Political and Social Sciences, African Studies & Health

University of the Western Cape
Cape Town, South Africa
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Program Overview

Program Overview

  • Popular Subject Areas

    Political and Social Sciences, African Studies & Health

  • Location

    Cape Town

  • Host University

    University of the Western Cape

    The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is committed to excellence in teaching, learning, and research; to nurturing the cultural diversity of South Africa; and to responding in critical and creative ways to the needs of a society in transition. You can take classes in subjects such as social development studies, politics & African studies, performing arts, health studies, and environmental studies. Its attractive campus includes an important nature reserve, and the mountains of the Cape Peninsula and Stellenbosch provide beautiful landmarks to the east and west. UWC's rich history began with its establishment in 1959 for non-white students during the Apartheid era and was originally intended by the South African Parliament for people classified as "Colored." Among academic institutions it has been a leader of South Africa's historic change, playing a distinctive academic role in helping to build an equitable and dynamic nation.

  • Term

    Fall 2 2024

  • Program Dates

    Jul 13, 2024 - Nov 12, 2024

  • Program Length

    Semester

  • Application Deadline

    Apr 01, 2024

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    Apr 15, 2024

  • Credit

    50 - 60 Host University Units

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $15,995

  • This session is closed and is no longer accepting applications.

Study Abroad Program Description

Located in the local Belleville neighborhood, the University of the Western Cape is still a beacon of freedom and societal change to South Africans, due to its role in the anti-Apartheid movement. The University houses the UWC-Robben Island Mayibuye Archives, which includes a collection of artifacts, historical documents, photographs, artworks, and audio-visual materials of the apartheid era in South Africa. You can take courses in several popular UWC academic disciplines, including African history, Development Studies, Education, Conflict Studies, and Political Science.

Semester + Semester Programs Available: You can combine the Spring + Fall OR Fall + Spring sessions at a discounted price. For more information about this option, please contact your ISA South Africa Program Manager.

Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES

There is no language prerequisite for this program.

You must have second semester sophomore standing at the time of participation in the program.

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Airport Reception

Visa Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Bridging Cultures Orientation

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site ISA Offices

Internet Access

ISA Discovery Model

Excursions

Cultural Activities

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Scholarship Opportunities

Academics

Credits

Host University Units

50 - 60

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

12 - 15

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

18 - 25

Academic Information

Course Credit:  

Credit weighting varies by course/module.  

 

Students enroll in a total of 50-60 UWC credits per semester, which equates to 4-6 courses.   

 

Each course is typically worth 10-15 UWC credits, equivalent to 3-4 U.S. semester credits/4.5-6 quarter units. By this calculation, students earn 12-15 U.S. semester credits per semester.  

 

Please see ISA’s recommendation below for credit transfer:   

- 10 UWC credits = 3 US semester credits/4.5 US quarter units   

- 15 UWC credits = 4 US semester credits/6 US quarter units   

 

The transcript from the University of the Western Cape will reflect UWC credits for each course. Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. Please be in touch with your U.S. university regarding credit transfer.   

According to ISA policy and visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by the host university, for the duration of the program.  

 

Course Level  

Students with no prior knowledge about a specific subject should select introductory courses at the 100 level. Students with prior knowledge about a subject should choose courses at the 200 and 300 level.  

Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.   

 

Restrictions for International Students  

ISA students are not permitted to take classes in the faculties (departments) of Dentistry and Community & Health Sciences. There are limited medical training universities in South Africa, so international students cannot take the places reserved for locals.  

400-level courses are for graduate students and ISA semester students are not permitted to enroll.  

 

Course Selection  

The courses listed below are only a sampling of what courses the university offers. Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change. To search for courses, please enter the UWC module course database.  

 

1) Select Academic Year & Faculty (department). Then, graduate type should be “undergraduate” and study type is “full-time”. Finally, the degree type should be set to “degree”.    

