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You are joining a dynamic faculty with staff who are experts in their fields. Engineers and built environment professionals are vital to our economy and society.

The orientation programme introduces you to the academic, social and cultural environment at UCT. The orientation activities help you meet your fellow students, find your way around campus and introduce you to various services and departments on campus that are important to you as a student studying in the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment.

Some important dates for 2025

  • 16 January – Final offers will be made to new undergraduate students
  • 1 February – Residences open for first-year students
  • 1 to 3 February – First Year Campus Onboarding programme (students to pre-register, receive student cards, and receive laptops if they have opted into the laptop programme) at the UCT Sports Centre on upper campus. You will need to make an appointment.
  • 4 February to 14 February – Orientation for all first-year engineering and built environment students

Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) Cost Requirements

All students must provide their own books, drawing equipment, and drawing and model building materials. Students should be prepared to budget R3 000 for drawing equipment in the first year. Should students want to buy any equipment prior to arrival they should only invest in a scale ruler (that has at least 1:100, 1:200, and 1:500), some soft pencils, and an A4 journal with blank pages without lines. Any other equipment will be discussed and specified during orientation and/or the first year of study.

Also, budget in excess of R5 000 for printing, photocopying, and related model building and graphic materials in the first year. Students in upper years should budget in excess of R6 000 per year. There are computer facilities on campus available for students to use but students often prefer working on a laptop to enable them to work in the studio and/or at their place of residence, especially from the second year onwards. Windows laptops are recommended and those most suitable for architectural work may cost in excess of R30 000. We recommend that you do not buy a laptop before or during your first year but wait until you start your second year.

International students

Please visit the International Office website for important information for international students: