Program Overview

Introduction to the Semester Study Abroad Programme

The Semester Study Abroad programme at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is designed for students registered for degree studies at a non-South African university to spend one or two semesters taking UCT courses for credit transfer towards the requirements of their home degree.

Application Routes

Students can apply to the programme through the following routes:

• Exchange places with a UCT student
• Direct enrolment in the study abroad programme
• Through UCT's study abroad partner provider organisations

Application Dates

The UCT academic year runs concurrently with the calendar year. The Semester Study Abroad programme runs twice a year for one semester each.

Academic Terms/Semesters and Application Periods

Admission Requirements

For admission to the UCT Semester Study Abroad programme, applicants must:

• Be registered for Bachelor's studies or higher at a non-South African university
• Have completed two semesters' worth of courses at the point of application
• Have achieved a cumulative average of 65% in their current studies, equivalent to a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a scale of 0.0 to 4.0 in the USA system or an upper range 'B' on the ECTS grading scale
• Be able to demonstrate proficiency in English at the level required for admission to UCT

English Proficiency Requirements

English proficiency is a requirement for admission to UCT. Applicants must submit a certificate from a standardized test of English as a foreign language for academic purposes. UCT recognizes that many applicants can demonstrate English proficiency by other means and therefore also considers evidence of equivalence with standardized test outcomes. Documents submitted in evidence of English language proficiency should be a certificate or transcript from a formal or accredited testing or assessing body.