The University of the Western Cape is a renowned public tertiary institution in South Africa. Founded in 1959, it is home to over 23000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from different parts of Africa. As an institution focused on teaching and learning, it promotes extensive research in multiple fields and brings together some of Africa’s finest professors to assist their students.
Following its mission to promote cultural diversity, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) provides a safe space for growth, learning, and innovation for students irrespective of race, religious beliefs, political association, or gender. UWC encourages the birth of new ideas and merging past excellence with present innovation to give rise to a remarkable future.
Considering that it was created as an institution for non-white people or, as they called them during apartheid, “coloured people”, it has fought tooth-and-nail for marginalized populations and those facing discrimination.
To the credit of UWC, it is one of the few institutions in South Africa that championed the fight for equity and liberty even before they were acceptable words in the country.
UWC played a key role by empowering the “coloured people” with quality education and helping to fully integrate them into society in the post-apartheid era. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that cultural diversity, multi-ethnicity, and freedom of association are widely promoted in UWC.
Furthermore, it stays true to its vision by providing the right environment to foster creativity and steering talented individuals in the right direction. Students get exposed to the world as it is but through the lens of individuals with refined characters and fewer stereotypes than they possessed before admission.
In this article, we shall walk you through the process of applying for admission, the requirements, application dates, and how to register as a student.
How To Apply (Online and Offline)
The University of the Western Cape has 7 faculties that are open to local and international undergraduate and postgraduate students. Here are the steps to apply online.
- Create an email address on a valid platform using your first and last name to look professional and easy to remember. Then create a password for that email address. You are advised not to use your name, date of birth, or phone number as a password because someone can guess it and hack your email. An email address is a necessity because it facilitates communication between the UWC and you.
- Visit the UWC website https://www.uwc.ac.za/apply-now and read through all its academic programmes to know if it offers what you want and the other available options.
- Do well to have an open mind, especially towards programmes such as Community Health Sciences, Dentistry, and Law.
- Note that the University of the Western Cape only provides room for students to apply for two programs. Therefore, the school advises students to think carefully about their first and second choice and make a decision based on what they are truly passionate about.
- Carefully read through the Terms and Conditions section to make a final decision on whether or not you should apply to become a student at UWC.
- Then click the “ACCEPT” option. It automatically uploads your documents. Your information will not be uploaded to the UWC database if you do not click the “ACCEPT” option.
- After a successful application, UWC will send you a letter containing a unique applicant number through the email number you had earlier submitted. You will need this number whenever you need to communicate with the University of Western Cape.
- However, UWC has no relation whatsoever with the application process.
- The University of the Western Cape does not accept applications once the deadline passes and the admission portal is closed.
Here are the steps to apply offline
- Assemble all the required documents and contact the UWC admissions office to get an application form.
- Fill the form strictly according to the instructions you will receive at the admissions office.
- Submit the completed application by post to the admissions office.
- Do well to apply only once to a valid risking cancellation of your application.
If you have a change of heart on your preferred programmes of study, kindly do the following;
- Reach out to the UWC Contact Center to inform them about your decision and know if there is a possibility to change your study programme. Contact the book either using admissions@uwc.ac.za for email, +27 21 959 3900/01 for calls. If you will like to stop by the office, visit University of the Western Cape at Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville 7535, Republic of South Africa.
- Although it may be tempting, do not apply a second time with your new programme of study options.
Requirements
- Two email addresses. One is your current email address, while the other is an alternative one.
- Certified true copies of all your transcripts, clearly showing your grades and GPA.
- Students applying for a Diploma ought to have a minimum of a National Senior Certificate that Umalusi certified with an achievement rating of at least 3 in any four of the NSC designated subject lists.
- Students applying to study bachelor degree programs ought to have the same minimum certificate as diploma students but with a minimum achievement rating of 4.
- A motivational letter of a minimum of 1 page and a maximum of 2 pages stating clearly why you want to study your chosen programme at UWC.
- South African prospective students apply with their ID card number while international students use their passport number.
- Take the National Benchmark Test (NBT) to assess your knowledge of what you are applying for in the first year. It is composed of multiple-choice questions and comprises two tests. The first test is the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy domains, and the second is a Mathematics test. Each test lasts approximately 3 hours, and each will be taken in one sitting.
- It is noteworthy that every faculty has specific admission requirements for students looking forward to studying any of its programmes.
- If you are applying as a master’s student, you need to submit a 6-page research proposal of the topic you will work on while at UWC.
- The University of the Western Cape requires that prospective students pay a registration fee.
International students have a few additional requirements that include;
- Visit the SAQA website to get guidelines on how to submit all your documents for the SAQA assessment. This includes all the certificates you got from any country outside South Africa. UWC will not accept your documents if SAQA has not reviewed them.
- Take along proof of the required immigration documents for immigration clearance.
- Medical clearance, financial clearance, and an evaluation clearance which is the SAQA review of your certificates.
Application dates
Application to the University of the Western Cape ends on the 30th of September.
Applying early gives you a better chance of getting admitted into UWC. Also, in a case where there are too many applicants, the university may check other requirements in addition to a student’s grades to choose students.
Registration
The University of the Western Cape is made up of 7 faculties offering over 200-degree programmes spanning across a sea of courses. You can register to study a programme in any of the following faculties;
- Faculty of Economics and Management Science
- Faculty of Community and Health Science
- Facility of Law
- Faculty of Dentistry
- Faculty of Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Education
If you are an international student, visit the immigration section on the official UWC website to go through the information you previously submitted regarding Visa renewal or Visa application process.
Economically disadvantaged South African students from families with a less than average annual income that is less than or equal to R350000 may apply for financial assistance from the government. Visit the official Nfsas website to know the requirements to apply and to know if you are eligible for aid.
- If the Nsfas grants you financial aid, do well to report to the Financial Aid Advisors at the Financial Aid Office, who will answer all your questions regarding Nsfas funds and how they are distributed.
UWC is amongst the few tertiary institutions in Africa known for carrying out extensive research in different domains headed by well-read and experienced professionals. Furthermore, students from diverse backgrounds have a say in affairs concerning the school and can take up leadership positions as long as they are fit to do so.
UCW takes gender equity seriously and bashes all measures to demean or humiliate a person based on their gender. Furthermore, it is a
a socio-cultural hub that brings together and then finetunes various characters to fit into universally appreciable standing.
UWC focuses on holistic education and ingrains the right knowledge to its students, causing them to attain enviable results even after graduation. It promotes personal development and communication by creating room for networking and fun activities. It is not just a tertiary institution; it is a home away from home.