University of Cape Town

University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university located in Cape Town, South Africa. It was established in 1829 as the South African College and granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest university in Sub-Saharan Africa in continuous operation.

The South African College was founded by a group of British colonists who wanted to establish a school that would provide a high-quality education for their children. The college initially offered only primary and secondary education, but it began to offer tertiary-level courses in the 1880s.

In 1918, the South African College was granted full university status and renamed the University of Cape Town. The university's first vice-chancellor was Sir John Molteno, who was also the Prime Minister of Cape Colony.

The apartheid years were a difficult time for UCT. The university was forced to implement the government's segregationist policies, which led to the expulsion of many black students and faculty members. Despite these challenges, UCT remained a center of resistance against apartheid.

Since the end of apartheid in 1994, UCT has played a leading role in the transformation of South Africa. The university has made a concerted effort to increase the number of black students and faculty members, and it has also been a strong advocate for social justice.

UCT is a leading research university with a strong international reputation. The university has a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and it is home to a number of renowned research institutes. UCT is committed to social justice and transformation, and it is playing an important role in the development of South Africa.

UCT is committed to continuing its tradition of academic excellence and social engagement. The university is facing a number of challenges, including financial constraints and a growing demand for higher education. However, UCT is confident that it will be able to overcome these challenges and continue to be a leading force in South Africa's development.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2025, University of Cape Town is positioned as the #171 top university in the world, which makes it the #1 top university in South Africa. The university's global rank is improved by 2 points from last year.