A brief look at the rich and complex history of UCT, as the university is locally known, reveals the following highlights:

1880 – 1900

The then South African College received government funding
Achieves University status
First dedicated science labs were built
Departments of mineralogy and geology were opened to cater for the increased need for personnel for the emerging diamond and gold mining industries.
Women were admitted to the university
Tertiary status was consolidated

1902 – 1918

Medical School established
Engineering Courses introduced
Department of Education opened
Officially established as a University in 1918
Financial gifts from mining magnates and well-wishers, plus a significant
State grant allowed the University to move to its present day site.
This allowed for rapid growth and development.

1960 – 1990

Ongoing elevation of its status as a leading research and teaching institute
Consistently opposed Apartheid in higher education

Today the University maintains the high standards it reached over the decades and is still considered one of the foremost tertiary education institutions in the country.

With it’s Mission Statement set as ‘being an outstanding teaching and research university, educating for life and addressing the challenges facing our society’, UCT strives to be relevant to the culture and society from which it has emerged and which it serves.

It is of vital importance to the University to be aware of and pertinent to its location both geographically (in Africa) and historically. UCT prides itself on being ‘flexible on access, active in redress and rigorous on success.’

This fine institution is currently under Professor Niabulo S Ndebele who is both Vice Chancellor and Principal.

There are just under 4 300 staff members employed by UCT, including administrative, support, academic and research staff. 60% of the academic staff holds doctorates, which says much for the high caliber of UCT staff.

UCT is the first public university to have undergone an external institutional audit. This was carried out by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC).

The International Academic Programmes Office handles all enquiries by foreigners wishing to study at UCT.

Follow the links on the official UCT website for more information.