The University of Cape Town (UCT) is South Africa’s oldest university and one of Africa’s leading institutions of higher learning. Renowned for academic excellence, world-class research, and internationally recognized qualifications, UCT offers hundreds of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across several faculties.
Whether you’re planning to study engineering, medicine, business, law, humanities, or science, this guide covers the courses offered at UCT, the faculties available, and where you can download the official UCT Faculty Handbooks and Course Outlines.
Why Study at UCT?
The University of Cape Town consistently ranks among the top universities in Africa and attracts students from across the globe. Students choose UCT because of its:
- Internationally recognized qualifications
- Excellent teaching and research facilities
- Highly qualified academic staff
- Strong graduate employability
- Vibrant student life
- Wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
Faculties at the University of Cape Town
UCT offers programmes through six major faculties.
1. Faculty of Commerce
Popular programmes include:
- Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
- Accounting
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Business Analytics
- Management Studies
- Actuarial Science
2. Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
Students can study:
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Construction Studies
- Quantity Surveying
- Architecture
- Property Studies
- Geomatics
3. Faculty of Health Sciences
Programmes include:
- MBChB (Medicine)
- Nursing
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Audiology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Pharmacy
- Public Health
- Medical Biosciences
4. Faculty of Humanities
Available courses include:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Political Studies
- Philosophy
- English Language and Literature
- History
- African Languages
- Media and Writing
- Drama
- Film Studies
- Music
- Linguistics
5. Faculty of Law
Students may pursue:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- LLM Programmes
- Doctoral Law Programmes
6. Faculty of Science
Popular science programmes include:
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- Applied Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Geology
- Astronomy
- Data Science
Postgraduate Programmes
UCT also offers a wide range of:
- Honours Degrees
- Postgraduate Diplomas
- Master’s Degrees
- PhD Programmes
- Professional Degrees
- Research Degrees
These programmes are available across all faculties.
UCT Short Courses
Apart from degree programmes, UCT offers professional short courses in areas such as:
- Business
- Education
- Leadership
- Healthcare
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Analytics
- Project Management
- Research Methods
- Information Technology
These are ideal for professionals looking to upgrade their skills.
Download the Official UCT Course Outlines (Faculty Handbooks)
The University of Cape Town publishes official Faculty Handbooks every academic year. These handbooks contain:
- Complete programme information
- Course outlines
- Module descriptions
- Degree requirements
- Admission rules
- Course codes
- Graduation requirements
- Faculty regulations
Download the official UCT Faculty Handbooks here:
UCT Faculty Handbooks (Official Download Page)
You can also download the latest Undergraduate Prospectus here:
How to Choose the Right Course
Before applying, consider:
- Your career goals
- Admission requirements
- APS score
- Programme duration
- Employment opportunities
- Personal interests and strengths
Reading the relevant faculty handbook is one of the best ways to understand each programme before submitting your application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does UCT offer online courses?
Yes. UCT offers various online and short learning programmes through its learning platforms and professional education initiatives.
Where can I find UCT course outlines?
Official course outlines and programme requirements are published in the annual UCT Faculty Handbooks, available for download from the official UCT Handbooks page.
Does UCT offer postgraduate programmes?
Yes. UCT offers Honours, Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional postgraduate programmes across all faculties.
Final Thoughts
The University of Cape Town remains one of Africa’s most prestigious universities, offering an extensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programmes. Before applying, prospective students should carefully review the relevant Faculty Handbook to understand course structures, admission requirements, and graduation rules.
To access the latest official course information, download the UCT Faculty Handbooks directly from the university’s official website:

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