benchmark Tests school in, South Africa,
NSC National Senior Certificate and all Health Sciences Weighted Points Score (WPS):
NSSC Namibian Senior School Certificate applicants, must write the For South African NSC applicants only, this is the faculty
OL Ordinary Level NBTs. The NBTs comprise points score weighted by the disadvantage factor applicable
QL Quantitative Literacy of three tests. to each applicant.
WPS Weighted Points Score
ZIMSEC. Zimbabwean Schools Examination Council
8
Visiting the University
This prospectus can only give you a flavour of life at UCT. While THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE
there are ordinarily many opprtunities for applicants and
their parents to visit our campuses, restrictions as a result of The Admissions Office is open between 08h30 and 16h30 daily,
the pandemic have limited what we are able to offer. Please except for Thursdays when we open at 09h30. As for much of 2020,
monitor developments during the course of 2021. In the event Admissions Office staff remain working remotely, so visits to the
of a change in circumstances we will again consider opening the office on Middle Campus are unfortunately not possible. However,
campus to visitors. most of our services remain available remotely, including:
• Addresses to grade 11 and 12 learners at schools

UCT OPEN DAY • Grade 9 subject-choice talks
• Individual interviews with applicants
Every year we host Open Day aimed at high school learners in • Advice on study options
grades 10, 11 & 12, their families and teachers. Unfortunately, • Assistance with the applicant procedure
due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, no Open Day was
possible in 2020. The risks considered last year remain present,
and in 2021 a Virtual Open Day is on our calendar for May. PARENTS’ ORIENTATION
Parents of new undergraduate students are invited to attend
Parents’ Orientation each year. The programme allows for parents to
be addressed by the Vice-Chancellor, and meet the Deans. In 2021
the event was held online for the first time.
For more information about visiting UCT or the

services listed above, contact:
THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE:

T 021 650 2128
E admissions-ug@uct.ac.za
W www.uct.ac.za
9
About Cape Town and UCT
One of the most popular destinations in the world, Cape Town has it all.
With beaches, mountains, forests and UCT on your doorstep, Cape Town
is an historic, cosmopolitan city with a vibrant contemporary culture of
music and art, as well as a host of sport and leisure activities.
The University’s main campus lies on the lower slopes of Devil’s Peak in
the Cape Peninsula. The Peninsula and its environs feature some of the
most breathtaking scenery in the world and offer you a unique natural
environment to explore during your leisure time.
Many sports are offered at the University and there

is an active cultural life, both on campus and in
and around the city. Cape Town forms the hub of
the Western Cape, and it is the centre of politics,
business, industry and services in the region. This
region provides an ideal ‘laboratory’ for much of the
University’s teaching and research.
The University of Cape Town is the oldest university in South Africa

and is one of the leading research universities on the African
continent. UCT has over 29 000 students, of whom 30% are
postgraduate students. Some 5 500 degrees and diplomas are
awarded each year in our six faculties: Commerce, Engineering
& the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and
Science. We pride ourself on our diverse student body, which
reflects the many cultures and backgrounds of the region.
We welcome international students and are

currently home to over 5 000 international
students from over 100 countries.
UCT has a tradition of academic excellence and research that is

respected world-wide. Past students include five Nobel Laureates –
Max Theiler, Alan Cormack, Sir Aaron Klug, Ralph Bunche and,
most recently, J M Coetzee.
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Application & Admission to UCT
ADMISSIONS POLICY admissions policy is to provide for redress for South These are the four designated redress categories
African citizens and permanent residents on the basis used to give effect to our admissions policy.
Our admissions policy is designed to ensure that top of disadvantage. To do this we look at the school
achievers are offered places at UCT, and to ensure a the applicant attends/attended and his/her family • Redress category 1: An applicant with at least one
diverse student body by incorporating measures for background. parent classified as Black under apartheid
redress and measures to ensure that the incoming • Redress category 2:: An applicant with at least
cohort increasingly reflects the demographic diversity This yields a disadvantage factor, expressed as one parent classified as Coloured (but the other
of our country. a percentage between 0% and 10% (or for the not as Black) under apartheid
programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences, between • Redress category 3: An applicant with at least one
We start by 0% and 20%). We add this percentage of the FPS to parent classified as Indian (but the other not as
• setting minimum levels of academic achievement the FPS to derive the weighted (for redress) Faculty Black or Coloured) under apartheid
for each programme, below which we will not offer Point Score (WPS). • Redress category 4: An applicant with at least one
a place; parent classified as Chinese (but the other not as
• setting the class size for each programme and In other words if the disadvantage factor is 7%, we Black, Coloured or Indian) under apartheid
setting an aspirational demographic enrolment calculate the WPS as follows: WPS = FPS + (7% X FPS).
target for each programme; and If there is a zero redress factor (no school or family Selection methods
• determining selection methods. disadvantage or an international applicant) then the When making offers, we:
factor is 0% and WPS = FPS + 0 = FPS. • select a proportion of the class using the
The Faculty Points Score unweighted FPS; this we call Band A.
The Faculty Points Score (FPS) (calculated in different Redress for diversity • select a proportion (usually a bigger proportion)
ways to meet the needs of each faculty) is used to rank We categorise all South African applicants (not of the class using the weighted score – the WPS
the best applicants; a small number of applicants will international applicants) according to the categorisation – in which we make a significant allowance for
be offered places on the basis of the FPS. of their parents’ race under apartheid. This allows us to school and/or family disadvantage and this we
have a proxy for the applicant’s race. call Band B.
Redress on the basis of disadvantage • select the remaining members of the class in FPS
As our South African history has been, and in many We use these categories to give priority in making rank order from redress categories in order to
cases continues to be, one of gross inequality usually selection decisions to ensure that we meet the diversity constitute each class for diversity; this we call
structured along racial lines, a key element of our targets we set for each class. Band C.
Key 31 JULY 2021 31 AUGUST 2021 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 2 OCTOBER 2021
• Preferred date for • Applications close for ALL undergraduate • Final date to submit the Bachelor of Architectural Studies • The final date to write the NBTs for admission to UCT is
Dates submission of BAS
portfolio for early
programmes
• Final date to write the NBTs if you wish to be
(BAS) portfolio
• Closing date for requesting a programme change. You
2 October 2021. If you wish to be considered for a conditional
offer by the Faculty of Health Sciences, you must write the
consideration considered for a conditional offer by the Faculty do so by sending a request in Student Self-Service or by NBTs by 31 August 2021; if you write the NBTs after
of Health Sciences emailing admissions-ug@uct.ac.za with the subject line 31 August, you will only be considered for an offer in early
• Final date for submission of BA (FA) portfolio. “Programme change request” and your applicant number. 2022 after your final examination results are received.
11
HOW TO APPLY
What is the application fee? When we acknowledge receipt of your application, Apply online at http://applyonline.uct.ac.za
South African and SADC applicants must pay a we will give you your applicant number, and a
non-refundable application fee of R100. Other username (which is also your applicant number) Alternatively, contact the Admissions Office for an
international applicants are required to pay an and password for access to Student Self-Service. At application form or download one from our site at
application fee of R300. Application fees will not be any stage you will be able to track the status of your http://www.students.uct.ac.za/students/applications/
refunded under any circumstances. application, using these log-in credentials. apply/forms. You must submit only one application. Your
application allows you to choose two programmes. It is
Paying your application fee does not mean However, if all of your applications are cancelled/ in your interest to seek advice about your programme
you will be offered a place to study at UCT. For denied, you will no longer have access to Student choices, since this selection may affect your chances of
payment methods please consult the Directions for Self-Service. Please use your applicant number admission.
Undergraduate Applicants. when you contact us as it will help us track your
application. You may check the status of your When you apply to UCT, your application will be dealt
Currently registered UCT students, UCT graduates application and update yourapplication, as required, with by the Admissions Office and by the Faculty
and Semester Study Abroad applicants do not pay at www.studentsonline.uct.ac.za that offers your choice of study. You can contact the
an application fee. Admissions Office at any time before or during the
Your application will have one of several statuses application process, and we will be happy to give you
What happens when your application has while it is being processed. These include: help or advice.
been submitted? • Application submitted: typically shortly after we
You will get an email acknowledgement setting first receive your application
out what you have to do next. If you apply by • Decision deferred: for any number of reasons, YOU CAN CON TACT U S :
completing a paper application form, and you we may not be able to take a decision to admit
do not have an email address, we will write to or deny an application yet because we do not By telephone: 021 650 2128
you acknowledging receipt, asking you to check have enough information. An example would By email: admissions-ug@uct.ac.za
the data we have captured from your form. be that the applicant’s performance at school On the website: www.uct.ac.za
Is not yet strong enough to attract an offer of On Twitter: @uctadmissions
Once we have your application our faculties will admission
consider it and all updates/decisions will be sent to • Conditional offer: we have made an offer of ad- Follow us on YouTube at
your email account. mission, based on certain conditions being met https://www.youtube.com/c/UCTAdmissions
31 OCTOBER 2021 15 NOVEMBER 2021 31 DECEMBER 2021 15 JANUARY 2022
• For applicants finishing secondary school in 2021, • Deadline for international applicants • All final transcripts and non-NSC • The final tertiary transcripts for students
all grade 12 interim results, or predicted scores in to attract an offer of admission. This is school-leaving results (except registered for tertiary studies in 2021
the case of non-NSC candidates, are due necessary to allow for sufficient time to CAIE, ZIMSEC and NSSC) must be are due
• Interim and past transcripts for transferring obtain a study visa. submitted • Final CAIE, ZIMSEC and NSSC results
applicants are due from the November 2021 session are due
12 APPLICATION & ADMISSION TO UCT
• Firm offer: we have made a firm offer of (preliminary and final examinations) will be allocated GENERAL ELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION
admission, without any conditions an admissions score equal to that percentage.
TO UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
• Deny: the application Is unsuccessful
• Waitlisted: you have met all the criteria To calculate your APS (a score out of a maximum of In order to be considered for admission to a programme, an
for admission, but we are unable to admit 600), add the six best subject percentages, excluding applicant must, in the first instance, be eligible for consideration.
because, for example, the applicant pool Is very Life Orientation and scores for AP subjects, but As an undergraduate applicant to UCT you must be aware of
competitive including English and any other required subject(s) the following, and satisfy criteria which apply to you.
for the relevant programme. (In other words, for
Early conditional offers a programme where Mathematics and Physical • National Senior Certificate applicants must, for admission
Conditional offers are offers of admission which Sciences are required, take the scores for English, to higher certificate, diploma or degree programmes have
are dependent on you meeting one or more Mathematics, Physical Sciences and the next best met the NSC requirements for such endorsement
conditions. We will specify such conditions to you three subjects other than Life Orientation to calculate • If you do not meet the minimum requirements for
in our communication. We make conditional offers your APS.) Results below 40% for any subject do not university admission but you are 23 years or older and
throughout the application cycle. attract a score. In order to determine which subjects have a Grade 12 (school-leaving) certificate, you may
are required for admission to particular programmes, qualify for a mature age exemption. If you fall into this
For NSC applicant, conditional offers will usually (but please refer to the faculty sections that follow. category, you should discuss the possibility of conditional
not necessarily) be made once a strong enough set of exemption with the relevant faculty office. Applicants with
internal examination results and the NBT results are To calculate your FPS, the APS will be adjusted as mature age exemption are not considered for programmes
available. Conditional offers will only be confirmed described below in the calculation examples. Two offered in the Faculties of Health Sciences and Law.
once the final FPS and NBT results are available, faculties (Health Sciences and Science) adjust the • Applicants with non-South African school-leaving
and provided both the FPS and NBT results confirm APS when calculating the FPS. For the rest (Commerce, certificates must have met the requirements for
that the admission criteria have been satisfied. Engineering & the Built Environment, Humanities and matriculation exemption.
For applicants doing international school-leaving Law), the APS equals the FPS. In order to calculate • All applicants, in the final school-leaving assessment, must
qualifications, we typically require all possible the FPS for the Faculty of Science, double the scores have achieved the minimum criteria for admission to the
submissions before final school-leaving results achieved for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (a programme/s of their choice. These include:
are available. Examples of important submissions score out of a maximum of 800). Where an applicant - the required APS, FPS or WPS as it may apply to the
to support conditional offers are predicted scores, has not completed Physical Sciences, Information programme of choice
IGCSE results and SAT results. Technology or Life Sciences may be doubled (this is - performance levels specified for required school subjects
only allowed for certain majors as stipulated in the - performances in the applicable components of the NBTs
faculty entry). - any other requirements, as outlined in the faculty
SCORE CALCULATIONS FOR NATIONAL sections, that may be applicable to specific programmes
SENIOR CERTIFICATE APPLICANTS ONLY When calculating the FPS for the Faculty of Health
Sciences (a score out of a maximum of 900), simply
For applicants writing the National Senior Certificate add the sum of the three NBT scores to the APS.
we use an Admission Points Score (APS), a Faculty
Points Score (FPS) and, in the case of South African For South African applicants only, in order to
applicants, a Weighted Points Score (WPS) to assess calculate the WPS, adjust the FPS by the disadvantage
your performance at school. The scores are described factor applicable to you. This is a percentage between
in detail on the next pages. 0% and 10%, except for applications for admission
to the programmes in the Faculty of Health Sciences,
The percentages achieved in NSC examinations where the range is between 0% and 20%.
13
EXAMPLES OF POINTS SCORE CALCULATIONS FOR NSC APPLICANTS

Note: Technical Mathematics and Technical Science may not be used as substitutes for Mathematics and Physical Sciences respectively.
Examples of points score calculations for NSC applicants

Make a total 165/300, added to 463
1. FACULTIES OF COMMERCE, ENGINEERING & THE BUILT
FPS = 628/900
ENVIRONMENT, HUMANITIES AND LAW
Use the disadvantage factor to derive the weighted score: for the purpose of this example the
In these faculties, the FPS is calculated out of 600.
English Home Language 75% = 75 pts disadvantage factor is 20%.
isiXhosa First Additional Language 70% = 70 pts Add 20% as follows: Disadvantage factor = 20% x FPS = 20% x 628 = 135.6
Mathematics 84% = 84 pts WPS = 764 (628+135.6)
Life Sciences 86% = 86 pts [for South African applicants only]
Geography 79% = 79 pts An additional 10 points are added if you have passed a third official South African language
Accounting 69% = 69 pts at Home or First Additional Language Level.
Life Orientation 80% = 0 pts
Total = 463/600 3. FACULTY OF SCIENCE
FPS = 463 The FPS is calculated out of 800.
Use the disadvantage factor to derive the weighted score: English Home Language 75% = 75 pts
for the purpose of this example the disadvantage factor is 10%. isiXhosa First Additional Language 70% = 70 pts
Disadvantage factor = 10% (46) Mathematics 84% = 84 pts
WPS = 509 (463+46) Physical Sciences 86% = 86 pts
[for South African applicants only]
Geography 79% = 79 pts
Accounting 69% = 69 pts
2. FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Life Orientation 80% = 0 pts
The FPS is calculated out of 900.
English Home Language 75% = 75 pts APS = 463/600
isiXhosa First Additional Language 70% = 70 pts
Mathematics 84% = 84 pts Scores for Mathematics and Physical Sciences are doubled; therefore, 170 (84+86)
Life Sciences 86% = 86 pts is added to the APS:
Physical Sciences 79% = 79 pts FPS = 633 /800
Accounting 69% = 69 pts
Life Orientation 80% = 0 pts Use the disadvantage factor to derive the weighted score: for the purpose of this example the
APS = 463/600 disadvantage factor is 0%.
NBT Scores of: AL: 55% Disadvantage factor = 0%
QL: 60% WPS = 633 (633+0)
MAT: 50% [for South African applicants only]
14
SCORE CALCULATION FOR SELECTED NON-SOUTH English language proficiency

AFRICAN EXAMINING AUTHORITIES English language proficiency is a requirement for study at UCT. All international students
for whom English is not a first/home language or have not passed English at NSC Grade
ADMISSION POINTS TABLE 12, AS-level, IGCSE, NSSC level or equivalent secondary school-leaving qualification from
Points IGCSE NSSC HL AS LEVELS A LEVELS IB SL IB HL an English medium-of-instruction institution must provide proof of English language
proficiency. As part of your application to study at UCT, you must submit one of the
10 A 7
following:
9 B 6
8 1 A C 7 5
UCT’s English language admission requirements are
• A valid (no more than 3 years old) NBT Academic Literacy Test Plus report with an
7 2 B D 6 4 overall score of Upper Intermediate or above. The NBTs are offered by the Centre for
6 A 3 C E 5 3 Educational Testing for Access and Placement (CETAP) and can be arranged to be taken
anywhere in the world. (Visit www.nbt.uct.ac.za for details)
5 B D 4 • A valid (no more than 2 years old) TOEFL iBT Score Report with an overall score of 88
4 C E or above, with at least 19 in Listening, 19 in Writing, 20 in Reading, and 22 in Speaking.
• A valid (no more than 2 years old) IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall
The table alongside is an indication of how we rate results for subjects, taken at various score of band 6.5 or above, with at least 6.0 in each component.
levels, for some school-leaving qualifications. In some faculties we do not use an APS • A valid (no more than 2 years old) PTE Academic Score Report with an overall score of
for admission, but subject requirements are published as minimum requirements, and 67 or above, with at least 59 in each communicative skills component.
applications are considered individually.
For more information about the TOEFL (including information on how to register for the
Please note, applicants require six different subjects in order to apply. tests and dates when tests are held), use one of the following contacts:
Email: toefl@ets.org
Current UCT students applying for undergraduate transfers Website: www.toefl.org
If you are currently registered for an undergraduate programme at UCT, and wish to transfer Information on TOEFL is also available from the American Embassy or Consulate in your
to another faculty other than Health Sciences or another programme in your faculty, you country.
are not required to submit a new application but must consult with the faculty that you
wish to transfer to. If you wish to transfer to the Faculty of Health Sciences, you must apply Information about the IELTS may be obtained from the British Council at the British
online on or before 31 July. Embassy or Consulate in your country.
Information on IELTS is also available from the British Council, South Africa:
Transferring Students Tel: +27 11 560 9300
If you are studying at, or completed studies at, another higher education institution, you Email: ssa.enquiries@britishcouncil.org
will be considered on the basis of your school-leaving results and your higher education Website: www.britishcouncil.org.za/exam/ielts
results. In addition, transferring applicants are required to write the NBTs, and may be asked
to submit a letter of motivation. To be considered for admission, you must have met the If you are writing a TOEFL or IELTS test you must ensure that the test score is received by
school-leaving requirements and have a good academic record and satisfactory conduct our Admissions Office no later than 12 January 2022.
from your previous institution. You will need to submit an interim academic transcript and
a certificate of good conduct with your application, and your final, year-end transcript as The NBTs are offered by the Centre for Educational Testing for Access and Placement
soon as they are available and no later than 31 December 2021. (CETAP) and can be arranged to be taken anywhere in the world (visit www.nbt.ac.za
for details). For graduate applicants, this is 68% (proficient) or above on the Graduate
Applicants repeating NSC subjects Academic Literacy (G-AL) and 70% (proficient) or above on the Graduate Quantitative (G-
Applicants who are repeating one or more NSC subjects will be assessed individually based QL) Tests, unless otherwise stipulated.
on faculty requirements.
15
National Benchmark Tests

Admissions and placement tests have been used regarded as part of the secondary school curriculum
at UCT for over 30 years. The National Benchmark relevant for Higher Education studies.
Tests (NBTs) are administered by the Centre for
Educational Testing for Access and Placement on Who writes what?
behalf of Universities South Africa (CETAP). Applicants to the Faculties of Humanities and Law
write the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test only.
All undergraduate applicants who are normally resident Applicants to Commerce, Health Sciences and Science
or at school in South Africa must write the NBTs, and all write the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test as
applicants to programme in Health Sciences must write well as the Mathematics test. The completion of the
the NBTs wherever they reside. The only exception is
Mathematics syllabus is not a prerequisite for writing
admission to programmes in the Faculty of Engineering
the Mathematics Test.
& the Built Environment, for which NBTs are not required.
Applicants are responsible for the costs of writing
the NBTs.
REGISTERING FOR YOUR NATIONAL
Information regarding the use of the test scores in each
faculty can be found in the faculty pages.
BENCHMARK TESTS
What are the National Benchmark Tests? You must write the NBTs as early as possible in 2021.
The National Benchmark Tests are three multiple-choice
tests written as a combined Academic Literacy and Note: The 2021 NBT test calendar has fifteen test dates.
Quantitative Literacy test and a separate Mathematics Five of these test dates are Online NBT test sessions and
test. The Academic and Quantitative Literacy Test (AQL) is ten sessions will be held at physical venues for pencil and
a three-hour test which consists of an Academic Literacy paper NBT tests. Under the lockdown conditions during the
(AL) section and a Quantitative Literacy (QL) section. pandemic, places at physical venues will be limited.
The results of the two sections of the test are reported
separately. The final date to write the NBTs for admission to UCT is
2 October 2021. If you wish to be considered for a
The Academic Literacy (AL) Test tests your capacity to conditional offer by the Faculty of Health Sciences, you must
engage successfully with the demands of academic study write the NBTs by 31 August 2021; if you write the NBTs after
in the language of instruction which is English at UCT. 31 August, you will only be considered for an offer in early
The Quantitative Literacy (QL) Test targets your ability 2022 after your final examination results are received.
to manage situations or solve problems in a real context
that is relevant to higher education study, using basic In summary, our advice to you is to:
quantitative information that may be presented verbally, • on the date for which you registered, as you are liable for
graphically, in tabular or symbolic form. the fees regardless of whether you write or not
• rewrite the NBTs if you feel you did not do yourself justice
The Mathematics Test is a three-hour test which targets a at the first attempt. Note that you are only allowed to
writer’s ability related to mathematical concepts formally write the NBTs at most twice in any test cycle.
16 NATIONAL BENCHMARK TESTS
number in order to register.

