Cape Town, South Africa

Engineering & Science

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Direct Enrollment
Length:
Fall, Spring

At a Glance

Housing:

Residence Hall

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English

Language Prerequisites:

None

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

Designed for STEM students (with particular focus on Mechanical, Chemical, and Electrical Engineering) and with the expertise of our Engineering Consortium, the curriculum of this program enables you to continue the specific course progression you need for a timely graduation. While completing your engineering coursework, you will also experience all that Cape Town has to offer by exploring the city and its surrounds, and diving into the rich South African culture and history.

In this program, you’ll register for two to four courses at South Africa's leading research university, the University of Cape Town (UCT), which is located in a pleasant suburban area five miles from the city center. UCT is South Africa's oldest university and has undergone incredible change since its opening, particularly since the end of Apartheid, working to make quality higher education available to students regardless of socioeconomic background.

In addition to your engineering-related courses, you will participate in a hands-on IES Abroad course entitled Designing the Sustainable City, a unique project-based course that examines and proposes solutions for issues affecting the local community.

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Study Electrical Engineering

Take engineering courses in an international context.

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Complete Graduation Requirements

Check off important requirements for your degree.

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Enroll at the University of Cape Town

Become part of a large research community.

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Support the Global Good

Participate in an environmental sustainability course.

2025 Fall

Program Dates:

July 14 - November 22

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

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Zhanè Vanderbilt

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

a nighttime aerial view of Cape Town and its mountains

Why Cape Town?

In Cape Town, every day will be like a choose-your-own-adventure book: imagine hiking Lion's Head at sunset, strolling through the African market at Greenmarket Square, attempting to finish a Gatsby sandwich, visiting beaches, and more.  We want you to feel at home in South Africa, so we do everything we can to help you integrate into life in the city. From housing to cultural events, our job is to make sure you have the most authentic study abroad experience possible.

In this program you'll enroll in classes at the top-ranked university in South Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT), which is also South Africa’s leading research institution. Here, you'll have the chance to hone in on Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering courses, making UCT the perfect place to check off requirements for your STEM major.

Learn More About Cape Town

Get to Know Your New City

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Explore the Unique Cape Floral Kingdom

Cape Town is biodiverse hotspot made up of mountains, wilderness, and more.

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Enjoy a Mix of Cultures

Immerse yourself in a multicultural landscape with 11 official languages.

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Experience a Society in Transition

30 years past apartheid, South Africa is a developing nation in transition.

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Learn More about Sustainability

Cape Town is home to innovative approaches to sustainability.

The Student Experience

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Housing

A clean bedroom featuring a twin-sized bed, a desk, and shelving with bright blue backings.
  • Residence Hall

Residence Hall

Live in a private residence hall with IES Abroad, South African, and other international students. Students live in a furnished single room with a kitchenette, private bathrom, and a digital safe is provided. Living spaces are shared, and there is a gym on site. Internet access is available.  Meals are not included. 

An IES Abroad Resident Assistant lives in the residence hall and can serve as a great resource for tips on integrating into the local culture. 

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with the University of Cape Town. 

We offer our Global Pillars course that explore sustainability and development through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives in class each day. 

Partner Institution

Students walk past buildings covered in lush vegetation on a sunny day at the University of Cape Town.
  • University of Cape Town

University of Cape Town

The top-ranked university in South Africa as well as the rest of Africa, the University of Cape Town (UCT) is also South Africa’s leading research institution. International students make up about 20% of the total enrollment at the University. UCT is located four miles from the Cape Town City Center. Your commute time to campus is between 15-30 minutes, which is common for local students.

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Courses

Our Engineering and Science Program offers a range of courses in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. These courses are taught at University of Cape Town (UCT) and at the IES Abroad Center.

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components. You take 15-19 credits per semester.

  • Partner University Courses (required, 12-16 credits): You will take a minimum of 1 STEM or Engineering course. You may take additional courses in STEM/Engineering, or otherwise taken across a wide range of available disciplines at UCT, barring Academic Year courses.
  • ES/SO 360 Designing the Sustainable City – Global Pillars course (required, 3 credits)

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (2)

Environmental Studies (1)

Course name Term Language Credits
ES/SO 360 - Designing the Sustainable City Fall, Spring English 3

Partner Institution Courses

Unviersity of Cape Town 

Most courses at UCT are lecture-based, some with very large classes, and they usually meet between two and five days per week. Lectures are often accompanied by tutorials, which are much smaller and allow discussion of topics and concepts covered during the lecture.  Past students have found these tutorials to be extremely useful. 

