UCT 2027 Application Guide for Students – How to Apply

Complete Admission Requirements, APS, NBTs, Fees, How to Apply and Deadlines

If you are planning to apply to the University of Cape Town (UCT) for the 2027 academic year, you can start now, as the application portal is open to the general public. This article outlines everything you need to know about UCT 2027 applications, including application dates, eligibility criteria, APS calculations, NBT requirements, supporting documents, fees and payment methods, how to apply, and how to track your application.

UCT is one of Africa’s leading research universities, and admission is competitive. Understanding the full application process early will significantly improve your chances of success.

UCT 2027 Application Dates

For the 2027 academic intake at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the undergraduate application cycle follows a structured timeline. Applicants must take note of all opening, closing, and supporting document deadlines to avoid disqualification.

Application Opening Date

1 April 2026

All undergraduate applications officially open on this date. Prospective students may begin submitting their online applications from 1 April 2026. Registration for the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) also opens around this time, and applicants are strongly encouraged to register and secure a test date as early as possible.

Application Closing Date

31 July 2026

All undergraduate applications close on 31 July 2026. UCT does not accept late applications under any circumstances. Applicants who miss this deadline will need to wait until the next application cycle for the 2028 academic year.

Important Additional Deadlines

In addition to the main application closing date, several critical deadlines apply:

• 31 July 2026 – Final date to write the NBTs if you wish to be considered for an early conditional offer from the Faculty of Health Sciences. Applicants who write after this date will only be considered once final NSC results are available.
• 31 August 2026 – Deadline for submitting Grade 12 interim results (for current matriculants) and interim academic transcripts (for transferring applicants).
• 30 September 2026 – Final date to write the NBTs for general admission consideration across all faculties.
• 15 November 2026 – Deadline for submission of supporting documents for international applicants. Incomplete applications may be cancelled after this date.

Applicants are strongly advised to submit their applications well before the closing date and to complete all requirements, including uploading supporting documents and writing the NBTs, as early as possible. Early preparation reduces the risk of administrative delays and improves the likelihood of timely consideration.

Faculties Available at UCT

UCT offers undergraduate programmes in six faculties:

1. Faculty of Commerce
2. Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
3. Faculty of Health Sciences
4. Faculty of Humanities
5. Faculty of Law
6. Faculty of Science

Each faculty has specific subject requirements, APS thresholds, and in some cases additional selection criteria.

General Eligibility Requirements

Before UCT considers you for admission, you must meet the general eligibility criteria.

South African Applicants (NSC)

You must:

• Obtain a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Bachelor’s degree endorsement.
• Meet the minimum Admission Points Score (APS) or Faculty Points Score (FPS) required for your programme.
• Meet subject-specific requirements (for example, Mathematics and Physical Sciences for Engineering).
• Write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) if required.

If you are 23 years or older and have a Grade 12 certificate but do not meet minimum requirements, you may apply for mature age exemption (not applicable for Health Sciences and Law).

International Applicants

You must:

• Meet matriculation exemption requirements.
• Meet faculty-specific subject requirements.
• Provide proof of English language proficiency if English is not your first language.
• Submit certified transcripts and predicted results where applicable.

Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is competitive and based on ranking.

How to Apply to UCT for 2027

UCT allows you to apply online or by downloading and submitting an application form.

Step 1: Apply Online

You can apply online through the UCT application portal. You must submit only one application, even though you may choose two programmes.

Your application allows you to select two programme choices. It is important to choose carefully, as your selection can affect your chances of admission.

Step 2: Complete the Application Form

You will need to provide:

• Personal details
• Contact information
• Academic history
• Programme choices (maximum of two)
• School subject details and results

Ensure that all information entered is accurate and matches your official documents.

Step 3: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload certified copies of:

• ID or passport
• Grade 11 results
• Grade 12 results (when available)
• Transcripts (for transferring students)
• English proficiency results (if applicable)

Incomplete applications may not be processed.

Step 4: Pay the Application Fee

Your application will not be processed without the required application fee (unless you are exempt).

• R100 for South African and SADC applicants
• R300 for other international applicants

The fee is non-refundable.

Step 5: Write the National Benchmark Tests (if required)

Register for the NBTs via the official NBT website and ensure you write before the deadline applicable to your faculty.

Step 6: Monitor Your Application

After submission, you will receive:

• An acknowledgement email
• Your applicant number
• Login details for Student Self-Service

Use these details to track your application status.

Understanding APS, FPS and WPS

Admission Points Score (APS)

APS is calculated using:

• English
• Five best other subjects (excluding Life Orientation and Advanced Programme subjects)

Each subject contributes its percentage score directly to the APS.

Maximum APS = 600.

Results below 40% do not attract points.

Faculty Points Score (FPS)

In most faculties (Commerce, Humanities, Engineering & the Built Environment, Law), the APS equals the FPS.