How are the test results used? If you encounter problems during the registration
The test results are used in addition to school-leaving process, call 021 650 3523 or send an email to nbt@uct.
academic performance and do not replace the use of ac.za for assistance.
school-leaving results. In the case of applications to the
Faculty of Health Sciences, the National Benchmark Test
results make up a specific proportion of a school-leaver’s THE NBT HELPDESK IS STAFFED
overall Faculty Points Score. (See the Faculty specific From 08:00 to 16:00 weekdays and
section in this prospectus for more information). From 07:00 to 10:00 on national test days
(Full support is available during online
The NBT results may also be used to decide admission to
an extended or foundation programme. sessions).
Can I write the NBTs outside of South Africa? The tests begin at 08h00 at many venues throughout
Writing the NBTs in a remote venue, or outside of South South Africa. The Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL)
Africa Remote sessions are run when someone is unable test is written in the morning session and the Mathematics
to write online or at an institution that generally facilitates (MAT) test in the afternoon.
the National Benchmark Test sessions.
If both tests are written, you will probably complete them
Usually, these are for test writers in another country at about 16h00. They must also be written at the same
or in an area too remote to be able to make a trip of a sitting. Testing dates and venues are available on the NBT
reasonable distance to the nearest testing centre, and web site at www.nbt.ac.za. Alternatively please call the
where a suitable internet connection is not available.. NBT Project.
Should you wish to request a remote venue, please
contact the NBT Project at nbtremote@uct.ac.za . May I write the NBTs more than once?
You may attempt the NBTs at most twice in one test cycle.
Provision for candidates with disabilities But:
Provision is made for test writers with disabilities. We • you will have to register for each attempt;
have successfully accommodated writers who are blind, • you will have to pay the NBT test fee each time you
visually, hearing or mobility/physically impaired, have a do so;
learning disability, or have a chronic illness that requires • you will receive one unique registration number for
special accommodations. Time concessions, readers, both NBT attempts;
scribes, and braille versions of the tests have been made • If you write a second time, and the admission
available. Please contact the NBT Helpdesk for further requirements applicable to you require you to write
information and for special accommodations. the AQL and Maths tests (three domains), you must
rewrite both tests;
How to register for NBTs • we will use your best NBT results for each of AL, QL
You may register online at www.nbt.ac.za and MAT.
After reading the general information and the FAQs, select What must you take to the tests?
the ‘Book a test’ option and follow all instructions. Note • Online Tests have a minimum computing requirements
that you will need your SA identity number or passport that are detailed on the NBT website.
17
DEGREE Benchmark Performance Levels

• your identity book or passport Academic Literacy Quantitative Literacy Mathematics
Benchmark
• lunch (not all physical venues are close to Performance Levels Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
shops)
Proficient 69 100 70 100 69 100
• HB pencil and eraser
• bus/train/taxi fare for returning home Intermediate 35 68 40 69 37 68
• please note that you will not be allowed to Basic 0 34 0 39 0 36
use calculators, dictionaries or rulers in any
of the tests. DEGREE Benchmark Performance Levels Split into Upper and Lower Boundaries*
Benchmark Academic Literacy Quantitative Literacy Mathematics
Venues for the tests for admission to Performance Levels Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
UCT in 2022
Proficient Upper 85 100 85 100 85 100
The NBT is available Online in a secure proctored
environment, Proficient Lower 69 84 70 84 69 84
Intermediate Upper 52 68 55 69 53 68
For the pencil and paper form of the NBT test, Intermediate Lower 35 51 40 54 37 52
please check & confirm venues on the website at Basic Upper 18 34 20 39 19 36
www.nbt.ac.za The testing venues will be clearly
Basic Lower 0 17 0 19 0 18
sign posted on the days the tests are written. The
NBT Project reserves the right to change the venue
as circumstances require. DIPLOMA and HIGHER CERTIFICATE Benchmark Performance Levels
Benchmark Academic Literacy Quantitative Literacy Mathematics
How do you get your test results? Performance Levels Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
About four weeks after writing, you may access
Proficient 61 100 66 100 63 100
your results on the NBT website. Log on using your
South African ID number. Your scores will also be Intermediate 33 60 34 65 33 62
sent to UCT for use in processing your application. Basic 0 32 0 33 0 32
NBT CONTACT INFORMATION DIPLOMA and HIGHER CERTIFICATE Benchmark Performance Levels Split into Upper
W www.nbt.ac.za and Lower Boundaries*
E nbt@uct.ac.za Benchmark Academic Literacy Quantitative Literacy Mathematics
T 021 650 3523 Performance Levels Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Maximum
F www.facebook.com/pg/ Proficient Upper 81 100 83 100 82 100
NationalBenchmarkTestSA Proficient Lower 61 80 66 82 63 81
T www.twitter.com/nBTs_SA Intermediate Upper 47 60 50 65 48 62
I www.instagram.com/NBTs_SA/ Intermediate Lower 33 46 34 49 33 47
Basic Upper 18 32 17 33 17 32
Basic Lower 0 17 0 16 0 16
* Equated scores are reported as a whole number percentage (i.e., rounded, with zero decimal places)
18
Faculty of
Commerce
ABOUT THE FACULTY where their strengths and interests lie. In the early stages of for both the interests of our students and the employment
the degree, you may choose to move from one degree to needs of our country. The first year curriculum is more or
UCT’s Commerce degrees and diplomas prepare you for the another, changing specialisations as you understand more less common as all Commerce graduates need a solid
employment needs of the expanding world of business and about the disciplines. academic foundation in core subject areas: Accounting,
professional services and equip you to participate in the Information Systems, Economics, Business Law, Math-
global economy. WHAT WE OFFER ematics, Business Statistics, Mathematical Statistics,
Critical thinking (Evidence-based Management) and
A Commerce degree will give you the educational The faculty offers two undergraduate degrees and one level Business Ethics.
foundation to enable you to succeed in a rapidly changing 7 advanced diploma that is only available to graduates or
environment, whether you want to work locally or those with appropriate work experience. Both degrees are offered in the standard form or as
internationally, change jobs or even careers. academic development programmes tailored for students
who may have experienced gaps or disparities in their
We do not expect students new to university to finalise their BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE (BBUSSC) & educational or life experience. The BBusSc is a four-year
specialisation choices before being exposed to the disciplines BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (BCOM) qualification, and the BCom is a three-year qualification.
at a tertiary level, so the more similar the specialisation, the
more flexibility students have to move around as they discover Both degrees allow for a variety of specialisations to cater The degree certificate will stipulate whether you have
19
graduated with a BCom or BBusSc and the area of organisations employ professional accountants. background. Students who want to become an attorney
specialisation. All BBusSc students also take courses Accountants can work in different areas, including or advocate after completing this undergraduate degree
in the functional areas of Finance, Marketing and financial reporting, tax, management accounting and can apply to do a two-year postgraduate LLB degree in
People Management. In their final year, students take decision making, auditing and corporate governance, the Faculty of Law.
a course in Strategic Thinking that integrates all the or the broader economy. Many people who qualify as
courses covered in the previous years of study. This professional accountants later choose careers in senior Actuarial Science
course also includes exposure to entrepreneurship, management. www.actuarialscience.uct.ac.za/
recognising that many students will ultimately run This is intended for students with a strong numerate
their own businesses. It is NOT necessary to have done Accounting at school ability who wish to enter the actuarial or allied
if you wish to do Accounting at UCT, although you must professions. In Actuarial Science, students learn to
If you are offered a place in Commerce you can choose have done Mathematics and English. identify and evaluate uncertain future events and
either degree, BCom or BBusSc and any specialisation financial risks for organisations. Actuaries use statistical
for which you meet the entrance requirements. A CA(SA) is someone who becomes a chartered techniques to solve financial and business problems.
accountant through the South African Institute of Actuaries typically work in insurance, risk management,
Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Commerce offers two and banking.
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT UNIT (EDU undergraduate programmes that allow students to
COMMERCE) follow the CA (SA) path – the three-year BCom Financial Quantitative Finance shares the same foundations
www.educommerce.uct.ac.za/ Accounting: Chartered Accountant and the four-year as Actuarial Science, but with more emphasis on
The Education Development Unit (EDU) is focused on BBusSc Financial Accounting: Finance with Accounting. applications in the investment and financial industries.
enhancing the teaching and learning environment in After either of these undergraduate degrees, students Career options include fields like investment banking,
the Commerce Faculty. Academic Development (AD) need to complete a one-year Postgraduate Diploma in derivatives trading, and quantitative asset management.
is situated in the EDU and is an equity programme. It Accounting (PGDA), followed by a three-year training
has been designed to enable equity students with contract and two SAICA qualifying professional exams Computer Science
a disadvantage factor greater than 1.0 to complete (including an exam preparation course). www.sit.uct.ac.za/
Commerce degrees over either a standard or extended Computer Science is about the creation of computer
period offering a range of additional interventions. The General Accounting option is designed for the student software using programming languages, which
who does not wish to pursue the CA(SA) designation is required for economic, social and for human
The duration of the degree will be determined by the but may still be interested in obtaining a Chartered development in every country. Computer Scientists
Commerce Faculty admission requirements. The same Accountant designation from other international have the ability to design and develop software, to
exit standards certificate will be applied whatever the professional bodies such as the Association of Chartered understand the concepts of artificial intelligence, and
duration of the degree and the qualification (and thus Certified Accountants (ACCA) or the Chartered Institute to mathematically solve software challenges.
the degree certificate) will be the same. of Management Accountants (CIMA).
Both the BBusSc in Computer Science and the BCom
Graduates of either stream may go into areas of in Information Systems and Computer Science provide
AREAS OF STUDY OFFERED commercial specialisation such as tax advisory, internal students with a combination of computer science and
audit, financial consulting, or external audit and business skills, enabling graduates to fulfil a variety of
Accounting assurance, although certain professions may require roles in industry, across all sectors.
www.accounting.uct.ac.za/ specific professional designations such as CA (SA).
Accountants understand the flow of money. Accounting Economics
uses financial information to assist with operational The Accounting and Law option is designed for students www.economics.uct.ac.za/
and strategic decision making in organisations. All who are interested in a law career with a commercial All Economics options give an excellent grounding
20
in the areas of expertise that professional economists issues and provides students with the skills needed used to address the information needs of modern
and managers need, such as formulating economic to operate in the world of finance. organisations. Information systems are based on
policy, general economic and financial analysis and the computers and IT infrastructure that assist us in our daily
management of portfolios. The Economics specialisation • Economics with Law: this is intended for lives. Information systems are around us - throughout
is designed for students who wish to experience a broad students who are interested in a law career with organisations and society. People interact with them
fundamental education in Commerce or who want to a commercial background. Students who want to daily; when using mobile phone apps, posting messages
become professional economists. become an attorney or advocate after completing on social media, booking a flight ticket online, or
this undergraduate degree can apply to do a two- even ordering an Uber. Organisations use information
We offer the following Economics options: year postgraduate LLB degree in the Faculty of Law. systems to deliver better customer service, improve
• Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE): this business processes and make better decisions through
focuses on the special problems, both practical • Economics and Statistics: this more numerate sophisticated analysis and visualisation of data.
and ethical, raised for developing countries by the specialisation combines both economics and
globalisation of trade and markets. statistics, giving students a deeper understanding Information Systems professionals play an essential role
of the analysis and presentation of data. by optimising new and existing information technologies
• Economics and Statistics: this is oriented towards to design and develop innovative solutions for the
quantitative economics and statistical methods, Information Systems benefit of organisations and society.
providing students with the skills to analyse and www.sit.uct.ac.za/
interpret economic and financial data. The Information Systems discipline investigates how The curriculum deals not only with the information
• Economics and Finance: this focuses on financial computers and communication technologies can be technologies but also imparts students with the skills to
FACULTY OF COMMERCE 21
DEGREE SPECIALISATIONS AT A GLANCE analyse user requirements and develop information systems. The Information Systems
curriculum allows students to cover this exciting and expanding field.
Bachelor of Business Science in Actuarial Science
Discipline: Actuarial Science This specialisation maintains a balance between the technical (hardware and
Specialisation: Actuarial Science software) aspects of information systems and the human side of the discipline. There
Quantitative Finance is a demand for qualified Information Systems professionals.
Bachelor of Business Science Finance

Specialisation: Analytics
www.financeandtax.uct.ac.za/
Computer Science
In Finance, students develop the skills needed to source, allocate and invest funds,
Economics
which are essential for making sound investment decisions that are fundamental to
Economics with Law
the growth and success of any organisation and country. Finance specialists often work
Information Systems
Finance in the investment industry in fields such as asset management, in public or corporate
Finance with Accounting finance and the financial sector in general. Graduates are employed in roles such as
Marketing investment manager, fund manager, investment analyst, corporate treasurer, financial
Organisational Psychology risk specialist, and credit analyst.
In Commerce, it is also possible to study Finance in combination with either Accounting,
Bachelor of Commerce in Actuarial Science Economics or Information Systems as core courses. This is ideal for students who want
Discipline: Actuarial Science to specialise in specific areas within the broader financial industry.
Specialisation: Actuarial Science
Quantitative Finance Statistical Sciences (Analytics)
www.stats.uct.ac.za
Bachelor of Commerce Statistical Sciences is the scientific application of mathematical principles to
Discipline: Financial Accounting the collection, analysis, and presentation of data. Analytics/data science is a
Specialisation: General Accounting multidisciplinary field incorporating statistics and computer science. Graduates use
Chartered Accountant their quantitative skills in business (optimise business processes), marketing (predict
Accounting with Law consumer purchasing patterns), government (use of mobile data to optimise public
transport services), medicine (identify subsets of genes associated with a particular
Discipline: Information Systems disease), astronomy, ecology, language processing and much more.
Specialisation: Information Systems
Information Systems and Management Studies
Computer Science
www.managementstudies.uct.ac.za/
Information Systems and Finance
The specialisation in Management Studies offers students a wide range of choice in
subject areas whilst requiring them to complete the general core courses required of
Discipline: Economics
the first three years of the Business Science degree. We believe that the flexibility and
Specialisation: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Economics and Finance academic rigour of this degree makes it very attractive to students and employers; it
Economics and Statistics enables students to make the most of their individual strengths and interests.
Economics with Law
The degree, offered over a minimum of 3 years, requires students to complete 18
Discipline: Management Studies prescribed courses, including a minimum of a full year of mathematics, as well as 9 or
Specialisation: Management Studies more courses from a basket of approved electives ranging from Marketing to Politics
to Statistical Sciences to Spanish to Environmental and Geographical sciences. Of this
22
total of 27 courses, 7 are required to be at a 3rd year level, so students will liaise ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ACTUARIAL SCIENCE
with an advisor to plan their curriculum. Candidates should have a first-class degree in Mathematical Statistics from a recognised
university, with at least two years of Mathematics. Candidates with excellent grades in
Marketing degrees with related subjects may also be considered, but it is essential that candidates
www.marketingstudies.uct.ac.za/ have a solid grounding in Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics (up to HEQSF Level 6).
Marketing is concerned with creating the revenue streams crucial to the success
of businesses, non-governmental organisations and public sector enterprises.
Marketers are adept at identifying and serving customers’ needs, managing OVERVIEW OF REQUIREMENTS
communications in a digital enabled workplace and ensuring positive customer
experience. The selection instruments we use for Commerce are:
• School leaving academic results
Specialists work in a wide variety of marketing-related roles across industries, • Performance in the National Benchmark Tests (students must write both the Academic
including product manager, brand manager, social media marketing manager, Literacy and Quantitative Literacy (AQL) and Mathematics (MAT) tests)
market researcher, marketing representative, sales representative, business • Performance (in the school-leaving examinations) in Mathematics and English.
analyst, customer relationship manager, advertising and public relations
manager.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO A COMMERCE DEGREE VIA
Organisational Psychology
www.organisationalpsychology.uct.ac.za/
MAINSTREAM OR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT DEGREES
Organisational Psychology (also known as Industrial Psychology) deals with
individual and group behaviour in organisations and the management of Mainstream
people in the workplace. Practitioners work in various areas ranging from Applicants who are made an offer of admission to the faculty are entitled to register for
ANY specialisation in the Faculty for which they meet the entrance criteria. Thus, if we
change management, employee relations, learning and development to human
have made an offer for a BCom PPE and the final NSC results meet the entrance criteria
resources management - across diverse sectors: corporate business, government,
for BBusSc Actuarial Science, applicants will be eligible to register for BBusSc Actuarial
NGOs, and management consultancies. Science should they desire to do so.
Students can study Organisational Psychology in Commerce or Humanities. In

Academic Development (Places are limited by capacity)
both faculties, students study the same Organisational Psychology courses.
South African Black, Chinese, Coloured or Indian applicants with a disadvantage factor
In Commerce, students register for the four-year BBusSc in Organisational greater than 1.0 may apply for admission to Academic Development (AD) programmes.
Psychology, including business and management courses. In Humanities, We may also offer places on AD specialisations to equity candidates not meeting the
students register for a BSocSc or a BA with a major in Organisational Psychology admission requirements for mainstream programmes, whose NBT results indicate
and a second Humanities major. potential.
FACULTY OF COMMERCE 23
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (NSC) ADMISSION BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
REQUIREMENTS ONLY Computer Science and Analytics Specialisation
ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The guidelines that follow do not guarantee admission. Study offers are limited for
Guaranteed admission
reasons of capacity. Satisfying the minimum subject requirements does not ensure an FPS of 480 or above.
applicant admission. Band A NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL
All applicants
* South African applicants and permanent residents in redress categories may apply FPS Mathematics 70%
English HL 50%
for admission directly into the Academic Development (AD) qualifications English FAL 60%
Probable admission
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF COMMERCE WPS of 470 or above.
All specialisations except for Actuarial Science and Computer Science NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL
Mathematics 70%
English HL 50%
ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS English FAL 60%
Band B
All applicants
Guaranteed admission WPS Minimum required for possible admission
FPS of 480 or above. FPS of 425.
NBT scores of Upper NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL
Band A
All applicants Intermediate for AL & QL Mathematics 70%
FPS
Mathematics 60% English HL 50%
English HL 50% English FAL 60%
English FAL 60%
Possible admission into Education Development Unit only
Probable admission FPS of 425 to 429.
WPS of 470 or above. Only SA applicants
NBT scores of Lower Intermediate for AL & QL
NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL in targeted redress
Band C Mathematics 70%
Mathematics 60% groups with a
FPS English HL 50%
English HL 50% disadvantage factor
English FAL 60%
Band B English FAL 60% greater than 1
All applicants In exceptional circumstances a basic for QL may be mitigated by a
WPS Minimum required for possible admission score of Intermediate in NBT Mathematics
FPS of 425 or above.
NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL
Mathematics 60%
English HL 50%
English FAL 60%

FPS of 425 to 429.
Only SA applicants
NBT scores of Lower Intermediate for AL & QL
in targeted redress
Band C Mathematics 60%
groups with a
FPS English HL 50%
disadvantage factor
English FAL 60%
greater than 1
In exceptional circumstances a basic for QL may be mitigated by a
score of Intermediate in NBT Mathematics
24 FACULTY OF COMMERCE
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL-LEAVING
ONLY Actuarial Science and Quantitative Finance Qualification and Stream
CERTIFICATES
The following information is a GUIDELINE for applicants who have
Guaranteed admission successfully completed international school-leaving qualifications and
FPS of 500 or above.
Band A NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL wish to study further at UCT. To be considered for admission, applicants
All applicants
FPS Mathematics 80% must qualify for matriculation exemption from the Matriculation Board
English HL 60% and meet certain minimum Faculty entry requirements. Please note that
English FAL 80% (but require Proficient for AL & QL NBT’s)
the subjects and points score where specified below are the minimum
Probable admission entrance requirements and do not guarantee admission. Each applicant
WPS of 525 or above. will be assessed individually. Unless otherwise stated under the language
NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL all applicants must meet the language requirement as per the UCT
Band B
All applicants Mathematics 80%
WPS
English HL 60% language policy..
English FAL 80%
(but require Proficient for AL & QL NBT’s)

IGCSE, AS-LEVEL, A-LEVEL, NSSC AND IB DIPLOMA
Only SA applicants FPS of 475 to 479. APPLICANTS
in targeted redress NBT scores of Upper Intermediate for AL & QL
Band C
groups with a Mathematics 80%
FPS For AS and A-Level applicants:
disadvantage factor English HL 60%
greater than 1 English FAL 80% Combine at least: three A-Levels plus three subjects which may be IGCSE
(but require Proficient for AL & QL NBT’s) or AS-Level OR four AS-Levels plus two IGCSEs OR three AS-Levels plus one
A-Level and two IGCSEs Double your points for Mathematics and English.
Each subject can only be counted once at A-Level or AS-Level or
IGCSE.
Only National Senior Certificate equivalent subjects will be

considered.
If English is taken as a 2nd Language, then you must have another language
as a 1st Language in order to be considered further. English Literature is not
accepted.
For NSSC applicants:

A minimum of 4 NSSC subjects must be scored and the best of relevant
IGCSE subjects to have a total of 6 subjects. Each subject can only be
counted once at NSSC or IGCSE. Only Grades 1, 2 or 3 are acceptable for
NSSC and Grades A, B or C for IGCSE. Points are doubled for Mathematics
and English. If English is taken as a 2nd Language, then you must have
another language as a 1st Language in order to be considered further.
English Literature is not accepted.
25
For IB Diploma applicants: of Mathematics. Candidates with excellent results in degrees Entrance examinations may be required to continue in certain
An applicant must hold the IB Diploma (not the certificate) in related subjects may also be considered, but it is essential disciplines. Please refer to the Commerce website or contact
and satisfy the following minimum requirements: that candidates have a solid grounding in Mathematics and the Faculty Office for further information.
• at least 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects plus 3 Standard Mathematical Statistics (up to HEQSF Level 6).
Level (SL) subjects
• Points are doubled for Mathematics and English TRANSFERRING APPLICANTS ADDITIONAL ADMISSION CRITERIA
• English Literature is accepted FOR PROCEEDING TO SENIOR YEARS IN
Applicants wishing to transfer to the Commerce Faculty (both
STREAMS CONTAINING LAW
All streams other than Actuarial Science and Quantitative from within UCT and outside of UCT) will be considered
Finance having regard to: Successful completion of the prescribed standard workload
• At least Grade 5 at HL or at least Grade 6 SL and an average of 63% for all courses at the first attempt is
Mathematics/Maths Method • Meeting the minimum school subject requirements for required for the year/s prior to the year including the RDL
Commerce courses. The rationale is that clear evidence of an ability to
• Note Mathematical Studies or Maths Main are not
• Meeting the minimum points requirement used for entry succeed in all subjects in the initial year/s indicates a good
accepted
to Commerce probability of coping with an increased workload and possibly
• English at Grade 3 at HL or Grade 5 at SL higher expectations in the following years.
• Only applicants who have not yet graduated are required
• English Literature is accepted
to write the National Benchmark Test results
• Post School academic record: IN LINE WITH THE FACULTY’S TRANSFORMATION AND
- It is unlikely that students who have failed one or DIVERSITY GOALS, BLACK AFRICAN, CHINESE, COLOURED
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ACTUARIAL more courses will be accepted and/or who have an AND INDIAN SOUTH AFRICAN (CITIZENS AND PERMANENT
SCIENCE overall percentage below 60 RESIDENT) APPLICANTS MAY, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
- Particular attention will be given to courses FACULTY OF LAW, BE ADMITTED.
Candidates should have a first-class degree in Mathematical relevant to the Commerce Faculty and to the
Statistics from a recognised university, with at least two years proposed stream(s)
26
IGCSE, AS-LEVEL, A-LEVEL, NSSC AND IB DIPLOMA APPLICANTS APPLICANTS HOLDING SAT RESULTS
GUARANTEED MINIMUM SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS SAT I score of 1050 or more with sub minima of 500 for both the Verbal and
DEGREE WITH PLANS SAT I Mathematics scores; or
ADMISSION MATHEMATICS ENGLISH
Bachelor of Business Science specialising in: SAT II score of 1050 or more for English and one of Physics or Chemistry with sub
Computer Science SAT II minimum of 500 for either the English or the Physics or the Chemistry scores
Economics A-level E or
A-level C or
Economics with Law 53 AS-level D or
AS-level B
Finance O-level B
Finance with Accounting ABITUR
Information Systems
Applicants’ performance on the Abitur is assessed using thefollowing
Marketing
Organisational Psychology points table:
Analytics 53 NSSC Grade 1 NSSC Grade 3
Umrechnungstabelle/conversion table (grades to percentages)
Bachelor of Commerce specialising in: • At least a ‘GUT’ for Mathematics and English
Financial Accounting (General/Chartered)
Accounting with Law IB Diploma with
Economics with Law IB Diploma with
Grade 5
Grade 3 POINT RANGE % RANGE
Economics with Finance Higher Level or
Economics & Statistics Higher Level or 15 100-95
Grade 6
Information Systems Grade 5
53 Standard Level
Information Systems & Computer Science Standard Level 14 sehr gut 94-90
Information Systems & Finance NOTE Mathematical
Management Studies (English Literature 13 89-85
Studies or Maths Main
Philosophy Politics & Economics is accepted.)
are not accepted. 12 84-80
60 A-Level A 11 gut 79-75
A-level C or
AS-level B or
56 10 74-70
AS-Level A O- level A
(without A-level subjects)
9 69-65
BBusSc/BCom specialising in: 60 NSCC Grade 1 NSCC Grade 2 8 befriedigend 64-60
Actuarial Science
IB Diploma 7 59-55
Quantitative Finance Grade 5
Higher Level 6 54-50
IB Diploma Grade 7 or Grade 7
60
Higher Level Standard Level 5 ausreichend 49-45
(English Literature
is accepted.) 4 44-40
27
Faculty of
Engineering & the
Built Environment
ABOUT THE FACULTY W H AT W E O F F E R
The Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment enjoys Architectural Studies
an outstanding reputation for its high quality graduates. A general, design-based first degree, the Bachelor of
Not only are we proud to be increasing the number of Architectural Studies (BAS) focuses on the design of
black engineers and built environment specialists, the built environment and architectural design. This
but we are also proud to record increasing numbers of degree equips students with the ability to solve design
female students who are choosing to pursue careers problems imaginatively, to think rationally and to
in engineering. Researchers in Engineering & the Built exercise appropriate judgement within the discipline of
Environment are regularly commissioned by industry to architecture. In particular it aims to develop the capacity
conduct research and through these partnerships the to design appropriately within the built and natural
Faculty earns significant funding for the University. environment.
The Faculty enjoys an excellent international The three-year BAS degree provides the grounding
reputation for its work in a number of areas. For for application for entry into the BAS Honours and
example, it has taken on the research challenges professional postgraduate degrees leading to careers in
of environment-friendly technologies and has won architecture, landscape architecture, urban and regional
international status for its multi-disciplinary research planning, urban design, transport engineering and
into areas such as minerals processing and energy. housing. All applicants for the BAS degree must complete
a portfolio of prescribed creative exercises. Find out more at
www.apg.uct.ac.za
Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering represents a synthesis of chemistry,
physics and mathematics applied to real problems which affect
our everyday lives. We have reached a point where society must
contend with fundamental changes in the availability of some
of the most important resources on this planet: energy, food,
essential minerals and the global environment. Technological
solutions for many of these problems fall within the domain of
the chemical engineer. To become a chemical engineer takes
four years of academic study complemented by exposure to
the process industries. Learn more about the programme at
www.chemeng.uct.ac.za/ Besides acquiring a broad knowledge of finance, macro
and micro- economics, property law, and appropriate
Civil Engineering communication and computer skills, you will develop skills in
The civil engineer today may be a technically-oriented the field of property development.
designer, a public-minded planner of services which benefit
entire communities, a protector of public health and the The BSc in Construction Studies will enable you to prepare
environment, a practical leader of construction teams or tenders and manage construction contracts, estimate
creator of organisations and systems that provide work and costs and undertake financial management of construction
serve communities. The BSc(Eng) in Civil Engineering includes projects, manage the construction of buildings and related
courses in the sciences, mathematics, computing, materials, infrastructure, manage human resources, evaluate property
structures, geology, geotechnics, geographical information investments and communicate spatial concepts, financial
systems, water treatment and supply, wastewater disposal and issues and other data. Visit the website of the Department of
treatment, hydraulics, environmental evaluation, surveying, Construction Economics and Management at
transportation, urban development, design, construction, www.cons.uct.ac.za
management and communications. The final year ends with
a five-week large-scale design project and a nine- week Electrical Engineering
individual research project. Visit www.civil.uct.ac.za Electrical Engineering covers a wide and diverse
range of activities and industries including computing,
Construction Studies & Property Studies telecommunications, electronic circuits, power and energy. The
The Department of Construction Economics and Management diverse requirements of industry and the different interests
offers two three-year undergraduate degrees: BSc in of students can be accommodated through the selection of
Construction Studies and BSc in Property Studies; and three specialisation courses in the final year of study. The Electrical
one-year Honours degrees: Quantity Surveying, Construction Engineering degree curriculum at UCT has been designed to
Management and Property Studies. be flexible. Electrical engineers can choose to follow a high
technology career in research and development, or to follow
The BSc in Property Studies will give you a head start in a a career in operations and maintenance. Find out more at
challenging and rewarding career in the property industry. www.ee.uct.ac.za
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 29
Mechatronics
Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering
which combines fundamental study in mechanical
engineering with light-current electrical engineering.
As a mechatronics student at UCT, you will study a
specialisation in electrical and electronic engineering,
combined with a grounding in mechanical engineering. The
mechatronics engineer in industry may require expertise
across a broad range of engineering disciplines and will be
especially well suited to a career in light manufacturing,
robotics, automation and process control. Discover more
information about Mechatronics at
www.mechatronics.uct.ac.za
Electrical & Computer Engineering

