IES Abroad Cape Town – University of Cape Town

In Cape Town, every day will be like a choose-your-own-adventure book: imagine hiking Lion's Head at sunset, strolling through the African market at Greenmarket Square, attempting to finish a Gatsby sandwich, visiting beaches-there's even a beach with penguins!-and more. 

We want you to feel at home in South Africa, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.

When you study with us in South Africa, you will register for three to five courses at South Africa's leading research university, the University of Cape Town (UCT), which is located in a pleasant suburban area five miles from the City Center. UCT is South Africa's oldest university and has undergone incredible change since its opening, particularly since the end of apartheid, working to make quality higher education available to students regardless of socioeconomic background. UCT is officially recognized for its strengths in African Studies, Anthropology, Biology, Botany, Business, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, History, Mathematics, and Sociology.

Service learning in and around Cape Town is a core component in our program as it helps you understand some of Cape Town's most pressing social issues, while contributing your skills toward a community-driven solution. Our service learning course options in Health Studies and Sociology include completing 60 hours of volunteer work and research while in Cape Town.

Students will have options for their community-based service work, either through IES Abroad courses or by volunteering with other local organizations. In addition, UCT students often join SHAWCO, the University's volunteer program. Through these opportunities, you will get a first-hand look at the city's social and economic issues affecting different groups in Cape Town.

Required Languages:

Application Procedure:

Applying to an IES Abroad program is easy—just follow the three study abroad application steps outlined below. If you have any questions during the application process, visit the FAQs or contact your Program Advisor at 800.995.2300. You can do this!

1.    Check the application deadline and review the application requirements for your study abroad or internship program of interest. Plan to submit all of the required information by the deadline.

2.    Create an account or log in to complete and submit the initial online study abroad application.

3.    After 1-2 business days, sign in to your MyIESabroad account to view and submit the rest of the application requirements. You will also receive regular emails about deadlines and missing items.

Something unexpected is just around the world. Are you ready? Apply now at: https://www.IESabroad.org/apply