Information for term Arts + Sciences
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenTake your studies to one of South Africa's most important ports and capital cities: Cape Town! This diverse, picturesque, and cosmopolitan gem is an ideal destination to study abroad. From its challenging hiking trails up Table Mountain to its vibrant, bustling Langa township to its remarkable variety of art museums and galleries, Cape Town is home to endless captivating landmarks and memorable activities to keep you entertained while studying abroad.
Designed for students of all academic backgrounds, CIEE's Arts and Sciences program features courses in anthropology, business, economics, engineering, history, liberal arts, linguistics, literature, media, science, engineering, information technology, politics, gender studies, and more - all delivered in English. Earn credits alongside students from around the world at the University of Cape Town (UCT), a top-ranked university in Africa internationally recognized by QS World University Rankings as ninth in the world for Development Studies, 23rd for Environmental Science and Engineering, 48th for Oceanography, and many other disciplines in the top 100.
CIEE complements all your courses with activities and excursions beyond Cape Town to enhance your classroom learning and intercultural understanding of South Africa's incredible culture, landscape, and natural beauty.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Connect
with South African students in your shared student accommodation.
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Serve
Cape Town people in need – students say it is a pinnacle of their study abroad experience.
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Live and learn
where natural beauty and outdoor fun are part of everyday life.
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official languages
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UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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curves on the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak Drive
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Location & Culture
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Your Destination
With a glorious climate and natural icons like Table Mountain and stunning beaches, it is no wonder that Cape Town is Africa’s number-one tourist destination. Day and night, this multicultural city offers much to do: water sports, mountaineering, nightclubs, and restaurants. As an Arts and Sciences student, you’ll take classes at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the top-ranked university in Africa. Cape Town challenges you to understand the issues of joining the global economy while grappling with vast socioeconomic inequalities born from its colonial and apartheid past.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Cape Town.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
Featured Excursion:
Visit the most southwestern point of the African continent, the Cape of Good Hope, stopping along the way to see the African penguins in Simonstown. On this day trip, you explore the beauty of the south peninsula and have fun browsing shops and stalls at the vibrant Hout Bay market.
Other activities and study tours:
- Explore iconic sites like Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
- Join local fans at a sports stadium to watch cricket or rugby.
- See culture come to life with art on First Thursdays, theater, music, and other productions.
- Visit local communities to experience daily life in marginalized townships.
- Immerse yourself in campus life at the University of Cape Town by joining a social, sport, or cultural club – select up to three activities, and we’ll cover the cost.
Internship and/or Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering: Receive more than you give by participating in an Impact Project in a local community or donating your time on a weekly basis by tutoring students, working with health and medical organizations, providing services for the homeless, or using your administrative skills for the benefit of a local organization. Join one of many UCT clubs to participate in community service alongside fellow students. This is a not-for-credit opportunity.
Local engagement: Resident Assistants (RAs) are UCT students, recruited and trained by CIEE to help with cultural excursions, who live with CIEE students in CIEE’s off-campus apartments and introduce CIEE students to the UCT campus community.
Meet with local community members through various CIEE initiatives, such as Sunday lunches with a host family, or by visiting community organizations in the Langa community.
Program Blogs
Click to OpenProgram Blogs
Daily Life
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HOUSING
Arts and Sciences students will live in comfortable single-room apartments within a 10-minute walk from UCT’s free shuttle bus service and CIEE Cape Town. They will share the residence with other CIEE Study Abroad participants, as well as local and international students attending various universities and colleges across the city. All rooms are fully furnished and include an ensuite bathroom, a fully fitted kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a wall-mounted TV. The accommodation also offers a fully equipped gym, a laundry facility on each floor, and a recreational social space on the ground floor for relaxation. Students can enjoy social interaction with their peers in a variety of communal areas and can also appreciate the quiet spaces that allow them to study on their own or work on tasks in a group.
Dependent on availability, students may also live in apartments shared with other CIEE students. If local health and safety regulations permit, most students live in double or triple rooms. Each apartment will have shared common spaces, including a kitchen and bathroom.
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MEALS
Shared or Single Apartments: Students are responsible for all meals. They can cook in their apartment or eat on or off campus.
Cape Town, South Africa Where You'll Study
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CIEE STUDY CENTER located at 45 Main Road, Rondebosch
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
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Getting Around
Students take a free university shuttle to get from their housing to campus.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
This CIEE program allows students to continue their studies while they explore contemporary South African society. Courses are taken together with other local and international students from all University of Cape Town faculties, except health sciences and the Graduate School of Business. Areas of study include languages and literatures, gender studies, economics, sociology, history, economics, political studies, engineering, business, film and media, STEM fields, law, and environmental and geographical sciences. In addition, students can choose to take the Intercultural Communication and Leadership course offered by CIEE faculty.
Students participate in a variety of cultural activities and are strongly encouraged to participate in community service opportunities offered by UCT and CIEE.
University of Cape Town (UCT) Established as South African College in 1829, is internationally recognized as the top-ranked African research university. In 2022, UCT ranked 160th in the world (QS rankings). The UCT campus has beautiful grounds and attractive facilities which include a range of commercial, medical, recreational, and sporting facilities.