Electrical & Computer Engineering combines Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science to equip graduates
with a thorough understanding of the design of special-
purpose computers and computer-based systems. This
degree integrates concepts of the analysis, design and
application of computing, information acquisition and
processing systems in various fields. Examples are in the
areas of communications, high performance scientific
computing, signal processing and electronic control
systems. Find out more at www.ee.uct.ac.za to register as a professional surveyor after completing as aeronautical engineering, marine and biomedical
a period of articles. A career in geomatics offers an engineering. Visit www.mecheng.uct.ac.za for more
Geomatics exciting variety of professional work possibilities and information.
Geomatics refers to the creation, representation, is recognised world-wide. For more information about
analysis, management, retrieval and modelling of spatial geomatics, the degrees we offer, and how to apply, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
information which represents the earth’s physical please visit www.geomatics.uct.ac.za Southern African manufacturing, mining, service and
features, the built environment and other spatially process industries need graduates who have less
defined objects. The principle disciplines associated with Mechanical Engineering specialisation than is normally offered in the traditional
geomatics include surveying and mapping, the mapping Mechanical Engineering involves understanding and engineering disciplines. Such employers prefer
sciences, land management, geographic information harnessing forces and energy in machines for the graduates who have had exposure to a wide range of
systems and science, environmental visualisation, benefit of society. Whether the machine is a space subjects in both mechanical and electrical engineering
geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing and surveying. shuttle, steam turbine, a motor car or a robot-controlled and who are therefore prepared to tackle a broader
Geomatics is a professional career for individuals who production line, a mechanical engineer would be range of industrial projects than a specialist mechanical
have an aptitude for mathematics and applied sciences. involved in the design, manufacture and utilisation of engineer or specialist electrical engineer.
such machines. The BSc (Eng) in Mechanical Engineering
The School of Architecture, Planning and Geomatics offers allows graduate employment opportunities in a wide The Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering degree
a four-year BSc in Geomatics which is recognised by the spectrum of engineering disciplines, as well as providing at UCT was designed to meet this need. Visit www.
South African Geomatics Council. Graduates may choose the foundation for a career in specialist fields such mecheng.uct.ac.za for more information.
30
ACCREDITATION OF DEGREES ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT IN

ENGINEERING & THE BUILT
The BSc (Eng) degrees in Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Electrical &
Computer, Mechanical & Mechatronic, Mechanical Engineering
ENVIRONMENT
and Mechatronics are accepted by the Engineering Council of
South Africa (ECSA) as fulfilling the academic requirements The Academic Support Programme for Engineering in Cape
for registration as a professional engineer. The degrees are Town (ASPECT) provides alternative courses with extra support
internationally recognised in terms of the Washington Accord. in mathematics and physics for the first year and a half
of the extended degree programmes in the engineering
The BSc in Construction Studies and the BSc Honours in departments. All students admitted to an engineering
Quantity Surveying and in Construction Management are qualification at UCT currently start on a curriculum based
accredited by the South African Council for the Quantity on a 4-year qualification.
Surveying Profession (SACQSP) and the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The BSc Honours in Construction The first 5 weeks are used to identify students who will
Management is also accredited by the Chartered Institute of benefit from changing to a 5-year extended qualification.
Building (CIOB). Those students are encouraged to make the change in
April, by reducing their ‘load’ – the number of credits or
The BSc in Property Studies and the BSc Honours in Property courses for which they are registered.
Studies are accredited by the SA Council for the Property
Valuers Profession (SACPVP). The Royal Institution of The reduction in the number of courses allows
Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredits the BSc Honours degrees them more time to concentrate on the challenging
in Property Studies, Quantity Surveying and Construction transitions that mathematics and physics demand.
Management. The South African Council for the Quantity Students in the extended qualification enjoy smaller
Surveying Profession accredits the BSc Honours degree in classes, more contact time for mathematics and
Quantity Surveying. The South African Council for the Project physics, easy access to the dedicated lecturers of
and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) these courses and a supportive community
accredits the BSc Construction Studies and BSc Honours in environment. Students may also choose
Construction Management. to join the extended qualification if they
want more time and support to build a
The BSc in Geomatics is accredited by the South African better foundation in mathematics
Geomatics Council. and physics.
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 31
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS HOLDING THE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION STUDIES

Minimum requirements: Minimum requirements:
450 FPS; 80% for NSC Mathematics, 70% for NSC Physical Sciences. 390 FPS; 65% for NSC Mathematics, 55% for NSC Physical Sciences.
ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Guaranteed admission Guaranteed admission

Band A 500 FPS or above Band A
All applicants All applicants 450 FPS or above
FPS ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences FPS
≥ 65% for Mathematics & ≥ 60% for Physical Sciences
Probable admission Probable admission

Band B 480 WPS or above Band B
All applicants All applicants 420 WPS or above
WPS ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences WPS
Only SA applicants Possible admission Only SA applicants Possible admission

Band C 420 FPS or above Band C
in targeted redress in targeted redress 390 FPS or above
FPS ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences FPS
groups groups ≥ 65% for Mathematics & ≥ 55% for Physical Sciences
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PROPERTY STUDIES

AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND MECHATRONICS Minimum requirements:
Minimum requirements: 390 FPS; 65% for NSC Mathematics.
420 FPS; 80% for NSC Mathematics, 70% for NSC Physical Sciences.
Band A
All applicants 450 FPS or above
Guaranteed admission FPS
Band A ≥ 65% for Mathematics
All applicants 500 FPS or above
FPS
Probable admission
Band B
All applicants 420 WPS or above
Probable admission WPS
Band B ≥ 65% for Mathematics
WPS
Only SA applicants Possible admission
Band C
in targeted redress 390 FPS or above
Only SA applicants Possible admission FPS
Band C groups ≥ 65% for Mathematics
in targeted redress 420 FPS or above
FPS
groups ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences
32 FACULTY OF ENGINEERING & THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN MECHANICAL, AND

Minimum requirements: MECHANICAL & MECHATRONIC ENGINEERING
348 FPS; 50% for NSC Mathematics, 50% for NSC English; 50% Architecture Portfolio Score. Minimum requirements:
420 FPS; 80% for NSC Mathematics, 75% for NSC Physical Sciences.
Band A 450 FPS or above Guaranteed admission
All applicants Band A
FPS ≥ 50% for Mathematics & ≥ 50% for English All applicants 500 FPS or above
Architecture Portfolio Score of 75% or above FPS
Probable admission
Band B 408 WPS or above Probable admission
All applicants Band B
WPS ≥ 50% for Mathematics & ≥ 50% for English All applicants 480 WPS or above
WPS
Architecture Portfolio Score of 68% or above ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 75% for Physical Sciences
Possible admission Only SA applicants Possible admission

Only SA applicants Band C
Band C 348 FPS or above in targeted redress 420 FPS or above
in targeted redress FPS
FPS ≥ 50% for Mathematics & ≥ 50% for English groups ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 75% for Physical Sciences
groups
Architecture Portfolio Score of 50% or above
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOMATICS

Minimum requirements: Minimum requirements:
420 FPS; 80% for NSC Mathematics, 70% for NSC Physical Sciences. 390 FPS; 65% for NSC Mathematics,60% for NSC Physical Sciences.
ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Band A Band A
All applicants 500 FPS or above All applicants 450 FPS or above
FPS FPS
≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences ≥ 75% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences
Probable admission Probable admission

Band B Band B
All applicants 480 WPS or above All applicants 420 WPS or above
WPS WPS
≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences ≥ 65% for Mathematics & ≥ 60% for Physical Sciences
Only SA applicants Possible admission

Band C Only SA applicants Possible admission
in targeted redress 420 FPS or above Band C
FPS in targeted redress 390 FPS or above
groups ≥ 80% for Mathematics & ≥ 70% for Physical Sciences FPS
groups ≥ 65% for Mathematics & ≥ 60% for Physical Sciences
33
A-Level
• at least two D symbols at A-Level, one of which must be in Mathematics
AS-Level
ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS WITH NON-SOUTH AFRICAN • at least D for Mathematics and at least B in three other AS-Level subjects
SCHOOL-LEAVING CERTIFICATES Bachelor of Science
Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC)
in Property Studies
Level 2 passes in at least four Higher level subjects including Mathematics
The table below is a guide for applicants with Cambridge Assessment International International Baccalaureate
Education and similar subjects, the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate, and the Full IB Diploma with at least a Grade 5 pass at SL or a Grade 4 pass at HL for Mathematics
International Baccalaurate Diploma. Note: Mathematical Studies is not acceptable
NOTES:
A-Level
• Performance in non-South African school-leaving examinations is not converted • at least C in IGSCE/O-Level English; and
to points for applications to programmes in this faculty. • at least B in Mathematics at A-level AND either B in A-level Chemistry and a pass with at
• The subject requirements below are minimum requirements only, and do not guarantee least B in IGSCE/O-level Physics; or
• B in A-Level Physics and a pass with at least B in IGSCE/O-Level Chemistry
admission. Additional subjects may be required to meet matriculation exemption Bachelor of Science AS-Level
requirements. in Engineering • at least C for IGSCE/O-Level English; and
• A pass in English Language is required at A-Level, IGSCE/O-Level, Baccalaureate or in Chemical, Civil, • at least A for Mathematics and Physical Science and two B symbols at AS-Level; or
Mechanical, and • without Physical Science: at least A for Mathematics; and A for either Physics or Chemistry;
other equivalent level. Mechanical & and B for the other (Physics or Chemistry), plus one other B symbol
• At IGSCE Level English must be taken as a first language, or another first language must Mechatronic
Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC)
be offered. Engineering
At least four Higher level subjects with Level 1 passes in Mathematics and Physical Science
• Applicants with only IGSCE/O-Level subjects are not eligible for admission. International Baccalaureate
Full IB Diploma with a Grade 6 pass at SL or a Grade 5 pass at HL for each of the subjects
• Applicants must submit at least IGCSE (or the equivalent) results and predicted final Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
school-leaving results to be considered for an early conditional offer.
Note: Mathematical Studies is not acceptable
A-Level
A-Level • at least C for IGSCE/O-Level English; and
• at least D in two A-Level subjects and at least C at IGSCE/O-Level • at least B for Mathematics at A-Level AND B for A-Level Physics
for Mathematics or Physical Science Bachelor of Science AS-Level
AS-Level in Engineering • at least C for IGSCE/O-Level English; and
• at least C in four AS-Level subjects and at least C at IGSCE/O-Level for Mathematics in Electrical • A for two AS-Level subjects including Mathematics and Physical Science/Physics
or Physical Science Engineering, plus two B symbols at AS-Level for two other subjects
Bachelor of Electrical and
Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC)
Architectural Studies Computer
At least a Grade 3 pass at Higher level or a grade C pass at IGCSE/O Level for Mathematics At least four Higher level subjects with Level 1 passes in Mathematics and Physical Science
Engineering,
or Physical Science International Baccalaureate
and Mechatronics
International Baccalaureate Full IB Diploma with at least a Grade 6 pass at SL or a Grade 5 pass at HL for each of the subjects
Full IB Diploma with at least Grade 4 for Mathematics or Physical Science at subsidiary level. Mathematics and Physics
All applicants must submit a written motivation and a portfolio of creative work. Note: Mathematical Studies is not acceptable
Details are provided in the Directions for Applicants.
A-Level A-Level
• at least two D symbols, one of which must be in Mathematics; and • at least C for English at IGSCE/O-Level; and
• at least C at IGSCE/O-Level for Physical Science/Physics or Chemistry • at least C for Mathematics at A-Level and C for Physics at A-Level
AS-Level AS-Level
• at least D for Mathematics and at least B in three other AS-Level subjects and at least C • at least C for IGSCE/O-Level English ;and
• at IGSCE/O-Level for Physical Science/Physics or Chemistry • at least B for Maths at AS-Level and C for Physics at AS-Level plus two other AS-Level
Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Science subjects with B symbols
Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) in Geomatics
in Construction Studies Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC)
Level 2 passes in at least four Higher level subjects including Mathematics and
Physical Science At least four Higher level subjects with Level 1 passes in Mathematics and Physical Science
International Baccalaureate International Baccalaureate
Full IB Diploma with at least a Grade 5 pass at SL or a Grade 4 pass at HL for each of the subjects Full IB Diploma with at least a Grade 6 pass at SL or a Grade 5 pass at HL for each of the subjects
Mathematics and Physics or Chemistry Mathematics and Physics
Note: Mathematical Studies is not acceptable Note: Mathematical Studies is not acceptable
34
ABOUT THE FACULTY

The Faculty offers undergraduate degrees in medicine and the following health and rehabilitation
sciences: Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Audiology, and Speech-Language Pathology.
A Higher Certificate in Disability Studies and an Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation
Science are also offered.
All these undergraduate programmes have fixed curricula. The degree programmes include
extensive training at hospitals and clinics in and around Cape Town and in other relevant
community settings, which may include schools and informal settlements.
WHAT WE OFFER
BACHELOR OF MEDICINE & BACHELOR OF SURGERY (MBCHB)
The MBChB programme takes six years to complete. After graduating with an MBChB degree and
completing two years’ internship and a year’s community service, you will be allowed by the
Health Professions Council of South Africa to practise as a medical doctor.
As a medical doctor you may work in a public or private hospital or in a community clinic, join
a doctor’s practice, open your own practice, or work in a variety of other settings. The MBChB
programme is offered by a range of Departments in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Visit the
various departments’ sites at www.health.uct.ac.za/
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

The aim of Occupational Therapy is to help people overcome functional difficulties resulting
from health-related problems and to develop their abilities, so that they may be independent
and effective at home, at work and during their leisure time. This is a four-year degree programme.
When you obtain the BSc (Occupational Therapy) degree, and after completing a year’s
community service, you will be allowed by the Health Professions Council of South Africa to
practise as an occupational therapist.
You will work with people of all ages whose lives have been complicated by sickness, trauma
and developmental delay, and who are struggling to cope with and adapt to their circumstances
or their environment. You may help them in their homes or in their places of work, as well as in
Faculty of
clinics, schools and hospitals, or you may work in a private practice.
Visit www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/departments/dhrs
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSIOTHERAPY
Health Sciences Physiotherapy aims to help people in the community to lead a healthy lifestyle, to prevent
illness or injury for those at risk, and to treat people who have been disabled or injured.
35
Physiotherapy makes use of physiologically-based and language learning, voice disorders, swallowing Visit www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/departments/dhrs
movement techniques, massage, electrotherapy and disorders and stuttering. You may also treat people who
other physical means to prevent and treat injury and have disorders of speech and language after they have As an audiologist you may work at schools, community
disease. This is a four-year degree programme. suffered strokes or because they have cerebral palsy. centres, hospitals and outpatient clinics or open your
Visit www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/departments/dhrs own practice.
When you obtain the BSc (Physiotherapy) degree, and
after you have completed a year’s community service, The degree programme takes four years to complete HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN DISABILITY
you will be allowed by the Health Professions Council and is followed by a year of community service. On PRACTICE
of South Africa to practise as a physiotherapist. You will completion of your community service, you will be The Higher Certificate in Disability Practice aims to train
help people of all ages who suffer from (for example) allowed by the Health Professions Council of South Africa home-based carers and school-leavers who have an
breathing and chest problems, cerebral palsy, strokes, (HPCSA) to practise as a speech-language therapist. interest in pursuing a career in the field of community-
fractured bones, stiff joints, sports injuries and painful based disability practice. Students learn foundational
necks and backs. As a speech-language therapist you may work at skills for disability prevention and care. The qualification
Visit www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/departments/dhrs community centres, hospitals and outpatient clinics or provides students with the basic knowledge, cognitive
open your own practice. Many speech therapists also and conceptual tools and practical techniques for
As a physiotherapist you may open your own practice, work in schools or provide rehabilitation programmes in application in the field of disability-inclusive community
or work at community centres, hospitals and outpatient people’s homes. development. The qualification signifies that the
clinics. Many physiotherapists work in special schools for student has attained a basic level of higher educational
disabled children or provide rehabilitation programmes BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AUDIOLOGY knowledge and appropriate competencies in their role as
in people’s homes for them to become as independent Audiologists assess people’s hearing, fit hearing aids, community development workers. The Higher Certificate
as possible at home and in their communities. You may manage speech and language problems of people who includes theoretical and practical work-integrated
also choose to work and travel with sports teams to are hard of hearing or deaf, and deal with noise mea- learning components.
treat injuries and advise on the fitness of members of surement and control.
the teams and on proper training to prevent common The curriculum for the Certificate extends over one year
injuries associated with a particular sport. The degree programme takes four years to complete and of full-time study.
is followed by a year of community service. On completion
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN of your community service, you will be allowed by the The Certificate programme is offered only if there is a
SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY Health Professions Council of South sufficient number of applicants.
Speech Language Therapists assess and treat Africa (HPCSA) to practise as an Visit www.dhrs.uct.ac.za/dhrs/divisions/disability/
people who have communication disorders, audiologist. undergraduate/requirements
such as problems with sound production
The degree
programmes include
extensive training at hospitals
and clinics in and around
Cape Town and in other
relevant community settings,
which may include schools
and informal settlements.
ADMISSION TO PROGRAMMES IN THE FACULTY either within South Africa or abroad, you will be eligible for consideration only if you
have written examinations towards a national school-leaving examination (i.e. where all
The Faculty of Heath Sciences receives an exceptionally high volume of applications for school-leavers in the country concerned are required to write the same school-leaving
a limited number of places. Most of the applications are of very high standard and thus examinations - such as A/AS/O Level, GCSE/OL, NSSC and IB Diploma examinations) as
the competition for places is significant. Meeting the minimum criteria is no guarantee opposed to examinations at state level (such as those offered in some states in the USA).
for acceptance to study in your chosen programme. Exceptions may be considered on merit in the case of applicants who have obtained
tertiary-level qualifications.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR DEGREE PROGRAMMES
In addition to the above requirements, the following guidelines apply, with
To be eligible for consideration, you must have passed certain school-leaving exceptions being considered on individual merit:
subjects at specific minimum performance levels. You must: • If you are doing a foundation programme, you must have completed your foundation
• have obtained a minimum overall Admission Points Score (APS1); programme, unless you would in any event be eligible for consideration based
• have obtained minimum performance levels in the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs); on your NSC or other school-leaving examination results and your results in the
• (if you have written the National Senior Certificate examinations) be eligible for National Benchmark Tests.
admission to degree studies, or (if you have written a non-South African school- • If you are already registered for a similar health sciences programme at another
leaving certificates) have matriculation exemption; university and you wish to transfer to UCT you will need to compete for admission
• be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa or of a Southern African to the first year of the relevant programme.
Development Community (SADC) country that does not have a health sciences • If you have been refused re-admission by any Faculty at UCT or another tertiary
faculty or whose health sciences faculties do not offer the health sciences institution you are not generally eligible for consideration.
programme you wish to study2 3.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN
Further eligibility requirements for the Faculty of Health Sciences: DISABILITY PRACTICE
• The University welcomes applications from applicants with special needs. However,
there are some disabilities that would prevent someone from completing a particular To be eligible for consideration to the Higher Certificate all applicants must:
health sciences curriculum (for example, someone who is deaf may not be able to • have obtained a National Senior Certificate or an approved HEQSF-level 4 (school-
hear a heartbeat through a stethoscope). For this reason, applicants with disabilities leaving) qualification;
are urged to communicate with the Faculty, via the University’s Disability Service, • show evidence of proficiency in English in the Academic and Quantitative Literacy
to establish whether this would apply to them. The Faculty reserves the right to components of the National Benchmark Tests.
require an applicant (or an admitted student) to undergo a professional assessment
to determine the extent and likely impact of a disability on his or her ability to meet ELIGIBILITY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN
the requirements of the curriculum, including such practical training and practice as COSMETIC FORMULATION SCIENCE
is required in the health sciences discipline concerned. The University reserves the
right to withdraw an offer to an applicant or cancel the registration of a student who To be considered for the programme, students must have obtained:
has failed to declare a disability that is found to be such as to make it impossible • a BSc or equivalent with Chemistry 3
for him or her to meet the curriculum requirements in the health sciences discipline • or a degree with Biochemistry 3 (students with Biochemistry 3 need to have at least
concerned. Chemistry 2 to be eligible for admission)
• or a partially completed/ non-degree with Chemistry 2 and relevant work experience
If you are a South African citizen who has written a non-NSC school-leaving examination, Offers in this program are made subject to availability of space.
1
Note: The Admissions Point Score (APS) is the total of the percentages of your six school subjects.
2
If you are from a non-SADC country in Africa with an approved Occupational Therapy diploma and have practised as an occupational therapist for more than two years you may be considered on merit, provided that your NBT scores
fall in the Intermediate or Proficient range. We admit a maximum of two applicants in this category annually.
3
The Faculty will consider the immediate family members of permanently appointed UCT staff members who are not South African citizens or permanent residents or eligible SADC applicants, and who have applied for permanent
residency but whose permanent residency has not yet been approved at the time of application, provided they are competitive in the “open competition” category.
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES 37
NATIONAL BENCHMARK TESTS • Assessing your performance in the National Benchmark Tests;
• Comparing your overall performance to that of other applicants
All applicants must write some or all components of the NBTs, consisting of the Academic
and Quantitative Literacy Test (AQL) and Mathematics Test. NBT results contribute up to 300 NUMBER OF PLACES AVAILABLE IN EACH PROGRAMME
points towards your Faculty Points Score. Applicants applying for admission to MBChB and The limits on intake into first year of each of the under-graduate programmes in
Physiotherapy need to have NBT results that are in the Intermediate or Proficient bands. Health Sciences are expected to be:
Applicants to Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy who did Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB):235
Mathematical Literacy are advised to not write NBT Mathematics. Their applications will Bachelor of Science in Audiology: 35
be considered individually, on merit. Applicants to the Higher Certificate in Disability Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy: 65
Practice need to write only the Academic and Quantitative Literacy components of the Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy: 65
NBTs. Applicants to the Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation Science need not Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology: 38
write the NBTs. Higher Certificate in Disability Practice: 30
Advanced Diploma in Cosmetic Formulation Science10
HOW WE CALCULATE YOUR FACULTY POINTS SCORE (FPS) FOR THE

DEGREE PROGRAMMES APPLICANT CATEGORIES, DEAN’S DISCRETIONARY PLACES
AND THE SELECTION PROCESS
The following are added if you are an NSC candidate:
• Points (percentage) out of 100 for each of English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Applicants compete in selection categories as follows:
• Points out of 100 for each of your next three best subjects excluding Life Orientation • South African school leavers
• An additional 10 points if you have passed a third official South African language at • SADC applicants (international applicants)
Home or First Additional Language Level • Applicants with tertiary results from UCT or other institutions
• Points out of 300 for the National Benchmark Tests.
• This gives you a total FPS out of 900 The Dean may also allocate (within the intake targets) a small number of discretionary
We do not score Advanced Programme Mathematics or Advanced Programme English since places, on merit, to (for example) the following categories of applicants:
these are not approved NSC subjects. • Repeat applicants who meet the prescribed minimum criteria
• Applicants with disabilities
If you take a non-South African school-leaving examination, we will consider
your application by: Applications are considered on a continual basis from the time that the Faculty receives
• Assessing your academic performance, using the rating tables on page 14 where the first NBT results and applicants have uploaded at least one set of provisional school
possible; results (Grade 11 final or Grade 12 Term 1, Term 2 and Term 3 results).
38
Conditional Offers • Minimum subject requirements and performance

