The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers undergraduate degrees through six faculties, and assesses school results using an Admission Points Score (APS), a Faculty Points Score (FPS) and a Weighted Points Score (WPS), with the National Benchmark Tests in some faculties. The details below come from UCT's 2027 undergraduate applicant guidelines and its application pages.
UCT's six faculties
- Faculty of Commerce: BCom and Business Science degrees
- Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment: engineering and built environment degrees
- Faculty of Health Sciences: the MBChB and other health science degrees
- Faculty of Humanities: BA, BSocSc and creative and performing arts degrees
- Faculty of Law: the LLB
- Faculty of Science: BSc degrees
UCT also has a Graduate School of Business for postgraduate business study.
How UCT scores applicants
UCT works with your actual percentages, not the 7-point scale. Your APS adds your six best subject percentages, excluding Life Orientation, and each faculty then calculates its own FPS. Depending on the faculty, the maximum is 600, 800 or 900 points. Some faculties also consider your NBT results, but the NBTs are not taken into account for Engineering and the Built Environment. See the UCT admission requirements page for the scores each faculty uses.
Portfolios and extra requirements
Some programmes, such as those in the creative arts and architecture, ask for a portfolio. For 2027, portfolios were due by 31 August 2026, and you also had to submit your UCT application by 31 July 2026.
Health Sciences applications
The Faculty of Health Sciences has its own selection rules, including the NBTs. Applicants who live or attend school in South Africa must write the NBTs for many UCT faculties, so check the guidelines for your faculty.
You need a laptop
All UCT students need a laptop from the first day of orientation. First-time students who do not have one can join UCT's Student Laptop Programme, which charges the laptop to their fee account.
Costs
Tuition depends on your programme and courses. For 2027, the tuition first payment is R36,000, due by 29 January 2027. Read more on the UCT fees page.
Choosing well
Admission to UCT is highly competitive, and meeting the minimum score does not guarantee a place. Choose a first and second programme that suit your results, and apply before 31 July. See the how to apply to UCT page.
Faculty contacts
Each faculty has its own undergraduate office, which can help with programme choices, curriculum questions and registration. Contact details are on each faculty's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many faculties does UCT have?
Six: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law and Science.
How does UCT score applicants?
With an APS, FPS and WPS based on your actual percentages, not the 7-point scale.
Do I need a laptop at UCT?
Yes. All students need a laptop from the first day of orientation.