This program is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines who have a strong interest in learning about contemporary South African life and society and the forces that have created that society. 

What You'll Learn

The CIEE Arts and Sciences program at the University of Cape Town provides students with a range of academic and intellectual experiences that enable them to reflect upon the complexities and challenges facing the new South Africa. Through integration in local communities, students become participants, rather than mere observers of this dynamic and evolving environment. Through this process, students gain a comprehensive understanding of social relations within South Africa.

Program Snapshot

• Choose from a wide range of course offerings at the University of Cape Town in commerce, engineering, humanities, and science
• Immerse yourself in the culture through a township homestay, CIEE and UCT community service programs, and independent study opportunities
• Live, interact, and study with African students in a society in transition
• Visit local theater, music, and dance productions, museums, rural cooperatives, and cricket and rugby matches

Subject Areas

• African Studies
• Archaeology
• Art
• Art History
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Drama
• Economics
• Engineering & Technology
• Environmental Studies
• Gender Studies
• Geography
• History
• Management
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Religion
• Sociology
• Theology

Eligibility Requirements

• Overall GPA 3.0
• Junior standing and above
• College-level coursework in African studies recommended

Academic Program

The rich academic program, established in 1998, allows students to pursue their own academic studies while providing firsthand knowledge of contemporary South African society. Students are required to enroll in at least one course with specific African content or one that offers a distinctive African perspective in their area of interest. Courses may be taken in all University of Cape Town faculties excluding Health Sciences.

Students participate in the cultural program and are strongly encouraged to take part in community service. Students should develop a program that complements the requirements of their home institution and meets their own personal needs.

Academic Culture

CIEE students are taught alongside University of Cape Town (UCT) undergraduates and are required to undertake a full program of courses, including all assignments and written examinations. Teaching methods at the University normally involve a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and, in the sciences, laboratory classes.

The system is geared toward the scholar who is motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. Participants may notice striking differences between their home educational system and the UCT system. The University allows students greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment. Courses may involve relatively few contact hours each week, since they are intended as a starting point and focus for a great deal of individual study.

Class sizes are very big at UCT and range from 100–300 people. UCT has both class lectures and tutorials (sections). The sizes of the tutorials are much smaller, ranging from 20–40 students. Students generally do not have to buy books for their classes, as many lecturers provide a course reader. This reader has all the reference materials for the class.

The CIEE Study Center follows the University's calendar with additional time for orientation at the beginning of the semester. The South African academic year runs from early February through late November with two semesters. Many University of Cape Town courses are yearlong courses and run from the U.S. spring through the U.S. fall semester. Students on the academic or calendar year program have a break between semesters; they can remain in or move into off-campus housing. Meals are not included during this time.

Where You'll Study:

University of Cape Town

Established as the South African College in 1829, the University of Cape Town is internationally recognized as one of Africa's leading research universities. Its campus has sweeping lawns, pathways, trees, ponds, and waterfalls that combine with attractive physical structures and extensive playing fields to create a pleasant study environment. A range of commercial, medical, recreational, and sporting facilities is available on campus. These include a swimming pool, gymnasium, basketball, tennis, badminton and squash courts, and a weight room.

Program Requirements

The University of Cape Town follows the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) credit system. Per this system, CIEE requires all study abroad students to take between 62 and 82 HEQF credits per semester. A full course load is considered three or four courses. At least one of these courses must have specific African content or offer a distinctive African perspective in their area of interest. Courses may be taken in all University of Cape Town faculties excluding Health Science. Students may also take the CIEE Seminar on Living and Learning in addition to their normal course load.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16-18 semester/ 24-27 quarter hours
year: 32-36 semester/ 48-52 quarter hours

Duration

• Academic Year 2011-12: 48 weeks early July - mid-June
• Spring 2012: 18 weeks late January - early June
• Calendar Year 2012: 44 weeks late January - mid-November
• Fall 2012: 18 weeks early July - mid-November
• Academic Year 2012-13: 48 weeks early June - mid-June
• Spring 2013: 18 weeks late January - early June

CIEE Fees - Check the CIEE website for current fees.

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

Online Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientations

Students begin their study abroad experience in Cape Town before even leaving home--by participating in a CIEE Online Pre-Departure Orientation. Meeting with students online, the Resident Director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving students time to ask any questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows students to connect with others in the group, reflect on what they want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help students understand more about the program and site, as well as their goals for the program, so that they arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress toward their goals.