In the Faculty of Science:

• Mathematics and Physical Sciences marks are doubled.
• The FPS is calculated out of 800.

In the Faculty of Health Sciences:

• The APS is calculated out of 600.
• The three NBT scores (AL, QL, MAT) are added.
• The FPS is calculated out of 900.

Weighted Points Score (WPS)

For South African applicants only, the FPS may be adjusted by a disadvantage factor (0–10%, or up to 20% in Health Sciences). This produces the Weighted Points Score (WPS), used in the final ranking.

National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)

The NBTs are administered by the Centre for Educational Assessment.

Who Must Write the NBTs?

• All South African applicants.
• All applicants to the Faculty of Health Sciences (regardless of nationality).
• Applicants to the undergraduate LLB programme must write the Academic Literacy component.

What Are the NBT Components?

There are three tests:

1. Academic Literacy (AL)
2. Quantitative Literacy (QL)
3. Mathematics (MAT)

Which Faculties Require Which Tests?

• Humanities, Commerce, Law: Academic & Quantitative Literacy (AQL) only.
• Science, Engineering & Health Sciences: AQL + Mathematics.

When Should You Write?

• Write as early as possible in 2026.
• Final date to write for general admission: 30 September 2026.
• For Health Sciences, early conditional consideration: before 31 July 2026.

NBT results are used together with school results. In Health Sciences, they form part of your Faculty Points Score.

Required Application Documents

South African Applicants

You must upload:

• Certified copy of your ID.
• Grade 11 final results.
• Grade 12 June or September results (once available).
• NBT results (automatically sent to UCT).

International Applicants

You must upload:

• Certified passport copy.
• Official academic transcripts.
• Predicted results.
• English language proficiency results (if required).
• Certified English translations where necessary.

Incomplete applications may be cancelled.

UCT Application Fee for 2027

The application fee is non-refundable.

• R100 for South African and SADC applicants.
• R300 for other international applicants.

Currently registered UCT students, UCT graduates, and Semester Study Abroad applicants do not pay an application fee.

Paying the application fee does not guarantee admission.

How to Pay the Application Fee

You may pay using:

• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).
• Direct bank deposit.
• Credit card (online via UCT’s payment portal).
• Cash (only at the UCT Cashiers Office on campus).

Ensure you use your applicant number as a reference when making a payment.

What Happens After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted:

• You receive an acknowledgement email.
• You are issued an applicant number.
• You receive login credentials for Student Self-Service.

All official communication will be sent to your registered email address.

How to Track Your Application Status

You can monitor your application by logging into UCT Student Self-Service using your applicant number and password.

Your status may reflect one of the following:

• Application Submitted
• Decision Deferred
• Conditional Offer
• Firm Offer
• Waitlisted
• Denied

If all your applications are denied or cancelled, you will lose access to Student Self-Service.

It is your responsibility to check your status regularly.

Early Conditional Offers

UCT may issue conditional offers based on strong Grade 11 and Grade 12 interim results combined with NBT performance.

A conditional offer becomes firm only if you meet the final NSC and NBT requirements.

Conditional offers may be withdrawn if final results do not meet requirements.

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your home language and you have not completed schooling in English, you must provide proof of proficiency through:

• NBT Academic Literacy (Upper Intermediate or above).
• TOEFL iBT (minimum overall score 88).
• IELTS Academic (minimum overall band 6.5).
• PTE Academic (minimum score 67).

Test results must be submitted by 30 September 2026.

Selection and Redress Policy

UCT uses a structured admissions policy that:

• Sets minimum academic thresholds.
• Ranks applicants using FPS and WPS.
• Applies redress measures to support diversity.
• Allocates offers across different selection bands.

Admission is competitive and based on ranking within each programme.

Application Tips for UCT 2027

• Apply as early as possible after 1 April 2026.
• Write the NBTs early in the year.
• Ensure all documents are certified and legible.
• Carefully check subject requirements before selecting programmes.
• Choose your two programme options strategically.
• Monitor your email and application status regularly.
• Submit all required supporting documents before deadlines.
• Early preparation significantly improves your chances of receiving a conditional or firm offer.

UCT Admissions Contact Details

• Admissions Office
  Tel: +27 (0)21 650 2128
  Email: admissions@uct.ac.za
  Website: www.uct.ac.za
• NBT Helpdesk
  Tel: +27 (0)21 650 3523
  Email: nbt@uct.ac.za
  Website: www.nbt.ac.za

Conclusion

Applying to the University of Cape Town for the 2027 academic year requires careful planning, strong academic performance, and strict adherence to deadlines.

Understanding how APS is calculated, when to write the NBTs, what documents are required, how to apply correctly, and how UCT selects applicants will place you in a strong position.

Start early, prepare thoroughly, and ensure every part of your application is complete and submitted on time.

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