History
UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, a high school for boys.The College had a small tertiary-education facility that grew substantially after 1880, when the discovery of gold and diamonds in the north – and the resulting demand for skills in mining – gave it the financial boost it needed to grow.
Education
UCT has a proud tradition of academic excellence and is currently the top-rated university in Africa and one of the top-rated universities in the world. Our researchers continue to help with the creation of African-based solutions to global problems, including issues relating to climate change, urbanisation, safety and security, education and health, to name just a few. Many UCT researchers are recognised world leaders in their respective fields, which means that if you choose to study with us, you will continually be exposed to the latest scholarly work and research discoveries.
Research
Our vision is to be an inclusive, research-intensive African university that addresses the challenges of our time with cutting-edge teaching, research and facilities. As a university we are committed to promoting transformation, to working tirelessly to guarantee the sustainability of our institution, and to ensuring excellence in all we do.
Career
Higher education not only opens the door to exciting career opportunities, but it can also help to build South Africa’s young democracy. Good citizenship requires each of us to understand the issues our country is dealing with and our individual responsibilities. In this sense, education can help to transform society as a whole, and many UCT alumni are currently making outstanding contributions to society through the skills they learned here.
Student services
Housing services
UCT provides different types of accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, on and off campus.
Usually, you will start out in a first-tier residence (full catering), move on to a second-tier residence (senior catering or self-catering) and later, stay in third-tier accommodation (semi-autonomous self-catering).
Students with disabilities can be accommodated in different residences. Simply contact the Student Accommodation Office and the Disability Service, and they will address your particular needs.
Library services
UCT Libraries offer state-of-the-art technology, vast collections of reading and research material, and the specialised services of friendly, efficient and helpful staff.
The Chancellor Oppenheimer Library lies at the heart of Upper Campus. Its 8 branch libraries can be found close to the relevant faculties.
ICT services
Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) is a support organisation that helps staff and students to use information and communication technologies to enhance their work.ICTS offers different services and support for staff and students.
Medical services
The Student Wellness Service offers a comprehensive outpatient medical service by both medical practitioners and nurses, who are dedicated to helping students to remain healthy, and to make the correct life choices while pursuing their academic goals. Students are encouraged to seek assistance and guidance as early as possible.
Campus life
UCT has 4 campuses:
- Groote Schuur Campus in Rondebosch
- Medical Campus in Observatory
- Hiddingh Campus in the city
- Breakwater Campus at Cape Town's Waterfront, where the Graduate School of Business is located.
Sports facilities
UCT offers more than 40 sporting codes, with a total membership of around 9 000 students and staff. So, this is a great opportunity to carry on with the sport you loved at school or to try your hand at something completely new.
Whether you’re interested in athletics, rugby, netball and soccer or archery, paragliding, skydiving and yachting, there will be something for you.
Student clubs
UCT encourages students to build their leadership and service skills. We invite our students to participate in the many volunteer projects taking place in the local communities, to become active members of the 100+ societies and over 40 sports clubs on campus, or to give something back to the institution by serving in student governance.
University of Cape Town Overview
University of Cape Town Rankings
Study Portals Meta Ranking
Top 2.2% South Africa
Top 2.9% Worldwide
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
QS World University Rankings
150
By TopUniversities
Climbed 21 places compared to 2025
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend QS World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | 171 | 150 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
World University Rankings
164
By Times Higher Education
Climbed 16 places compared to 2025
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend World University Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 167 | 180 | 164 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Academic Ranking of World Universities
201
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
The university hasn’t moved up or down in the rankings over the past year.
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
3 year trend Academic Ranking of World Universities
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 201 | 201 | 201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
Best Global Universities Rankings
No 2026 Ranking
By U.S. News & World Report
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2026 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
3 year trend Best Global Universities Rankings
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 116 | - | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
University of Cape Town Campus Locations
#1 Main Campus
South Africa Country
Cape Town City
University of Cape Town Student Reviews & Awards
4.1
Based on 100 reviews
- 5 Star 37 Reviews
- 4 Star 36 Reviews
- 3 Star 21 Reviews
- 2 Star 3 Reviews
- 1 Star 3 Reviews
How Students Rated This University
- Overall Satisfaction 4.0
- Student Teacher Interaction 4.2
- Student Diversity 4.6
- Admission Process 4.1
- Quality of Student Life 4.3
- Career Development 4.1
A Rewarding Learning Journey
My study experience was both enriching and eye-opening. I really liked the supportive lecturers, interactive classes, and access to resources that made learning easier. The practical sessions helped me apply theory to real-life situations. However, more career guidance and internship opportunities could be added to better prepare students for the job market. Overall, it was a fulfilling experience that helped me grow academically and personally.
Looking forward to start my course
It good to learn new things new ways of work gaining more experience and having more confidence to my self
never thought of seeing this I had to try my luck
Impact more knowledge and understanding to me don’t just teach and walk away without making us confused but we won’t say it ☹️
Studied here? Share your experience
Global Student Satisfaction Awards 2025
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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Overall SatisfactionHow would you rate your overall study experience?
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Student Teacher InteractionHow helpful were your teachers?
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Student DiversityHow diverse was the atmosphere at your university?
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Admission ProcessHow simple was it to apply to your programme?
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Quality of Student LifeHow was your everyday life?
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Career DevelopmentDid the university provide support for your career development?