Reviews of University of Cape Town (UCT) | South Africa

Useful | 0

kundayi

,
Economics, Undergraduate, Independent

Overall

I wish I had known...

A little more about the history of South Africa. I only knew the basics and sometimes you met people that were extremely hostile and I could not understand that except blame it on their past experiences.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

3

Costs

4

Activities

2

Campus life

3

Party / people

2

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

It´s a very good university with high standards and you are always so well-informed which means they spoil you and you will get a shock when you move to another place where information does not flow readily.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

2

Traveled

1

Improved language skills

1

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

It´s easy to get sucked into the whole holiday atmosphere that surrounds Cape Town so you have to keep focused, but on the other hand not be a stuck in the mud. So time management is important in such an environment and of course stay clear of all the dangerous areas, don´t use public transport especially trains late at night.

Useful | 6

Kate M

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Amherst, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Government assistance

Other sources of funding:

none

Work opportunities:

It was not legal for me to work

Personal spending habits

South Africa has a lower cost of living, especially outside the city... it will be a bit more expensive in Cape Town. INTERNET IS VERY EXPENSIVE, BEWARE! Everything is pay as you go, including internet and electricity (there is no heat).

Travel:

was more expensive than at home.

Housing:

was the same price as at home.

Telephone, Nightlife, Overall, Food:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

Take money out from ATM's to avoid fee's. Also, keep in mind you will be spending a lot of money on travel and try to save. Drinks are cheap (10-20 rand... or 2-3 dollars) food is pretty cheap, Internet will get you, especially if you have Redbutton. Don't use the video in skype and try not to go to a lot of webpages with pictues. NO YOUTUBE AT ALL. While doing research, do it at school... you get a certain amount of gree megabytes there ( I think like 2-300 MB?)

Useful | 0

Robin T

,
Political Science, Masters, Rotary Scholarship

Overall

I wish I had known...

I felt pretty well prepared. If possible, I would have saved more money before going so that I could have bought a car earlier.

In my opinion:

Most people loved it.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

2

Campus life

2

Party / people

4

Weather / location

4

Personal recommendation

Very highly

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

3

Improved language skills

2

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

3

Partied a lot

3

Experienced a change in life

3

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

I talked with a lot of people before going and was able to connect to friends of friends who were S. African. Spending time with them gave me a different perspective and allowed me to meet people you don't encounter on college campuses (children, older people).

Useful | 0

Johal S

Suffolk University, Boston, United States
Psychology and Behavioural Sciences, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

I wish I had purchased a one way ticket....

In my opinion:

Everybody loved it, you will too!

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

3

Culture

4

Costs

2

Activities

4

Campus life

4

Party / people

4

Weather / location

3

Personal recommendation

Keep it up! Make sure to always keep in contact with the international students - we'd rather get too many emails than not enough!

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

2

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

You really should go explore, hike, and camp. I saved a bunch of electives for the trip so that I could learn about African history, politics, and service programs. Take a break from your major and immerse yourself in something brand new - you won't look back!

Useful | 0

“The Real Life on Campus”

Caleb H

South Africa,
Architecture, 2025

Overall

As a first year student i find university life a big jump from school. Noone holds your hand, the maturity levels are high and you are expected to be disciplined and committed according to your personal goals. Whilst i appreciate this as a foundation of the years ahead alittle more guidance will go a long way

Careers

Yes UCT does offer international internships in the second year of study. I will only be able to provide an assessment in my second year which is in 2024

Pros

Rank number one in South Africa and on the African Continent

Cons

More one on one engagements between student and lecturer

Useful | 0