During the mandatory orientation, students participate in programs organized by CIEE as well as UCT activities for international students. The goal is to introduce students to the country, culture, and academic program, and to provide practical information about living in Cape Town. Students are also introduced to the academic requirements of the University and are shown how to make best use of campus facilities and services. Sessions include lectures on African history, politics, geography, safety, and "survival skills" for visiting students. During orientation, local UCT students assist the international students. The services provided during orientation are maintained on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Housing & Meals

Housing is included in the program fee. Students have several choices:

UCT Residence Hall--Students live in apartment-style UCT residence halls with South African or other African students. Students have small single rooms and share kitchen and other facilities with two or three other students. CIEE Resident Assistants live in the residence hall with the students. All of the residents of the apartment share basic cleaning duties. Students are responsible for their own meals which are not included in the program fee. Students can prepare their own meals or eat at establishments on or off campus. Please note that amenities are more basic in the UCT residences, but students looking for an immersion experience will enjoy interacting with South African and other African students. Shuttle buses link UCT residence halls with all UCT campuses, a five-minute ride.

Off-Campus Houses or Apartments--Students share off-campus houses or apartments near campus with fellow CIEE program participants and local students. Students have small single rooms (some houses have a small number of double rooms) and share kitchen and other facilities with five to ten other students (fewer in apartments). All of the residents of the
houses or apartments share basic cleaning duties. Students are responsible for their own meals which are not included in the program fee. Students can prepare their own meals or eat at establishments on or off campus.

Local UCT students (CIEE Resident Assistants) are selected and trained to live in off-campus houses and in the UCT residence hall with CIEE students. See additional information in the Engagement box.

Homestay with South African Family--This option provides an excellent opportunity for immersion into the local culture and is strongly recommended for students who wish to take full advantage of their experience in South Africa. Breakfast and dinner are provided during the week. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on weekends. Lunches during the week are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Since homestay families are located throughout the Cape Town area, students are required in most cases to utilize public transportation to and from UCT, a 20–30 minute commute.

Internet

Students have access to email and the Internet at the University of Cape Town. On campus, the labs can be crowded and often full, but off-campus Internet cafés are inexpensive and easily accessible. Many students have brought laptops with them and are able to register their laptops and use them in the computer labs on campus. Wireless connections are available in the off-campus houses. Ethernet connections are available in the rooms at the UCT residence halls. Internet reliability and access is not always available at the same level as in the U.S.

Cultural Activities

The academic program is supplemented by field trips and excursions to various points of interest in Cape Town and in the Western Cape Province. Previous field trips and excursions have included the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Flats, Robben Island, Newlands Grounds to watch cricket or rugby, and a whale-watching excursion.

The program covers the cost of participants' membership in up to three social, sport, or cultural clubs at the University of Cape Town. Many students have found that cultural immersion is made easier when they join a club or society on the UCT campus.

The comprehensive cultural program developed by CIEE consists of visits to local theater, music, and dance productions; museum tours; and rural cooperatives. Events and activities are chosen to provide students with a good overview of the diversity in South Africa.

A three-day homestay with a local family in the "coloured" community of Ocean View is also included in the cultural program. This exposes CIEE students to positive images of previously disadvantaged groups of people in South Africa, including the "coloured" and Muslim communities.

CIEE Resident Assistants

Resident Assistants (RAs) are a dedicated group of UCT students who assist CIEE students during orientation and throughout the semester. Through ongoing interaction with these local students, CIEE participants are able to meet local South African and international students and learn firsthand about student life in Cape Town. These local students, recruited and trained by CIEE, are an important part of the CIEE student experience. RAs assist with cultural excursions and live with CIEE students in the off-campus houses and apartments, providing a reliable local peer network and helping CIEE students to integrate into the local student community.

Volunteering

The Community Service Program provides students with volunteer opportunities in the historically disadvantaged communities around Cape Town. Past activities have included tutoring in local schools, assisting at the Red Cross Children's Hospital, working on AIDS and HIV projects, and caring for children with mental problems.

Message from the Colleges of the Fenway
Global Education Opportunities Center

Please be aware that study abroad involves two application deadlines - the application deadline for "the Council on International Educational Exchange" (CIEE - the provider of this study abroad program), and the deadline to seek approval from your home campus Study Abroad Director (in order to receive credit for participating in this program). 

In general, you will need to inform your home campus Study Abroad Director by the "Application Deadline" indicated below.  By pressing on the "Apply Now" button, you will begin the process of notifying your home campus Study Abroad Director of your intent to study abroad.  In order to participate in this program, you will also need to follow the application instructions of ASA, as indicated above.

Keep in mind that if it appears that a deadline date has already passed for the time that you wish to study abroad, you should still make contact with both your Study Abroad Director and the program provider, by pressing on the "Request Info" button and stating clearly your desired dates.  While it can never be guaranteed, there are cases when last-minute requests can be accommodated.