Step into the Faculty of Humanities at UCT to explore one or more of the 17 departments and 30 academic majors. Join local and international students in learning how to think outside the box, ask questions to solve real-world problems, and delve into a uniquely South African perspective. Debate, talk, and learn with students from 44 countries to study everything from philosophy to history, religion to education, and development to political science. Take a seat in a Cape Town classroom to flip your perspective while also earning credit towards your major back in the U.S.
Cape Town
7/19/25 - 11/24/25
$20,895
16 - 20
4/1/25
5/1/25
3.0
3 semesters of college completed by time of application
Some courses may have prerequisites.
The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.
*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Afrikaans Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Art History Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cultural Studies Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Film Studies Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
History Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Humanities Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Media Studies Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophy Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Political Science Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Psychology Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Religious Studies Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sociology Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
---|---|---|---|---|
Theater Arts Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
Navigating the University of Cape Town Website for Courses
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is organized into six faculties (schools) and study abroad students are eligible to take courses from five of those faculties: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Humanities, Law, and Science. You can take courses from more than one faculty, and the subject(s) or discipline(s) of interest to you may be in multiple faculties. Not all courses at these five faculties are available to study abroad students so ensure you review the following steps when choosing your courses.
Choosing Your Courses
Step One
Click here to view the current UCT Handbooks for each faculty. The handbook is the course guide with an explanation of degree plans, information on how to read course codes and the full list of upcoming courses for all undergraduate and graduate courses.
Select to view the undergraduate handbook that most closely corresponds to your program of choice to view the Core Course options:
Step Two
Review the below guide to understand which courses are available to you based on the course codes and course levels. Each code is 8 characters, such as AA1nnnS, where:
While you will need the full course code to register for courses, when first looking at your options for courses, pay most attention to the term F (Spring) or S (Fall) and to the level of the course.
Example: HST2047S Gender & History
Step Three
From the Index section at the end of each handbook, locate interesting courses alphabetically. Follow the page number to discover the course description, term, level, NQF credits and requirements. It is important you review your eligibility for each course you would like to take.
At UCT, courses are validated at a level corresponding to a particular year of study. The levels are as follows:
The University of Cape Town uses HEQSF/NQF levels to determine course levels. The following chart displays the recommended U.S. course level equivalencies:
HEQSF/NQF Level |
U.S. Course Level |
Year |
5 |
100 (Beginner) |
Freshmen |
6 |
200 (Intermediate) |
Sophomore |
7 |
300/400 (Advanced) |
Junior/Senior |
Some modules at Level 5 and Level 6 may have pre-requisites requiring students to have already completed specific modules or equivalents at a lower level. As a study abroad student, you are not expected to have taken the specific pre-requisite requirement, but you must have studied a relevant or similar course/module in your home country/institution.
If no pre-requisites are specified, and study abroad students are not explicitly excluded in the course description, then course should be open to all students. However, you should take previous academic experience into account when making course choices.
Prior to departure, you will complete a UCT online application form on which you will indicate your preferred courses. This application is used to pre-register for courses and to allow the university to review your eligibility. Upon arrival you will go through an extensive orientation and registration period with UCT's International Office. Your course schedule will be finalized with an individual UCT academic advisor at that point.
If you have further questions regarding how to select courses or about the CEA CAPA program at the University of Cape Town, please contact a CEA CAPA Student Advisor at 1-800-266-4441.
Interested in taking your career to the next level?
*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.
Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.
From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Cape Town. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.
Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.
You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.
Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.
Date | Description |
---|---|
July 19
|
Arrival/Program Begins
Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Cape Town International Airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing. |
July 20
|
Orientation
Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation will be held. |
July 21 - 25
|
Orientation
Mandatory University of Cape Town (UCT) Orientation and academic registration will be held. |
July 28
|
Classes Begin
Classes begin at UCT on this day. |
September 08 - 12
|
School Break
UCT is closed for Fall Break. No classes will be held. |
October 27
|
Classes End
This is the last day of classes at UCT. |
November 04 - 21
|
Final Exams
Final exams will be held at UCT. |
November 24
|
Program Ends/Move-Out
Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day. |
The sample budget is unavailable at this time. Please check back later or ask your CEA CAPA Admissions Counselor/Site Specialist for a comparable program's sample budget.