UWC Student Portal and iKamva

Students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) use the UWC Student Portal for administration and registration, and iKamva for online learning. Both use the same username and password. The guidance below comes from UWC's 2026 registration and orientation guide and its iKamva pages.

The Student Portal

You use the Student Portal at several stages: checking your application status, accepting an offer, and completing online registration. Registration at UWC takes place online through the Student Portal.

Logging in

Your username is your student number. UWC's registration guide explains the initial password format for first-time students, which is based on your ID or passport number. Returning students use their Active Directory (AD) password, the same one they use for campus computers and the network.

iKamva

iKamva is UWC's learning management system, built on Sakai. Lecturers use it to share resources for self-study, reflection and assessment, alongside face-to-face lectures. UWC also has a dedicated Student Orientation site on iKamva, with documents and videos, which stays available after Orientation Week. There is an iKamva Android app for using your online classes on a mobile device.

When iKamva is unavailable

iKamva is unavailable every day between 5am and 6am, while its servers restart.

Password problems

For password resets, contact UWC's ICS Service Desk on 021 959 2000 or servicedesk@uwc.ac.za.

The Student Credit Management portal

Financial matters use a separate portal. On the Student Credit Management portal, you confirm payment plans, upload bursary or funding documents and acknowledge student fee debt, for financial clearance before registration.

Your responsibilities

UWC asks every student to:

• Update personal and contact details on the Student Portal or at the Student Administration Helpdesk
• Check their UWC student email account regularly
• Activate their student card for access to facilities and services
• Always use their student number when corresponding with UWC
• Keep copies of correspondence and official documents

Registering online

1. Accept your offer.
2. Pay the upfront fee and wait for clearance by email and SMS, or contact Financial Aid if you are NSFAS-approved or on a bursary.
3. Log in to the Student Portal.
4. Complete your online registration within the registration period.

After registration, you can open the Student Orientation site on iKamva to find documents and videos for new students.

Fee quotations

UWC's online quotation system lets you estimate the cost of your modules before you register.

Getting help

For registration questions, call the Contact Centre on 021 959 3900. See the UWC application status page, or read the UWC overview.