What is the UCT Phonathon?
The UCT Phonathon is an annual regular giving initiative that connects current UCT students directly with our global alumni community through phone calls.
During active calling cycles, a dedicated team of student callers reaches out to alumni around the world. The campaign serves two vital purposes:
When We Call
A pre call email is sent out to all alumni residing in South Africa to alert that they will receive call from the Development and Alumni Department. During active Phonathon campaigns, our student callers reach out during the following times (South African Standard Time):
If you missed a call or missed the latest campaign window, you can still support student success at any time.
How You Can Support
Together, we can ensure that no student’s hard work is halted at the final step. Together, we are UCT.
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About Unlocking Futures Bursaries
Helping qualified students graduate
Graduation should be a celebration
Graduation day marks the culmination of years of hard work. It is a proud and joyful moment when students receive their academic transcripts and degree certificates their passports to employment, financial independence and meaningful contribution to society.
But for some students, that moment is put on hold.
Each year, UCT has students who have completed all academic requirements but cannot receive their degree certificates because of outstanding fees. Without proof of qualification, they cannot secure employment or begin earning an income.
Why does this happen?
Many of these students come from:
Under-resourced schools that did not provide strong foundations in IT skills, academic writing or critical thinking
Low-income households with limited or no financial safety nets
Communities with high unemployment and few part-time work opportunities
Families unable to absorb unexpected financial shocks such as job loss, illness or death
To succeed at university, these students often:
Spend significant time catching up on essential academic skills
Balance their studies with additional academic support programmes
Experience high levels of stress and anxiety in unfamiliar environments
Take longer than the standard three years to complete their degrees
Despite overcoming these challenges and meeting all academic requirements, a final financial shortfall can prevent them from graduating.
How are studies funded?
The cost of an undergraduate degree is approximately R200 000 per year, which is beyond the reach of many families.
Students from households earning below R350 000 per year may qualify for NSFAS funding.
Approximately 38% of UCT first-year students are funded through NSFAS.
Some high-performing students receive donor or corporate bursaries.
However, funding caps and shortfalls often leave gaps between the actual cost of study and available funding.
If a student fails even one semester course, they may need to repeat up to a full academic year incurring additional tuition and living costs. These accumulated shortfalls often surface at the very end of a degree.
The challenge at graduation
Currently:
913 potential graduates have unmet financial need
445 students require urgent support
R34 million is needed to clear outstanding balances
Most individual shortfalls range between R10 000 and R40 000
These students have already succeeded academically. What they need now is help crossing the final financial hurdle.
The solution: Unlocking Futures Bursary
The Unlocking Futures Bursary is designed specifically to close these final funding gaps.
Unlike traditional bursaries that fund students throughout their degrees, this initiative:
As outlined in UCT’s funding proposal, this bursary serves as a targeted intervention at a critical transition point — ensuring that small financial shortfalls do not block qualified students from graduating .
The impact of your donation
Your contribution will:
This is more than financial assistance.
It is a direct investment in human potential empowering future leaders, professionals and change-makers to step confidently into the working world.
Help a student complete the final step
A student has done the hard work.
They have passed the exams.
They have fulfilled every academic requirement.
All that stands between them and their future is an outstanding balance.
Help unlock their future today.