In the case of school-leavers, conditional offers are first made to levels to be considered for admission:
applicants with very competitive results. The condition on which early • MBCHB: Mathematics, Physical Sciences, as well as
offers are made is that applicants maintain or improve, in their final English (Home or First Additional Language) at 60% or
examinations, their best level of performance to date, at the time that above; and at least 50% for the next three best subjects
the offer was made (Should applicants not meet the conditions in their excluding Life Orientation. NBT results in Intermediate
final examinations, their conditional offer may be revoked). range. Subminimum APS of 450.
• BSC PHYSIOTHERAPY: At least 50% for all subjects, which
Applicants who do not secure early conditional offers are reconsidered must include Mathematics, plus Physical Sciences or Life
when the final school results are received. The cut-off points for Sciences, plus English (Home or First Additional Language),
offers may then be dropped until the class is filled. A similar process and the next three best subjects excluding Life Orientation.
of conditional offers applies to applicants with non-South African or Subminimum APS of 360. NBT results in Intermediate range.
tertiary results. • FOR BSC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, BSC AUDIOLOGY AND
BSC SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY: At least 50% for all
Applicants with tertiary results, as well as international applicants, are subjects, which must include Physical Sciences or Life
usually considered simultaneously, soon after the closing date. Very Sciences, Mathematics (or 70% for Mathematical
few offers are made to international (SADC) applicants, particularly Literacy) and 50% for English (Home or
for programmes where competition amongst South African applicants First Additional Language); plus 50%
is high. (All SADC countries now offer medicine, so SADC applicants for the next three best subjects
are no longer considered for admission to MBChB.) Applicants busy excluding Life Orientation.
with tertiary studies who have not secured an early offer will be Subminimum APS of 340.
reconsidered in January of the year of admission, once final year-end NBT results in Intermediate
results are available. range. (Applicants taking
Mathematical Literacy
will be considered
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR individually, on merit.
A Mathematics NBT
APPLICANTS HOLDING THE NATIONAL equivalence score
SENIOR CERTIFICATE will be calculated for
Mathematical Literacy
PLEASE NOTE: All degrees within Health Sciences applicants using the
• APS = NSC score (score out of 600). The APS is worked out as following formula: NBT
follows: percentages of three required subjects plus percentages Quantitative Literacy
of next three best subjects excluding Life Orientation. score minus 20 points
• NBT = National Benchmark Tests (score out of 300). The results are = NBT Mathematics
published in Proficient/Intermediate /Basic ranges. result). Applicants who obtained
• FPS = Faculty Points Score (score out of 900). This consists of NSC NBT results in the Basic range will also be
score plus NBT score. considered individually.
• WPS - Weighted Points Score (score out of 1080). The WPS is
used in Band B only and consists of your FPS weighted by your
disadvantage factor (see the section on the general Admissions
Policy for an explanation of the disadvantage factors).
CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS WRITING NSC EXAMINATIONS
NOTE: NBT = National Benchmark Tests (results published in Proficient, Intermediate and Basic ranges; score out of 300)
BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY- MBCHB BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
ELIGIBLE BANDS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBLE BANDS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Band A
792 FPS or above 730 FPS or above
All applicants FPS
Meet Minimum Subject Requirements All applicants Band A Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
NBT scores of Proficient for AL, QL and Mathematics FPS NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
Mathematical Literacy are exempted from the NBT Mathematics Test)
Probable admission
Band B 807 WPS or above Probable admission
WPS Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
NBT scores of Intermediate for AL, QL and Mathematics All applicants Band B Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
WPS NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
Only SA Possible admission
applicants Band C 644 FPS or above SA applicants in redress Possible admission
in redress FPS Meet Minimum Subject Requirements categories 1 and 2. (If the 565 FPS for redress 1, 580 FPS for redress 2
categories 1 and 2 NBT scores of Intermediate for AL, QL and Mathematics Faculty is unable to meet Band C 670 FPS for redress 3 and 4
its target for redress 3 and
4 applicants, it may make FPS Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
offers to such applicants in NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSIOTHERAPY
Band C as well.) Mathematical Literacy are exempted from the NBT Mathematics Test)
ELIGIBLE BANDS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Note: *Applicants with Mathematical Literacy will be considered on an individual basis.
Guaranteed admission **Applicants with any NBT result in the Basic range may also be considered on an individual basis. However, applicants who
Band A 730 FPS or above take Mathematical Literacy will not be considered if they have any NBT result in the Basic range.
All applicants
FPS Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
NBT scores of Intermediate for AL, QL and Mathematics
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AUDIOLOGY
Band B Probable admission
All applicants
WPS 797 WPS or above ELIGIBLE BANDS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
NBT scores of Intermediate for AL, QL and Mathematics Guaranteed admission
720 FPS or above
SA applicants in redress Band A
Possible admission All applicants Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
categories 1 and 2. (If the FPS
580 FPS or above for redress 1 NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
Faculty is unable to meet its Band C Mathematical Literacy are exempted from the NBT Mathematics Test)
610 FPS or above for redress 2
target for redress 3 and 4 ap- FPS
plicants, it may make offers 680 FPS or above for redress 3 and 4
to such applicants in Meet Minimum Subject Requirements Probable admission
Band C as well.) NBT scores of Intermediate for AL, QL and Mathematics 710 WPS or above
Band B
All applicants Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
WPS
NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
SA applicants in redress Possible admission

categories 1 and 2. (If the 550 FPS for redress 1, 565 FPS for redress 2
Faculty is unable to meet
its target for redress 3 and
Band C 610 FPS for redress 3 and 4
4 applicants, it may make FPS Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
offers to such applicants in NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
Band C as well.) Mathematical Literacy are exempted from the NBT Mathematics Test)
Note: *Applicants with Mathematical Literacy will be considered on an individual basis.

**Applicants with any NBT result in the Basic range may also be considered on an individual basis. However, applicants
who take Mathematical Literacy will not be considered if they have any NBT result in the Basic range.
40
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS FOR DEGREE PROGRAMS
ELIGIBLE BANDS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS WRITING INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL-LEAVING
CERTIFICATES
715 FPS or above A table is used to convert non-NSC results to a comparable score, where possible – see
Band A
All applicants Meet Minimum Subject Requirements Admission Points Table for A, AS, IGCSE and IB Diplomas on page 14 of this Prospectus. Please
FPS
NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking note, applicants require six different eligible subjects in order to apply. Please note that the
subjects and points scores where specified below, are the minimum entrance requirements and
Probable admission
670 WPS or above Advanced (A) Level
Band B
All applicants Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
WPS 48 points plus NBT score in the Proficient range
NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking
At least a C symbol in two A Level subjects (including Mathematics PLUS Physics or Chemistry)
and a B in the remaining subject (Physics or Chemistry) and in English,
both of which may be at AS or IGCSE Level.
SA applicants in
redress categories 1 Possible admission
510 FPS for redress 1 Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level
and 2. (If the Faculty
is unable to meet its 515 FPS for redress 2 48 points plus NBT score in the Proficient range
Band C AS and IGCSE level subject requirements: At least B in four AS level subjects (including
target for redress 3 and 600 FPS for redress 3 and 4
4 applicants, it may FPS Mathematics and Physics and Chemistry), and a B symbol in English, which may be at IGCSE/
Meet Minimum Subject Requirements
make offers to such NBT scores of Intermediate** for AL, QL and Mathematics (applicants taking MBChB Ordinary Level.
applicants in Band C Mathematical Literacy are exempted from the NBT Mathematics Test)
as well.) International Baccalaureate
48 points plus NBT score in the Proficient range
Note: *Applicants with Mathematical Literacy will be considered on an individual basis. At least grade 5 in three Higher level subjects, two of which must be Mathematics and/or
**Applicants with any NBT result in the Basic range may also be considered on an individual basis. However, applicants Chemistry and/or Physics and/or English
who take Mathematical Literacy will not be considered if they have any NBT result in the Basic range.
At least grade 5 in the remaining two subjects (Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or English
not taken at Higher level), which may be at Standard level.
CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS FOR OTHER PROGRAMS Mathematical Studies is not acceptable.
IB applicants need to be in possession of the IB Diploma, not the Certificate.
WRITING NSC EXAMINATIONS
Admission criteria for the Higher Certificate in Disability Practice or the Advanced Diploma Advanced (A) Level
in Cosmetic Formulation Science are not expressed in terms of bands. See page 36. 43 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range
At least a C symbol in two A level subjects (A level subjects
must include Mathematics or Physics or Chemistry or Biology); plus
At least a C at AS Level or IGCSE level in Physics or Chemistry or
HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN DISABILITY PRACTICE Mathematics or Biology, if these were not taken at A level; plus
At least a C in English, which may be at AS or IGCSE level.
An NSC or equivalent (no specific school subject requirements). Applicants may be asked
to respond to questions about their prior involvement with disabled people, and their Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level
43 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range
motivation for studying this programme. BSC At least a C in four AS Level subjects, of which two must be Mathematics, Physics, or
PHYSIOTHERAPY Chemistry (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry)
At least a C in English, which may be at IGCSE Level. If Mathematics is taken at IGCSE Level,
a C is also required.
International Baccalaureate
43 points plus NBT score of 202 / 300 (Proficient / Intermediate ranges).
At least grade 4 in three Higher level subjects, two of which must be Mathematics and/or
Chemistry and/or Physics and/or English. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry).
At least grade 4 in the remaining two subjects (Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or English),
which may be at Standard level. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry.)
If Mathematics is at standard level, Physics and Chemistry or Biology must be at Higher level.
DEFERRED ADMISSION OR “GAP YEAR”

Applicants who are offered a place and wish to take a gap year may have their offers
deferred to the following year on request. However, a gap year is understood to be a
year in which the applicant does not register for formal tertiary studies. An applicant who
defers their offer and registers for tertiary studies, at this or another institution, must
reapply formally as a transferring undergraduate applicant for admission in the following
admission year.
Advanced (A) Level
At least a D symbol in two A level subjects (A level subjects must include Mathematics or
Physics or Chemistry or Biology); plus
TERTIARY APPLICANTS
At least a C at AS level or IGCSE Level in Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or Biology, if
these were not taken at A level; plus The Faculty of Heath Sciences receives an exceptionally high volume of applications for
At least a C in English, which may be at AS or IGCSE Level.
a limited number of tertiary places. Most of the applications are of an exceptionally high
Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level standard and thus the competition for places is significant. Meeting the minimum criteria
BSC 45 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range
At least a C in four AS level subjects, of which two must be Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry
is no guarantee for acceptance to study in your chosen programme.
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPY (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry)
At least a C in English, which may be at IGCSE level. If Mathematics is taken at IGCSE Level, a Eligibility
C is required. Applicants who are already studying towards tertiary qualifications or who have obtained
International Baccalaureate such qualifications must:
45 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range • meet the school subject requirements and minimum performance levels outlined
Chemistry and/or Physics and/or English. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry). above
• not have failed any courses at tertiary level
At least grade 4 in the remaining two subjects (Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or English),
which may be at Standard level. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry.) • meet minimum GPA requirements.
If Mathematics is at standard level, Physics and Chemistry or Biology must be at Higher level. For more detailed information on minimum selection criteria, please download additional
information available on the Faculty of Health Sciences website www.health.uct.ac.za/
Advanced (A) Level
At least a D symbol in two A level subjects (A level subjects must include Mathematics or
Physics or Chemistry or Biology); plus ADMISSION DIRECT TO SECOND YEAR MBCHB
At least a C at AS level or IGCSE Level in Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or Biology, OF TERTIARY APPLICANTS MEETING SPECIFIC
if these were not taken at A level; plus
At least a C in English, which may be at AS or IGCSE Level. REQUIREMENTS
BSC AUDIOLOGY Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level
38 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range A small number of graduates who have completed either an approved undergraduate or
AND BSC
SPEECH- At least a C in four AS level subjects, of which two must be Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry postgraduate degree, may be offered a place in second year provided a) there is class
LANGUAGE (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry) capacity and b) that they have:
PATHOLOGY At least a C in English, which may be at IGCSE level. If Mathematics is taken at IGCSE Level,
a C is required. • met the school subject requirements and minimum performance levels
• not have failed any courses at tertiary level
International Baccalaureate
38 points plus NBT in the Higher Intermediate range • met minimum GPA requirements.
Chemistry and/or Physics and/or English. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry). Further minimum requirements and details are available on request from the faculty
At least grade 4 in the remaining two subjects (Physics or Chemistry or Mathematics or English), admissions office (fhs-ug-admiss@uct.ac.za)
which may be at Standard level. (Biology may be substituted for Physics and Chemistry.)
If Mathematics is at standard level, Physics and Chemistry or Biology must be at Higher level.
42
Faculty of
Humanities
ABOUT THE FACULTY
The Faculty of Humanities attracts students and academics from
The Faculty of Humanities is home to more than 6000 across the globe and we are the most popular destination for
undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Faculty is Semester Study Abroad students. This means that our students
comprised of 15 academic departments located in three main are exposed to a rich diversity of knowledge, experience and
clusters: best practice.
• The Arts: the languages, history, linguistics, film and media
studies, and art history and discourse of art Did you know that a Humanities qualification prepares you for
• The Social Sciences: African studies, anthropology, gender a multitude of career paths in the public sector, the corporate
studies, sociology, religious studies, education, social work workplace and in academia? Our graduates are sought-after in the
and social development, politics, economics, psychology local and international job markets. This is because Humanities
and philosophy academic courses foster flexibility, imagination, social sensitivity,
• The Performing and Creative Arts: fine art, music, dance and language competence, critical thinking, analytical reasoning and
theatre. the capacity to solve complex societal problems.
Each of our academic departments offers a wide selection of Humanities undergraduate qualifications have vocational
courses and disciplines, giving students more freedom of choice outcomes, applied and policy content and lead to advanced
in tailoring their academic experience. postgraduate study as well as to a variety of exciting careers.
43
WHAT WE OFFER
HUMANITIES UNDERGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEGREES
The Faculty of Humanities offers undergraduate students a wide variety of There are two types of degree curricula leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of
academic courses, diploma, degree and advanced diploma options. The three Social Science degree: a general degree and degrees with structured curricula.
categories of qualifications on offer to our undergraduates are set out in the
following table.
MAJORS OFFERED BY
BACHELOR OF BACHELOR OF SOCIAL
QUALIFICATION NQF EXIT DEPARTMENTS NOT ESTABLISHED
QUALIFICATION ARTS MAJORS SCIENCE MAJORS
TYPE LEVEL IN THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
Higher Certificate in Adult and Community Afrikaans African Studies Applied Mathematics
Education and Training African Languages & Literatures Anthropology Applied Statistics
Advanced
Advanced Certificate (Foundation Phase Teaching) Arabic Language & Literature Economics Archaeology
Certificates 6
Advanced Certificate in Intermediate Art History and Discourse of Art Gender Studies Astrophysics
(AC)
Phase Teaching Business French Industrial Sociology Biochemistry
Advanced Certificate in Senior Phase Teaching Chinese Studies Philosophy Biology
Classical Studies Politics and Governance Chemistry
Diplomas Diploma in Music Performance English Psychology Computer Science
6
(Dip) Diploma in Theatre & Performance Film & Television Studies Religious Studies Environmental & Geographical
French Social Development Science
Advanced Diploma in Music German Sociology Genetics
Advanced Diploma in Opera Hebrew Language & Literature Geology
Advanced Advanced Diploma in Theatre History Human Physiology
Diplomas Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community 7 Italian Informatics
(AdvDip) Education & Training Linguistics Law (see entry on page 48)
Advanced Diploma in School Leadership Media & Writing Marine Biology
& Management Music Mathematics
Portuguese Mathematical Statistics
Spanish Ocean and Atmosphere Science
Bachelor of Arts
Theatre & Dance Studies Organisational Psychology
Bachelor of Social Science
7 Xhosa Communication Physics
Bachelor of Social Science in
Quantitative Biology
Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Bachelors
Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance
8
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Social Work
44
TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR GENERAL DEGREES

THE GENERAL DEGREE:
The majority of students in the Faculty register for one of the three-year general degrees. The Bachelor of Arts
We accept you for the degree, not for specific majors. (BA) and Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc) degrees offer a flexible structure in which students can choose their
• Most of the majors have no additional entrance requirements own courses from a wide selection, following certain rules over the three or four years of the degree, and ending
and are open to all general degree students: you may up with a specialisation in two or more subjects. These specialisations are known as course majors.
automatically register for the courses in your chosen major
once you have been accepted provided they do not have The full list of available Arts and Social Science majors is set out in the above table. Humanities students may
additional requirements. select courses from other faculties as a second major, but must have at least one major offered by departments
• The main exceptions are Law, Economics and Psychology established in the Faculty of Humanities.
and all majors housed in the Faculty of Science, which do
have additional entrance requirements, which you would While the general degrees allow freedom of choice, students must nevertheless comply with certain minimum
have to fulfil before being allowed to take those courses. requirements. The curriculum must include at least two majors with 20 semester courses, of which at least ten
• Because most of the majors are open to any BA or BSocSc must be senior courses and 12 must be Humanities courses. In addition, the following combinations of majors
students, we do not ask you to specify them when you apply; are not offered: French and Business French, and Sociology and Industrial Sociology.
we wish to know only if you are interested in Economics,
Psychology or Music and all other majors you can specify Extended Programmes of Study
when you register. You are very likely to change your mind The extended programmes of study are offered to South African applicants who show the potential to succeed
about which majors you wish to take after you have submitted with additional academic support. Applicants are considered on the basis of their performance in the NBTs, FPS
your application, after you receive more information during and on their educational background. The extended programme of study leads to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor
Orientation and even during your first year of study. This is of Social Science degree but is structured over four years.
not a problem: the general degree is designed to be flexible
and allow you to try subjects out and change your mind Students registered for the extended programmes of study receive additional academic support through two
about which majors you wish to follow. introductory Humanities courses in their first year. They also receive additional tutorial support through courses
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES 45
which augment their semester subject courses in both • Bachelor of Arts specialising in Film and Media Applicants may be required to attend an admissions
their first and second year of study. Production (BA) interview and demonstrate successfully that they will
• Bachelor of Music specialisations are listed with the meet the professional requirements of the South African
As additional academic support is not available in Performing and Creative Arts degrees Council for Social Service Professions. (Details on
Economics, Law or majors offered by the Faculty of government-funded study bursaries are available from
Science (with the exception of Environmental and * Further details on these degrees can be found in the national Department of Social Development)
Geographical Science), students registered for the the section ‘Structured degrees and diplomas in the
extended programmes of study will not be able to pursue performing and creative arts’ in the tables outlining the + Since first-year Psychology is a compulsory course
majors in these subjects. Similar extended programmes admissions requirements on pages 50 - 52. in the Social Work degree, all students accepted for
of study are available in the Performing and Creative the Social Work degree will be accepted to first-year
Arts academic cluster. BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN Psychology courses. Depending on achievement against
PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS the admission criteria, some students may receive
This classic combination of Philosophy, Politics and additional tutorial support in courses which augment
DEGREES WITH STRUCTURED Economics (PPE) involves an academically rigorous the Psychology subject semester courses. Admission to
grounding in all of these closely connected subjects, as elective senior Psychology courses is subject to meeting
CURRICULA well as the opportunity to specialise in at least one of course-specific admission requirements.
them. Students not only follow a curriculum designed
Structured degrees are special combinations of in consultation with all three participating academic BACHELOR OF ARTS SPECIALISING IN
disciplines and courses, which have been designed disciplines, but also have the opportunity to participate FILM AND MEDIA PRODUCTION
to provide you with a particular knowledge and skills
in an annual PPE Humanities Colloquium and essay www.cfms.uct.ac.za
base. Every structured degree is made up of specific,
competition. After the PPE, depending on the courses This specialisation seeks to develop a range of practical,
prescribed courses for each year of study, and every year
of study builds on the knowledge and skills developed they have chosen, students may study for Honours theoretical, historical, and analytical skills in the areas of
during the previous year. With the exception of the degrees in any of the three fields or in PPE. film, media, and visual studies. Students initially register
BSocSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (which for a BA degree with majors in Film and Television
takes a minimum of three years), all structured degrees Graduates of the PPE have followed many careers, Studies and Media & Writing.
extend over four years. including work in commerce, government and non-
governmental organisations. For the first eighteen months of studies, all students take
Structured degrees in the Humanities the same core courses, regardless of whether they are
• Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA FA) * BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK+ intending to follow a general degree with double majors
• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA T&P) * www.socialdevelopment.uct.ac.za in Film and Television Studies and Media & Writing, or
• Bachelor of Music (BMus) * Social Workers interact with individuals, families, groups whether they are hoping to follow the structured curriculum
• Bachelor of Social Science in Philosophy, Politics and and communities in life-skills training, adult education, specialisation in Film and Media Production (FMP).
Economics (BSocSc PPE) economic empowerment and various prevention
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programmes. Social Work also entails social research, As formal acceptance for the FMP specialisation only
the analysis and formulation of social policies and occurs in the second semester of the second year,
General degrees with specialisations offered in the management of social service programmes. This students are initially accepted and registered for the
the Humanities qualification enables students to register as professional general Bachelor of Arts degree. Selection criteria are
The Faculty also offers a number of specialisations. These social workers with the South African Council for Social explained during the first year of study. Students would
are general degrees which offer specialised curricula in Service Professions. Successful applicants may be be expected to work in media on campus and to find
particular subject areas or disciplines, and which may eligible for funding to assist with their studies (details are internships in the media industry should they be selected
have additional admission requirements. available from the Department of Social Development). for the Film and Media Production specialisation.
46
STRUCTURED DEGREES AND where an applicant shows exceptional talent in a general degree curriculum. Auditions are not required
DIPLOMAS IN THE PERFORMING the audition. Please refer to the specific admission to register for these courses.
requirements in the tables on pages 50 - 52.
AND CREATIVE ARTS Fine art
Theatre www.michaelis.uct.ac.za
Undergraduate degrees and diplomas in this field www.drama.uct.ac.za The qualification is offered as:
include qualifications in Dance, Theatre, Fine Art and The following qualifications are offered: • Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA FA) – 4 years
Music. Admission to the performing and creative • Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & Performance (BA T&P) • Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art (BA FA) following an
arts degrees is highly competitive. Applicants in – 4 years extended programme of study – 5 years
Music, Dance or Theatre will be required to perform • Diploma in Theatre & Performance (DTP) – 3 years
satisfactorily in an audition, and applicants for the Fine • Advanced Diploma in Theatre (AdvDip Theatre) The BA (Fine Art) is a four-year degree that offers
Art degree are required to complete a supplementary – 1 year specialist and interdisciplinary training in all aspects
application questionnaire (part of the application of visual art. The Michaelis School of Fine Art has well-
booklet, and downloadable from the online application These qualifications are intended for those who wish equipped studios offering photography, new media,
screens) as well as submit a portfolio of work for to work professionally in the theatre as performers, painting, print media, sculpture and curatorship. The
consideration. As long as the FPS and NBT scores meet makers, designers, teachers, and facilitators or as degree also equips students with the critical and
the minimum requirements for admission, the leading academics and researchers. An audition is theoretical skills necessary for the context-specific
indicator for admission is performance in the audition/ required for admission. The Head understanding of contemporary art practice. The degree
portfolio submission, and places are awarded on merit. of the Centre for Theatre, Dance is designed to enable students to develop as artists at a
and Performance Studies may level of best practice.
Dance motivate for consideration
www.dance.uct.ac.za of other qualifications or Studio work practical concentrations offered are:
The following qualifications are offered: experience in lieu of the painting, sculpture, photography, printmedia and new
• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre & NBT requirement where an media. In the fourth year of study, students follow
Performance (BA T&P) – 4 years applicant shows exceptional individual study streams that have been chosen in
• Diploma in Theatre & Performance talent in the audition. Please consultation with members of the teaching staff.
(DTP) – 3 years refer to the specific Students are expected to produce a body of work to a
admission requirements professional standard in their final year.
These qualifications are designed to cater in the tables on pages
equally for aspirant professional dancers, 50 - 52. The Faculty offers an extended programme of study in
choreographers, designers, dance teachers Fine Art, with an extended curriculum and additional
and academics. An audition is required for Students in the general support, to accommodate those applicants with talent
admission. The Head of the Centre for Theatre, Bachelor of Arts degree and potential to succeed academically who do not meet
Dance and Performance Studies may motivate may choose to study the minimum admission requirements for the BA (Fine
for consideration of other qualifications or Theatre and Dance Studies Art) degree. In such cases, an additional letter
experience in lieu of the NBT requirement academic courses as part of of motivation may be requested. This
programme is
structured over
five years.
Music the professional world of music as performers, teachers, ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN MUSIC
www.sacm.uct.ac.za composers, researchers and audio technologists. This qualification is offered to graduates of the Diploma
The following qualifications are offered: in Music Performance. Admission is subject to satisfactory
• Bachelor of Music (BMus) - 4 years BACHELOR OF MUSIC performance in the Diploma as well as an audition.
• Bachelor of Music (BMus) following an extended This degree is offered in the following subject focus or It further develops skills taught in the Diploma and
programme of study - 5 years streams: General, Performance, Music Technology and provides a foundation for those wishing to progress to
• Advanced Diploma in Music (AdvDip Music) - 1 year Composition. the Postgraduate Diploma in Music (PGDip Music).
• Advanced Diploma in Opera (AdvDip Opera) - 1 year
• Diploma in Music Performance (DMP) - 3 years The Faculty also offers an extended programme of ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN OPERA
• Diploma in Music Performance (DMP) following an study to accommodate talented applicants who do not This qualification is offered to graduates of the Diploma
extended programme of study - 4 years have the required music qualifications. Please refer to in Music Performance specialising in Opera. Admission
the specific admission requirements in the tables on is subject to satisfactory performance in the Diploma
Please refer to the specific admission requirements in ages 50 - 52. The extended programme is taken over an as well as an audition. It further develops skills taught
the tables on pages 50 - 52. Applicants who do not meet additional year with the first year of study offering an in the Diploma and provides a foundation for those
the minimum requirements for music theory, but who intensive programme preparing students for first year wishing to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Music
perform exceptionally in the audition, may be considered classes. On successful completion of the foundation year, (PGDip Music).
for admission to an extended programme of study. The students proceed to the substantive curriculum of the
South African College of Music offers training in the entire Bachelor of Music. In addition to the general Bachelor DIPLOMA IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
range of orchestral instruments, piano, organ, voice, of Music, students can pursue the following curriculum This qualification offers a similar practical curriculum to
African percussion and jazz. The College boasts several specialisations or streams. that of the Bachelor of Music but excludes some of the
string, wind, jazz and percussion ensembles, as well as academic subjects prescribed for the degree programme
choirs, a symphony orchestra and the Jazz Big Band. In BACHELOR OF MUSIC STREAMS and is of three years’ duration only. It is designed to
addition, the Opera School annually presents a season of African Music Performance prepare students for careers in particular practical
opera performances. General curriculum specialisations or streams. The Faculty also
Jazz Studies offers an extended programme of study to accommodate
All students are required either to play in the orchestras Music Technology talented applicants who do not have the required music
or ensembles, or sing in the choirs, at the discretion Opera qualifications. Please refer to the specific admission
of the Director of the College of Music. Students who Western Classical Composition requirements in the tables on ages 50 - 52.
complete diploma or degree courses are ready to enter Western Classical Performance
48
The extended programme is taken over an additional study particularly for adult learners who have practice to develop a new role or practice to support teaching and
year with the first year of study offering an intensive experience within the non-formal sector or CLC but who learning in ACET.
programme preparing students for first year classes. On may not have all the requirements to enter a learning
successful completion of the foundation year, students programme. Alternative admission is done through The qualification aims are to offer intellectual enrichment
proceed to the substantive curriculum of the Diploma in Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which was introduced in Adult Learning Theory and Practice and Policy &
Music Performance. The Diploma in Music Performance is in 1994 as a formal process, particularly for people who Development towards Social Change and to offer an
available in the following five curriculum specialisations fall short of entry qualifications but have the necessary intensive focus on two applied specialisms namely
or streams. experience and knowledge to enter a programme. Curriculum Studies and Design and Leadership and
Management of an educational project.
DIPLOMA IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE Higher Certificate in Adult and Community
STREAMS Education and Training (ACET) NQF level 5 Law
African Music The Higher Certificate is an access and introductory www.law.uct.ac.za
Jazz Studies qualification to the study of ACET in a higher education Students may pursue a BA/BSocSc with a major in Law
Opera institution and training context. This is an entry level from their second year of study. To gain admission to the
Western Classical qualification which is intended to provide learners with Law major of the general BA/BSocSc degrees, candidates
World Music basic introductory knowledge, cognitive and conceptual must have performed well enough in their school-
tools and practical techniques to enable further study leaving examinations and the NBT to gain admission to
Education in ACET. the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) OR must have passed all the
www.education.uct.ac.za courses from their first year of study at the first sitting
The School of Education is located within the Faculty of This qualification is underpinned by the values of and have achieved an average of at least 65% in a
Humanities. An initial teacher education qualification is engaged citizenship, social justice and transformation standard first year curriculum (i.e. eight semester courses,
offered only at postgraduate level. which are important strategic goals of the university. It excluding summer and winter term courses).
aims to develop learners who are capable of applying
To follow a career in teaching it is necessary to obtain such knowledge and competence as adult education, Candidates can apply for admission to graduate LLB
an undergraduate degree in the Faculties of Humanities, training and development practitioners. It also provides a study through the Faculty of Law during their final year
Commerce or Science before applying for admission to route into the Diploma in Adult and Community Education in the BA/ BSocSc either with or without a Law major.
a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). and Training, which is not offered at UCT. The graduate LLB comprises at least a further two years
Undergraduate requirements for primary and secondary of study depending on the undergraduate majors.
school teachers vary and applicants are encouraged Advanced Diploma in Adult and Community Applicants who complete their first degree will be
to contact the School of Education for advice before Education and Training (ACET) NQF level 7 considered on a competitive basis, taking into account
planning their degree curriculum. This qualification is offered as a continuing professional the University’s admissions policy.
development qualification for Adult Education Training
The School of Education offers the following two (AET) and Community Education and Training (CET) Students in the extended (4-year degree) programme for
undergraduate programmes in Adult and Community lecturers at the community colleges and further the general BA/BSocSci degrees must have passed all
Education and Training (ACET): an entry level qualification education and training centres, art colleges, adult their courses in their first and second years of registration
(the Higher Certificate in ACET) and the post-professional education centres, and adult educators in NGOs, trade on a standard courseload (i.e. 6 semester courses per
qualification (the Advanced Diploma in ACET). UCT does unions, human resource development, health education, year, excluding co-requisite Augmenting courses) on a
however not offer any initial professional teaching religious education and education programmes based in first sitting and have obtained a cumulative average of
qualifications in ACET, which lead to professionally local government, libraries and museums. at least 65% after completion of the second year of the
qualified status which is necessary for teaching in a extended programme.
Community Learning Centre (CLC). Our ACET programmes The purpose of the qualification is to strengthen and
are designed to create bridges and ladders into formal enhance an existing specialisation in a subject or field, or
MAJORS WITH QUANTITATIVE APPLICANTS TRANSFERRING is not included in the points calculation. Applicants with
REQUIREMENTS FROM ANOTHER HIGHER an international or non-NSC school-leaving qualification
EDUCATION INSTITUTION are considered on an individual basis. Details of the
Admission to major subjects with a strong quantitative minimum admission criteria, and how to calculate your
component in the curriculum carry additional entrance The Faculty of Humanities has a limited number of places Admission Point Score (APS), can be found in the table
requirements. To pursue courses with quantitative for those applicants who wish to transfer from another on page 14.
requirements as part of the curriculum, applicants institution. These places are reserved for students who
must meet subject-specific requirements in either NSC have not been excluded from the other institution and
Mathematics (or equivalent). NSC Mathematical Literacy have achieved a high average. Normally, an average of at NATIONAL BENCHMARK TESTS
or specified achievement in the Quantitate Literacy (QL) least 65% across a full load of courses is required with
component of the NBT may be considered in lieu of NSC offers typically made at 70% and above. The admission
(NBTS)
Mathematics for some subjects. decision is based on both the FPS and the tertiary record. Applicants to the Faculty of Humanities need only write
Further advice for applicants in this category can be the Academic & Quantitative Literacy test and not the
Economics found on the Faculty website: http://www.humanities.uct. Mathematics test unless they intend to take courses in
www.commerce.uct.ac.za/Economics ac.za/hum/apply/undergraduate/transtudents Mathematics. The NBT scores are used to complement the
Students require NSC results of at least 60% in Faculty Point Score (FPS) in making admissions decisions.
Mathematics for admission to the Economics major. The Admission requirements and the calculation of As the NBT assesses entry-level academic proficiency,
equivalent Cambridge results are at least a B at AS-level points an applicant with a Lower Intermediate or Basic score
or D at A-level. For applicants writing the National Senior Certificate, on the Academic Literacy (AL) portion of the NBT will
consult page 12. for information on the calculation of not normally be considered for admission to degree
Psychology scores. Specific subject requirements: all applicants must studies in the Faculty of Humanities. The results of the
www.psychology.uct.ac.za have achieved a minimum of 50% for English Home Quantitative Literacy (QL) section are usually only used
Students wishing to pursue a major in Psychology require Language or 60% for English First Additional Language for entry into Humanities degrees that have Psychology
NSC results of at least 50% in NSC Mathematics or a score (FAL). For applicants completing the National Senior or any other course which has quantitative requirements
of Proficient for the Quantitative Literacy (QL) component Certificate, Life Orientation must be passed at 50%, but as part of the curriculum. The NBT test is also used as
of the NBT.
Students who meet neither the NSC Mathematics nor

