Academic Administration

Congratulations on selecting UCT Faculty of Humanities! Did you know that we are the premier Humanities faculty in Southern Africa?

1. Humanities is the largest Faculty at UCT with over 7 000 students and 18 academic departments.
2. We offer students a diverse range of academic programmes designed to stimulate and engage.
3. Humanities is the most popular destination for international students visiting UCT and we are host to a vibrant community of Semester Study Abroad students each year. This means that Humanities students are exposed to a rich diversity of culture and global perspectives.
4. The Faculty of Humanities offers students over 40 academic majors at the undergraduate level. This means greater choice in tailoring your academic experience.
5. We produce graduates who possess insight, imagination, skills of analysis and critical argumentation.

Interested in applying to Humanities?
We have compiled guides to help you navigate the admission process, as well as familiarise yourself with the various programmes we have on offer in the Humanities Faculty:

• Undergraduate Prospectus
• Directions for Undergraduate Applicants
• Directions for Postgraduate Applications

You can also visit Humanities Contacts page for the appropriate channel to ask your questions.

Undergraduate applications

All UG applications are delt with directly by the Humanities Faculty office and not by the department. 

View our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on the Faculty of Humanities undergraduate admissions processes. To be considered for admission to Undergraduate study, applicants normally resident in South Africa are required to:

1. Possess a matriculation exemption (Senior Certificate) or a NSC endorsed for degree studies (NSC); or for a Diploma, a school leaving certificate) or NSC endorsed for diploma studies.
2. Write the NBT Academic and Quantitative Literacy Test (AQL).

Matriculants applying to Humanities must submit at least two sets of interim school results, which may include your Grade 11 final results and Grade 12 April, Grade 12 June or Grade 12 September school results.

Refer to think link for details of the REL UG Degree Programmes on offer. 

Refer to the Humanities web page for more details of the undergraduate programmes on offer: HUM Academic Programmes

Postgraduate applications
For applicants who wish to be considered for admission to a postgraduate programme in the Humanities, the following document describes the various application, registration and examination processes and procedures.

What happens when I apply for postgraduate study in the Humanities?:

• Similar to the Undergraduate application process, after completing your online application, UCT Admissions Office will inform you via email that your application has been received and request accompanying documents. Please note that your application cannot be considered if you do not supply your latest academic transcripts (even if you are still completing your studies).
• Please note that applications for the academic year close on 31 October in the preceding year.
• If you decide to change your degree choice after your application has been submitted, you should contact Central Admissions to update your choice (not the Faculty office). UCT Admissions Office uploads your details onto the computer database.
• If your selected programme is owned by the Faculty of Humanities, the Humanities Faculty Office staff will send your application to the relevant department for consideration.
• Once the department notifies the Faculty's Postgraduate Office of their decision, you will be sent a letter informing you whether you have been offered a place, a conditional place, if your application has been refused, or if you are on a waiting list.
• You can monitor the progress of your application online.

For more details on how to apply for the Study of Religions Postgraduate Programme, please refer to the following documents: 
 

2025 Humanities Undergraduate Registration

All students registered to undergraduate Humanities programmes require two levels of curriculum review in order to finalise their registration:

1. the first level is in-person curriculum advice, and
2. the second level is incorporated into (Steps 12-14 of) the registration task on PeopleSoft.

Students must finalise their registration task (or request approval on Step 12 of the registration task) by Friday, 14 February 2025. Importantly, students will not be able to proceed past Step 11 of their registration task on PeopleSoft without completing the first level of curriculum review.

Link to Important Undergrad Registration Resources

2024 Online MOU process and 2025 Registration 
 
Progress Reporting - Monitoring PG student progress (MOU): Current Students registered for dissertation course codes (REL5003W, REL5000W and REL6000W)

• You will be required to complete the MOU process where you will need to meet with your supervisor to discuss and complete the required MOU form for 2025 re-registration.
• The process will be automated where the forms will be completed online via the PeopleSoft system. 
• All new and returning students registering or re-registering for the REL dissertation courses will need to complete this MOU process before registering for the 2025 academic year.
• The timeline for completion of the MOU will coincide with registration in 2025 (22 January - 12 February 2025).

 
2025 Registration and completion of MOU forms for new/returning students: 

• 2025 registration will take place ONLINE from 22 January – 12 February 2025 for new and returning students. 
• Registration will formally commence on the 22nd of January 2025 and all new and returning students will be required to register remotely via Peoplesoft. 

For further details regarding the dates and procedures for online registration, refer to the attached documents. 
 

• Study of Religions 2025 Postgraduate Registration Information
• Humanities Registration Guide (BCC Process)
• Humanities Registration Guide (PE Process)
• 2025 Humanities Faculty Handbook
• UCT 2025 Fees & Payment Dates