Home | Development & Alumni

From one bequest to 50 years of stories

When The Baxter Theatre opened its doors in 1977, South Africa was in the grip of apartheid. Yet, from its earliest days, the theatre became a space where voices that were often silenced elsewhere could be heard.

Taking the next step towards securing your legacy

Making a Will is one of the most important steps a person can take to protect their loved ones and ensure that their wishes are honoured.

UCT scholar wins global science award for children’s heart research

A childhood dream that began in the shadow of the University of Cape Town (UCT) has culminated in one of the world’s most prestigious honours for women scientists.

Designing a different future through UCT’s d-school Afrika: school celebrates 10 years

In 2026, the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika) at the University of Cape Town marked its tenth anniversary, celebrating a decade of fostering innovation

UCT lights up House of Lords, champions child health research

More than 160 UCT alumni, donors and friends gathered at the House of Lords for the annual UCT UK Trust Reception.

Entrepreneurship and innovation across borders

The University of Cape Town (UCT) together with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) co-hosted a compelling webinar that brought together distinguished alumni from both institutions for a dynamic discussion on entrepreneurship

Strategy 2030: Shaping UCT’s Future Together

Strategy 2030 builds on our excellence, diversity, and resilience and hopes to shape UCT's future. Feedback from the UCT community is now being consolidated and considered, and further updates will be shared in the coming months.

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Latest news

A gift today, an opportunity tomorrow

A university education is viewed by some as a place all about earning a qualification, and for others it is about the people you meet along the way, the experiences shared, and the opportunities that shape the person you become.

Australia annual appeal: double your impact by supporting SHAWCO

During a recent visit to Cape Town, Jillian Shiels, Alumni Relations and Development Director of the UCT Australian Trust, had the opportunity to spend time with UCT students whose commitment to service is transforming lives

Rise ‘76’ shakes audiences to the core at The Baxter Theatre

At first, Rise ’76: The Story of June 16 lures its audience into comfort. There is laughter. The opening moments are playful and energetic

Unlocking Futures: helping UCT's graduates cross the finish line

For a growing number of University of Cape Town students, this is not a hypothetical question. Each year, a group of students ready themselves to graduate, having fulfilled every academic requirement, only to find that outstanding fees

Entrepreneurship and innovation across borders

The University of Cape Town (UCT) together with the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) co-hosted a compelling webinar that brought together distinguished alumni from both institutions for a dynamic discussion on entrepreneurship

UCT lights up House of Lords, champions child health research

More than 160 UCT alumni, donors and friends gathered at the House of Lords for the annual UCT UK Trust Reception.

Videos

Unlocking Future Generations: Thando's story

UCT Ikey Tigers — their passion, perseverance, and potential

UCT Food Sovereignty Fund

UCT Day: Khayelitsha Cervical Cancer Research

UCT DAY: Evergreen Seed Fund

Alumni at UCT

As the oldest university in South Africa, the University of Cape Town has over 200 000 alumni on record, located in 164 countries around the world. This vibrant, global community share memories of time spent at Africa's top-ranked higher education institution, one of the most iconic campuses in the world. Did you know that UCT is alma mater to no less than 5 Nobel Laureates along with numerous distinguished alumni? The university's international offices located in North America, Canada, the United Kingdom and in Australia serve as vital contact points for leveraging alumni and donor engagement as well as research relationships. Each year, generous funding from our alumni, donors and friends, helps fund university priority projects that include student bursaries, scholarships and support programmes. Join our community. Partner with excellence and support UCT into the future.

Upcoming Events

Join us for Happy Hour

8 October 2026

(Ends 8 October 2026)

More info

We are bringing our UCT community together for Happy Hour at the Standard Deviant Brewing Company, and we would love for you to join us.

Basic HIV Counselling

16 October 2026

(Ends 16 October 2026)

More info

Dept. of Psychiatry and Mental Health

UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra presents Fragments of Sarah

16 October 2026

(Ends 16 October 2026)

More info

The UCT Ibuyambo Orchestra presents Fragments of Sarah, an interdisciplinary performance reflecting on the life and legacy of Sarah Baartman through sound, movement, memory and storytelling.

Don Giovanni

22 October 2026

(Ends 22 October 2026)

More info

Opera UCT presents Mozart's Don Giovanni, staged by French-American director Talia Stern, with designs by Allegra Bernacchioni. The Opera UCT cast and chorus, joined by the CPO, are conducted by Peggy Wu and Jeremy Silver.

1st

IN AFRICA

UCT leads, in Africa, in all five of the major world university rankings: Times Higher Education, Quacquarelli Symonds, Center for World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings and ShanghaiRanking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities.

183rd

IN THE WORLD

UCT is ranked as 183rd in the world by the latest 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.

109th

IN THE WORLD

The recent 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings saw UCT ranked at 109th globally.