How to apply for academic study and placement at UCT

Undergraduates

STEP 1: ACADEMIC APPLICATION

In preparing an academic application to UCT, it is essential that applicants refer to various resources for guidance. UCT’s undergraduate prospectus provides information on courses at UCT, how to apply to the University, as well as support structures available for undergraduate students at the University.

Detailed information on course offerings and academic pre-requisites is available on the UCT website in the respective faculty handbooks.

For any further enquiries on how to apply to UCT please contact the relevant faculty undergraduate / admissions office. Contact details of faculty undergraduate / admissions officers can be found in UCT’s undergraduate prospectus.

STEP 2: COLLATE THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR ACADEMIC APPLICATION

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the relevant undergraduate faculty handbook for more information and should ensure that when submitting these documents online, each document is scanned and uploaded as a single document. Documents must be legible and clear.

UCT reserves the right to cancel the application if all the necessary certified hard copies are not submitted on time. Upon registration and arrival at UCT, the successful applicant will be asked to provide original documentation of the certified copies submitted during the application phase.

STEP 3: APPLY ONLINE FOR ACADEMIC STUDY AND PLACEMENT

Apply online for academic study and placement.

Once the application is submitted it cannot be amended by the applicant. In the event that an applicant would like to change the programme choice and biographical information and/or add documentation, only the Admissions Office can facilitate this. Applicants can monitor their application status online. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Office at the University of Cape Town does not process academic applications.

Applications for student accommodation in a UCT residence are managed by UCT Student Housing Admissions and Advocacy Services. Applications for student accommodation must be received by 30 September. The application is part of the online academic application process. 

Additional Information for South African Applicants

The University of Cape Town is committed to providing a broad based financial assistance programme.

South African undergraduate applicants are required to apply for the UCT Student Financial Aid and NSFAS financial assistance in addition to applying to The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Cape Town. Financial aid is comprehensive funding based on approved costs of study.

To apply for UCT and NSFAS financial assistance:

• Only South African citizens and South African permanent residents are eligible for this funding.
• Only a first undergraduate qualification will be considered for undergraduate funding.
•  Applications should reach be submitted no later than 30 OCTOBER.
• No late applications will be considered.

Additional Information for International Applicants

International applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT are required to obtain a study visa to enter the Republic of South Africa and for purposes of registering at UCT.  To apply for a study visa applicants will need the following:

• An official passport which must be valid for at least 30 days after the end of the proposed stay in South Africa, otherwise the permit will only be granted for the period of up to 30 days before the expiry date. It should also have at least one unused page left when arriving in South Africa. Passports should not be endorsed or extended;
• A Department of Home Affairs application form (BI-1738);
• An official letter from UCT confirming acceptance at the institution for the duration of the course. This is a letter from the relevant faculty offering a place to study.
• In the event of persons under the age of 21, UCT will appoint guardians and proof of consent in liaison with the parents of such Scholars;
• A police clearance certificate (less than 6 months old);
• A medical and radiological reports (less than 6 months old);
• A relevant certificate if married, widowed, divorced or separated;
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling from or through yellow fever endemic area;
• Proof of medical cover (which will be arranged by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program staff members at UCT for successful scholarship applicants);
• Proof of accommodation (which will be arranged by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program staff members at UCT for successful scholarship applicants);
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, maintenance and incidental costs. (this will be confirmed in the letter of award to successful scholarship applicants)

The onus is on visa applicants to check with the South African embassy or high commission that these are the only requirements for the application as missions have the discretion to ask for additional documents. For more information on the South African High commission or embassy located nearest to you please access: (http://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/sai.htm). Accepted international scholars must ensure that a study visa – valid for studies at UCT – is issued prior to departure for South Africa. International scholars will not be permitted to pre-register or register at UCT without a visa valid for studies at UCT.

STEP 4: AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ACADEMIC APPLICATION

Postgraduates

STEP 1: ACADEMIC APPLICATION

In preparing an academic application to UCT, it is essential that applicants refer to various resources for guidance. UCT’s postgraduate prospectus provides information on courses at UCT, how to apply to the University, as well as support structures available for postgraduate students at the University. 

Detailed information on course offerings and academic pre-requisites is available on the UCT website in the respective 2015 faculty handbooks.

For any further enquiries on how to apply to UCT please contact the relevant faculty postgraduate / admissions office. Contact details of faculty postgraduate / admissions officers can be found in UCT’s postgraduate prospectus. 

STEP 2: COLLATE THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR ACADEMIC APPLICATION

In addition to academic transcripts, postgraduate applicants may be required to submit additional documents and information with their academic application to UCT. Such documentation must be uploaded with the online application and may vary for certain courses. 

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the relevant postgraduate faculty handbook for more information and should ensure that when submitting these documents online, each document is scanned and uploaded as a single document. Documents must be legible and clear.

UCT reserves the right to cancel the application if all the necessary certified hard copies are not submitted on time. Upon registration and arrival at UCT, the successful applicant will be asked to provide original documentation of the certified copies submitted during the application phase.

STEP 3: APPLY ONLINE FOR ACADEMIC STUDY AND PLACEMENT

Apply online for academic study and placement.

Once the application is submitted it cannot be amended by the applicant. In the event that an applicant would like to change the programme choice and biographical information and/or add documentation, only the Admissions Office can facilitate this. Applicants can monitor their application status online. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Office at the University of Cape Town does not process academic applications. 

Applications for student accommodation in a UCT residence are managed by UCT Student Housing Admissions and Advocacy Services. Applications for student accommodation must be received by 30 September. The application is part of the online academic application process.  Applicants are advised to tick the first box which reads “I apply for self-catering student accommodation”.

Additional Information for International Applicants

International applicants who receive an offer of admission to UCT are required to obtain a study visa to enter the Republic of South Africa and for purposes of registering at UCT.  To apply for a study visa applicants will need the following:

• An official passport which must be valid for at least 30 days after the end of the proposed stay in South Africa, otherwise the permit will only be granted for the period of up to 30 days before the expiry date. It should also have at least one unused page left when arriving in South Africa. Passports should not be endorsed or extended;
• A Department of Home Affairs application form (BI-1738);
• An official letter from UCT confirming acceptance at the institution for the duration of the course. This is a letter from the relevant faculty offering a place to study.
• In the event of persons under the age of 21, UCT will appoint guardians and proof of consent in liaison with the parents of such Scholars;
• A police clearance certificate (less than 6 months old);
• A medical and radiological reports (less than 6 months old);
• A relevant certificate if married, widowed, divorced or separated;
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelling from or through yellow fever endemic area;
• Proof of medical cover (which will be arranged by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program staff members at UCT for successful applicants);
• Proof of accommodation (which will be arranged by Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program staff members at UCT for successful scholarship applicants);
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, maintenance and incidental costs. (this will be confirmed in the letter of award to successful scholarship applicants)

The onus is on visa applicants to check with the South African embassy or high commission that these are the only requirements for the application as missions have the discretion to ask for additional documents. For more information on the South African High commission or embassy located nearest to you please access: http://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/sai.htm. Accepted international scholars must ensure that a study visa – valid for studies at UCT – is issued prior to departure for South Africa. International scholars will not be permitted to pre-register or register at UCT without a visa valid for studies at UCT.

STEP 4: AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF YOUR ACADEMIC APPLICATION