Study at the  University of Cape Town South Africa

The Setting
    The city, dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, lies at the northern end of the Cape peninsula, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans converge. Cape Town has immense natural beauty and a cosmopolitan community. Cultural and sports activities are offered both on campus and in the city.

The University of Cape Town
    The University of Cape Town began as the South African College in 1829, providing secondary and tertiary education for young men. In the late 1890's, the college grew in response to South Africa's needs and also began to include women. Full university status was achieved in 1918, when it took on the name of the University of Cape Town. Now UCT has four campuses and 16,000 students, 30% of whom are graduate students. The university is divided into six faculties, each of which is made up of a number of closely related departments: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science.

    Like Princeton, UCT is dedicated to both teaching and research. It is one of South Africa's leading universities with a distinguished worldwide reputation. The university is committed to being a fully non-racial institution, opposed to any sort of discrimination and sees itself as an active participant in the issues and challenges confronting post-apartheid South Africa.

Academic Program
    Princeton students must enroll in a full course load consisting of 3 or 4 courses per semester, depending on the level of the courses. Students who enroll in two or more upper-level courses (i.e., 300-level or above) may take a total of three courses, which will count as four Princeton courses. Study abroad participants must review their final course selection with Dean Kanach, who will determine what constitutes the equivalent of a normal Princeton course load.

    Current course offerings are listed in handbooks available in 406 West College and on the Web. Other honors-level or graduate-level courses may also be available to students with the proper academic preparation. Students will choose courses from the departments in the faculties listed below. In some cases, students may request to take a course in other faculties. Such requests must be discussed in advance.

Academic Schedule
    The academic year in South Africa is divided into two semesters. The first semester runs from mid-February to late June; the second semester from mid-July to early December. Princeton students can attend UCT for either or both semesters. Students planning to be away for a year should discuss with Dean Kanach which two semesters would fit most appropriately into their academic plans.

    We expect that most students will choose to study at UCT for a semester. Students who study at UCT for Princeton's spring semester will begin their studies with the opening of the South African school year and be able to take advantage of orientation programs sponsored by UCT. Students who study at UCT during Princeton's fall term complete their semester at the beginning of the South African summer.

Academic Advising
    Students will receive assistance in selecting and registering for courses from faculty advisers and faculty officers at the University of Cape Town. They will be given a general orientation to the university and to Cape Town by the International Programs office and by the Princeton coordinator, Ida Cooper. Ms. Cooper will be available to help with administrative and housing issues as well.

    Students will also receive assistance from Princeton’s Study Abroad Office in making preliminary course selections that complement and build on work already completed at Princeton.

Junior Independent Work Advising
    Thanks to the inter-institutional ties between the University of Cape Town and Princeton University, UCT faculty members have often been appointed as independent work advisers for Princeton students studying abroad at UCT. Students interested in arranging an on-site adviser for independent work should see Dean Kanach as soon as possible. The student's home department at Princeton must approve of on-site advising in general; the department appoints a qualified faculty member to advise and grade the Princeton student's work abroad.

    In the spring of 2001, the Woodrow Wilson School will offer a policy seminar taught by Professor Francis Wilson from UCT. The topic of the seminar will be health policy in South Africa. Professor Wilson has taught Princeton students both on the Princeton campus and in Cape Town.

Princeton Credit
    At the end of the semester or year abroad, students will be issued an official transcript from the University of Cape Town, which will be reviewed by the Dean of the College Office for credit. Students must earn the equivalent of a C or above in courses taken abroad in order to receive Princeton University credit.

    The official UCT transcript becomes a part of the returning student's permanent file. A copy of the transcript will be sent to the student's academic department at Princeton. Courses and grades from UCT will not appear on the Princeton transcript, but the transcript will indicate that the student studied at UCT as part of Princeton's study abroad program. Grades for any junior independent work completed abroad are also recorded on the Princeton transcript.

Facilities/Activities
    Princeton students will have access to libraries, computing facilities, and infirmary services as do regularly enrolled students. In addition, there are non-university libraries in Cape Town that students may wish to use in connection with their research projects. Students are eligible to join any of over 60 student societies that cater to academic, cultural, and social interests.

