Semester at University of Cape Town

Students enroll in a total of 72-90 NQF credits per semester, which equates to 3-5 courses.

Each course is typically worth 18-24 NQF credits. Per the University of Cape Town, 6 NQF credits = 1 U.S. semester credit/1.5 U.S. quarter units. We recommend the following credit conversion:

• 18 NQF credits = 3 US semester credits/4.5 US quarter units 

• 24 NQF credits = 4 US semester credits/6 US quarter units 

• 36 NQF credits = 6 US semester credits/9 US quarter units 

According to our enrollment policies, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by the host university, for the duration of the program.

Duly Performed (DP) is a grade qualifier used at UCT that will determine a student's eligibility to take their final examination. If a student has received DP for a course, it means that they have met the requirements for continuous assessment (i.e. mid-terms, quizzes, assignments) to take their final exam. At UCT, grades are heavily contingent on the final exam. The largest percentage of a student's grade in a course is determined by the final exam grade. Opting to not take the final exam will likely lead to a failing grade in the course. 

The transcript from the University of Cape Town will reflect NQF credits for each course listed below. Please be in touch with your U.S. University regarding credit transfer for this program. It is your responsibility to confirm how your home university will transfer NQF credits and ensure that you are enrolled as a full-time student.

The courses listed below are just a sampling of all the courses UCT offers. To search their entire course catalog, click the button above.

1. Choose the discipline that aligns best with what you would like to study and click the link for “Undergraduate”. Please note that study abroad students are not eligible to select courses from the Health Sciences handbook. The course catalog will be loading at this point, so it’s normal if it takes a minute or two!

2. Use the table of contents to help you find a bachelor’s degree that aligns with your major. Go to the corresponding page in the course catalog.

3. Now, you can look through the courses offered as part of that degree plan.

A few notes on navigating the catalog:

• If you are studying abroad in the North American fall semester, look for courses that have an “S” at the end (this stands for "second semester")

• If you are studying abroad in the North American spring semester, look for courses that have an “F” at the end (this stands for "first semester").

• Students are not permitted to take courses that end in W (whole-year), H (half-year), or Z (specialized courses).  

• 4000-level courses are reserved for graduate students and not available during this program.

• Due to limited medical training available in South Africa, you may not enroll in courses from the Health Sciences catalog.

Reminder: In South Africa, the first semester runs from January to June, and the second semester runs from July-December.

Keep in mind that when choosing courses, even lower-level courses at the University of Cape Town can be quite challenging and academically rigorous. We recommend that students with no prior experience in the subject area take courses in the 1000 level. Students should select courses in the 2000 or 3000 level if the preferred course is within their major or minor.

Students who enroll in courses in 2000 or 3000 level courses outside of their major or minor academic discipline MUST contact their Program Manager before submitting their pre-registration form. Taking advanced levels courses at the University of Cape Town can be exceptionally rigorous. We recommend students only register for advanced courses within their major or minor and can demonstrate their ability to be successful in the course (i.e. prerequisites, provide an unofficial transcript during registration on site.).