Categories: University Application 2025

UCT Language Requirements 2025-2026

University of Cape Town (UCT) Language Requirements 2025-2026

English proficiency is a requirement for study at UCT.

Applicants from South Africa

As part of your application for admission to study at the University of Cape Town (UCT) for 2025, you have to submit one of the following as part of the minimum requirements:

A pass mark in English Home Language or First Additional Language if you hold the National Senior Certificate (NSC)
A 40% in English on the Higher Grade (first or second language) if you hold the Senior Certificate.

UCT International Applicants

All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency if English is not their first or home language or if they have not passed English at NSC Grade 12, AS-level, IGCSE, NSSC level, or equivalent secondary school-leaving qualification from an English medium-of-instruction institution.

If you are applying to study at UCT for the 2025 academic year, you must submit one of the following:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A valid (no more than 2 years old) TOEFL iBT Score Report with an overall score of 88 or above, with at least 19 in Listening, 19 in Writing, 20 in Reading, and 22 in Speaking.
IELTS: A valid (no more than 2 years old) IELTS Academic Test Report Form with an overall score of band 6.5 or above, with at least 6.0 in each component.
Pearson PTE Academic test: A valid (no more than 2 years old) PTE Academic Score Report with an overall score of 67 or above, with at least 59 in each communicative skills component.
National Benchmark Test (NBT): A valid (no more than 3 years old) NBT Academic Literacy Plus score report with an overall score in the Intermediate Upper range or above.

These are the English proficiency levels that must be met to be considered for admission to UCT. Please consult the relevant Faculty handbook for program-specific prerequisites.

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