Engineering Courses at the University of Cape Town are taught in the School of Engineering & the Built Environment , which teaches the following disciplines: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Chemical/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering.

The course codes below indicate whether a course is offered in the first or second semester of the University Academic Year (February-November). The suffix 'F' denotes courses offered in the First Semester (Feb-Jun) and the suffix 'S' is for courses offered in the Second Semester (Jul-Nov).  For example, CHE2006S is offered in the U.S. fall term, whereas CHE3006F is offered in the U.S. spring term. 

Chemical Engineering:

Electrical Engineering:

Mechanical Engineering:

Math and Statistics:

Choose from many courses in the following faculties at the University of Cape Town.  

  • Commerce — Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Finance & Tax, Information Systems, Marketing, Mathematics, Statistics 
  • Humanities — Communication, Dance, Drama, English Literature and Language, Film & Media, Fine Art, Gender Studies, History, Languages and Literature, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology, Religious Studies, Social Anthropology, Social Development, Social Work, Sociology 
  • Natural Sciences — Archaeology, Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental & Geographical Science, Geographical Sciences, Mathematics & Applied Materials, Molecular & Cellular Biology, Oceanography, Physics, Statistical Sciences 

South Africa-focused courses are available in fields such as Cultural Studies, Dance, History, Language, Literature, Music, Photography, Political Science, Religion, and Sociology. You may not enroll in courses in the Health Sciences faculty.

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Cape Town, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

Group of Cape Town students in front of Ocean

Hermanus

3 Days Fall & Spring

Spend time on South Africa’s beautiful southern coast, Hermanus, where whales migrate each year. Explore the southernmost tip of the African continent, a local penguin colony and take an ocean conservation boat trip, within the incredibly scenic area.

Students riding in a truck in Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park & Johannesburg

4 Days ($) Fall & Spring

Spend two days on a safari in the world-famous Kruger National Park. Then, travel west to Johannesburg, where you'll enjoy lunch in Soweto township and visit the Apartheid Museum.

Volunteer Opportunities

When you volunteer in Cape Town, you have the chance to make a difference in the local community while meeting new people and gaining a new perspective on the world. If you are passionate about volunteering abroad, just let the on-site staff know at the beginning of your term.

Past volunteer opportunities in Cape Town include:

Beth Uriel

A home for young men aged 18 to 24 that provides a safe space where they are also taught various life skills. Students have the opportunity to volunteer as mentors.

WordWorks

Reading program in school for 1st grade students. Student volunteers are trained to teach basic reading skills.

The Rainbow Academy

Non-profit youth performing arts and media skills programs with youth aged 18 to 24 from underprivileged backgrounds. This is a year long program that includes film, music, dance, acting, costume design and production.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
14,836
Housing
$
4,304
Insurance
$
410
Total
$
19,550

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
26,690
Housing
$
8,610
Insurance
$
790
Total
$
36,090

Spring 2025

Tuition
$
15,527
Housing
$
4,200
Insurance
$
410
Total
$
20,137

2025 Fall

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Cape Town Center is conveniently located near the University of Cape Town on the slope of the well-hiked Devil’s Peak. Whether you’re attending a guest lecture or studying in the student lounge, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Cape Town
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Cape Town. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore Cape Town before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Three-Day Trip
Orientation continues with an optional trip along the Garden Route, where you explore cave systems, visit beautiful beaches, and experience the South African landscape.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

July 08 - November 22

Application Deadline:

Academic Year 2024

Program Dates:

Early July - Mid June

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

February 03 - June 24

Application Deadline:

2025 Fall

Program Dates:

July 14 - November 22

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age 
  • In good standing at your home school 
  • 3.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale. No exceptions.
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing when program begins. Undergraduate candidates only. Applicants need to have at least three semesters of course work when they enroll at UCT (first semester sophomores can apply).  Some local university courses may not be available to students of Sophomore standing. Please contact your IES Abroad Representative for more details 
  • Students must be STEM majors

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

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