 

2) Click the bubble next to "an International Student".  

 

3) Now, you will see various degree plans. Click on one that you are interested in to see list of available courses. If you are studying abroad in the fall semester, please choose courses that are offered in Semester 2. If you are studying abroad in the spring, please choose courses offered in Semester 1. ISA students are not eligible to take whole-year classes.  

 

Note: ISA recommends you take a MAXIMUM of one 300 level course as past students have indicated taking two was challenging.  

 

4) Get all possible courses you might take approved for credit transfer by your advisor. If you would like to learn more about each course and access the course outline, you can click on the PDF next to the course title. Requests for more detailed syllabi will need to be made to the Cape Town Program Manager.  

 

Transcript Information  

The transcript from the University of the Western Cape will reflect NQF credits for each course listed below. Please be in touch with your U.S. University regarding credit transfer for this program.   

 

Duly Performed/Duly Performed Refusal  

Duly Performed (DP) is a grade qualifier used at UWC that will determine a student's eligibility to take their final examination.  If a student has received DP for a course, it means that they have met the requirements for continuous assessment (i.e. mid-terms, quizzes, assignments) to take their final exam.  In the UWC system, grades are heavily contingent on the final exam. The largest percentage of a student's grade in a course is determined by the final exam grade.  Opting to not take the final exam will likely lead to a failing grade in the course. 

Courses

Filter by Subject

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University of the Western Cape
Additional Course Offerings to the Sample Below
Course Options
Contact Hours
Faculty of Arts
Anthropology and Sociology
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Earth Science
15 Host University Units
20 Host University Units
20 Host University Units
20 Host University Units
Economics
15 Host University Units
Economics
ECO133
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
Educational Studies
15 Host University Units
English
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
Mathematics
20 Host University Units
Misc. Department
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Political Studies
Psychology
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Religion and Theology
10 Host University Units
Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Women's and Gender Studies
10 Host University Units
20 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Xhosa Department
15 Host University Units
Faculty of Community and Health Sciences
Misc. Department
10 Host University Units
Social Work
10 Host University Units
Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
Academic Development/School of Business and Finance/Economics
20 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
20 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
Geography and Environmental Studies
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
15 Host University Units
10 Host University Units
Course Disclaimer
  • Credits earned vary according to the policies of the students' home institutions. According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, students must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by their home institutions, for the duration of the program.

Support & Funding

ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.

SUPPORT TEAM

Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.

Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.

U.S. Team

Kiri Johnson

Program Manager, South Africa

CAPE TOWN TEAM

Ouma Mpela

Resident Director, South Africa

Identity Resources

Accessibility & Accommodations

With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.

Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.

Destination Information

Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.

Identity Blog

ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.

Funding

All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!

If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.

Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org

Housing

Student Residence

The residence halls in Cape Town are located off campus. The apartment-style accommodations have shared kitchens and bathroom facilities. Meals and laundry service are not included. You will pay a $300 refundable security deposit if living in this ISA housing option. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

Aquila Private Game Reserve

The Aquila Game Reserve is a game reserve where you will keep your eye out for the Big 5: the elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, lion, and African buffalo. Gain a sense of the impact of climate change on the ecosystem of the Aquila Game Reserve and enter consider how policy makers can do more to mitigate further damage.

Robben Island

Visit the infamous Apartheid-era political prison where former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years. On the way, we will also visit the District Six Museum, commemorating the Coloured population of Cape Town. We will also take a tour of the Langa Township, an area designated as a zone for Black Africans prior to apartheid, where will see first-hand some typical living conditions within the townships of South Africa and meet some of the locals.

Cultural Activities in Cape Town

The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Cape Town. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Cape Town special.

These activities vary each term, and previous offerings have included a community service day, city walking tour, First Thursdays (visit galleries and attend cultural events around Cape Town), The Castle of Good Hope Museum, and visiting the Old Biscuit Mill for African Cuisine.

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