English language proficiency

The medium of instruction and examination at UCT is English. You must have attained proficiency in English. Visit www.toefl.org for detailed information on requirements.

Study visas

UCT's International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) co-ordinates and facilitates internationally-related initiatives and activities at UCT. IAPO supports international students and facilitates your integration into the UCT environment. IAPO helps international students with queries relating to application procedures, application deadlines, visa requirements and international tuition fees.

In terms of the Immigration Act No 13 of 2002, if you are resident outside of South Africa and are not a South African citizen or do not have permanent residence, you are required to obtain a study visa to enter the Republic for the purpose of attending the University. The offer of a study place by the University does not bind the Department of Home Affairs in any way to allow you to study in South Africa, nor does it remove the need for you to obtain permission to enter the country.

If you are offered a study place please apply immediately for a study visa. Your application must be made to the nearest South African Embassy, Consulate or High Commission. This procedure could take up to 8 weeks.

Please obtain further information and application guidelines from IAPO.

Students from South Africa and SADC countries

SADC Countries: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

First year postgraduate students starting their studies in February/March must pay the initial instalment for tuition by 06 February 2018, unless they can provide the Fees Office with proof that they have secured financial assistance from the UCT’s Postgraduate Funding Office, or have a firm written commitment of a scholarship or bursary from a sponsor.

Students from non-SADC countries

Fees are to be settled in full prior to registration. An international academic fee will be charged to international students from non-SADC countries. For current fees, refer to the Fees Handbook (Book 12), available at UCT Handbooks.

For further information and pro-forma invoices, please see UCT's International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO).