Study at the University of Cape Town, South Africa: Ranking & Tuition

The University of Cape Town is the foremost place to come to your mind when you think of studying in South Africa. This is rightfully so as studying at the University of Cape Town blends a unique African experience with quality and affordability. So, learn all you need to know here about how to study at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.

In this post, we’ll properly guide you with detailed information about the University of Cape Town, South Africa, its Ranking, Tuition, and Admission.

About Studying at the University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa’s oldest university and leading institution of learning in cape town in the western cape province of South Africa. UTC in 1829 officially kicked off for its first academic session and then developed into a fully-fledged university between 1880 and 1900. Tourists to cape town traveling along the M3 road cannot but notice the enviable sight of the ivy-clad walls of the University of Cape Town (UCT) on the hills as they travel through to the south peninsula.

RANKING

According to the QS world university rankings, UCT is the highest-ranked African university. It achieved a rank of 156 in the 2011 QS world university rankings, making it the only African university in the top 200.

The university also prides itself on having about 60 research units and 35 A-rated researchers, a rating awarded by the national research foundation in recognition of them being leading international scholars in their fields.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

 UCT offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across its six faculties: Commerce, Engineering and built environment, Law, Health Sciences, Humanities and science, Extramural studies.

 The University of Cape Town offers a range of courses in their undergraduate and post-graduate schools including a center for extramural studies that offers opportunities for on-going adult learning to the public.

 A range of undergraduate diplomas and certificates and postgraduate diplomas are also available.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Undergraduate diploma study

The minimum need for admission to undergraduate diploma study is a national senior certificate (NSC) as certified by umalusi with an achievement rating of 3 (moderate achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognized NSC 20-credit subjects.

Bachelor’s degree study

To be eligible for admission to degree study, applicants need to meet minimum requirements for eligibility:

Applicants holding a South African national senior certificate need to pass a minimum of four subjects at a rating of 4 (adequate achievement, 50-59%) or better from a designated list of subjects relevant to their respective degree of study.
Applicants holding a South African senior certificate need matriculation endorsement
International applicants willing to enroll for any degree course must qualify for a matriculation exemption from the South African matriculation board.
For international applicants, all credentials will be subject to reviews by the admissions committee of intended departments to check the standards according to the Ontario educational system.
International students should have:
A residency permit and a study permit
Medical aid cover
Valid international passport
Transcripts of their results
A certificate showing fluency in the English language.
They must also meet UCT’s language requirements, as well as certain minimum faculty entry requirements.

The language of instruction and examination at UCT is English. International applicants who are non-native speakers of English have to pass specific language tests.

Minimum subject requirements for each faculty:

1. Commerce – satisfactory pass in mathematics in the final year of schooling.
2. Engineering and the built environment – satisfactory pass in mathematics in the final year of schooling. Applicants for engineering and geomatics also need a satisfactory pass in chemistry and/or physics. Applicants for architectural studies must submit a portfolio of creative work.
3. Health sciences – satisfactory pass in mathematics and chemistry and/or physics
4. Humanities and law – satisfactory passes in English. A pass in mathematics is recommended for the law.
5. Science – satisfactory passes in mathematics and a natural science subject (chemistry, physical science or biology). If students have not completed physics as part of their school-leaving examinations, they might not be eligible for certain study options in science.

Entry requirements for a postgraduates degree programme

The criteria for admission to postgraduate diplomas and honors, masters and doctoral degrees vary from one programme to another. Prospective applicants are advised to consult the faculty concerned directly to determine the requirements for admission.

Language requirements for international applicants

UCT language policy in accordance with applicants holding non-south African school-leaving certificates must have

 A pass in the English language at A-level, IGCSE, GCSE or O-level, international baccalaureate or a level equal to any of those listed here.

 A recent overall band score of 7.0 on the international English language testing system(IELTS), with no individual element of the test scoring below 6.0

TUITION STRUCTURE

The general fees quoted for the courses/degree you are doing are being quoted yearly. UCT raises its student fees every year and publishes a new student fees handbook to communicate what the new fees will be for the year.

In the student handbook, the fees quoted for your degree are for South African citizens and permanent residents. As an international student, you will pay more than the prescribed annual fee, usually multiplied by a set factor.

Application fees

The appropriate fees reflected below should accompany all applications:

Undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region	R100
Undergraduate and postgraduate applications from outside the SADC region	R300
GSB applications from South Africa and African citizens/residents	R1250
GSB applications from outside of Africa	US$250

Note:

 Application fees are not refundable.

 Paying an application fee does not mean that your application will be successful.

 The application fee may be paid by cheque, postal order, electronic funds transfer (EFT) or credit card.

 Cash payments may be made only at the cashier’s office, Kramer building, cross-campus road, middle campus UCT, Rondebosch.

Tuition fees

For an academic year, undergraduates will pay between $2500 – $4500 while postgraduates will pay between $2700-$3000 for their programs.

Students at UCT pay tuition fees for every course taken. These tuition fees vary from course to course and cover:

 Registration

 All charges for classes, tutorials, and laboratories

 University examinations

 Library access

 Compulsory personal accident insurance

 The use of general sporting facilities

 In the case of medical students, hospital fees for clinical instruction

Estimate of fees

External bursars often request an estimate of student fees before awarding the bursary. This can be obtained from:

 Student Handbook

COST OF LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The cost of living is not too high. With about $400 feeding, accommodation, travel, and others can be covered monthly.