University of Cape Town - Western Cape
Jameson Hall at the University of Cape Town © University of Cape Town - Western Cape
1829 saw the birth of an institution that would change education in South Africa... but nothing happens overnight. The South African College, which was a high school for boys was opened in 1829 in the Weeshuis on Long Street, Cape Town. In 1841 the school moved to the Egyptian Building which is located on what is now the University of Cape Town's Hiddingh Campus, in the Gardens district of Cape Town. It would be another 33 years before the College would be split into the University of Cape Town and the College Schools. The small tertiary institution grew exponentially shortly after 1880 with the discovery of gold and diamonds in the north which resulted in the demand for skills in mining as well as the financial boost it needed to grow.
The period between 1880 and 1900 saw some important changes to the University. With increased funding from private sources and the government the College was able to build its first dedicated science laboratories. The institute also started the departments of mineralogy and geology which met the needs for skilled personnel in the country's emerging diamond and gold-mining industries. But probably one of the biggest steps in the Universities history was when the Professor of Chemistry, Paul Daniel Hahn, convinced the Council to admit four women into his chemistry class on a trial basis in 1886. The women provided an exceptional standard of work and in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1887, the College decided to admit women students permanently. The following 20 years saw the establishment of the Medical School, the introduction of engineering courses and a Department of Education. UCT was formally established as a university in 1918.
In 1928, the university moved the bulk of its facilities to the magnificent site at Groote Schuur on the slopes of Devil's Peak where it celebrated its centenary the following year. Today the university has six different faculties which include Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Law, Health Sciences, and Humanities and Science. Among its more than 100 000 alumni are the late Professor Christiaan Barnard, the world-renowned heart surgeon, and three Nobel laureates, Sir Aaron Klug, the late Professor Alan MacLeod Cormack and JM Coetzee.
There are various campuses around Cape Town dealing with the different faculties. The main teaching campus, known as Upper Campus, is located on the Rhodes Estate on the slopes of Devil's Peak. The original Upper Campus buildings were built between 1928 and 1930 but many more have been added since then. This campus is also home to The Chancellor Oppenheimer library which holds the majority of the University's 1.3 million volume collection. The Middle and Lower Campuses are spread through the suburbs of Rondebosch, Rosebank and Mowbray and include a state of the art artificial grass soccer field has been approved by FIFA for training for World Cup teams. Hiddingh Campus in central Cape Town is home to the University's original building, now known as the Egyptian Building, which was built in the Egyptian Revival style. The only other campus built in this style was the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia in the United States. The UCT Graduate School of Business is located on the Breakwater Lodge Campus at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. And lastly but probably most importantly is the Medical School campus which is next to the Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory. Groote Schuur is also home to the Heart of Cape Town museum.
Contact details for the University of Cape Town (UCT):
Phone (General Enquiries): +27 (0)21 650 9111
Email (General Enquiries): info@uct.ac.za
Website: https://www.uct.ac.za
Physical Address: University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, Western Cape, South Africa
Accommodation Near University of Cape Town - Western Cape
Knightsbury Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Rondebosch
0.8km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeThere are 4 tastefully decorated rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Each is fitted with all the amenities necessary to making sure their guests' needs are attended to. The Knight's are an impressive double act at breakfast, which is indulgent with... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Sandown Lodge
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Rondebosch
1.8km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeSandown Lodge is a charming 19th Century Georgian Guest House, centrally situated in picturesque surroundings in Rondebosch, Cape Town. Close to Newlands Cricket ground and the University of Cape Town which are within walking distance... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Fernwood Manor
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Newlands, Cape Town
2.6km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeFernwood Manor is an elegant colonial style home in the leafy suburb of Newlands surrounded by lush greenery with wonderful mountain views. Our exclusive guest house, catering for no more than 16 guests, ensures warm friendly personal service... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Glencoy
