Arcadia University: Study at the University of Cape Town

  South Africa

• Cape Town: 
Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Fall, Spring 

Description: The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa's oldest university, and is one of Africa's leading teaching and research institutions. Today, UCT has become as diverse as South Africa itself with more than 50 percent of the student population coming from African communities.

CT is a truly comprehensive institution with outstanding scholarship and faculty in every school within the university, but its history is linked to science, engineering, and commerce and those faculties still excel. For this reason, UCT offers an exceptional opportunity for business, science and engineering majors to spend a semester or year of study taking courses in English and remaining on schedule toward graduation. The Faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment offer courses in a full range of subjects and majors including computer engineering and architecture. The Faculty of Commerce provides an opportunity for students to study economics and finance, accounting, management, marketing, and even organizational psychology.

Science is another faculty where study abroad students can learn from some of the foremost international researchers on subjects such as astronomy, environmental and geographical sciences, and zoology. In addition to the aforementioned disciplines, Arcadia students may also consider subject areas such as: Finance and Game Theory, Human Resource Management, Pre-law, Film and Media Studies, Philosophy, Education, Chemistry, Music, and Creative Writing.

A typical course load normally consists of 4 courses, but can be as few as 3 or as many as 5, depending on the particular courses chosen. Students will earn between 12-18 credits per semester. In addition to your coursework at the university, all students are required to participate in the core seminar, Contemporary Issues in South Africa," which is intended to provide a forum for reflection and analysis on current issues and challenges facing South Africans.

Credits and Grades
UCT courses are offered on an annual basis or per semester. Course levels range from 100-500 with the majority of undergraduate courses in the 100-400 level range. Each semester is 14-15 weeks in length.

100 Level Courses 3 credits meet 45 hours per semester
200 Level Courses 4 credits meet for 60 hours per semester
300 Level Courses 6 credits meet for 60 hours per semester with practicum
400 Level Courses 6 credits meet for 60 hours per semester with practicum
500 Level Courses 8 credits meet for 80 hours per semester with practicum and research assignment

Study abroad student take between 12-18 credits worth of courses per semester. The average number of courses per semester is 4 and can be as few as 3 or as many as 5. Grading at UCT works on a percentage point system with 80-100 begin equivalent to A+ and 50 is a D. Failing is anything below 50.

Admission Requirements
GPA Requirements: 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

You must be in good academic standing and not on disciplinary probation.

You need to submit a complete application including a transcript, letter of recommendation, and an advisor's form before your application will be considered.

Highlights: The University of Cape Town has a fascinating history. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College. The College developed into a fully fledged university during the period 1880 to 1900 and it was during this period that women were admitted.

Apart from establishing itself as a leading research and teaching university in the decades that followed, the period 1960 to 1990 was marked by sustained opposition to apartheid, particularly in higher education. The 1980s and 1990s at UCT have been characterized by a deliberate, planned process of internal transformation, to meet South Africa's new challenges in higher education.

With a population of more than 20,000 about 15%, or 4000, are international students. The campus is located on the side of the mountain with views of the city and harbor calling from every vantage point. UCT is the closest institution to the city of Cape Town and is accessible by public transport as well as the campus transit service.

Social and Cultural Opportunities
Beyond the classroom, there are a staggering number of clubs and activities in which students can become involved. UCT officially counts 43 sports clubs and more than 100 student clubs on campus all accessible to visiting students. If you are a student athlete and wish to continue competing at a high performance level, UCT offers sport clubs in traditional arenas such as soccer, swimming, cross-country, or rugby. For those who want to have fun and keep fit, there are sports clubs ranging from traditional arenas such as fencing or squash to more extreme sport such as surfing and paragliding.

With more than 100 student clubs from which to choose, students have innumerable ways to get involved and meet the locals. The UCT clubs range from culture and the arts to religion, politics, and games. Traditionalists might want to join the Chess Club, the Film Society, or Toastmasters, while adventurers might be ready for the Flying Club, or even the Hip-Hop Club. There is a full range of international student associations and religious organizations all of them led by students and for students.

Many students choose to spend a portion of their personal time volunteering to help support the needs of the Cape Town community through tutoring, working in mobile health clinics, or working on land reclamation projects in the townships through SHAWCO: the Students Health and Welfare Centres Organisation. Founded in the 1960's by UCT students, SHAWCO contributes a great deal to the disadvantaged communities in and around Cape Town. Governed and operated by students, SHAWCO offers a great way to get involved in a safe and organized manner.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.