NBT(QL) requirement may be required to enrol for
Mathematics foundation courses as a pre-requisite
or co-requisite to their first year Psychology courses.
Evaluation and placement into these courses is done
during Orientation.
Majors falling under the Faculty of Science

Students should refer to the relevant entries under the
Faculty of Science section in this prospectus for specific
admission requirements to their course majors.
50
a placement indicator to identify applicants in need of
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS BY QUALIFICATION
language development courses, or other additional academic
support; and as an indicator, along with the FPS, of eligibility BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA) AND BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (BSocSc)
for an early offer or an Entrance Scholarship. Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study/ matric exemption.
FPS 380 with Academic Literacy NBT score at Intermediate Level. 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL).
South African applicants will usually not be considered ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
until an NBT score is available. Applicants who are unable
to write the NBT test during the scheduled sessions in the Guaranteed admission
Band A
FPS 450 or above
year preceding admission (for example an applicant who is FPS
NBT AL: Proficient
out of the country on a gap year) may be made a conditional All applicants
offer on the basis of excellent results, on condition that the Probable admission
Band B
WPS 450 or above
NBT test is written, and results available, prior to Orientation WPS
NBT AL: Upper Intermediate or above
and Registration. No Entrance Scholarship will be awarded
without an NBT score. Only SA applicants Possible admission
Band C
in targeted redress FPS 380 or above
FPS
categories NBT AL: Intermediate or above
NSC REQUIREMENTS SELECTION BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS AND ECONOMICS (BSOCSC) (PPE)
PROCEDURES Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study/ matric exemption. FPS 450 with Academic Literacy NBT score at Upper
Intermediate and Quantitative Literacy NBT score at Upper Intermediate. NSC Mathematics 60%.
50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL).
Applicants are considered on the basis of final school-
leaving results and the NBT score. Where final school-leaving ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
results are not available, the Faculty will initially consider an
application for a provisional or conditional offer on the basis Guaranteed admission
FPS 450 or above
of internal examination results and the NBT score. All applicants
Band A
NBT AL: Proficient
FPS
NBT QL: Upper Intermediate
In addition to the selection process and admission points Subject requirements: Mathematics 60% or above
requirements, admission to the Performing and Creative
Arts degrees includes the assessment of a portfolio and/or
a successful audition. Please refer to the specific admission BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK (BSW)
requirements stipulated for Fine Art, Theatre & Performance, Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study/ matric exemption. FPS 380 with Academic Literacy NBT score at
Dance and Music. These are in the tables on pages 50 - 52. Intermediate Level 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL).
Additional Minimum requirements: Applicants may be required to attend an admissions interview and demonstrate
successfully that they will meet the professional requirements of the South African Council for Social Service Professionals.
Applicants for the Performing and Creative Arts are advised
to liaise with the relevant departments for assistance in
preparing for the audition or portfolio. You are also advised Band A
All applicants FPS 450 or above
to consult the following websites for information pertaining FPS
NBT AL: Proficient
to current selection procedures: Probable admission
WPS 450 or above
Band B
Michaelis School of Fine Art: www.michaelis.uct.ac.za All applicants Note: An applicant with a maximum disadvantage score of 10% and an FPS of 409 will
WPS
meet the WPS 450 requirement (409+41 = 450)
NBT AL: Upper Intermediate or above
South African College of Music: www.music.uct.ac.za /
www.sacm.uct.ac.za Only SA applicants
Band C
Possible admission
in targeted redress FPS 380 or above
FPS
categories NBT AL: Intermediate or above
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN FINE ART (BA(FA)) ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN MUSIC (AdvDip(MUSIC))
Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study/ matric exemption.FPS 380 with Academic Literacy NBT score at Minimum requirements: Successful completion of the Diploma in Music Performance or equivalent qualification.
Intermediate Level. 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL). Satisfactory performance in a portfolio evaluation. Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test.
Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the portfolio submission, Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition, and places are awarded on merit.
and places are awarded on merit.
ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Possible admission
Possible admission Diploma in Music Performance or equivalent qualification with an average of 65% or above.
All applicants
FPS 380 or above Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test or a first class pass in the
All applicants performance course(s) which forms part of the Diploma in Music Performance.
NBT AL: Intermediate
Satisfactory performance in a portfolio evaluation
Only SA applicants in Possible admission
targeted redress Applicants below the minimum requirements who excel in the portfolio ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN OPERA (AdvDip(OPERA))
categories evaluation may be considered for admission to the extended BA(FA).
Minimum requirements: Successful completion of the Diploma in Music Performance specialising in Opera.
Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN THEATRE & PERFORMANCE (BA(T&P)) Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition, and places are awarded on merit.
Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study/ matric exemption. FPS 380 with Academic Literacy ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
NBT score at Intermediate Level. 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL). Satisfactory performance in an audition.
Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition,and places are awarded on merit. Possible admission
Diploma in Music Performance or equivalent qualification with an average of 65% or above.
All applicants
ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test or a first class pass in the
performance course(s) which forms part of the Diploma in Music Performance.
Possible admission
FPS 380 or above
All applicants
Satisfactory performance in an audition DIPLOMA IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE (DMP)
Only SA applicants in Possible admission Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for diploma study. Academic Literacy NBT score at Intermediate Level.
targeted redress Applicants below the minimum requirements who excel in the audition evaluation may 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL). Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test.
categories be considered for admission to the Diploma in Theatre and Performance. Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition, and places are awarded on merit.

BACHELOR OF MUSIC (BMUS)
Possible admission
Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for degree study. FPS 380 with Academic Literacy
NBT score at Intermediate Level. 50% for English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL). Satisfactory performance in an audition.
NSC endorsed for diploma studies.
All applicants NBT AL: Intermediate
Satisfactory performance in an audition and Music theory test
Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition, and places are awarded on merit.
Possible admission
FPS 380 or above
All applicants Satisfactory performance in an audition
Subject requirements:
NSC Music 60% or above OR Unisa Music Theory Grade V or above
AND Unisa Music Practical Grade VII or above OR equivalent examinations.
Possible admission
Only SA applicants
Applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the BMus 4-year programme but do
in targeted redress
not meet the subject requirements above may be considered for admission to the extended
categories
programme of study or the Diploma in Music Performance.
52
DIPLOMA IN THEATRE & PERFORMANCE (DTP) ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS WITH
Minimum requirements: NSC endorsed for diploma study. Academic Literacy NBT score at Intermediate Level. 50% for NON-SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL-LEAVING
English (HL) or 60% for English (FAL). Satisfactory performance in an audition.
QUALIFICATIONS
Note: The leading indicator for admission is performance in the audition, and places are awarded on merit.
Applications are also invited from those who have successfully completed a non-
South African school-leaving qualification. To be considered for admission, all
Possible admission applicants must qualify for matriculation exemption from the Matriculation Board. The
NSC endorsed for diploma studies
All applicants
criteria specified for matriculation exemption are the minimum entry requirements
Satisfactory performance in an audition and do not guarantee admission. The sole subject requirement for all qualifications
is English for which a pass is required for admission. Some qualifications may carry
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN THEATRE (AdvDip(THEATRE)) additional subject requirements, and particular subjects may also be required for
matriculation exemption.
Minimum requirements: Successful completion of the Diploma in Theatre & Performance or equivalent qualification.
ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Admission is competitive and each application is evaluated individually on its
merits. Assessment is based on performance in the top six school-leaving subjects
Possible admission beginning with the most senior subject passed. A points rating system is used to
A Diploma in Theatre and Performance with an average of 65% in third year
All applicants Studiowork (TDP3041W or TDP30143W) and 60% average in second year guide admission decisions. The APS in the tables below reflect the level at which
Theatre & Dance Studies major courses (TDP2010F and TDP2011S) you are likely to receive an offer. While your application is assessed with reference
A qualification from another Higher Education institution deemed equivalent by the HOD. to your APS, additional factors may be taken into account and each application is
considered on its individual merits, particularly for admission to qualifications in the
HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING (ACET) performing and creative arts.
Minimum requirements: It is an entry level, non-professional qualification for those who have at least two years
practitioner experience but no education and training at this level. All applicants who are normally resident, or at school, in South Africa must write the
NBT. As the NBT assesses entry-level academic proficiency, applicants are expected
ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS to attain a Proficient score on the Academic Literacy portion of the test.
Possible admission
All applicants
A National Senior Certificate or A Level 4 National Certificate (Vocational) or The following information is a guide for applicants with Cambridge Assessment
An appropriate Level 4 Certificate in Adult Education and Training or Community Education International Education (CAIE) and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
and Training or Early Childhood Education or via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
school-leaving qualifications. CAIE applicants with only GCSE/ IGSCE/ O-levels
subjects are not eligible for admission.
ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND TRAINING (ACET)
Minimum requirements: An approved and recognised level 6 Diploma in ACET or level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in General Certificate of Education Advanced and Advanced Subsidiary (GCE
Education; or a BEd degree in ACET; or a historically equivalent qualification in adult education; or an equivalent qualification A-Level and AS-Level) applicants
from another subfield in education, for example, schooling or lecturing in technical and vocational education and training.
In addition, a new Advanced Certificate (Level 6 on the current 10-level NQF) which followed a former Diploma in Education To meet the minimum requirements for matriculation exemption, applicants must
(including a National Professional Diploma in Education) may also be presented for admission to an Advanced Diploma. hold at least two A-level subjects at a grade of E or above and at least three IGSCE/
GSCE/ O-level subjects at a grade of C or above including English Language and an
ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS approved second language.
Possible admission
A level 6 Diploma in ACET or level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Education or Where an applicant does not hold A-levels, at least four AS-levels are required at
All applicants A BEd. degree in ACET or
A level 6 Advanced Certificate which followed a Diploma in Education or grade D or above and at least one approved IGSCE/ GSCE/ O-level subject at a grade
via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). of C or above including English Language and an approved second language.
It is important to note that matriculation exemption

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS BY QUALIFICATION
requires specific subject combinations and that certain
subjects are not recognised. To qualify for admission MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS LEVEL AT WHICH YOU ARE LIKELY TO RECEIVE AN
to Humanities qualifications, applicants should have FOR ADMISSION OFFER
passed two A-level subjects at grade C or above. Where
A-Level: E A-Level: D
an applicant has not completed A-level subjects, AS- AS-Level: D AS-Level: B
levels may be accepted at the rate of two AS-levels for English language
NSSC: Grade 3 NSSC: Grade 2
(for all qualifications)
each required A-level. GCSE/ IGCSE/ O-Level: C GCSE/ IGCSE/ O-Level: A
IB HL: Grade 3 IB HL: Grade 4
IB SL: Grade 4 IB SL: Grade 6
To calculate your Admission Point Score, combine your
best A-level subjects with your best relevant GSCE/ Bachelor of Arts
Admission Point Score Admission Point Score
IGSCE/ O-level subjects to reach a total of six subjects. Bachelor of Social Science
32 38
Bachelor of Social Work
Each subject can only be counted once at A-level or
GCSE/ IGSCE/ O-level. Admission Point Score
39
Namibian Secondary School Certificate (NSSC) Minimum Mathematics requirement
Bachelor of Social Science Admission Point Score A-Level: E
applicants (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) 32
To meet the minimum requirements for matriculation AS-Level: C
NSSC: Grade 3
exemption, applicants must hold at least four HIGCSE IB HL: Grade 3
subjects at level 3 or above and at least one IGSCE/ IB SL: Grade 5
GSCE/ O-level subjects at a grade of C or above.
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art)
Admission Point Score
Bachelor of Arts (Theatre & Performance)
To calculate your Admission Point Score (APS), combine 32
Bachelor of Music
your best HIGSCE subjects with the best relevant IGSCE Satisfactory performance in the portfolio/ audition evaluation
Bachelor of Music (Dance)
subjects to reach a total of six subjects. Each subject
can only be counted once at HIGSCE or IGSCE level. Diploma in Music Performance or an equivalent qualification with an average of 65% or above
Advanced Diploma in Music
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Advanced Diploma in Opera Satisfactory performance in an audition and music theory test or a first-class pass in the perfor-
mance course(s) which form part of the Diploma in Music Performance
applicants
Applicants must hold a full diploma with a minimum of School-leaving qualification endorsed for Diploma studies
Diploma in Music Performance
three higher level subjects from a total of six subjects Diploma in Theatre and
and a total of 24 points. Satisfactory performance in an audition
Performance
For Diploma in Music Performance: Satisfactory performance in a music theory test
A National Senior Certificate or A Level 4 National Certificate (Vocational) or
Higher Certificate in Adult and
An appropriate Level 4 Certificate in Adult Education and Training or Community Education and
Community Education and Training
Training or Early Childhood Education or via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
A level 6 Diploma in ACET or level 7 Postgraduate Certificate in Education or

Advanced Diploma in Adult and A BEd. degree in ACET or
Community Education and Training A level 6 Advanced Certificate which followed a Diploma in Education or via Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL).
54
understanding of legal institutions, the law and its

W H Y S T U DY L AW ? application.
Students who wish to become legal practitioners CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

require an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree. An LLB is the
universal general qualification for the practice of law, LLB graduates are employed in the legal profession
although the content of the LLB programme differs and in a wide variety of positions in the judiciary,
from country to country. During the course of the LLB government, NGOs, companies and other enterprises.
degree students are taught the fundamentals of South
African law and the South African legal system. At the Academic
same time they are equipped with the skills necessary An LLB degree is the first step to an academic career.
to be successful legal practitioners. UCT’s Master of Laws and Postgraduate Diploma
programmes offer a very broad range of postgraduate
Some of the skills the UCT LLB strives to courses from which to select a specialisation.
impart are:
the ability to read, comprehend, and critically evaluate Advocate
complex documents, including cases and legislation; LLB graduates undergo one year’s training in pupillage
the ability to write clearly, logically, coherently, with a practising member of the Bar. After an admission
and succinctly; and the ability to analyse and solve examination, the work of an advocate generally
problems. involves research, drafting opinions and pleadings,
and presenting cases in court, most often though not
By the end of their LLB degrees, graduates are able exclusively in the High Court.
Faculty of Law
to assess, interpret and apply the law, and have
the historical, comparative and jurisprudential Advocates must be briefed or instructed by attorneys;
background that is essential for a thorough and critical they do not take instructions directly from members
55
of the public. Obtaining the LLB does not automatically Government Choosing the appropriate route is important. There
entitle non-citizens and non-permanent residents of The Department of Justice employs state attorneys, are advantages to each. However, the legal education
South Africa to be admitted to practise in this country. prosecutors, legal drafters and of course magistrates offered by each route is identical i.e. there is no
and judges. Law graduates interested in international difference between the routes as far as the law courses
Attorneys law can join the Department of Foreign Affairs or are concerned, and each of the routes leads to the
An LLB graduate must serve as a candidate attorney Department of Trade and Industry. Other government same endpoint, the award of an LLB degree. In choosing
with a practising attorney and then write a professional departments at both national and provincial levels between the different routes it may be helpful for you
examination set by the relevant provincial law society to employ lawyers, as do the National Parliament, to consider how well prepared you are for university
become an attorney. Attorneys’ work includes drafting provincial legislatures and municipal councils. In fact, studies (i.e. how serious you are about studying law
legal documents, negotiating settlements of disputes, there is no sector of government in which lawyers do now, amongst other things) and the amount of higher
and preparing cases for presentation in court. not play a role! education you wish to receive in addition to a legal
education.
Attorneys take instructions from members of the public NGOs and Public Benefit Organisations
and, if necessary, may brief or seek an opinion from an Researchers and lobbyists are in demand and many law The best approach in choosing your route is to be
advocate. Obtaining the LLB does not automatically graduates who are committed to the transformation of realistic about your current ability to deal with a large
entitle non-citizens and non- permanent residents of South African society work in such organisations. workload and lots of reading. In addition, ask yourself
South Africa to be admitted to practise in this country. whether you prefer to enter training for a professional
qualification immediately or whether you are interested
Business THE LLB PROGRAMME in other disciplines too.
Law graduates are to be found across the whole business
spectrum, from small firms to large corporations. They There are three routes to obtaining an LLB degree:
are legal advisors in tax, real estate, labour relations, 1. The undergraduate LLB route (minimum of four
contracts, public information, and acquisitions; they years in duration)
are forensic auditors and ombudsmen, ethics and 2. The combined Humanities and LLB or Commerce
employment officers, and policy and legislative analysts. and LLB route (minimum of five years in duration)
Publishing firms look for legal editors, researchers, 3. The graduate LLB route (minimum of three years
and writers. in duration)
THE DIFFERENT ROUTES Please note that students must apply for ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS
EXPLAINED admission to the Law Faculty at the end HOLDING THE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
of their undergraduate Humanities or
The undergraduate LLB (4 years Commerce degree and must meet certain
The Faculty cannot admit all those who apply to study law, as applications
minimum) advertised admission requirements\ in vastly exceed the available places. If there are more applicants who meet
The undergraduate LLB is aimed at order to proceed to the two-year graduate the admission criteria than there are places, only the best applicants in each
candidates who do not already hold LLB degree. category will be made an offer.
a university degree. Most candidates
are school leavers. The admission This route allows candidates who do not
requirements for this degree are high. meet the requirements for admission Admission to the 4-year undergraduate LLB
This is because all three LLB streams are to the undergraduate LLB to apply for a Applications are assessed on the basis of the applicant’s results in the National
taught together in the same class and
Humanities or Commerce degree, to adapt Senior Certificate (NSC) or other school-leaving examination, together with
school leavers must be able to manage
the workload. to university studies, and, if they perform the applicant’s results in the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy
satisfactorily in their first year of study, to components of the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs).
As the description indicates, this route join the law stream in their second or third
can be completed in four years, but as a year at university. The advantage of this As a general rule, no more than ten international applicants will be accepted
result only a limited number of non-law route over the undergraduate LLB route is into the undergraduate LLB programme.
courses can be fitted into the curriculum. that a full major in a discipline other than
law is possible, thus resulting in a more
The combined Humanities/ rounded higher education experience.
Commerce LLB (5 years minimum)
The combined Law and Humanities or Law The graduate LLB (3 years Band A
and Commerce route allows candidates minimum) All SA applicants 510 FPS or above
FPS
NBT scores of proficient for AL and intermediate for QL
to do what is described as an accelerated The graduate LLB route is for students
combined Humanities/Commerce and LLB who have completed an undergraduate Probable Admission
Band B
degree. This means that students receive degree in any discipline without having All SA applicants 495 WPS or above
WPS
NBT scores of proficient for AL and intermediate for QL
two degrees by the end of their combined majored in law. This route allows
programme; a bachelor’s degree in the candidates to complete a full degree in Only SA applicants in Possible admission
Band C
Humanities or Commerce faculty (BA/ a discipline other than law and then add targeted redress 460 FPS or above
FPS
BSocSci or BCom) which is awarded at the the LLB. This route can be completed in a categories NBT scores of proficient for AL and intermediate for QL
end of their first three years of study, and minimum of six years (3 + 3). In order to Probable admission
a bachelor’s degree in law (LLB), which be admitted to the 3-year graduate LLB, International applicants 520 FPS or above
is awarded at the end of a further two applicants must meet certain advertised NBT scores of proficient for AL and intermediate for QL
years of study. It is also possible to do a admission requirements.
combined BBusSci LLB programme which
requires at least 6 years of study. At the The advantage of this route over the
end of their Humanities/ Commerce combined route is that candidates obtain
degrees, students will graduate with a a broad education in the Humanities,
degree in which they have a major in a Commerce or Sciences in addition to
commerce or humanities subject and a their education in law.
major in law.
FACULTY OF LAW 57
ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS Admission to the combined law and Admission to the graduate LLB
humanities or law and commerce LLB streams Applicants must obtain an average of at least 65%
WITH NON-SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL- Applicants to the Humanities and Commerce in a standard undergraduate degree in order to
LEAVING CERTIFICATES Faculties must meet the admission requirements be admitted to the graduate LLB. This average is
of those faculties in order to commence their calculated from your results over of all years of your
undergraduate Humanities or Commerce degree. undergraduate degree. Places are however limited
For applicants in possession of, or writing, other than South African Students who wish to do a combined degree begin and are allocated to applicants with the highest
qualifications, offers of places may only be made subject to the equivalent taking law subjects in their second year of study averages on a competitive basis and in accordance
bachelor’s exemption being obtained from the Matriculation Board (refer as an undergraduate major. Students are not with the University’s admissions policy.
to http://he-enrol.ac.za/exemption-process for further information and automatically permitted to do these law subjects. In
on-line assessment and application). order to gain admission to the law stream of the BA/ Students with an average of less than 65% will
BSocSci or BCom/BBusSci degrees, students must not normally be admitted, but the Faculty may
In addition, candidates writing A-level, AS-level, HIGCSE/IGCSE or IB either have achieved sufficient points in the NSC in its discretion admit students whom it believes
Diploma examinations* must meet the following minimum requirements, and National Benchmark tests to have qualified for nevertheless show the potential to succeed in their
admission to the four-year undergraduate degree, LLB studies. In exercising this discretion, the Faculty
obtained using the scoring table on page 14 of this prospectus. Meeting
on a competitive basis, in their first year of study will have regard to the University’s admissions policy.
these requirements does not guarantee admission which is limited by
OR must have attained an average of at least 65%
in the case of Humanities students and 63% in the
PROBABLE MINIMUM
ADMISSION ADMISSION case of Commerce students on a first sitting of a full Transferring students
first year course load totalling at least 144 credits for A UCT student (who has not been excluded) may
International applicants 46+ APS points 44+ APS points Humanities students and 164 credits for Commerce apply to transfer to the LLB degree but must satisfy
students. Results in supplementary exams are not the requirements for admission to the LLB on a
All SA applicants 44+ APS points 36+ APS points
included when calculating the average but results competitive basis. Successful applicants may be
SA applicants in targeted redress race groups 39+ APS points 36+ APS points
in deferred exams are included. The Law Faculty granted credit or exemption or both for courses
retains a discretion to admit Humanities students already completed, up to a maximum of four full
with an average of less than 65% and Commerce courses (or the equivalent).
* Applicants writing other international authority examinations will be assessed on their individual merits. students with an average of less than 63% on
NOTE: As explained in the section on ‘career opportunities’ above, obtaining the LLB does not
redress grounds. Note - the number of places on A non-UCT student who has not been excluded from
automatically entitle non-citizens and non-permanent residents of South Africa to be admitted to the law stream is limited and varies from year to another university may apply to transfer to UCT as
practise as attorney or advocates in this country. year. Admissions based on first year performance an LLB student but must satisfy the requirements
are made on a competitive basis to students with for admission to the LLB on a competitive basis.
the highest averages and in accordance with the Successful applicants may be granted credit or
Admission criteria for applicants with non-south african school- University’s admission policy and the Law Faculty’s exemption or both for courses already completed, up
leaving certificates redress enrolment targets. to a maximum of four full courses (or the equivalent).
For applicants in possession of, or writing, other than South African
qualifications, offers of places may only be made subject to the equivalent Once students have completed their Humanities Credits and exemptions will only be granted for
bachelor’s exemption being obtained from the Matriculation Board (refer or Commerce degrees with law subjects, they must courses taken at another institution if the Law
to http://he-enrol.ac.za/exemption-process for further information and apply to the Law Faculty for admission to the 2-year Faculty is satisfied that the courses are substantially
graduate LLB degree. Applicants for the 2-year equivalent, in both content and standard, to the
on-line assessment and application).
graduate LLB are considered and offered places on a courses offered at UCT. Such transferring students
competitive basis taking into account the University’s will be required to complete the remaining courses
In addition, candidates writing A-level, AS-level, HIGCSE/IGCSE or IB admissions policy. However, applicants who achieve prescribed for the LLB at this University over a period
Diploma examinations* must meet the following minimum requirements, an average of at least 60% in their undergraduate of not less than two years.
obtained using the scoring table on page13 of this prospectus. Meeting degree are guaranteed admission to the LLB.
these requirements does not guarantee admission which is limited by
available capacity.
58
Faculty
of Science
ABOUT THE FACULTY

The Faculty of Science at UCT is, by various measures, the best in the country: it has the largest number
of scientists who have been rated through a rigorous process of international evaluation, and within this
group it has the largest number of those who are acknowledged to be world leaders in their fields, and
who hold an “A” rating. Thus undergraduate and postgraduate programmes benefit by being developed
and taught side by side with cutting-edge research. The Faculty offers an exciting suite of majors (details of
which follow), leading to the BSc degree. The courses offered within the degree structure are characterised
by their coherence, a good balance between breadth and depth, and their inter-disciplinary nature.
The degree is structured in such a way as to provide graduates with the range of skills that the job market
demands. In addition, a variety of opportunities exist for postgraduate study in all Departments; the BSc
degree leads to Honours, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. All degrees in the Faculty enjoy a high reputation
59
in the private and public sectors in South Africa, as well to solve real-world problems and support decision mathematics and physics foundation. The astronomy
as internationally. making and policy development. The field of statistics courses offered are a general introductory first-year
often attracts those interested in the analysis of patterns course which includes the ‘Starfinder’ course held in the
in data: developing, understanding, abstracting, and Iziko Planetarium as well as night-sky viewing, second-
WHAT WE OFFER packaging analytical methods for general use in other year courses which cover nearly all aspects of modern
subject areas. Statisticians are employed in many fields, observational astronomy, while the two third-year
The Faculty of Science offers one undergraduate degree, including biology, finance, economics, the engineering courses enter into the physical processes that lie at the
the Bachelor of Science. Below are the possible majors industry, medicine, public health, psychology, marketing, origin of the observed astronomical phenomena.
available in the faculty. While every BSc student will government, education and sport science. Statisticians Visit www.ast.uct.ac.za
take 2 majors, it is possible to take one approved major are key players in the analytics environment, using their
from a different faculty. skills to transform large amounts of data into credible, Biology
usable information. Visit www.stats.uct.ac.za This major is about life on Earth in all its forms - the
Applied Mathematics adaptations of living organisms, how they live and
Applied mathematicians transfer mathematical Archaeology interact, and how they originated. With a focus on
knowledge and methods into other fields, such as (See also Note 2 on page 58) organismal biology, this major examines how organisms
physics, computer science, engineering, biology The Department of Archaeology, taking advantage of interrelate with each other and with their environment,
and the social sciences. In this way mathematics its location in a region rich in archaeological heritage, provides the processes by which organisms and
has become one of the most powerful promoters of with evidence of human occupation for the last half communities are shaped, and how living organisms affect
scientific developments, since all modern sciences are million years, offers courses that focus on the prehistory and/or are affected by humans. This major aims to explain
founded essentially on mathematical principles. Many of Africa, with a particular focus on Southern Africa. and account for the patterns that make up the diversity
technological developments such as mobile phones, Specific research interests include issues related to of terrestrial life that surrounds
computers, cars, airplanes and large telescopes were human evolution, the emergence of modern humans, us. As human influence on
unthinkable without mathematical progress. and the history of hunter-gatherer, pastoralist and the environment escalates,
Visit www.math.uct.ac.za farming communities in southern Africa, as well as the there are new challenges
archaeology of more recent colonial settlement.Visit as to how biodiversity
Applied Statistics www.archaeology.uct.ac.za can be protected while
Applied Statistics at UCT straddles the fields of Statistics, societies
Operational Research and Data Science, covering a Astrophysics
range of quantitative methods for the analysis of data The Astrophysics major requires a strong
60
meet their needs. An and biological sciences. Courses offered for this major Genetics
understanding of organismal cover the fundamental areas of organic, inorganic Students taking the major in Genetics will be taught
biology is essential in order to and physical chemistry. Theoretical concepts are fundamental concepts in classical, molecular and
comprehend the intricacies of underpinned by practical training in modern chemical evolutionary genetics. Classical genetics is the study
living systems and to predict techniques, including the use of state of the art analytical of heritability and variation in living organisms, whilst
the future under different global instrumentation. The chemistry major offers a wide molecular genetics is concerned with understanding the
change scenarios. The southern variety of employment opportunities, from laboratory structure and function of genes at the molecular level.
tip of Africa holds a treasure work to field work. Visit www.chemistry.uct.ac.za Genomics considers the comparative study of genomes
house of unusual plant and animal of living organisms. In the Genetics major, emphasis is
communities alongside pressing Computer Science, Computer placed on understanding the core biological processes
human needs, which provides exciting Engineering & Business Computing of gene regulation and cell signalling in plants, animals
and unique examples from which to A computer science graduate is trained in the principles and microbes, integrating this knowledge into our
learn about ecology, evolution and underlying computing, including the structure and understanding of disease, development and evolution.
biodiversity conservation. Visit nature of computers, the development and use Visit www.mcb.uct.ac.za
www.biologicalsciences.uct.ac.za of programming languages and the application of
computers as tools in problem solving. The specific Geology
Biochemistry majors of Computer Engineering & Business Computing Geology is the science of the Earth’s origin,
Biochemistry is the study of the molecules are linked to the primary Computer Science major, structure and composition. Geology is the basis for
and chemical processes which occur in all and focus on the application of computer science to understanding the Earth: how it evolved, what forces
living organisms. Biochemistry is fundamental these particular fields. They will be complemented by have shaped its oceans, mountains, rivers and lakes,
to understanding mechanisms in molecular and courses in the related fields. Students who complete how and where its resources are stored, how it first
cell biology and straddles the medical, biological, the BSc major in Computer Science, followed by the became a pleasant place for humans to live and, more
chemical and physical sciences. The Biochemistry BSc Honours in Computer Science at UCT, become recently, how to manage and keep it so. Geology
major at UCT includes the study of the structures, Chartered I.T. Professionals (UK), since these degrees probes research frontiers from mineral physics to
physical properties and functions of proteins, are accredited by the British Computer Society as being the origin of life, from the evolution of planets to the
carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; the of an international standard. Visit www.cs.uct.ac.za climate changes affecting our present environment.
mechanisms of enzyme action, the biochemical It is about mountain building, volcanoes, moving
regulation of metabolism and energy utilization, Environmental & Geographical Science continents, the death of the dinosaurs, diamonds and
and can include a more in-depth study of the The interaction between humans and their environment gold, soil erosion, earthquakes, and atoms in a crystal.
molecular basis of cell signalling and gene and the variability of this environment is a common Visit www.geology.uct.ac.za
expression, disease as well as biotechnology. theme in the department’s teaching and research
Visit www.mcb.uct.ac.za initiatives. The student gains an integrated approach Human Anatomy & Physiology
to the study of the complex relationships between The major in Human Anatomy & Physiology focuses
Chemistry humans and their social, biological, and physical life- on the structure and function of the human body. The
Chemistry is often called the ‘central science’ support systems. Interdisciplinary research areas within two-year course covers and integrates the traditional
because it forms the basis of every living and the department include atmospheric science, climate- scientific disciplines of anatomy, cell biology and
non-living entity in the universe. It has evolved change science, quaternary environmental change, land physiology. The first year includes the introduction to
from the time of the 16th century alchemist to degradation, integrated environmental management, human anatomy, basic structure and function of cells,
the present day chemist who uses advanced urban issues, disaster risk science, developing world tissues, organs and systems, homeostasis, the cardio-
scientific and computational methods. It is the issues, sustainability studies, political geography and vascular, respiratory, digestive, excretory, immune,
interface between the mathematical, physical remote sensing. Visit www.egs.uct.ac.za reproductive and locomotor systems as well as the
FACULTY OF SCIENCE 61
regulatory endocrine and nervous systems, and an ecosystems, ranging from coral reefs to polar seas and to scientific enquiry by applying their mathematical
introduction to ageing and disease. In third year there is a from estuaries to the abyssal depths. Students also and statistical knowledge to the design of surveys and
strong emphasis on metabolism and exercise physiology learn about management and conservation of marine experiments; the application of quantitative problem
during the first semester and a focus on neurophysiology resources, a field that provides the most employment solving methods and the analysis of data. Statisticians
in the second semester. The Human Anatomy & opportunities for marine biologists. The courses are employed in many fields, including biology, finance,
Physiology major aims to provide an understanding include field trips, tutorials and practical sessions that economics, the engineering industry, medicine, public
of how the human body functions, how we learn new introduce students to the experimental and analytical health, psychology, marketing, government, education
behaviour and how we change our behaviour. A series of methods used by professional marine biologists. and sport science. Statisticians are key players in the
practical and tutorial sessions are designed to develop Visit www.biologicalsciences.uct.ac.za analytics environment, using their data science skills to
technical skills, using computers to record and analyse transform large amounts of data into credible, usable
cardiac, skeletal muscle and brain function, as well as Mathematics information. Visit www.stats.uct.ac.za
improving oral and writing skills. Mathematics is the science of structure, quantity,
change and space and the interactions between Ocean & Atmosphere Science
Marine Biology them. While mathematical ideas can be inspired by This major deals with the physical attributes of the
Marine biology is the study of life in the sea in all its everyday observations, it is a characteristic feature oceans and covers the extent of the oceans, the
aspects. The world’s oceans cover 71% of the surface of mathematical truth that it is derived with logical physical, chemical and biological properties of sea water
of the planet, and have a mean depth of 3 800m, reasoning on the basis of sound definitions. Each day including salt and heat budgets, sea surface fluxes and
meaning that they make well over 95% of the ‘living mathematicians all over the world prove hundreds of ocean climatology. The principal force on the ocean is
space’ on earth. They are also the least known of the new theorems and solve numerous open problems and from the atmosphere and the response by the sea is
environments on earth; indeed an estimated half of in this way they contribute to the systematic body of to produce tides and many types of waves. Aspects of
all marine species have yet to be discovered! Cape knowledge that comprises modern mathematics. currents and water masses in the oceans of the world
Town is one of the best locations in the world to study Visit www.math.uct.ac.za and coastal oceanography around South Africa provide
marine biology, as it is situated at the confluence of the focus of regional oceanography. Located in the
three of the world’s major oceans – the Atlantic, Indian Mathematical Statistics subtropics, South Africa experiences both tropical and
and Southern Oceans. Students taking this major will Mathematical Statistics is the study of the mathematical mid-latitude influences on its weather, climate and
learn about the diversity of marine life in all its forms principles, theory and methods underpinning the oceanic environments. The Ocean and Atmosphere
and about the structure and function of various marine interrogation and analysis of data. Statisticians contribute major deals with the circulation and properties of the
62 FACULTY OF SCIENCE
global ocean, their regional variations, and how the ocean ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
interacts with the atmosphere to produce the various
marine and atmospheric environments we experience. NSC results are the primary guide for admission to the BSc degree. However, all applicants to the Science Faculty are
required to write the NBTs (Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics).
A fundamental knowledge of Ocean and Atmosphere
Science is necessary for understanding the distributions ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS HOLDING THE NATIONAL
of the various marine and terrestrial ecosystems, climate
change and variability, severe weather such as tropical
SENIOR CERTIFICATE (NSC)
cyclones and thunderstorms, as well as the properties of Besides taking the NSC results into account for admission, other factors including, availability of places and educational
the world oceans. The trans-disciplinary skills developed in or social/home background, will be considered.
this major offer graduates opportunities to branch out into
many other areas of Earth System Science or to specialise in Faculty Points Score (FPS)
a field of Oceanography, Atmospheric Science or Climate up The FPS (a score out of 800) is calculated as the sum of the percentages achieved in the best six NSC subjects,
to PhD level. UCT is ideally placed to offer such a major given including English but excluding Life Orientation, and doubling the percentages achieved in Mathematics and Physical
our proximity to the world’s strongest western boundary Science. Admission to the Faculty of Science requires a minimum FPS of 550, but this does not guarantee admission.
current (the Agulhas), a cold upwelling current system Refer to the table below.
(the Benguela) and the highly dynamic Southern Ocean.
Visit www.sea.uct.ac.za Subject entrance requirements
• Mathematics at 70% or above
Physics • Physical Science at 60% or above (refer to notes 2 and 3 below).
Physics is about understanding the nature of matter and • Where an applicant has not completed Physical Science, Information Technology or Life Sciences may be doubled
radiation in the language of mathematics, and as such is (refer to notes 2 and 3 below).
a central fundamental discipline in science. A major in
physics teaches you how to apply your knowledge of
fundamental principles in a range of contexts. Applications ELIGIBLE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
of the principles of physics are everywhere: transistors, Guaranteed Admission
computers, optical fibres, quantum computing. Physicists Band A FPS of 660 or above
FPS Mathematics 70% or above and Physical Sciences 60% or above (see Notes 2 & 3)
discovered the structure of DNA and the genetic code, and NBTs in Mathematics, AL & QL to be written *
All applicants
invented X-ray machines and the World Wide Web. Visit
Admission Very Likely
www.phy.uct.ac.za Band B WPS of 620 or above
WPS Mathematics 70% or above and Physical Sciences 60% or above (see Notes 2 & 3)
Quantitative Biology NBTs in Mathematics, AL & QL to be written *
This major is aimed at training biologists with quantitative Admission Possible
SA applicants in
skills, preparing them for the emerging fields of ‘data Band C FPS of 550 or above
targeted redress
FPS Mathematics 70% or above and Physical Sciences 60% or above (see Notes 2 & 3)
science’ and ‘biological modelling’, which are used to race groups
NBTs in Mathematics, AL & QL to be written *
address big scientific questions. The Quantitative Biology
major is packaged as an interdisciplinary stream, to allow * The results of the NBTs are not taken into account for admission to the Science Faculty
students among three major disciplinary fields (Biology, Note 1: Acceptance into the Science Faculty does not guarantee acceptance into a chosen major because some majors (currently Biochemistry, Genetics, Geology
and Human Anatomy & Physiology) have limits on the number of students that can be accommodated. Selection for these is based on academic criteria which will
Statistics and Mathematics) into the major, and for be clearly communicated to students during the first year of study. Students will be advised in their first year to take courses which could lead to several majors.
graduates taking this major to be prepared to enter into Note 2: If you have not completed Physical Sciences or Information Technology in your school-leaving examinations, your choice of major will be restricted to
the data science and quantitative ecology fields. Archaeology and Environmental & Geographical Science.
Visit www.biologicalsciences.uct.ac.za Note 3: For majors in Computer Science and Business Computing the Physical Sciences requirement may be replaced by Information Technology (only where Physical
Science was not taken).
63
PLACEMENT • Chemistry/Physics may be replaced by Computer

• Science for majors in Computer Science, Business Computing,
Admission to the Science Faculty will be directly onto the regular, Computer Engineering and Computer Games Development
three-year degree programme. All students will be required to only.
write a set of formal class tests at mid-term of the first semester • Chemistry/Physics may be replaced by Geography for the
and on the basis of the results of these tests, together with NSC major in Environmental & Geographical Science
and NBT results, selected students will be counselled to convert
to the four-year Extended Degree Programme (EDP). The EDP
is structured such that students entering the programme will FACULTY POINTS SCORE (FPS) FOR NON
receive additional academic and general support to improve the
chances of graduating in minimum time.
NSC EXAMINATIONS
Admission to the Faculty of Science requires an applicant to have
The EDP is run in association with the Academic Development achieved a FPS of 34 points or above, based on the five best
Programme (ADP) and offers students who are struggling the subjects (including the required subjects), obtained using the
opportunity to establish a sound educational foundation, with an scoring table in the section of this prospectus titled “Applying
appropriate distribution of their academic load over a four-year to UCT”.
period. The minimum time for a student on the EDP to complete
the BSc degree is four years. Applicants writing other international authority examinations
will be assessed on their individual merits.
ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR

APPLICANTS WITH NON-SOUTH A-Level
English: C at IGCSE
AFRICAN SCHOOL-LEAVING Mathematics: B
CERTIFICATES Physical Science (or Chemistry or Physics): C
AS-Level
English: C at IGCSE
For applicants in possession of or writing other than South Mathematics: B
African qualifications, offers of places may only be made subject Physical Science (or Chemistry or Physics): C
to the equivalent bachelor’s exemption being obtained from the Namibian Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC)
South African Higher Education (Matriculation) Board (refer to Bachelor English: C at IGCSE
http://he-enrol.ac.za/exemption-process for further information of Science Mathematics: 70% (or level 1 HIGCSE)
and on-line assessment and application). In addition, candidates Physical Science (or Chemistry or Physics): 60%
(or level 1 HIGCSE)
must meet the following minimum requirements; meeting these
requirements does not guarantee admission which is limited by International Baccalaureate
available capacity: English: Grade 5 at SL
Mathematics: Grade 5 at HL or Grade 6 at SL
(Maths Studies is not accepted)
Applicants must take at least: Physical Science (or Chemistry or Physics):
English, Mathematics and Chemistry and/or Physics (or Physical Grade 5 at HL or Grade 6 SL
Science)
• Chemistry is required for majors in Biology, Marine Biology,
Biochemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Geology, Human Anatomy
& Physiology and Ocean & Atmosphere Science
• Physics is required for majors in Astrophysics and Physics
64 FACULTY OF SCIENCE
TRANSFERRING STUDENTS All students who transfer from other Universities must
register for a minimum of two years for the BSc degree,
Transferring applicants are required to write the and complete all the senior courses of their majors, at
National Benchmark Test (NBT), submit certified copies the University of Cape Town.
of school-leaving and tertiary transcripts of results and
a letter of motivation in support of the application, Note: Transferring of credits
providing details of activities since leaving school and • The University of Cape Town may give credit for, and/
reasons for wanting to transfer to the Science Faculty. or exemption from, a maximum of four full courses
Because we have a limited number of academic places (or the equivalent in half courses) completed
in the Faculty, offers will be made to the best candidates elsewhere if these courses are recognised by the
in this category. University of Cape Town.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain, from
Transferring students are expected to have school- the relevant University of Cape Town departments,
leaving and NBT results competitive with the current signed approval of credit and exemption for
applicant pool and must have: the courses they wish to transfer, before their
a) passed all first-year courses in their first year at applications will be considered.
another institution, and bring with them at least • Senior major courses may not be transferred for
four full courses (or the equivalent) that earn credit credit or exemption.
and exemption at the University of Cape Town; • Tertiary courses required for matriculation
b) not been refused readmission by another tertiary exemption purposes will not be credited.
institution; and
c) not been registered at another tertiary institution
for more than two years.
65 65
Student Housing
Staying in residence is an extension of your university University swimming pool, gym and squash courts. The First-Tier Residences For Men
education, and you can benefit from a range of facilities Rondebosch shopping area is five minutes’ walk away. Carinus is situated behind Groote Schuur Hospital, and
and services including PC labs, network connections, Baxter Hall accommodates 233 students in mainly single accommodates 361 students in mainly single rooms.
social and sporting activities. rooms arranged in “flats” of three to six rooms. Each flat Students are able to travel by shuttle between the
shares a bathroom. residence and other campuses.
On-Campus Accommodation
UCT has a three-tier residence system that provides Fuller Hall, on the Upper Campus, is situated close to The original College House was the first men’s residence
different services, governance and management in each the main library, just below Sarah Baartman Hall and is in Southern Africa. The present building is situated on the
tier. The policy and criteria for admission to UCT student adjacent to Smuts Hall. All Upper and Middle Campus Lower Campus in Main Road, Rosebank and accommodates
housing assume that a new student will initially enter a venues are within walking distance. 119 students in single and double rooms. Meals are taken
first-tier (catering) residence and subsequently move to at Leo Marquard Hall next door.
a second-tier (senior catering or self-catering) residence Graça Machel Hall, on the Lower campus, is located
or into third-tier (semi-autonomous self-catering) adjacent to Baxter and Tugwell Halls, close to the Kilindini, on the Lower Campus, accommodates 32
accommodation. This section gives some information on university swimming pool, gym and squash courts and is students in single rooms. It is located on Main Road,
each of these tiers, and the residence halls, flats or houses within walking distance of Rondebosch shopping area. The Rosebank, close to College House, and about five minutes’
within each tier. residence houses 382 students, with first-year students walk from Mowbray shopping area. Kilindini students take
sharing double rooms. Most returning and senior students their meals at Tugwell Hall.
First-Tier Accommodation are allocated single rooms.
First-tier residences provide accommodation for under- Kopano, on the Middle Campus, is located close to a
graduate men and women students, who are usually under Tugwell Hall, on the Lower Campus, is a 1970s eleven- variety of sports facilities including an all-weather soccer
the age of 21. These residences provide students with up storey residence. It is located near the University swimming field, the University cricket oval, swimming pool, gym and
to three meals a day in a dining hall. pool, gym and squash courts. The Rondebosch shopping squash courts. It has single rooms for 366 students.
area is five minutes’ walk away. It houses 406 students.
First-Tier Residences for Women First-year students share partitioned, double rooms. Most Leo Marquard Hall, on the Lower Campus, is an eleven-
Baxter Hall, on the Lower Campus, is located near the returning students are accommodated in single rooms. storey residence. It is located near the University swimming
66 STUDENT HOUSING
pool, gym and squash courts. This 1970s residence residence is situated on the periphery of the Main 880 senior and postgraduate students in en suite rooms.
houses 419 students. First year students share Campus, two shuttle-stops away from the lecture halls. Eight to ten students share a Kitchen. The complex is
partitioned double rooms. Most returning students are The hockey field lies adjacent to the residence and close to most shops and the Health Sciences Faculty.
accommodated in single rooms. there is access to a swimming pool in Forest Hill. Flats
are either for male or female students. These are all Third-Tier Accommodation
Smuts Hall is situated on the Upper Campus, adjacent served by the free shuttle bus. Third-tier residences provide accommodation for post-
to Fuller Hall. The 235 students of this residence are graduate students. They also provide limited family
accommodated in single rooms and a small number Second-Tier Catering accommodation for postgraduate students.
in inter-leading rooms. It provides easy access to the Groote Schuur Residence is a mixed-gender residence
Library, Students’ Union and all the departments based and houses 64 students, with men and women on
on the Upper Campus. Students take their meals in separate floors. During term times, breakfast and
Fuller Hall. supper are served at the residence and lunch at Leo CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO
Marquard Hall.
University House provides accommodation for 84
FIRST-TIER ACCOMMODATION
students. There are six residential buildings and meals Medical Residence provides accommodation for 103 Meeting some admission criteria may guarantee you an
are taken in the new Avenue Road residence dining male and female students who are usually clinical offer of residence, while meeting others may make you
hall. Situated off Rhodes Avenue, the residence is year medical students. Forest Hill G-Block, houses 120 eligible for an offer. The minimum criteria for admission
within easy walking distance of the Upper Campus and students in flats, it is situated at the back of the Forest to student accommodation is that you must have:
Mowbray shopping area. Hill complex located in Mowbray. G block residents take a. applied for student housing in your UCT application,
their meals at University House. or amended your application to
First-Tier Residences for both Women & Men include an application for student housing no later
Avenue Road Residence is a new state of the art Second-Tier Self-catering than 31 August 2021;
residence which has been awarded “Green status”. It Groote Schuur Flats house 64 students in Main Road, b. been made an offer (conditional or firm) of admission,
accommodates 550 students in single and double Rondebosch, is close to supermarkets and other shops at any time, for the 2022 academic year.
rooms. Situated off Rhodes Avenue, the residence is and within easy walking distance of the Upper Campus.
within easy walking distance of the Upper Campus and Please visit http://uct.ac.za/apply/residence/
Mowbray shopping area. Liesbeeck Gardens houses 434 students in mainly applications/application/ for more information
two- and three-bedroom flats. Situated on Liesbeeck about criteria for admission to first-tier student
Glendower Residence (Glenres) has 138 residents. It is Parkway, Mowbray. A free shuttle service operates on accommodation.
situated on the Lower Campus in Main Road, Rosebank, weekdays and weekends.
less than five minutes’ walk from the Mowbray shopping
area. Students take their meals at Tugwell Hall. There The Woolsack is on Middle Campus and houses 206
are separate facilities for male and female students. male and female students. Accommodation is arranged in Living in Residence
pavilions or courts with an average of 25 students in each. All student rooms in residences, houses and flats are
Rochester House is a purpose-built residence situated equipped with basic furniture – a bed, cupboard,
just north of Groote Schuur Hospital and accommodates Forest Hill is a large complex off Main Road, Mowbray. desk, chair, bookcase, wastepaper bin, curtains and
321 female and male students in single rooms. It has It is made up of five separate blocks of flats which can notice board. No sheets, blankets, pillows or towels
excellent on-site facilities, including a swimming pool, accommodate 822 students. are provided. Catering residences prepare three meals
computer lab and 24-hour security. Varietas in Matopo per day in a dining hall. Students choose a meal plan.
Road, off Rhodes Avenue, accommodates 146 students. Obz Square is both a second and third tier residence, it Students are expected to provide and launder their
About half the residents share rooms. Students take is situated on the Main Road, Observatory, it is the latest own bed linen, and clean their own rooms. Vacuum
their meals at Avenue Road residence dining hall. The addition to UCT residence system and it accommodates cleaners and other cleaning materials are provided. No
67
APPLYING FOR STUDENT

