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Sciences & the Environment
Cape Town, South Africa
About the Program
With strong international and regional links, the 12 departments in the Faculty of Science at the University of Cape Town are renowned for excellence in research. Join around 1,500 other undergraduates to focus on the southern hemisphere’s oceans, skies, climate, and general environment. You’ll have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a perspective on the challenges and opportunities throughout the African continent. Learn new and innovative ways to contribute to tackling today’s biggest questions in this Sciences & the Environment program in Cape Town.
Requirements
Overview
Cape Town
7/19/25 - 11/24/25
$20,895
16 - 20
Deadlines
4/1/25
5/1/25
Requirements
Eligibility
3.0
3 semesters of college completed by time of application
Some courses may have prerequisites.
Where You'll Study
University of Cape Town
Ranked as the number one institution of higher education in the continent of Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) stands out as a premier institution. Founded in 1829, UCT now boasts eight specif...
University of Cape Town
Ranked as the number one institution of higher education in the continent of Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) stands out as a premier institution. Founded in 1829, UCT now boasts eight specific programs, like education, architecture, sports-related subjects, and archaeology, which rank in the top 100 in the world. UCT offers doctorate, masters, and undergraduate programs with opportunities in six comprehensive faculties: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science. UCT is a teaching and research institution dedicated to building a more equitable and unified South African society.
Nestled in the shadow of the striking Table Mountain’s Devil’s Peak, UCT is home to over 28,000 students from over 100 countries in Africa and abroad. CEA CAPA students will be taking courses alongside South African and international undergraduate peers. All courses are taught in English at UCT. With robust student services, academic advising, and student wellness support, CEA CAPA students will have access to everything they need for a successful semester.
Credit Transfer Information
The University of Cape Town awards credits based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to determine course and contact hour recommendations per course. 1 NQF credit represents roughly 10 notional hours of work which includes study time, assignments and examinations. 1 NQF credit is equivalent to .222 U.S. semester credits. NQF credits may vary by course, and are indicated in the UCT handbooks. Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university. Please consult with an academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Transcript Information
Student receive a transcript from the University of Cape Town upon successful completion of the program. The transcript from the University of Cape Town will reflect NQF credits for each course.
Accreditation
The University of Cape Town’s undergraduate faculties and programs are accredited through South Africa’s Council for Higher Education (CHE). The Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment is additionally accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) and is internationally recognized by the Washington Accord, a multi-lateral agreement between bodies, representing 20 countries, responsible for accreditation or recognition of tertiary-level engineering qualifications. While our students are unable to take graduate level business courses, the Graduate School of Business at UCT does hold triple crown accreditation, AACSB, AMBA & EQUIS, and that speaks to the quality of professors and business education.
Grading
Grade conversions from CEA CAPA partner institutions abroad to a US grading scale are determined in consultation with our School of Record and benchmarked with other peer institutions in the field.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Please note that CEA CAPA can only recommend grade conversions to students’ home institutions—it is ultimately at the discretion of the home institution to convert grades from abroad to students’ academic records.
For further information or details about grade conversion for a particular host institution, please reach out to our Registrar at registrar@ceacapa.com.
Classroom and Information
- South African and international faculty teach all courses.
- Midterms, homework assignments, presentations, and final exams will be administered.
- Class attendance is generally mandatory and monitored by professors.
- Teaching styles in South Africa may differ from those in the U.S. Be prepared to adapt to different classroom structures and coursework expectations.
- Most courses are held Monday through Friday and meet two to three times per week
- Most of the students will be South African, but you may attend class with other CEA CAPA students and other international students.
- Class sizes range for 100-300 for larger lectures and 20 to 40 students for smaller tutorials
Amenities
Student Offices
Clubs & Organizations
Student Government
Student Center
Student Lounge
Study Room
Study Area
Counseling Services
University Library
Computers
Printing Facilities
Student ID
Printing Services
Internet Access & Wi-Fi
Academic Advising
Tutoring
Fitness Facilities
Student Sports Teams
Cultural Engagement
Dining Facilities
Banks & Post Office
On-campus ATM
Lockers
16-20
Credits
Program Structure & Courses
You will enroll in 3-4 courses at UCT. The academic structure below lists a small sample of the subject areas in which you can take courses. You will have access to introductory, intermediate and advanced courses in all subject areas.
Prior to departure, you will complete a UCT application form on which you will indicate your preferred courses. More information is available in each of the Faculty Handbooks on the UCT website. See below for how to access the handbooks for a full list of courses and their descriptions. You will be enrolled into courses based on availability and further changes can be made during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
The University of Cape Town awards credits based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to determine course and contact hour recommendations per course. 1 NQF credit represents roughly 10 notional hours of work which includes study time, assignments and examinations. 1 NQF credit is equivalent to .222 U.S. semester credits. NQF credits may vary by course, and are indicated in the UCT handbooks You will enroll in between 72 and 90 NQF credits (16-20 US credits) for the semester.
