How much is the UCT application fee?

South African and SADC applicants pay R100, while other international applicants pay R300. The fee is non-refundable. UCT graduates, currently registered UCT students, and Semester Study Abroad applicants are exempt, unless applying to the Graduate School of Business.

Does UCT use APS like other South African universities?

Not exactly. UCT uses its own Faculty Points Score (FPS), or Medical Points Score (MPS) for health sciences, which weights specific subjects and excludes Life Orientation. Some programmes, particularly in Health Sciences, may still require or recommend the National Benchmark Test.

2027 Intake · Spes Bona · Good Hope

Apply to the University of Cape Town — Africa's top-ranked university.

Q: When do University of Cape Town 2027 applications open and close?

Undergraduate applications opened on 1 April 2026 and close strictly on 31 July 2026. UCT does not consider applications received after this date. Housing applications close on the same date, most postgraduate coursework programmes close 30 September 2026, and research-only postgraduate programmes remain open throughout the cycle.

Q: Does UCT accept late or walk-in applications?

No. UCT receives well over 100,000 applications for a limited number of places and strictly does not accept late applications or January walk-ins under any circumstances.

Q: Where is the University of Cape Town located?

UCT's main campus sits at Rondebosch, on the slopes of Devil's Peak beneath Table Mountain, with additional campuses across the city.

UCT sits at the foot of Table Mountain in Rondebosch and receives well over 100,000 applications a year for a few thousand spaces. Here's exactly what you need, and by when — with zero room for late applications.

Start Your Online Application → See all Colleges

6Undergrad Faculties

R100SA/SADC Fee

31 Jul2026 Closing Date

University of Cape Town Rondebosch campus below Table Mountain

Students and staff at the University of Cape Town

About the university

Good Hope, since 1829

Founded in 1829 as the South African College, the University of Cape Town is the oldest higher education institution in South Africa and consistently ranks as Africa's top university. Its main campus climbs the slopes of Devil's Peak below Table Mountain in Rondebosch, with additional campuses across the city.

Known affectionately to students as "Ikeys," UCT is fiercely competitive — it receives well over 100,000 applications each year for a few thousand undergraduate places, so a strong academic record and an early application both matter.

Commerce Engineering & the Built Environment Health Sciences Humanities Law Science

Good to know

UCT doesn't use the standard national APS. It calculates its own Faculty Points Score (FPS), or Medical Points Score (MPS) for health sciences, which weights specific subjects and always excludes Life Orientation.

Plan ahead

2027 key application dates

UCT's closing date is strict, with no exceptions and no late-application appeal process.

1 APRIL 2026

Applications open

The UCT online application system opens for the 2027 academic year.

31 JULY 2026

Undergraduate closes

Final date for all undergraduate applications and undergraduate housing applications alike.

30 SEPTEMBER 2026

Postgrad coursework closes

Final date for most postgraduate programmes that include coursework.

31 DECEMBER 2027

Research postgrad stays open

Research-only postgraduate programmes remain open for application throughout the cycle.

Online only

How to apply to UCT

UCT applications are submitted online — a paper form is only available for applicants without an email address.

Before you start

Check your programme's Faculty Points Score or Medical Points Score requirement.
Gather a certified copy of your ID or passport and your latest school results.
Confirm whether your chosen programme still requires or recommends the NBT.

Submit online

Go to the official UCT online application system on uct.ac.za.
Register with a personal email address and complete your application details.
Upload your supporting documents and pay the non-refundable application fee.
Indicate if you'd like undergraduate housing, and submit before 31 July 2026.

Checklist

Documents you'll need

Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
Grade 11 final results, or latest Grade 12 results if you're a current matriculant
National Senior Certificate interim or predicted results, once available
English translations of any documents not issued in English
Supporting documents for international applicants, including proof of English proficiency

Costs

Application fees

South African / SADC applicantsR100 (non-refundable)

Other international applicantsR300

UCT students / graduatesExempt*

⚠️ *UCT students, graduates and Semester Study Abroad applicants are exempt from the application fee, unless applying to the Graduate School of Business. Fees are never refunded, whatever the outcome.

Where you could study

Faculties at a glance

Faculty

Commerce

Accounting, finance, economics and information systems programmes ranked among the best on the continent.

Faculty

Engineering & the Built Environment

Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineering alongside architecture and construction studies.

Faculty

Health Sciences

Medicine, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing, taught alongside Groote Schuur Hospital.

Faculty

Humanities

Africa's largest humanities faculty, spanning social sciences, languages, fine art, drama and music.

Faculty

Law

Consistently rated the top law faculty in Africa, with strong constitutional and commercial law programmes.

Faculty

Science

Marine biology, astronomy, chemistry and environmental science, drawing on the Cape's unique biodiversity.

Keep reading

More guides for your application journey

A few extra resources worth going through before and after you apply.

Funding

NSFAS & Bursaries: Funding Your 2027 Studies

How NSFAS funding works alongside your UCT application, plus other bursaries worth applying for early.

Careers

List of TVET Colleges in South Africa – Courses, Applications & Campuses

Explore TVET courses, applications and admission requirements, Find campuses, courses and application details in one place

Study material

Grade 12 Study Guides & Past Exam Papers

Free past papers and study notes to help push your FPS score up before final results are released.

Student life

list of all colleges in south africa

These public colleges focus on practical skills and occupational training, electrical engineering, nursing, or hospitality

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

When do University of Cape Town 2027 applications open and close?

Applications opened on 1 April 2026 and close strictly on 31 July 2026, with no late applications accepted. Housing closes the same date, postgraduate coursework closes 30 September 2026, and research-only postgraduate applications stay open throughout the cycle.

How much is the application fee?

R100 for South African and SADC applicants, R300 for other international applicants. UCT students, graduates and Semester Study Abroad applicants are exempt, unless applying to the Graduate School of Business.

Does UCT use APS?

No — UCT calculates its own Faculty Points Score (FPS), or Medical Points Score (MPS) for health sciences. Some programmes may still require or recommend the National Benchmark Test.

Does UCT accept late or walk-in applications?

No. UCT strictly does not accept late applications or January walk-ins under any circumstances, regardless of the reason.

Where is UCT located?

UCT's main campus is in Rondebosch, on the slopes of Devil's Peak beneath Table Mountain, with several additional campuses across Cape Town.

Spes Bona — good hope starts with applying.

Get your documents ready and submit your University of Cape Town application before 31 July 2026.

Apply to UCT Now →