cooking is permitted in bedrooms. Students in self-catering to all UCT students. Just show your valid student card when
HOUSING
accommodation have access to a fridge and stove, but need getting on. Timetables are available from the Traffic Office,
their own cooking utensils and crockery. Visitors Reception and Information Centre or on the UCT If you wish to be considered for a place
website via the Staff and Student Portal. For more information in student housing, you must apply when
Sharing a Room in Residence contact the Transport Administrator at - Tel: 021 685 7135. submitting an online application, or a paper
Half of all first-year students in catering residences are application. You must apply by 31 August 2021.
accommodated in double rooms. It may be possible for you Transferring from one residence to another during
to share a room with a friend who has been accepted into the academic year If your conditional offer is not confirmed by a
the same residence. The warden of your allocated residence Residence transfers/swops will only be considered if it is a faculty (ie. if you do not meet the conditions of
should be informed in advance of your arrival. If you or your request from a catering or self-catering option to the other. your offer), your student housing application
roommate decides that you would prefer to share a room with Motivation on medical grounds and seeking a cheaper room is automatically cancelled.
someone else in the same residence, talk to your warden or rate. These requests require the approval of the wardens
sub-warden, who will, where possible, make arrangements concerned. ALLOCATION TO SPECIFIC
suitable to all. Normally room changes are only allowed in
March to allow for settling in and to help avoid confusion in Off-Campus Accommodation RESIDENCES, HOUSES OR
the room allocation process. Many students in their second or subsequent years of study FLATS
stay in leased or private accommodation close to UCT. Our
Jammie Shuttle Service Off Campus Student Accommodation Services advertises All offers of student housing places will
The UCT shuttle service is for the sole use of UCT staff and vacancies in private accommodation. be made in terms of the student housing
students. A scheduled service is available 7 days a week, admissions and residence allocation policy.
during term times and vacation, and includes a late night Details of vacancies can be obtained at: Please consult the Student Housing webpage
service. It operates between all campuses, most residences, www.accommodation.uct.ac.za/ ocsas or at the Off Campus on the UCT website for details of the 2017 -
and local public transport terminals, so you can connect from Student Accommodation Services - Tel: 021 650 4934. 2021 allocation policy.
train and bus or park ‘n ride. The Jammie Shuttle service is free
68
Sports, Student Societies & Student Governance

SPORT & RECREATION novices to the more experienced athletes, and the clubs Student Societies
are equipped to deal with the needs of each individual. At UCT a number of societies cater for cultural, religious
UCT provides many opportunities for you to participate Most clubs engage the services of top-level coaches, many and special interests.
in sports or physical recreation of your choice. Traditional of whom coach at provincial level.
sports are all well catered for, but you also have the option These are outside of the formal academic programme and
of exciting individual pursuits such as sailing, water skiing Sports facilities include an artificial hockey field, an indoor are open to all registered students. Societies’ activities are
and scuba diving. sports complex, and excellent tennis, squash, soccer, rugby, directed by students, and there are many opportunities
cricket and fitness centre facilities. Our rowing club is one to get involved at an organisational level. Through such
Our Sport & Recreation Department provides for all of the better equipped university clubs in South Africa. In activities you will develop valuable skills in leadership
levels of sport from social programmes through to high addition, UCT owns a mountain near Ceres, a L26 Keelboat and organisation. Listed on page 70 are societies at UCT.
performance sport. UCT has a proud record of achievement and sailing dinghies, a wakeboard boat. For more information, visit www.dsa.uct.ac.za/student-
both in the local Western Province leagues and at the development/student-societies
national Student Tournaments. Year after year, UCT has Sports Scholarships & Bursaries
produced a number of sports people who achieve the With an excellent record in a wide variety of sports, Students’ Representative Council
highest honour of representing South Africa. For more UCT is keen to continue attracting top sports people to The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) is a statutory
information, visit the campus. If you have played provincial or national structure consisting of 15 members who are elected
www.dsa.uct.ac.za/student-development/sport-clubs/overview representative sport at any level, you could be eligible annually in a general university-wide election. The SRC
for a Sporting Scholarship to assist in financing your represents the interests of students at the UCT, and does
Sports development and transformation are taken very studies at UCT. Eligible applicants need to apply to the this through active participation in University committees
seriously at UCT. Our students are actively engaged in Sports & Recreation Department to be considered for as well as through a range of programmes and projects.
promoting sport in the local communities and within their these awards. For information and application forms,
clubs on campus. Every club welcomes new members from contact sport@uct.ac.za As the highest student governance decision- making
STUDENT HOUSING 69
structure, the SRC also co-ordinates development and health NGO affiliated UCT RAG (Remember and Give) is the teaching a wide range of broadcasting
the work of student structures such as, to UCT. Students from UCT and abroad student fundraising sector of SHAWCO. and media skills. Our focus is news, music
clubs, societies, student faculty councils, voluteer in projects ranging from after RAG volunteers organise a number of and entertainment based on UCT campus
residence committees, development school tutoring for high school learners, as student and corporate fundraising events culture. If you’d like to know more visit us
agencies and student organisations. well as junior projects in literacy, arts, and throughout the year, with all the proceeds at www.radio.uct.ac.za or check out our
Given the wide choice of student clubs, sport for primary school learners. Students going to SHAWCO. To learn more about social media pages on FB, Twitter and IG.
societies, and other governance structures, also run social enterprise projects for RAG, visit www.uctrag.co.za
there is literally something to capture the adults starting businesses. Varsity is the official student-run news
interest of everyone. In this regard you will Ubunye is a student run development source at UCT. Established in 1942, Varsity
have a host of opportunities to continue SHAWCO health operates mobile agency operating on campus as an SRC- has grown into a creative and multimedia
activities you already have an interest community health clinics with health recognised body, providing a range of developmental agency. Producing new
in, or to get involved in something new. sciences student volunteers that offer opportunities for student social content every Tuesday, the publication
With several hundred students joining practical clinical experience to the engagement. To learn more about Ubunye, alternates between its print newspaper
societies each year, you are assured students and gives vital health services visit http://ubunye.org.za/ and website. The online presence spans
of meeting other students with similar to poor communities. SHAWCO’s mission various social media platforms such
interests. The information here should be is to practice and promote responsible Green Campus Initiative (GCI) focusses as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and
the DSA Helpdesk on Level 4, Steve Biko citizenship in the South African context on environmental sustainability activities YouTube. Read Varsity online:
Students Union or 021 650 3541. For more through health, education and social on campus and beyond. GCI provides http://varsitynewspaper.co.za
information, visit www.src.uct.ac.za entrepreneurship initiatives. The workshops, sustainability programmes
organisation seeks to create a supportive looking at waste management, recycling
space for experiential learning and and transport amongst others. To learn
DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES teaching, addressing inequality through more about GCI, visit @GreenCampus_UCT
innovative and sustainable approaches
SHAWCO, the Students’ Health and Welfare to community engagement. To learn more UCT RADIO is a campus-community
Centres Organisation, is a student-run youth about SHAWCO, visit www.shawco.org station staffed by fellow students and
70
CLUBS & SOCIETIES AT UCT SPORTS ON

OFFER
Apostolic Faith Church of Democratic Alliance Students’ Muslim Students’ Association Students for Life Aikido
Portland Oregon Organisation Muslim Youth Movement Surgical Society Archery
Abantu Zambian Society DJ’s Production Society Namibian Students’ Organization Swazi Students Society Athletics
ACTS Kolbe Catholic Society DR Congo Nazareth Tertiary Student’s TEDxUCT Badminton
African Students for Liberty East African Students Society Association The Collective Basketball
Altum Sonatur Economic Freedom Fighters Nigerian Students’ Society The Twelve Apostle Church in Canoeing
Amnesty International Student Command Organisational Psychology Students’ Christ Capoeira
Art of Living – Hartha Yoga Society EDU Student Organisation Society Paediatrics society Thinking Club Chess
Asian Students Association Effective Altruism Palestine Solidarity Forum Trees of Life Multiracial Church Cricket
Association of Black Securities and Enactus Pan Africanist Student Movement Tsonga society Fitness centre
Investment Professionals Engineers Without Borders of Azania Photographic Society Ubunye Cycling
Association of Built Environment Fashion Society Poetry UCT African Choral Fencing
Student Film Society Preclinical society UCT Baha’i Society Golf
Association of SA Black Actuaries Gender & Sex Project Psychology Society UCT Choir Gymnastics
Ballroom Dancing Genshiken RAG UCT Consulting Club Hockey
Believers Loveworld Ghana Society Rainbow Organisation UCT Developers’ Society Ju jitsu
Bhakti Yoga Society Golden Future Project RAPHA Church UCT Entrepreneur’s Society Karate
Biological Society Grace Bible Church REACH Society UCT Marketing Association Kickboxing
Biomimicry Society Green Campus Initiative Redeemed Christian Fellowship UCT Mathematics society Mountain & ski
Birding UCT Habitat for Humanity Rural Support Network UCT Radio Netball
Black Law Students’ Forum Hellenic Students’ Association Seventh Day Adventist United Nations Association of Rowing
Black Lawyer’s Association Her Campus Initiative Movement South Africa Vegilicious Rugby
Black Management Forum Hillsong Church SHAWCO Education We Are Animals Soccer
Businesswomen’s Association Hindu Students’ Society SHAWCO Health Wine and Cultural Society Squash
Student Chapter Hip Hop Club Shofar Church Winners Camp Fellowship Supa pool
Cape Legion of Adventurers His People South African Medical Students’ Women in computer Science Surfing
and War Gamers Human Upliftment Project Association South African Women in Property Network Table tennis
Cape Town Globalist Ikey Ability students’ congress World Mission Society Taekwondo
Cardiac Society InkuluFreeHeid South African Union of Jewish (Church of God) Tennis
Chabad UCT Institute of Electrical & Electronics Students Zimbabwe Society Tai chi
Christian Medical Fellowship Engineers Internal medicine Space and Astronomy Zion Christian Students’ Ultimate frisbee
Christian Revival Church Investment Society Association Fellowship Underwater hockey
Christians on Campus Jubilee Society Student Christian Fellowship Volleyball
Church On Main Korean Student Association Student Psychiatry society Water polo
Cortex Club Leanin Student YMCA Waterski
Crypto currency Lesotho Students’ Association Students for a Free Tibet UCT Yachting
Debating Union Malawi Students Society Students for Law and Social
Deeper Life Campus Fellowship Moot Society Justice
71
International Students
The International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) in Cape Town while completing a degree elsewhere. SSA Study abroad students pay a semester package fee covering
supports international students and researchers by students are taught alongside other UCT students and are tuition, application costs, and orientation activities.
issuing letters in support of visa applications, advising fully integrated into academic and social life at UCT. Students receive comprehensive pre-arrival information
on immigration-related requirements, and advocating and assistance in finding suitable accommodation close
for students’ visa challenges. It also advises students on To be accepted to the Semester Study Abroad programme, to campus. IAPO also offers an extensive orientation
international tuition and housing fees, the costs of living you must programme to welcome you to Cape Town and to UCT at
in Cape Town, and support services available to students. • be a current student of a university or college outside the start of the semester.
Before you start your Semester Study Abroad (SSA) or South Africa,
full-degree programme, IAPO will provide comprehensive • be of good academic standing at your home university, Students on the programme have an opportunity to
information and a dedicated orientation programme to • have a grade point average of 65% in your current join student societies and clubs, and to participate in
welcome you to UCT. studies (this is 3.0 for academic systems using the 4.0 the community service and volunteering programmes
scale or an upper range ‘B’ on the ECTS scale), run by SHAWCO (a community partnership and social
Queries about academic qualifications and specific course • have completed three semesters towards your degree, entrepreneurship organization affiliated with UCT).
requirements should be directed to the relevant faculty • have met UCT’s English language admission
office. There are various ways that you can study as an requirements (see page 14). Apply online at http://applyonline.uct.ac.za
international student at UCT.
The programme offers a wide range of courses and students
SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD (SSA) can select from subjects established in the Faculties DEADLINES FOR SUBMITTING AN
of Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, APPLICATION ARE:
STUDENTS Humanities, Law and Science. For First Semester (February – June):
31 October prior to the year of study.
Are you an international student interested in studying Applications for course admission are assessed by
at UCT as part of your degree at another university? UCT academic selectors in the relevant discipline who will pay For Second Semester (July – November):
offers a vibrant study abroad programme for students particular attention to your academic record and courses 30 April of the year of study
wanting to spend one or two semesters experiencing life already taken towards your home university degree.
72
As it can take up to eight weeks to obtain a South African study International Term Fee, the Administrative Fee plus the individual
visa, early applications are encouraged. course fees must be paid prior to registration.
For further information, contact the: Matriculation Exemption

International Academic Programmes Office If you wish to study at UCT and you are writing or have written
Tel: +27 (0)21 650 2822 a foreign school-leaving examination, you will need to obtain a
Email: ssa@uct.ac.za matriculation exemption certificate from the Matriculation Board.
Website: www.studyabroad.uct.ac.za/
Before making you an offer, the faculty will ensure that you
are eligible for matriculation exemption. Once you have been
FULL-DEGREE INTERNATIONAL registered but before the end of your first year, you will need to
apply through your faculty office to the Matriculation Board for a
STUDENTS certificate of exemption.
UCT considers suitably qualified international applicants who
wish to study for a full undergraduate degree programme. To apply take the prescribed form, your original school leaving
certificate (the faculty will make a certified copy for the
SADC Students Matriculation Board) and the prescribed fee (made out to the
The Southern African Development Community countries are: Matriculation Board) to the Faculty Office who will submit your
Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, application to the Matriculation Board.
Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles,
South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Details of fees payable and the form are available on the
minimum initial fee payment for academic and residence fees Matriculation Board website at www.hesa-enrol.ac.za. The onus
plus the non-refundable Administrative Fee must be paid prior to remains on you, as a student, to check that the faculty office has
registration or entering student accommodation. No international received your certificate from the Matriculation Board. Enquiries
levy (International Term Fee) will be charged. about certificates of exemption should be addressed to the:
Non-SADC Students Universities South Africa,

As an international student (non-SADC) coming to UCT, you P O Box 27392, Sunnyside, Pretoria, 0132
will be charged an international levy, called the International Tel: +27 (0)10 591 4401/2
Term Fee (per annum), and the non-refundable Administrative Fax: +27 (0)86 680 5727
Fee, in addition to the individual fees for all courses taken. The Website: http://mb.usaf.ac.za
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS 73
Entry requirements for applicants with foreign school- are resident outside of South Africa and are not a South along with proof of sole custody in the latter case
leaving examinations. To be considered for admission, African citizen or do not have permanent residence, (f) a police clearance certificate
applicants must qualify for a matriculation exemption you are required to obtain a study visa to enter the (g) Affidavit confirming conditions of
from the Matriculation Board, and must meet certain Republic for the purpose of attending the University. existing visa have been upheld for
minimum faculty entry requirements. It is important that your visa is endorsed specifically those renewing a previous study visa for
for study at UCT. South Africa
Some of the more common foreign school-leaving (h) medical and radiological reports
examinations submitted by international applicants If you hold refugee or asylum seeker status you are (i) documents relating to maritalstatus if applicable
include O and A-level examinations, HIGCSE and IGCSE exempt from needing a study visa to attend the (j) a yellow fever vaccination certificate if that person
examinations, the International Baccalaureate (IB) University however, you are required to produce a travelled or intends travelling from or through a
Diploma, and the Advanced International Certificate valid refugee or asylum seeker permit. yellow fever endemic area
of Education (AICE). Applicants who have written only (k) in the case of a foreign state accepting
the O-level or equivalent examination, and who are The offer of a study place by the University does not responsibility for the applicant in terms of a
not writing any other school-leaving examination, are bind the Department of Home Affairs in any way to bilateral agreement, a written undertaking in
not eligible for admission to UCT. If you are writing a allow you to study in South Africa, nor does it remove respect of the departureof the applicant
foreign school-leaving qualification, your application to the need for you to obtain permission to enter the (l) proof of medical cover from a South African
UCT will be assessed individually. country. If you are offered a study place, please apply medical aid scheme, registered in terms of the
immediately for a study visa. You can apply for a study Medical Schemes Act, 1998 (Act No. 131 of 1998).
English Language Requirements visa with a conditional study place offer or a firm The duration of your medical aid over must align
English is used both for teaching and for examinations study place offer. Your application must be made to with the duration of your study offer; renewed
at UCT. All applicants must show evidence of proficiency the nearest South African Embassy, Consulate or High annually for each year of study and be valid for
in English and must submit evidence of this as part of Commission in your home country. This procedure the full year, ending on 31 December (for full
their application to study at UCT. The English Language could take between 8 to 12 weeks to be processed, degree programmes).
admission requirements can be found on page 14. so apply without delay. The application form BI- (m) proof of sufficient financial means
1738, duly completed, must be accompanied by the (n) payment of a deposit: Provided that such deposit
Financial Assistance following: shall be refunded to the depositor after the
UCT does not offer bursaries/scholarships to (a) Valid passport final departure of the applicant or after a permit
international undergraduate applicants. American (b) A fee (current details are available from the nearest contemplated in section 25 of the Act has been
citizens undertaking full degree studies may apply for South African Embassy, Consulate or High issued to the applicant: Provided further that the
US Federal Aid (Direct Loans) via IAPO. UCT is also an Commission) payment of the deposit may be effected by means
accredited institution for Canadian Federal Aid. Direct (c) an official letter from UCT confirming provisional or of a bank guaranteed cheque or credit card at
enquiries to Galiema.Darries@uct.ac.za. firm acceptance at the institution and the duration places where such facility exists.
of the course (o) in the case of students from Africa, the payment of
The MasterCard Foundation Scholarship is available (d) letter of undertaking from UCT in support of the the deposit shall not be required: Provided that the
to citizens of a Sub-Saharan African country. For study visa application Government of the relevant African country
further information on the scholarships please access (e) in the case of a person under the age of 21 years. submits a written undertaking to pay all
www.mcfsp.uct.ac.za (i) the particulars of the person in the Republic costs relating to the deportation of the
E-mail: info_mcfsp@uct.ac.za who will act as that learner’s guardian and a student, should this become necessary.
Tel: +27 (0)21 650 5923 / 3601 confirmatory letter from that intended (p) other requirements as may be
guardian; and prescribed by the Consulate/
Study Visas (ii) proof of consent for the intended stay from Embassy.
In terms of the Immigration Act No 13 of 2002, if you both parents or from the custodian parent,
74
In the case of a foreign state accepting responsibility for The online application process is located at www.vfsglobal.
the applicant in terms of a bilateral agreement, a written com/dha/southafrica/. The list of requirements for new and
undertaking from such foreign state to pay for the departure renewal applications can be found at www.vfsglobal.com/
of the applicant. dha/southafrica/study-visa-content.html.
In the case of a learner under the age of 18 years: Please note that you may NOT take up studies at UCT with a
(i) an unabridged birth certificate study visa issued for another institution. The onus is on you
(ii) valid passport to make sure that your study visa is valid for the duration of
(iii) proof of physical address and contact number of the your studies at UCT.
adult person residing in the Republic, who is acting or
has accepted to act as such learner’s guardian, including Pre-registration for immigration and fees
a confirmatory letter from that guardian; and clearance
(iv) proof of consent for the intended stay from both parents, Pre-registration is the administrative process for verifying
or where applicable, from the parent or legal guardian you have the required immigration documents to study in
who has been issued with a court order granting full South Africa and that your academic fees have cleared into
or specific parental responsibilities and rights or legal the UCT bank account before registration.
guardianship of the learner.
International students must report to IAPO for immigration
Other requirements as may be prescribed by the Consulate/ and fees clearance before proceeding to academic
Embassy Requirements may change and we thus recommend registration. You will need the following documents:
that you contact the nearest South African Consulate/ • valid passport
Embassy before submitting your study visa application in • study visa, valid for study at UCT
order to find out about the required documents. • medical aid cover from a medical aid scheme registered
in South Africa and valid for the full duration of your
You should await the outcome of your application before study visa
making any travel arrangements to South Africa. • proof that you have paid the minimum initial academic
fee (and residence fee where applicable)
If you have studied at another South African University or
attended high school in South Africa, then your study visa
needs to be changed for studies at the University of Cape For more information, contact:
Town. It is very important that your study visa is valid for
International Academic Programmes Office
studies at the University of Cape Town.
Tel: +27 (0)21 650 2822
The Department of Home Affairs has officially outsourced Email: iapo@uct.ac.za
the submission of applications to a company called Visa Website: www.iapo.uct.ac.za
Facilitation Services (VFS). Applications accepted for
processing by the relevant VFS office are then forwarded to
the Department of Home Affairs for adjudication. Once the
application has been finalised, the Department of Home
Affairs will issue an outcome to the VFS office where the
application was submitted. Application forms are completed
online but submitted in hardcopy and in person at the
VFS Office.
75
Tuition Fees & Residence Costs
UCT publishes a booklet, which is updated every R28 500 (or the full fee, where the full fee was less 2021 Residence Costs
year, giving the fee for each academic course and than R28 500). For residence costs, the initial payment Fees for 2022 for the University’s residences, houses and flats will
accommodation in different types of student housing. in 2021 was R35 000 for catering residences or R23 be determined in November 2021. About 40% of the total fee for
The University uses a course-based fee structure. 000 for self-catering. For SADC applicants a levy of R4 2022 must be paid to UCT before the start of the academic year. The
The fee booklet, together with the relevant Faculty 200 was payable prior to registration. balance must be paid by the end of July 2021.
handbook, will enable students to calculate the cost of
their academic studies at UCT. For more information, please contact the Fees Office or The average charge for a single room in a first-tier residence is
visit the UCT website. R65 310 in 2021. If the meal option of 3 meals each day is added,
The Faculty handbook will indicate the courses that the charge is R92 910.
can be taken in pursuing a programme of study and the
relevant course code. Use this code to look up the all- Bachelor of Commerce and R66 280 - R84 760 Students have a choice of four meal options. The cost of the meal
Bachelor of Business Science R67 800 – R85 250
inclusive cost of the course in the fee booklet. The sum option is not included in the residence fee. The chosen meal option
of these costs will give you the total cost for the set of Bachelor of Business Science Actuarial must be added to the residence fee.
R85 250
chosen courses. Science
Bachelor of Architectural Studies R71 440 Meal options at 2021 prices are:
There are no levies. Faculty handbook information is Add the cost of your selected meal option to your estimated
available on the UCT website: www.uct.ac.za Bachelor of Science (Construction Studies) R68 240 room cost below.
Bachelor of Science (Property Studies) R80 230
You can obtain a Fees booklet from the Fees Office:
Bachelor of Science (Geomatics) R67 280 MEAL OPTION 1 (BLD): 3 MEALS PER DAY FOR SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK
Tel: 021 650 1074 Fax: 021 6504768
Email: fnd-feeenq@uct.ac.za or visit UCT’s website at Bachelor of Science (Engineering) R68 100- R78 840 First Tier R27 600
www.students.uct.ac.za/students/fees-funding/fees
Bachelor of Medicine and Groote Schuur and Forest Hill G R29 900
R89 370
Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB)
Tuition Fees Health Sciences R33 100
The table below lists fees in 2021 for a “typical” first Bachelor of Science (Audiology) R73 920
MEAL OPTION 2 (LAD): LUNCH AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK
year undergraduate degree programme for South African Bachelor of Science
R76 280 First Tier R20 600
applicants. It will give you an idea of what the fees are (Speech-Language Pathology)
likely to be in 2022. Actual 2022 fees will be published Groote Schuur and Forest Hill G R22 500
Bachelor of Science (Occupational Therapy) R67 390
on the university website towards the end of 2021. Health Sciences R24 800
Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) R66 100
Payment of Fees MEAL OPTION 3 (BAD): BREAKFAST AND DINNER SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Social R62 240
Full details of tuition and accommodation fees are Science First Tier R18 600
sent to students before registration, as well as dates Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) R69 410 Groote Schuur and Forest Hill G R20 200
by when payment must be made. A variety of payment
methods are available. An initial payment for both Bachelor of Music R58 970 - R61 790 Health Sciences R22 400
Bachelor of Music Education R61 970 - R65 970
tuition fees and student accommodation must be made MEAL OPTION 4 (MOW): 3 MEALS PER DAY, WEEK DAYS ONLY
before registration. So, for example, for 2021 the initial Bachelor of Arts (Theatre and Performance) R87 330
payment was due by Friday, 12 March 2021 and the First Tier R20 500
balance of the fees by 31 July 2021. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) R63 300
Groote Schuur and Forest Hill G R21 600
Bachelor of Science R68 000 Health Sciences R24 100
For tuition costs the initial payment in 2021 was
76
Funding Your studies

