Semester Study Abroad

Overview: Examinations

Undergraduate courses at the University of Cape Town are usually assessed through a combination of essays, assignments, tests, class participation/presentation, and examinations. Exams usually count for a significant proportion of the final course result.

Please note that our examination system may differ from that used at your home institution. Examination timetables are set centrally by the university and are not flexible.

All students take the course examination at the same time, in a predetermined venue. Examination timetables are published by the faculty offices, and a copy is available at IAPO. You should arrange your travel plans bearing in mind that the last day of term could well be the last day of your examinations, so don't plan to do anything until after that day.

In general, you should take the following to the examination venue:

Unless otherwise instructed by your examiner, it is forbidden to take any books, notes or other materials into an examination. Dictionaries are often available - just ask the invigilator during the exam.

Permission to write exams: "DP Certificates"

Requirements are set by every department, and usually involve a certain percentage of class attendance and assignment/essay submission. Check with your department at the outset of the course. DP certificates are not issued; however, a list of names of students who do not qualify for DP is published by the departments prior to the exams.

Missing an exam due to illness

If you are unable to write an examination owing to illness, or must leave the venue during the examination because you have become ill, you must report to Student Health Services (Protem, Middle Campus) immediately for assessment. You should not see another doctor for this purpose.

Extra time on exams

In special cases, students with a physical or learning disability may be given permission to have extra time to write examinations. If you qualify for extra time at your home institution, please bring proof of this from your registrar's office, as well as supporting medical documents, and make your needs known to staff at IAPO early in the semester. Alternatively, you could be assessed at the UCT Student Health Services - ask at IAPO for details.

Please ensure that you do not make plans to leave UCT before the end of the examination period. Exam dates cannot be changed to accommodate travel plans.

University of Cape Town Supplementary Examination System

We would like to draw your attention to the following UCT rule, G22.1, regarding the supplementary examination system at UCT:

G22.1 Where supplementary examinations are allowed in the rules for a degree, diploma or certificate:

    (a) a supplementary examination shall be the re-assessment of a candidate who has failed the course, but who is allowed to present himself or herself for re-examination without having to repeat the course;
    (b) the form of supplementary examination shall be as decided by Senate in each case, or in respect of a given course; and
    (c) Senate may take into account the results of the candidate's original examination in the subject, as well as classwork which did not form part of the examination, in deciding the result of a candidate who has taken a supplementary examination.
    (d) A supplementary examination may not be deferred for any reason.
    (e) A student who is writing a deferred examination is not eligible for a supplementary exam.

NOTE: Each student is responsible for establishing whether he or she has been awarded a supplementary examination for any courses failed; and, if so, for confirming the dates, time and venue of the examination.

The UCT rules pertaining to the Supplementary Examinations are available online

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