Info Centre

Find study material including past tutorials, tests, and exam papers. Curated according to faculty and modules. Reach out to request material or to share material here (add link to form).

UCT Emergency Contacts

UCT Campus Maps

UCT Shuttle Schedule - Note that the times written on the schedule are times of departure. Aim to arrive at stop 5-10 minutes before written time.

UCT Library Hours - 24-hour library spaces are usually available through the year in Hlanganani Junction and Knowledge Commons.

ICTS Softwares Free For Students

After high school i.e. LGCSE/IGCSE, you are required to enroll in a pre-university qualification to qualify for South African public universities.

Qualifications Accepted

1. General First Year of a Bachelor of Science (BSc General)

   • Students who have completed at least the first year of a Bachelor of Science (BSc General) program after finishing high school studies.

Offered by: National University of Lesotho

2. A/AS Levels

   • Advanced Level or Advanced Subsidiary Level qualifications are recognized and assessed based on subject-specific grades.

Offered by: Lesotho High School, Lesotho China Fellowship Colleagiate, and Soofia International School

3. International Baccalaureate (IB)

   • IB Diploma holders must ensure their scores meet UCT’s program-specific entry requirements.

Offered by: Machabeng College

Matriculation Exemption

• Students from Lesotho need a Matriculation Exemption Certificate issued by the Matriculation Board of South Africa. This is essential for admission to UCT (or South African universities in general). This process is handled through Higher Education South Africa (HESA) or the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). To apply:

  • Obtain the application form online via Universities South Africa (USAf).

  • Submit required documents, including certified copies of academic transcripts and identification.

Ahead of your applications, ensure that you have checked the prospectus to decide on your study programs of choice.

The typical application timeline is as follows:

1. Application Open Date: April 1st

2. Early Application Deadline: July 31st

   • Applications submitted by this date receive early consideration.

3. Final Application Deadline: September 30th

   • Ensure all documents, including your Matriculation Exemption Certificate and proof of payment, are submitted by this date.

Disclaimer: The dates provided above are typical timelines; please confirm with UCT annually to ensure accuracy.

Pro Tip: Start your application process early to allow sufficient time for document preparation and Matriculation Exemption approval. Applications submitted before receiving full results (not high school) will be considered for conditional admission pending final results.

Public Bursaries

1. Lesotho National Manpower Development Secretariat (NMDS)

   • Offers financial assistance to students pursuing higher education.

   • Application Deadline: Typically around April each year.

Private Bursaries

1. Letšeng Diamonds Bursary

   • Supports students in mining, geology, and related fields. Read more.

2. Highlife Foundation Bursary

   • Supports high-achieving students, with a particular focus on those from vulnerable or underrepresented backgrounds. Read more.

3. Vodacom Lesotho Foundation

   • Focuses on STEM and IT-related programs.

Accessible International Bursaries

(to be filled)

UCT requires all international students to have valid medical insurance, with a 1-year subscription. This is also a requirement for the study VISA application. Below are some UCT approved and accredited medical aid schemes for Lesotho students:

1. Momentum Health

2. CompCare Wellness

Ensure your medical aid meets the minimum requirements set by UCT’s International Office.

Requirements

1. Passport valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended duration of your stay.

2. Proof of acceptance at UCT.

3. Proof of financial means to support yourself (with at least M3000 current balance.)

4. Medical aid certificate (1 year subscription). 

5. Police clearance certificate (takes 2 weeks.)

6. Medical and radiological reports.

Application Process

1. Visit the South African High Commission in Maseru.

2. Submit your application and supporting documents.

It typical takes 1 week to over a month to obtain, depending on the time of application. 

Please note: this is not a comprehensive list of requirements. Obtain the official list from South African High Commission. Or find more information on the UCT International Office page here.

Please note the dates for in-person registration and residence opening when planning your arrival in Cape Town. Also, be sure to check the schedules for faculty and IAPO orientations.

UCT (and the IAPO office) provides shuttle services for students arriving at Cape Town International Airport and the Cape Town Bus Station. Alternatively, UCT offers Bolt/Uber vouchers to assist with transportation upon arrival, though this may be subject to change at UCT's discretion.

Additionally, our LESA members typically volunteer to welcome new arrivals at the first points of contact on campus.