    The Sports Council of the UCT makes available some 43 sport and recreational activities. Students can register for clubs during Orientation Week. During the course of the year, registration forms are available from Sports Administration.

    Students can also participate in a community service program called Akani for a fee of $275 (fee for academic year 2000). This fee covers the coordination of a safe, integrated program within a multi-cultural community some 40 km from UCT, transportation costs between UCT and the community, overall supervision, and a brief report on each student's activities by the International Academic Programs Office. Study Abroad students at UCT have found community service to enrich their experience of the country and its people. There are limited spaces in this program, so you should notify the International Academic Programs Office at UCT as soon as possible if you would like to participate in this program.

Accommodation
    Space in university residences is rare for visiting students, but it is sometimes available. Students will be assisted by Ms. Cooper, the Princeton coordinator at UCT in finding non-university housing.

    Students will be responsible for their own meals if their accommodations do not include board. Students may take their meals at university cafeterias on campus.

Admissions Requirements and Selection
    Applicants must meet the normal eligibility requirements for study abroad at Princeton:

• B average for the fall and spring semesters of the academic year preceding the year or semester abroad;
• status as a spring-term sophomore, junior, or fall-term senior.

    Students who are not residents of South Africa or who are not citizens or permanent residents of South Africa must obtain a study permit to enter the country for the purpose of studying at UCT. The offer of a place by UCT does not guarantee that the Department of Home Affairs will allow a student to reside in South Africa, nor does it remove the need to obtain official permission to enter the country. Students need to apply immediately for a study permit to the nearest South African Embassy, Consulate, or Trade Mission once the official letter of acceptance from UCT is received. The study permit may take up to 6 weeks to process. By law, UCT cannot register students who do not present the study permit.

    Students should not enter South Africa on a tourist visa with the intention of changing it to a study visa while in the country. Individuals who do this are sent back to their countries of origin and are made to apply for a study visa.

Expenses
    The total cost of the semester at UCT is subject to fluctuations in the currency exchange.

• Travel: Students will be responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Cape Town. Round trip airfare from New York is usually $1,500-2,000.

• Princeton study abroad fee: Students will be charged an administrative fee which will be billed through Princeton's student accounts. The study abroad fee for the 2000-2001 academic year is $2,000 per semester.

• Insurance: All students are required to carry health insurance and to purchase an International Student Identification Card ($20.00). Student health insurance, which is valid overseas, may be purchased through Princeton University for $180 per semester (2000-2001 academic year). Students who are covered by other insurance plans must verify that they will be covered while studying abroad.

• Passport and Study Permit: Students are responsible for ensuring that their passports are valid for their entire stay in South Africa. Fees for passports range from $40 (to renew a passport) to $60 (to obtain a passport for the first time). For further information on renewing or obtaining a passport, please consult the U.S. State Department. The cost of a South African study permit is $170.

    Estimated UCT fees for the semester (5 months):
    (The budget is taken from the UCT Web site and assumes that US$1=R5.5.)
 
 

Tuition, accommodation (assuming shared room in self-catered flat), and foreign student fees:	$ 5,100
Food/Living Costs:	$ 1,600
Books:	$ 200
Pocket Money:	$ 600
Total Expenses (in Cape Town)	$ 7,500

    These estimates do not include funds required for personal travel outside of Cape Town and for major purchases. Each student's needs will vary according to his or her lifestyle and spending habits.

Financial Aid
    Students who are approved to study abroad at UCT for Princeton credit may use financial aid to meet expenses. Students need to complete a budget form, available from the financial aid office or Dean Kanach. The financial aid office will review the budget and adjust the student's financial aid award as appropriate. The budget should include tuition, room, board, travel, books, personal expenses, and the Princeton administrative fee.

Application Procedures
    Students should complete the UCT application, secure the required reference and transcript, and submit the materials to the Study Abroad Office by October 2 for the spring and April 2 for the fall.

    The Princeton study abroad application is due on November 1 for students applying to be abroad in the spring and by May 1 for students applying to study abroad in the fall or for the full year. The Princeton application is reviewed by the Committee on Examinations and Standing, which grants final approval to participate in the program. Students who meet the university eligibility requirements to study abroad and who have the support of their department are normally approved by the Committee.