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Minimum of sophomore standing by time of application.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Students must enroll in 3-4 courses for 15-18 U.S. semester credits (or approximately 70-82 local HEQF credits)
- Students may take all UCT courses or a combination of UCT and CIEE courses
Program Credit
Total credit: 15-18 U.S. semester/22.5-27 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE Directed Independent Research (optional): 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 15 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
- CIEE Intercultural Communication and Leadership course (optional): 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours, 100-120 research hours
- University of Cape Town (UCT) courses: typically, 2.5-6.5 U.S. semester/3.75-9.75 quarter credits; typically, 120-300 notional hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
Students typically find that UCT courses require greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment than they are accustomed to. It is important to be motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. Teaching methods at UCT include a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and, in the sciences, laboratory classes. CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of the city when classes are in session.
Class Format
Classes are scheduled Monday-Friday and typically meet two to three times per week. Attendance is strictly enforced. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. UCT courses include UCT undergraduates and CIEE courses are for CIEE students only. Class sizes at UCT range from 100 to 300 with larger lectures and smaller tutorials (sections) of 20 to 40 students.
Grading
UCT courses all include continuous assessment, with 50% of the final grade based on the final exam, which is moderated by external examiners. Grades are based on a South African scale of 100 and later converted to the U.S. system of A-F. For CIEE courses, the U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded based on their attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. The assessment of learning outcomes is continuous through these methods of evaluation as set out in course syllabi.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
English
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
- University of Cape Town follows the South African Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) credit system.
- 1 HEQF credit typically equals .222 U.S. semester credits and represents approximately 10 notional hours
- Most courses are worth 12-30 HEQF credits
- Courses may be taken in all University of Cape Town Departments, except Health Sciences and the Graduate School of Business.
- Students applying for the Directed Independent Research are required to submit additional materials during the course selection process.
Fall 2023 CIEE Courses
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Communication, Journalism, and Media
Host Institution Courses
Click to OpenUNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
Below is a list of the faculties available at University of Cape Town. For specific course listings, please refer to the UCT website. Please note that not all courses within UCT faculties or departments are suitable for program participants, and many have prerequisites.
Faculty of Commerce
Accounting
Actuarial Science
Economics
Information Systems
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering
Geomatics
Architecture and Planning
Faculty of Humanities
African Languages and Literature
African Studies
Afrikaans and Netherlandic Studies
Classics
Drama
English Literature
Film and Media Studies
Fine Art
Hebrew and Jewish Studies
History
History of Art
Independent Research
Linguistics
Music
Philosophy
Political Studies
Psychology
Religious Studies
Social Anthropology
Sociology
Theory of Literature
Faculty of Science
Archaeology
Astronomy
Botany
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental and Geographical Science
Geological Sciences
Mathematics
Oceanography
Physics
Statistical Sciences
Zoology
Faculty of Law
Criminology
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance with no hidden charges.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 13, 2023 | Nov 17, 2023 |
$19,950
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $16,053 ** Housing = $3,400 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $19,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,000 † International Airfare = $1,450 †† Local Transportation = $550 Books & Supplies = $275 Visa Fees = $135 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 ††† Personal expenses = $2,200 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $7,110Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** students placed in homestays will have breakfast and dinner provided during the week and three meals a day on weekends † Accommodation is self-catering, students who prefer not to cook will spend more on restaurants/ convenience meals. †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† If no consulate in your home area †††† highly variable cost according to personal spending habits |
| Academic year 2023-2024 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 13, 2023 | TBD |
$38,900
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $31,253 ** Housing = $7,150 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $38,900Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $2,000 † International Airfare = $1,450 †† Local Transportation = $1,050 ††† Books & Supplies = $525 Visa Fees = $135 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 †††† Personal expenses = $2,200 ††††† Expenses during break = $2,500 †††††† Total Estimated Costs = $10,360Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** students placed in homestays will have breakfast and dinner provided during the week and three meals a day on weekends † Accommodation is self-catering, students who prefer not to cook will spend more on restaurants/ convenience meals. †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† Students typically prefer to use Uber for their private transport and should budget accordingly. †††† If no consulate in your home area ††††† highly variable cost according to personal spending habits †††††† academic year students who wish to stay onsite are responsible for arranging their housing and meals during the semester break; this depends on students' choices of price point |
| Spring 2024 19 weeks | Oct 1, 2023 | Feb 1, 2024* | Jun 16, 2024* |
$20,850
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $16,606 ** Housing = $3,750 *** Insurance = $194 Total Fees = $20,850Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $1,786 International Airfare = $1,450 † Local Transportation = $500 Books & Supplies = $100 Potential travel to consulate for visa = $500 †† Personal expenses = $225 Total Estimated Costs = $4,561Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** students placed in homestays will have breakfast and dinner provided during the week and three meals a day on weekends † round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure †† If no consulate in your home area |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Looking for funding?
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Lara Dunwell
Center Director
Lara has a Master’s in English Language and Literature from the University of Cape Town, and currently serves on the management council of the International Education Association of South Africa.
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Caleb Kay
STUDENT LIFE CO-ORDINATOR
Max graduated from the University of Cape Town with majors in Environmental/Geographical Science and Media Writing/Journalism.
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Max Hoffenberg
ACADEMIC COORDINATOR
Max graduated from the University of Cape Town with majors in Environmental/Geographical Science and Media Writing/Journalism.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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