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Claremont
2.6km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeGlencoy provides self catering accommodation in Claremont, Cape Town. Glencoy is an upmarket, private self-catering apartment and en-suite guest room. It is situated in the quiet residential area of Upper Claremont. With a striking view of Table Mountain. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Mayfield Cottages
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Rondebosch
3km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeMayfield Cottages - 2 upmarket (spacious, sunny and comfortable) self-catering suites (each sleep 2 people) conveniently located in the leafy, historic suburb of Rondebosch, Cape Town. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Valley Heights B&B / Guest House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Kenilworth
3.7km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeValley Heights Guest House provides bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation in Kenilworth, Cape Town. Situated in the peaceful, safe and leafy suburb of Upper Kenilworth in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs and has easy access to major tourist... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Thatchwood Cottage
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Pinelands, Cape Town
3.9km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeThatchwood Cottage is situated in Pinelands which offers a self contained cottage with its own entrance and secure off street parking. There is a swimming pool and tranquil garden where guests can relax. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
5 Camp Street
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Cape Town
5.6km from University of Cape Town - Western Cape5 Camp Street provides self catering accommodation in Gardens, Cape Town City Bowl. Ideally situated in the central, trendy and historic suburb of Gardens, on the lower slopes of Table Mountain. Within easy walking distance of Kloof Street... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Kaya La Provence
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plumstead
5.9km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeSituated in a secure and safe neighbourhood on the border of Constantia and Plumstead, Kaya La Provence offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere with two B&B Suites in the Manor House. Experience outdoor living with a communal swimming pool, outdoor Jacuzzi. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Kaya La Provence Self Catering Cottage
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Plumstead
6km from University of Cape Town - Western CapeKaya La Provence provides self catering accommodation in Plumstead, Cape Town. Situated in a secure and safe neighbourhood on the border of Constantia and Plumstead, Kaya La Provence offers a warm and relaxed atmosphere with a beautiful Self Catering... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Rosebank (1.38km)
- Mowbray (1.52km)
- Rondebosch (1.60km)
- Newlands, Cape Town (2.05km)
- University Estate (2.08km)
- Observatory (2.49km)
- Salt River (2.64km)
- Claremont (2.69km)
- Walmer Estate (2.77km)
- Woodstock (3.04km)
- Oude Molen Village (3.15km)
- Southern Suburbs (3.32km)
- Maitland Garden Village (3.38km)
- Bishopscourt (3.60km)
- Devil's Peak Estate (3.72km)
- Rhodes Memorial - Devil's Peak, Cape Town (0.57km)
- The Groote Schuur Estate - Rondebosch, Cape Town (0.66km)
- Baxter Food and Goods Market - Rondebosch, Cape Town (0.97km)
- Cape Town Big Band Festival - Rondebosch (0.98km)
- Irma Stern Museum and Art Gallery - Cape Town (0.99km)
- Two Oceans Marathon - Cape Town (1.45km)
- Josephine Mill Museum - Newlands, Cape Town (1.45km)
- Oktober Bierfest - Cape Town (1.49km)
- Mowbray Maternity Hospital - Mowbray, Cape Town (1.61km)
- Heart of Cape Town Museum - Observatory, Cape Town (1.65km)
- Groote Schuur Hospital - Observatory, Cape Town (1.69km)
- Newlands Cricket Ground - Newlands, Cape Town (1.81km)
- Devil's Peak - Cape Town (2.12km)
- Cavendish Square - Claremont, Cape Town (2.29km)
- Kingsbury Hospital - Claremont, Cape Town (2.98km)
- Neighbourgoods Market, Woodstock, Cape Town (3.05km)
- Vincent Pallotti Hospital - Pinelands, Cape Town (3.26km)
- Rondebosch Golf Club - Mowbray, Cape Town (3.35km)
- Mowbray Golf Club - Mowbray, Cape Town (3.62km)
- Maclear's Beacon - Table Mountain, Cape Town (3.64km)
- Akeso Kenilworth Clinic - Cape Town (3.91km)
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens - Cape Town (4.07km)
- Skeleton Gorge Hike - Table Mountain, Cape Town (4.40km)
- Van Riebeeck Hedge - Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Cape Town (4.41km)
- Castle of Good Hope - Cape Town (4.61km)
- The Fringe Handmade Creative Goods Market - Cape Town (4.66km)
- The Fugard Theatre - District Six, Cape Town (4.74km)
- District Six Museum - Cape Town (4.75km)
- Cape Town City Hall & Grande Parade - Cape Town (4.91km)
- Cape Town Cycle Tour (4.92km)