Due to differences in the South African higher education system, there is no standard for the number of days a week a course may meet. Class meeting times vary across departments and subject areas.
It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
Prior to departure, you will complete a UCT application form on which you will indicate your preferred courses. More information is available in each of the Faculty Handbooks on the UCT website. See below for how to access the handbooks for a full list of courses and their descriptions. You will be enrolled into courses based on availability and further changes can be made during the add/drop period at the beginning of the semester.
The University of Cape Town awards credits based on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to determine course and contact hour recommendations per course. 1 NQF credit represents roughly 10 notional hours of work which includes study time, assignments and examinations. 1 NQF credit is equivalent to .222 U.S. semester credits. NQF credits may vary by course, and are indicated in the UCT handbooks You will enroll in between 72 and 90 NQF credits (16-20 US credits) for the semester.
Due to differences in the South African higher education system, there is no standard for the number of days a week a course may meet. Class meeting times vary across departments and subject areas.
It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.
All Levels Course Structure
Courses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geology Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
| Course Name | Level | Lang | Hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Studies Courses | 300 | En | 0 | 4 |
- Accounting
- African Languages & Literature
- African Studies
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Classics
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- English Language & Literature
- Environmental Sciences
- Film Studies
- Finance
- Fine & Performing Arts
- Gender Studies
- Geology
- History
- International Relations
- Law
- Marine Biology
- Mathematics
- Media Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
Navigating the University of Cape Town Website for Courses
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:
- Engineering & Computer Science: Open the Faculty of Engineering & the Build Environment or the Faculty of Science Handbook
- Humanities, Social Sciences & Psychology: Open the Faculty of Humanities or Faculty of Law Handbook
- Business & Economics: Open the Faculty of Commerce Handbook
- Sciences & the Environment: Open the Faculty of Science Handbook
- Identity, Politics, & History of South Africa: Open the Faculty of Humanities or Faculty of Law Handbook
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:
- AAA - The first three letters are the department code and discipline.
- 1 - The first number is the academic level/year of study in which the course is usually taken. You are recommended to take courses with designations 1, 2 or 3.
1 = First year course
2 = Second year course
3 = Third year courses - nnn – The 3 character number is the courses unique identifier
- S – The single letter at the end describes the duration and semester placement of the course. You are only allowed to take courses with an S or F designation.
- F = first semester, which is the Spring Term on the US calendar
- S = second semester, which is the Fall Term on the US calendar
- W/H both mean the course is taught over a full year
- Z = non-standard period of time
- Summer or Winter Term Courses have a P (November – December), U (November – January) or L (June-July)
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
- HST = a history course
- 2 = a second year course
- 047 = unique code for this course
- S = second semester (Fall) course
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?
Where You'll Stay
*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.
Read More
Student Residence
Available:
Semester
If you are looking for a full service student residence where you will meet other international students, be able to join in regular social events, and be taken care of by 24/7 security and residence staff, this option is for you. Each student is placed in a suite with 1 to 3 other students, who share a kitchen and lounge space. Each room is private and fully furnished. The room includes a bed, desk, chair, shelves, and a small kitchen. The residences have ample communal space inside and outside, study spaces, and shared laundry facilities. The buildings have 24-hour reception and security.
Typical Commute
- University of Cape Town: 15 minutes walking or taking public transportation
Meals Included
- None
Roommates
- 1 - 3 roommates
Unit Amenities
- Shared kitchen
- Bed linens included
- Closet / Dresser
- Desk and chair
- Shared living space – Indoors and Outdoors
- Private or shared bathroom (depending on availability)
- Shared laundry facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Monthly cleaning of communal lounge
- Gym on site
- Biometric security access
Homestay
Available:
Semester
CEA Students have the option to stay with a South African family while abroad in Cape Town. Get the insider local perspective while getting a truly personalized experience. Houses are accessible to University of Cape Town by public transportation. Each student is guaranteed a bedroom, with internet, a bed, a wardrobe, and a desk. Students will have breakfast included in their stay and will have access to the kitchen.
Typical Commute
- University of Cape Town: 45-60 Minutes by Public Transportation
Meals Included
- Breakfast 5 days/week
Roommates
- 1 - 2 CEA Students per Bedroom
- 1 - 2 CEA Students per Homestay
Unit Amenities
- Limited kitchen
- Shared living space – Cable TV
- Shared - co-ed bathroom
- Bed linens included
- Towels included
- Internet access
- Closet / Dresser
- Desk and chair
Excursions
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.
What's Included in your Program
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.
- Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
- Visa & Immigration Advising
- Financial Advising
- Tuition and Registration
- Airport Pick-up
- Onsite Orientation
- City Tour
- Onsite Staff Support
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Travel Medical Insurance
- International Emergency Service Support
- Welcome & Farewell Events
- Centrally Located Housing
- Cultural Engagement
- Excursions
- Student Clubs & Organizations
- Host Institution Services & Amenities
- Official Transcript(s)
Sample Calendar
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. |
Sample Budget
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.