Most prospective students have concerns about funding. encourage you to explore all of these possibilities. social media for details of when applications open
Coming to university may be your first experience away For instance, although you may obtain an entrance or and for submission of applications. Ensure that you
from home, and it is natural to wonder how you will sports scholarship from UCT, you can still apply for other application is submitted before the closing date.
manage. We understand your financial concerns and in funding, including need-based financial assistance from
this section we provide some information on sources of UCT. If you think you may need to be assisted financially, our
funding and guidelines on how to finance your studies. advice is to submit a completed financial aid application
to NSFAS, since late applications will not be accepted. In
As a student, you will find that careful financial APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID addition, you can apply to other sponsors and funders.
planning and management is essential. This is even You should not wait for the outcome of one application
more important if you are meeting the cost of studying As of 1 August 2016, the National Student Financial Aid before applying for another. Application closing dates
yourself, or if you are studying away from home. When Scheme (NSFAS) opened its student-centred application are strictly adhered to by all funders. Funders, like
your personal expenses, accommodation and travel are model. First-time applications for financial aid, as well NSFAS, close their applications for funding before you
included, a single year at UCT can cost over R100 000. as funding renewal for those students who are already are likely to receive information from a University on
A significant number of students fund their studies recipients of NSFAS funding, will be handled centrally your academic application. Its is vital that you apply for
through a combination of scholarships, bursaries (either via NSFAS. Although applicants may have applied funding even if you don’t have an academic offer yet.
administered by the University or by organisations to multiple institutions for admission to study, only
outside the University), loans, help from parents, one financial aid application directly to NSFAS will be
sponsorship by companies, and through part-time and required. All students and learners who need financial SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHOOL-
vacation work. assistance should apply to NSFAS via the latter’s
online application system. NSFAS also accepts paper
LEAVERS
There are three kinds of financial support available to applications via the NYDA offices.
South African students: entrance scholarships; sports Each year, UCT allocates over R8 million as entrance
scholarships; and financial assistance packages. We It is important to check the NSFAS website and their scholarships to school-leavers who are coming to study
77
at the University for the first time. South African citizens and permanent residents area. Applicants from partner schools will be considered for these scholarships
are eligible for these awards. The awards range from R20 000 to R40 000. No should they meet the criteria. No application is required.
application for a UCT entrance scholarship is necessary. Entrance scholarships
are for the first year after which students are eligible for consideration for a NOTE: The University Council has determined that students who qualify for
faculty scholarship. Each faculty specifies academic criteria that you need to both a tuition fee at the staff tuition rate, and a UCT- funded scholarships
meet in order to be eligible for a faculty scholarship in subsequent years. (entrance, faculty, VC, Achievement), will have their scholarship adjusted
equivalent to the staff tuition rate percentage.
The University’s entrance scholarships are for students who show academic
potential. Entrance scholarship offers are based on considerations of how the
University wishes to constitute its new undergraduate class. This does mean FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
that the University is not able to make offers to each of the many deserving
cases that we consider, nor do we guarantee entrance scholarships on the basis NSFAS and UCT try to assist as many financially needy students as possible,
of high school academic performance. School-leaving applicants are considered subject to available funds. Applicants’ are assessed, and the minimum criteria
for the following entrance scholarships: for eligibility are:
• financial need
Entrance Scholarships: Each faculty has its own criteria against which • studying for a first undergraduate qualification that is funded
school-leavers are considered for the award of an entrance scholarship. No • be South African citizen or a permanent resident of South Africa
application is necessary applicants are automatically considered. Criteria for
entrance scholarship for holders of the national Senior Certificate are available
at http://uct.ac.za/apply/funding/undergraduate/scholarships/ APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Sports Scholarships: These scholarships are available to applicants who NOTE: Applying for financial assistance will have no impact on your chances
have represented their Province at a national or age-group level. For details on of being admitted for study at UCT.
how to apply, see page 68.
How do I apply?
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarships: These scholarships may be offered to: All applications for financial aid and NSFAS funding will be managed centrally
• The top ten achievers, in grade 12 of the year of the olympiad, in each by NSFAS for all higher education institutions.
of the Mathematics Olympiad, Computer Science Olympiad and English You can apply on-line at NSFAS.org.za.
Olympiad, provided they applied to UCT for admission.
• The winner of the Applications Olympiad, provided the winner is an Will my application for financial aid affect my chances of
applicant to UCT. academic admission?
• Any of the Top 10 NSC achievers in the Western Cape Education No. Your application for admission is not related to your application for financial
Department (WCED) who applied for admission to UCT. assistance. These are separate and independent processes. However, if you are
• Any of the top 15 achievers in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) final eligible for financial assistance the assistance is subject to academic admission
examinations (but excluding candidates from schools in the Western and registration at UCT.
Cape) administered by the Department of Basic Education, who applied
for admission to UCT. Is there a deadline for my application for financial assistance?
• Any of the Top 5 NSC achievers from the Independent Examination Board Yes. NSFAS has an application window. Ensure that you check for the application
(IEB), who applied for admission to UCT. opening and closing date.
Achievement Awards: Why must I apply before I have an academic study offer?
These are awards based on partnerships with particular schools in a geographical It takes time to assess the eligibility of all application received and we want
78 FUNDING YOUR STUDIES
applicants to know their NSFAS and UCT financial aid African citizens intending to register for an approved to look for other sources of funding to enable more
funding status early. Knowing how you will pay for your funded programme. UCT will send out applications students to be assisted. You are obliged to inform UCT
studies, helps to make an informed decision about to applicants/students that are rejected by NSFAS on of any other financial assistance you receive.
where you accept a study offer. Eligible students can income above R350 000 to evaluate your eligibility for
also immediately receive their allowances once they are GAP funding. Details of UCT’s GAP funding eligibility is Is UCT & NSFAS financial assistance
registered. available on the UCT website. renewable?
Eligible students are automatically considered for
How will my financial eligibility be When will I know if I am eligible? renewal based on academic performance each year and
assessed? NSFAS will inform you of your eligibility for NSFAS and the number of years of study. No student will be funded
Higher Education and Training National Bursary Rules UCT will inform you if you qualify for UCT GAP funding. for longer than the minimum duration of the programme
and Guidelines. For 2021, the NSFAS assisted first-time plus 1 year.
entering students from families with a gross income Will all my costs be covered if I am
below R350 000. It is important to note that gross successful? How can I get more information about
family income is not the only criteria, applicants must You will only be required to pay the UCT Expected financial assistance at UCT:
be South African citizens or South African permanent Family Contribution or your GAP Funding shortfall. Please visit the UCT website, phone the Student Financial
residents that intend to register in an approved funded Aid Office at 021 650 5094, or email FinancialAid@uct.
programme (note that the PGCE, PGDA and LAWP01 NSFAS Bursary ac.za, or visit the UCT financial aid website for more
programmes are no longer funded). The NSFAS funding provided to successful applicants is information.
a non-repayable bursary. The funding provided by UCT
Information on all NSFAS funding rules is available on is in the form of a bursary and a loan that is repayable The NSFAS funding provided to successful applicants is
their website at www.nsfas.org.za after your studies. a non-repayable bursary. The funding provided by UCT
is in the form of a bursary and a loan that is repayable
UCT however offers a GAP funding programme for Can I hold other awards along with the UCT after your studies.
those students from families that have a gross income financial assistance?
between R350 000 and R600 000, that are South Yes. Funds are limited, and we encourage students
79
Student Life at UCT

LEARNING RESOURCES serve. The Libraries’ webpage provides 24/7 on- and off-
Lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes form campus access to more than 84 000 electronic journals, a
part of the academic programme. In all of these settings growing collection of electronic books and 190 databases.
students work and learn together. The most formal of these There are approximately 1,2 million print volumes, with
is the lecture, which may be attended by several hundred more than 16 700 print journal titles. The modern design
students, while tutorials offer contact between small groups of the main library draws on the very best models of
of students and a tutor. university libraries world-wide, offering spacious reading
areas, numerous computer workstations, audio-visual
However, being at university is primarily about learning viewing areas, group project rooms, wireless internet access
to work by yourself and for yourself. In this section we and plug points, as well ample photocopying, printing, and
describe some of the resources that are available at UCT to scanning facilities.
help you succeed.
The Vincent Kolbe Knowledge Commons, our fully-equipped
COMPUTING FACILITIES undergraduate learning facility, provides both professional
UCT provides an extensive network of computer workstations help and high-end IT facilities for researching, writing, and
for use by students. All students are allocated a personal printing assignments to students. In addition, the 24/7
email address, and have access to the University’s computer study area offers a safe and comfortable space for those
network as soon as they register. Wireless coverage extends who need to burn the midnight oil. A recent learning facility
to all campuses. Software applications available on campus for all students is the Library Learning Lounge which is
range from basic word-processing to advanced statistical a library space without books but with amazing virtual
and design packages. In addition to the extensive network of services and Library Buddies (student assistants) on hand
computers available to all students in UCT’s Library, Student to support students in finding information. This is a “bring-
Learning Centres and faculty computer laboratories, several your-own-device” space in the Snape Building on upper
departments have their own facilities with specialised campus.
software to support teaching and learning in their degree
programmes. CONTACT US:
Tel: 021 650 3703/3704
UCT LIBRARIES Email: libraries@uct.ac.za
UCT’s main library, the Chancellor Oppenheimer Library, Website: www.lib.uct.ac.za
and its seven branch libraries offer a diverse array of study Facebook: www.facebook.com/uctlibraries
and research materials, as well as professional and expert Twitter: @UCTLibrary
assistance in finding information and carrying out research. Instagram: uctlibraries
Library Buddies (student assistants) wearing the green
ASK ME bibs are found in the library ready to assist with ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT
any library or general questions. In keeping with its central The Academic Development Programme (ADP), based in the
role in the academic life of the University, the Chancellor Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED), runs
Oppenheimer Library is centrally located on the upper a range of Extended Curriculum Programmes (ECPs) and
campus, while the branch libraries are spread across UCT’s individual courses and workshops that support students
various campuses, close to the academic departments they academically by offering extra material, more class time in
80 STUDENT LIFE AT UCT
smaller groups, more contact with lecturers and more social CAREERS SERVICE and opportunities are also available on the UCT Mobile
support than in other programmes. An ECP can be regarded UCT Careers Service empowers students to take App, and social media. Our goal is to create career-
as a somewhat longer (usually up to a year longer), but safer ownership of and make informed decisions about their ready interns and graduates, with a strong focus on
and more supported route to qualifying for a degree. In fact, futures through a broad range of advisory services and empowering future student entrepreneurs. We focus
many students not on ECPs take longer anyway to complete networking opportunities. The award-winning, future on helping students with career planning throughout
their degrees because of failing some of their courses and focused and innovative Service has been commended their time at university to help them navigate the ever-
being unable to continue. Failure could be avoided by by both UCT students and employers locally and changing world of work. Alumni are able to access the
following an ECP instead. Each Faculty at UCT has its own internationally for its professional service and for its Service up to three years after they graduate.
ADP unit, and the faculty-based ECPs are fully integrated efforts to connect students to opportunities and support
with later years of study in the Faculty. them on their career journeys. WHAT WE OFFER:
• Free confidential face-to-face careers advice
There is no difference between a qualification obtained The Service houses a well-equipped office with state- • Access to internships and part-time work
following the ECP route and those obtained following of-the-art workstations; a virtual interview room • Vacation work and graduate vacancies
the usual route. ADP also helps to develop innovative where students can connect with potential employers • Help with CVs, application and interview preparation
curricula and courses developing students’ language and digitally; and customized online, print and take-away • Networking with employers
quantitative literacy skills. resources. Daily careers consultations are available for • Information on postgraduate study options
all registered students and may be booked online or at • Bursary and scholarship information
The Writing Centre on Upper Campus and the Writing the reception. • Help understanding the skills that employers want
Lab on the Health Sciences campus form part of ADP. • Help with developing entrepreneurial skills
At both these writing centres students can book By visiting the Career Service’s online portal, MyCareer • Career information and resources
individual consultations to work with a consultant on at mycareer.uct.ac.za, students have 24/7 access to • (including vacancies) via the online portal,
their academic writing. ADP also offers short courses a broad range of information such as careers events, MyCareer: mycareer.uct.ac.za
supporting postgraduate students. For more information bursaries and employment opportunities. Students
or contact details for your Faculty’s ADP unit or the can personalise their MyCareer account to receive CONTACT US:
Writing Centres, visit the ADP page on the CHED website: customised email notifications about information and Enquiries: Careers Service reception, Level 1,
www.ched.uct.ac.za/ched/adp. opportunities relevant to them. Up-to-date information Hoerikwaggo, North Lane, Upper Campus
81
Tel: 021 650-2497 STUDENT ORIENTATION AND ADVOCACY most campuses of the university; the various service
Email: careers.service@uct.ac.za SERVICE (SOAS) locations can be found on the Department of Student
Website: www.careers.uct.ac.za SOAS is a student friendly, walk-in, advocacy and Affairs website. Appointments can be made on the SWS
Facebook: @UCTCareers referral office. SOAS deals with students’ needs and online system on the website or the UCT App however;
Twitter: @UCTCareers queries ranging from directions (e.g. finding offices, emergencies can be accessed without an appointment
Instagram: @Uctcareersservice buildings, people, venues, etc.) to services offered by at the main clinic.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/UCTCareersService the Department of Student Affairs. The SOAS provides
UCT Mobile App: UCT- Careers Service access to printed information (brochures, pamphlets, The service charges nominal fees for consultations
forms, notices, handbooks and other university (medical, nursing and counselling) and minor
Pre-admissions counselling enquiries and info: publications) and assistance with using these. Students procedures however; students who are on financial
beyondschool@uct.ac.za Tel: 021 650 2497 will be assisted and guided in processes relating to an aid are not charged. Student Wellness Service
effective and manageable university life. An effective can be contacted on 021 650 1020 or 650 1017.
ORIENTATION referral system is in place that ensures sufficient For full details see the website a
Orientation at UCT is a process through which you learn support and care to all students. SOAS works closely www.uct.ac.za/students/health/wellness/clinical
about the university. The purpose of this process is to with faculties and departments within the University
assist you in your transition and adjustment to your and where appropriate would refer students to the DISABILITY SERVICE
new learning environment. It also ensures that you are relevant sector. Referral processes are closely monitored Are you an applicant with a disability? If so, let us know
accustomed to life at university, so that you can make to ensure students receive appropriate and timeous as we are committed to equal access for people with
friends and feel at home on campus, succeed at whatever assistance. disabilities, and providing reasonable accommodations
you do (academic work, sports, student societies, etc.), for your disability. The Disability Service strives to
and develop pride in your accomplishments. CONTACT US: create an environment in which people with disabilities
Computer Science Building, and chronic illnesses can participate equitably in
Orientation is offered through a series of programmes. Room 2.01, Level 2, Upper Campus. all aspects of university life. Our primary goal is to
Each faculty provides an orientation programme for Email: UCTOrientation@uct.ac.za facilitate access to University services and facilities
its own students, as does the International Academic Tel: 021 650 5082 for students, staff and visitors with disabilities. It is
Programmes Office (IAPO) for international students, important that you contact the Disability Service if
whilst students in residence have residence orientation STUDENT WELLNESS SERVICE you are considering studying at UCT. Knowing about
programmes. The Student Wellness Service provides general medical your access requirements well in advance to coming to
services and counselling during office hours throughout study also enables us to ensure that a support system
Faculty orientation includes academic advice (about the year and the service is located in various campuses is in place by the time you arrive. We can also provide
courses and programmes), computer training, campus of the university as clinics and satellite service points. support with the application process, provide you with
and library tours, as well as introductions to student Primary Health Care services offered includes common application documents in alternative format,as
services. IAPO’s programme covers a wide range of issues ailments, manageable medical conditions, minor surgical well as provide vital information about writing
relevant to international students: study visas; fees; procedures, reproductive health and pregnancy advise, the compulsory National Benchmark Test
employment opportunities; medical cover; where to go travel advise, sports injuries and a confidential HIV- which all applicants need to take.
to when in Cape Town and personal safety. Residence testing service with pre-test and post-test counselling.
Orientation helps students adjust to their new living An onsite dispensary in the main clinic provides CONTACT US:
and learning environment and this includes both the essential medication at low cost.Psychological services Tel: 021 650 2427
social and learning aspects and responsibilities of living offered include individual therapy group therapy, long Email: disabilityinfo@uct.ac.za
in a university residence. term support groups, trauma debriefing and mental
http://www.dsa.uct.ac.za/student-orientation/welcome health education. Counselling services are offered in
82
NBT Dates for 2021/2022 Applicants

UCT is aware that the current crisis related to COVID-19 will impact the regular operational timelines. Given the fluid situation that prevails all dates contained in our
publications and correspondence are subject to change.
Registration for all NBT sessions opens 1 April 2021
NBT Test Dates 2021 Last day to Results available

for 2022 Intake register online to writers
5** 21 May 05 Jul
12 23 May 12 Jul
June
19 30 May 19 Jul
26** 6 Jun 26 Jul
3 13 Jun 2 Aug
11* 20 Jun 10 Aug

July
18* ** 27 Jun 16 Aug
24 4 Jul 23 Aug
7 18 Jul 6 Sept
14 25 Jul 13 Sept
Aug
21 1 Aug 20 Sep
28 8 Aug 27 Sep
11 22 Aug 11 Oct
Sep
18** 29 Aug 18 Oct
Oct 2 12 Sep 01 Nov
*Sunday test session

**Online Sessions
83
Contact information
OFFICE HOURS - Monday – Friday*
FACULTIES EMAIL ADDRESS TEL NUMBER FAX NUMBER Admissions Office 08h30 – 16h30
Commerce com-faculty@uct.ac.za 021 650 4375 Fees Office 09h00 – 15h30
Student Housing 08h30 – 16h30
Engineering & the Built Environment ebe-faculty@uct.ac.za 021 650 2699 Receipts Cashier 09h00 – 15h30
Health Sciences fhs-ug-admiss@uct.ac.za 021 406 6328
* UCT offices may be closed on Thursdays from 08h30 – 09h30
Humanities hum-ugrad@uct.ac.za 021 650 2717 for staff training.
Law law-studies@uct.ac.za 021 650 3086
Science sci-science@uct.ac.za 021 650 2712 VISIT THE UCT HOME PAGE AT www.uct.ac.za
OFFICES & SERVICES We have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this
Prospectus and other handbooks.
Admissions Office admissions-ug@uct.ac.za 021 650 2128 021 650 5189
NBT Office nbt@uct.ac.za 021 650 3523 However, we reserve the right at any time, if circumstances dictate, to:
(i) make alterations or changes to any of the published details in this
Disability Service dsa-disabilityservice@uct.ac.za 021 650 2427 021 650 3794 Prospectus, as well as the courses and curricula on offer or
(ii) add to or withdraw any of the courses or programmes on offer.
Fees Office fnd-feeenq@uct.ac.za 021 650 1704
International Academic iapo@uct.ac.za 021 650 2822 We give students every assurance that changes to courses and curricula
will only be made under extraordinary and compelling circumstances
Pre-Admissions Careers Service beyondschool@uct.ac.za 021 650 2497
and we will inform students as soon as possible of any changes.
Sport & Recreation sport@uct.ac.za 021 650 3563/3564
Student Housing res@uct.ac.za 021 650 2977 021 650 4014
Student Orientation and Advocacy orientation@uct.ac.za 021 650 5082
Student Financial Aid Office financialaid@uct.ac.za 021 650 3545/5094

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UNDERGRADUATE PROSPECTUS

Vice-Chancellor students are committed to addressing a wide spectrum of issues

Umyalezo ovela uqale ukwakha ukuthungelana nabantu abaza kukukhonza imihla

kwiSekela-Ngqonyela i-Covid-19, siye saphuhlisa amathuba kwi-intanethi apho abafundi

Kunezizathu ezibalulekileyo ezininzi zokuba ukhethe ukufunda e-UCT.

Visekanselier akademici word internasionaal erken as uitnemende onderwysers en

Using this Prospectus

• Addresses to grade 11 and 12 learners at schools

For more information about visiting UCT or the

THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE:

Many sports are offered at the University and there

The University of Cape Town is the oldest university in South Africa

We welcome international students and are

UCT has a tradition of academic excellence and research that is

Key 31 JULY 2021 31 AUGUST 2021 30 SEPTEMBER 2021 2 OCTOBER 2021

31 OCTOBER 2021 15 NOVEMBER 2021 31 DECEMBER 2021 15 JANUARY 2022

EXAMPLES OF POINTS SCORE CALCULATIONS FOR NSC APPLICANTS

Examples of points score calculations for NSC applicants

SCORE CALCULATION FOR SELECTED NON-SOUTH English language proficiency

National Benchmark Tests

number in order to register.

DEGREE Benchmark Performance Levels

Bachelor of Business Science Finance

Students can study Organisational Psychology in Commerce or Humanities. In

ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Possible admission into Education Development Unit only

BACHELOR OF BUSINESS SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF COMMERCE

Possible admission into Education Development Unit only

Only National Senior Certificate equivalent subjects will be

For NSSC applicants:

ABOUT THE FACULTY W H AT W E O F F E R

Electrical & Computer Engineering

ACCREDITATION OF DEGREES ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT IN

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS HOLDING THE NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CONSTRUCTION STUDIES

ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Guaranteed admission Guaranteed admission

Probable admission Probable admission

Only SA applicants Possible admission Only SA applicants Possible admission

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN ELECTRICAL, ELECTRICAL BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PROPERTY STUDIES

BACHELOR OF ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN MECHANICAL, AND

Possible admission Only SA applicants Possible admission

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENGINEERING IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOMATICS

ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS ELIGIBLE BAND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Guaranteed admission Guaranteed admission

Probable admission Probable admission

Only SA applicants Possible admission

ABOUT THE FACULTY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSIOTHERAPY

HOW WE CALCULATE YOUR FACULTY POINTS SCORE (FPS) FOR THE

Conditional Offers • Minimum subject requirements and performance

Guaranteed admission Guaranteed admission

SA applicants in redress Possible admission

Note: *Applicants with Mathematical Literacy will be considered on an individual basis.

DEFERRED ADMISSION OR “GAP YEAR”

TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING FOR GENERAL DEGREES

Students who meet neither the NSC Mathematics nor

Majors falling under the Faculty of Science