Quick Summary
University of Cape Town is a public research university founded in 1829, located in Cape Town, South Africa. Ranked #171 globally by QS World University Rankings 2026, it enrolls 28658 students including 16% from outside South Africa. Known for strengths in Development Studies, Medicine, Mineral and Mining Engineering, it maintains an acceptance rate of 15%.
01
Institutional Profile
Who they are
Perched on the slopes of Table Mountain, UCT is where the world's first human heart transplant was performed in 1967, and it remains the anchor of Cape Town's biomedical and conservation research community while drawing students from across the continent.
Subject Strengths
Development StudiesMedicineMineral and Mining EngineeringArchaeologyEnvironmental SciencesLawOceanography
Founded1829
TypePublic Research University
Total Students28658
Intl Students16%
Faculty Ratio12.5
CampusUrban/Mountain-side
Campus Size2400 hectares
Affiliated HospitalsGroote Schuur Hospital,Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital,Valkenberg Hospital
AccreditationCouncil on Higher Education (CHE) South Africa, AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA
02
Global Standing
Three independent ranking systems
QS World 2026
#171
Quacquarelli Symonds
Times Higher Ed
#167
THE World University
ARWU Shanghai
#201-300
Academic Ranking
03
Academics & Research
What you can study
Undergraduate Degrees,Honours Degrees,Master's Degrees,Doctoral Degrees,Postgraduate Diplomas
Programs
Available across all faculties: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science.
PhD Programs
UCT Online High School and various professional short courses via GetSmarter.
Online Programs
Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM),African Centre for Cities,Centre for Higher Education Development
Research Centers
Africa's top research producer by a wide margin, though its ARWU band (201-300) reflects a research base still well behind the world's largest producers.
Research Output
Council on Higher Education (CHE) South Africa, AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA
Accreditation
04
Admissions Brief
What it takes to get in
Entry Requirements
Acceptance Rate15%
IELTS7
TOEFL88
Min GPAVariable (Based on Admission Point Score - APS)
GRENot required for most programs
GMATRequired for MBA (typically 550+)
SAT1200 (Required for some international curricula)
ACTNot Available
Key Dates
FALLApplication Deadline · July 31 (For January intake)
SPRINGApplication Deadline · August 31
MAR-APRDecisions Released
Required Documents
TranscriptsSOPEnglish ScoresLORsPassport
Insider Tip
Because APS calculations differ significantly by faculty, check your specific target faculty's formula before assuming your marks qualify — and apply early, since South African medical and engineering spots fill quickly.
05
Cost Ledger
Amounts in South African Rand
UG Tuition
R115,000/yr
per year · ZAR
Living Cost
R135,000/yr
per year · ZAR
PG Tuition
R100,000/yr
per year · ZAR
Application Fee
$25
one time · USD
Total Estimated Annual Cost
R250,000/yr
tuition + living + essentials · ZAR
Scholarships AvailableMastercard Foundation Scholars Program,UCT Entrance Scholarships,NRF Postgraduate Funding,Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Programme
Avg Scholarship$4,000
Financial AidYes (NSFAS for South African citizens)
Work-StudyAvailable
06
Featured & Popular Programs
A sample from Undergraduate Degrees,Honours Degrees,Master's Degrees,Doctoral Degrees,Postgraduate Diplomas programs total
| Program | Level | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| MBChB (Medicine) | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
| Bachelor of Commerce | MASTER | 1-2 YRS |
| LLB (Law) | PHD | 3-5 YRS |
| BSc Engineering | MBA | 12-24 MO |
| BSc Computer Science | BACHELOR | 3-4 YRS |
07
Career Outcomes
Where graduates land
$28,000
Average Salary After Graduation
88%
Employment Rate
Internship PlacementStrong clinical and industrial placement programs integrated into professional degrees.
Industry Connections
Standard BankAnglo AmericanAmazon Development Centre Cape TownInvestec
Notable Alumni
Christiaan Barnard,Mark Shuttleworth,J.M. Coetzee,Cyril Ramaphosa (Honorary Doctorate),Allan Gray
08
Campus & Student Life
Life beyond lectures
Housing
Yes (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 residences)
Sports Facilities
UCT Sports Centre,Fitness Centre,Rugby Fields,Rowing Club,Cricket Ovals
Student Clubs
Over 100 societies including RAG, Debating Union, and Mountain & Ski Club.
Library Resources
Chancellor Oppenheimer Library and 9 branch libraries including specialized Law and Medical libraries.
Exchange Programs
Yes (Partnerships with over 100 universities worldwide including UCLA, NUS, and Oxford).
Summer Programs
UCT Summer School and Global Short-Term Programs.