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Cape Town, South Africa

University Of Cape Town

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment, Experiential Learning
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Residence Hall

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

When you study with us in South Africa, you will register for three to five courses at South Africa's leading research university, the University of Cape Town (UCT), which is located in a pleasant suburban area five miles from the City Center. UCT is South Africa's oldest university and has undergone incredible change since its opening, particularly since the end of apartheid, working to make quality higher education available to students regardless of socioeconomic background. 

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Explore Your Academic Interests

Study anything, from African Studies to Engineering.

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Participate in Community-Based Learning

Learn about social issues and help work toward a community-driven solution.

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Join UCT’s Volunteer Program

Get a first-hand-look at the city's social and economic issues.

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Travel Throughout South Africa

Join optional field trips to the Garden Route and Kruger National Park.

Fall 2024

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

July 08 - November 22

Application Deadline:

Estimated Cost:

$
20,307

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Headshot of Zhane Croft.

Zhanè Vanderbilt

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

a nighttime aerial view of Cape Town and its mountains

Why Cape Town?

In Cape Town, every day will be like a choose-your-own-adventure book: imagine hiking Lion's Head at sunset, strolling through the African market at Greenmarket Square, attempting to finish a Gatsby sandwich, visiting beaches-there's even a beach with penguins!-and more. 

We want you to feel at home in South Africa, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible. 

Learn More About Cape Town

Get to Know Your New City

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Explore the Unique Cape Floral Kingdom

Cape Town is biodiverse hotspot made up of mountains, wilderness, and more.

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Enjoy a Mix of Cultures

Immerse yourself in a multicultural landscape with 11 official languages.

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Experience a Society in Transition

30 years past apartheid, South Africa is a developing nation in transition.

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Learn More About Sustainability

Cape Town is home to innovative approaches to sustainability.

Housing

A clean bedroom featuring a twin-sized bed, a desk, and shelving with bright blue backings.
  • Residence Hall

Residence Hall

Live in a private residence hall with IES Abroad, South African, and other international students. Students live in a furnished single room with a kitchenette, private bathroom, and a digital safe is provided. Living spaces are shared, and there is a gym on site. Internet access is available. Meals are not included. 

An IES Abroad Resident Assistant lives in or by your residence and can serve as a great resource for tips on integrating into the local culture. 

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with the University of Cape Town. 

You take 15–19 credit hours per semester as you enroll in University of Cape Town courses. You may also elect to take one of the IES Abroad courses. 

Partner Institution

Students walk past buildings covered in lush vegetation on a sunny day at the University of Cape Town.
  • University of Cape Town

University of Cape Town

The top-ranked university in South Africa as well as the rest of Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is also South Africa’s leading research institution. International students make up about 20% of the total enrollment at the University. UCT is located four miles from the Cape Town City Center. Your commute time to campus is between 15-30 minutes, which is common for local students.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components: 

  • IES Abroad Community-Based Learning Course (3 credits, optional)

    Focused on either Health or Sociology in South Africa, the IES Abroad community-based learning project will include 60 hours of volunteer and research work over the semester at a local organization.

  • 3-4 courses at the University of Cape Town

    Enroll in a minimum of 15-19 IES Abroad credits at the University of Cape Town. We require that one of your courses be South Africa-focused. If you choose to take an IES Abroad course (3 credits), then you will take a minimum of 12 IES Abroad credits at UCT, in addition to the IES Abroad course. Students are encouraged to take mostly 2000-level or 3000-level courses, with a maximum of one 1000-level course. 

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

Partner Institution Courses

University of Cape Town 

Most courses at UCT are lecture-based, some with very large classes, and they usually meet between two and five days per week. Lectures are often accompanied by tutorials, which are much smaller and allow discussion of topics and concepts covered during the lecture.  Past students have found these tutorials to be extremely useful. 

Choose from many courses in the following faculties at the University of Cape Town.  

  • Commerce — Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Finance & Tax, Information Systems, Marketing, Mathematics, Statistics 
  • Engineering & the Built Environment — Architecture, Civil Engineering, Chemical/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering 
  • Humanities — Communication, Dance, Drama, English Literature and Language, Film & Media, Fine Art, Gender Studies, History, Languages and Literature, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Social Development, Social Work, Sociology 
  • Natural Sciences — Archaeology, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental & Geographical Science, Geographical Sciences, Mathematics & Applied Materials, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Oceanography, Physics, Statistical Sciences 

South Africa-focused courses are available in fields such as Cultural Studies, Dance, History, Language, Literature, Music, Photography, Political Science, Religion, and Sociology. You may not enroll in courses in the Health Sciences faculty.

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

Learn More
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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Cape Town, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Group of Cape Town students in front of Ocean

Hermanus

3 Days Fall & Spring

Spend time on South Africa’s beautiful southern coast, Hermanus, where whales migrate each year. Explore the southernmost tip of the African continent, a local penguin colony and take an ocean conservation boat trip, within the incredibly scenic area.

Students riding in a truck in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park & Johannesburg

4 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Spend two days on a safari in the world-famous Kruger National Park. Then, travel west to Johannesburg, where you'll enjoy lunch in Soweto township and visit the Apartheid Museum.

Experiential Learning

Community-Based Learning

Participating in a community-based learning experience in Cape Town is one of the best ways to gain a deeper understanding of the city's culture and society. Working alongside local people towards a common goal, you experience first-hand some of the social issues that affect Cape Town while contributing your skills towards a community-driven solution. 

A community-based learning placement consists of time spent with a local organization, accompanied by a weekly academic, for-credit community-based learning seminar. Through the seminar, you have structure time for reflection, discussion, and research on the issues of your host community. Many of the community organization connections are created through relationships with the IES Abroad faculty. IES Abroad will assist your efforts by facilitating introductions to organizations and through the coordination of group transportation to the location (for IES Abroad class-based community-service). 

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“Study abroad in and of itself is already transformative, but that service learning initiative just adds icing on the cake.”
Ameer N. • Howard University • Cape Town - University of Cape Town

Each semester, our students work on different projects, depending on the needs of the community or organization where they are volunteering. You will visit the community weekly during the semester to work on projects that will contribute to the organization long after you return home.  

Recent community engagement placements for IES Abroad students include: 

  • Sisters4Sisters 
  • The Sozo Foundation 
  • Ikhamva Ubomi 
  • Health-related NGOs 

You may also participate in UCT-organized community-based learning opportunities through an organization called SHAWCO. Here you can volunteer your time to ongoing educational and healthcare service projects. These are non-credit bearing, so many IES Abroad students join SHAWCO as part of their student life experience in Cape Town. 

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Spring 2024

Tuition
$
15,210
Housing
$
4,304
Insurance
$
395
Total
$
19,909

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
15,507
Housing
$
4,390
Insurance
$
410
Total
$
20,307

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
27,895
Housing
$
8,780
Insurance
$
790
Total
$
37,465

Spring 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

Learn More
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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Cape Town Center is conveniently located near the University of Cape Town on the slope of the well-hiked Devil’s Peak. Whether you’re attending a guest lecture or studying in the student lounge, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Cape Town
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Cape Town. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore Cape Town before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Three-Day Trip
Orientation continues with an optional trip along the Garden Route, where you explore cave systems, visit beautiful beaches, and experience the South African landscape.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Spring 2024

Program Dates:

January 31 - June 13

Application Deadline:

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

July 08 - November 22

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Early July - Mid June

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing when program begins. Undergraduate candidates only. Applicants need to have at least three semesters of course work when they enroll at UCT (first semester sophomores can apply).  Some local university courses may not be available to students of Sophomore standing. Please contact your IES Abroad Representative for more details. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
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