Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Take courses in a wide variety of disciplines alongside South African and international students in this exchange program to the University of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful and well-respected universities in South Africa and the world. This program is ideal for independent students interested in serious engagement with the rigorous academic expectations and politically sophisticated student body of the University of Cape Town, and with the unique history and ongoing transformation of South African society.
The capital of the Western Cape and the parliamentary capital of South Africa, Cape Town is one of Africa's oldest and most beautiful cities. The city is dominated by Table Mountain, a 1000 meter high, flat-topped mountain with virtually sheer cliffs, and surrounded by paths, vineyards and beaches. Cape Peninsula was first settled by Dutch sailors in 1652, although Portuguese sailors were the first to make landfall here in 1496. Although an African city at heart, Cape Town manages to assimilate a huge diversity of cultural influences, including African, European, Asian, and American.
The capital of the Western Cape and the parliamentary capital of South Africa, Cape Town is one of Africa's oldest and most beautiful cities. The city is dominated by Table Mountain, a 1000 meter high, flat-topped mountain with virtually sheer cliffs, and surrounded by paths, vineyards and beaches. Cape Peninsula was first settled by Dutch sailors in 1652, although Portuguese sailors were the first to make landfall here in 1496. Although an African city at heart, Cape Town manages to assimilate a huge diversity of cultural influences, including African, European, Asian, and American.
Getting to Your Program
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Cape Town but are given guidelines for arrival dates.
Visa
A student permit is required for U.S. citizens prior to departure. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. You will apply for your own student permit. IAP will provide you with information on this process.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
The UCT International Office also provides a weeklong on-site orientation before the start of classes.
Housing
The International Academic Programs Office at the University of Cape Town assists students in finding accommodations prior to departure. The office maintains arrangements with landlords renting short-term, furnished off-campus housing to international students. Students prepare meals in shared kitchen facilities or purchase food from local restaurants and markets.
Excursions and Activities
Upon arrival in Cape Town, the International Academic Programs Office facilitates an extensive, multi-day orientation for incoming international students. The orientation includes tours of Cape Town, health and safety information, as well as academic advising.
While at the University of Cape Town, students can join clubs as well as sports and recreational activities, which provide a great opportunity to meet South Africans. Students may also participate in volunteer opportunities in the townships around Cape Town through organizations such as the Students' Health and Welfare Centres Organisation (SHAWCO), which coordinates volunteer opportunities for students. The opportunity to offer service to the disadvantaged communities of Cape Town is a highlight of many students' study abroad experience.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
University of Cape Town International Academic Programs Office staff
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
Program Handbook (Spring - 2012-13)
UCT Pre-departure Handbook (Spring - 2012-13)
Cape Town, South Africa Program Handbook (Fall - 2013-14)
UCT pre-departure handbook (Fall - 2013-14)
Cape Town, South Africa Program Handbook (Year - 2013-14)
UCT Pre-departure handbok (Year - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Profiles
Check out student profiles to learn more about their experience abroad.
Ann DaughertyAdelaide DavisLexi Campbell Roger Clayton
Student Testimonials
"What I enjoyed the most was that the Cape Town program made you feel like a local: you are enrolled in the university as a "local" student would be and attend classes and do the same amount of work as everyone else, you live in a house in a neighborhood that is not just set aside for Americans, you have 5 months in a single city to really get to know the place. It was awesome because by the end of it, you felt like a South African! It was amazing overall."
"I loved my African Studies course, it had a lot of really good reading material and I think it was beneficial to learn about race issues while being in that setting."
"South Africa has so much natural beauty, food is excellent, and meeting other international students will broaden your perspective-it was a great time!"
"I absolutely loved living in Cape Town and would do it again in heartbeat. It's a beautiful city and has so much to offer: from gorgeous landscapes and awesome beaches to enlightening culture(s) and interesting people. I can't imagine going there and not finding at least one thing to fall in love with."
Blogs
Read about current & past students' adventures.
Adelaide-Spring 2012
Founded in 1829 as the South African College, the University of Cape Town is South Africa's oldest university. Situated on one of the most beautiful spots on the Cape Peninsula on the slopes of Table Mountain, the campus offers panoramic views and easy access to the city of Cape Town. The university consists of over seventy academic departments located in six faculties: Humanities, Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Commerce, and Law. The University of Cape Town has an enrollment of over 18,000 students, including more than 3,000 international students.
Students directly enroll in University of Cape Town courses in a variety of disciplines. The Faculty of Humanities, Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Commerce, and Law all offer courses to study abroad students. Course offerings of particular interest to international students include topics such as Apartheid, History of South Africa, Racism in South Africa, HIV and AIDS, as well as intensive language courses in Xhosa, Zulu, and other African languages.
Affiliate Institution(s)
University of Cape Town
Foreign Courses
Available Courses
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
