Full degree study
Applications & requirements: Postgraduate: Application procedures
Application deadlines
This category may further be broken down into two types, namely:
Coursework programmes
Most honours and master's coursework programmes at UCT commence in the first semester only (January or February). While honours courses tend to take one year, master's degrees take one to two years. Please confirm the exact duration of your intended course with your faculty office.
Selection for most honours and master's courses by coursework takes place in November and early December, therefore coursework master's applicants are advised to submit their applications by 30 September of the year preceding the intended year of registration.
Courses by thesis
Applications for master's and PhD courses by thesis (research) may be submitted and commenced at any time of the year in agreement with a supervisor. Certain individual programmes do have deadlines. If in any doubt regarding course commencement and application closing dates, please contact the relevant UCT department directly.
All international students wishing to stay in UCT residences are required to submit their applications before 30 September of the year preceding the intended year of study. The UCT study application form contains a section for residence application.
Should you submit an application for studies at UCT, please liaise directly with your intended faculty on the status of your application thereafter, as the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) does not process full-degree student applications.
Application requirements
Application form
UCT application forms may be downloaded from UCT's website (click here) or obtained from the Admissions Office.
Physical address
Level 3
Kramer Law Building
Middle Campus
University of Cape Town
Postal address
The Admissions Office
University of Cape Town
Private Bag
Rondebosch
7701
Tel: 021 650 2128
Fax: 021 650 3736
Email: admissions@uct.ac.za
Applications must be returned to the Admissions Office after completion, together with the necessary attachments. Applications should not be faxed under any circumstances.
Once the application is processed, applicants will receive an acknowledgement of receipt from the Admissions Office. Further correspondence will come from the faculty or department relevant to the application. Some departments at UCT have supplementary departmental application forms, but applicants are still required to submit an official UCT application form. Please contact your department directly or access your departmental webpage on this website to find out if there is an additional application form to be completed.
Application fee
An application fee is required in order for your application to be processed. Please access UCT's website or contact the Admissions Office directly for the current fee.
Do not send cash in the post. Cash payments may only be made at the cash office (receipts cashier), Kramer Law Building, 09h00 to 15h30, Monday to Friday.
Cheques (crossed) are to be made out to the University of Cape Town. Proof of payment of the fee needs to be attached to your application before it can be processed. Alternatively, you may wire the money to UCT's account:
Account name: University of Cape Town, current account
Bank name: Standard Bank of South Africa
Bank address: Riverside Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa.
Account number: 071503854.
Branch code: Rondebosch Branch 025009.
Swift code: SBZAZAJJ
- Please remember to post, with your application, a legible copy of the official bank transfer advice so that we can trace your payment on our bank statement.
- Retain the bank advice for your own records. Should there be a dispute regarding payment, you will be required to prove that you effected the transfer.
- Cash payments may be made at the cashiers in the Kramer Law Building, Level 3, (Middle Campus), University of Cape Town. (Do NOT send cash with posted applications).
Degrees and academic transcripts
Certified copies of original academic transcripts covering all periods of registration at every university that you have attended must be attached to an application. Any documentation not in English must be translated and sworn to by an authorised translator.
Statement of research interest
Research master's or doctoral degree applicants must attach to their application a statement indicating their proposed area of specialisation for research. Please confirm with your faculty the length of statement required. You will also be required to make contact with your prospective department to ensure the availability of a supervisor in your field.
Programme-specific requirements
Applicants are advised to check their programme's requirements before applying. Some departments have special requirements, such as the GMAT test for the MBA or a portfolio of creative work for the MA in Creative Writing. Further information on specific requirements can be found in UCT handbooks, which are obtainable from the relevant faculties.
Assessment of qualifications
Selection for admission to all postgraduate programmes is based on the information supplied in your application. Assessment of qualifications is done by faculties. To allow time for the assessment of your qualifications and for obtaining a study permit, applicants for coursework programmes beginning in January or February are required to apply before 30 September each year.
Applicants with a four-year or honours bachelor's degree with the required specialisation would normally be considered as having an adequate background and be accepted directly into a master's programme. However, this decision is purely faculty-based and is only determined after the applicant's qualifications have been assessed. Please note that the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) does not process or evaluate applications.
Offer of place
All applications will be acknowledged by UCT's Admission Office and sent to the relevant faculty for evaluation. Successful applicants will be sent an offer-of-admission letter with details of acceptance procedures. Please ensure that you confirm acceptance of the offer with your department as soon as possible. You will be asked to pay a non-refundable acceptance fee to secure your place. Acceptance fees will be credited to your student fee account.
International non-SADC students who intend to study for a full South African degree/diploma/honours should consult the faculty section of the UCT fees booklet for the costs per course. The amounts listed must be added to the total amount calculated from the courses selected. 100% of the international term fees, plus course-based fees, are to be paid prior to registration.
In addition, the minimum initial residence payment is required before registration.
Click here for more information on fees. Download the postgraduate handbook for more information on application procedures.
