Student enrolments up for third consecutive year

28 May 2002
IT'S A hat trick for new undergraduate student enrolments at UCT as the University exceeded its target for the third year in a row.

Director of the Student Recruitment and Enrolment Office (REMO) Royston Pillay said UCT's first year undergraduate enrolment target had been exceeded by 16%. "The first year incoming class enrolment target for 2002 was set at 3 332 students, which we exceeded by 539 students."

Split by faculty, the enrolment against target figures were: Commerce +45; Engineering and the Built Environment +42; Humanities +294; Law +2; Science +147; and Health Sciences -9.

A total of 10 984 applications for undergraduate study places were received for 2002. Of this number, 5 708 study place offers were made (52%) and as at February 22, 2002, a total of 3 871 new first year students registered (exceeding the 2001 figure by 307). This represents a 68% take up on offers, up from 60% in 2001.

The picture for new undergraduate enrolment by faculty looks like this:
  • Commerce 1 048 (1 079) (2001: 1 150)
  • Engineering and the Built Environment 553 (2001: 523)
  • Health Sciences 252 (2001: 310)
  • Humanities 1 289 (2001: 1 033)
  • Law 51 (2001: 41)
  • Science 647 (2001: 507)
Regarding financial aid, Pillay said 1 323 financial aid offers had been made this year (2001: 1 412). "A total of 811 students with financial aid offers have registered, or 61%. The corresponding figure for 2001 was 852 offers accepted, or 60%."

He added that the total cost for these financial aid packages was not easy to quantify at this stage as the value of the packages differed from student to student, depending on individual circumstances.

The University offered UCT Entrance Scholarships to 996 first year applicants, of whom 678 students took up the offer (68%). "In 2001, 942 entrance scholarship offers were made and 629 students who received the offer enrolled at UCT (67%)," Pillay added. This year the total cost of the entrance scholarships awarded amounted to R6 394 000. In 2001 the scholarships awarded amounted to a cost of R6 077 500.

"Generally, 40% of all first-time entering undergraduates will receive one or another form of financial support from UCT in 2002," Pillay concluded.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin West, who is also Chair of the Admissions Committee, said he was delighted that the demand to come to UCT remained high.

"I am particularly pleased that the faculties of Humanities and Science have done so well, given that a year or two ago the numbers seemed to be under threat.

"The much higher take-up rate on offers made will require careful thought. We cannot afford to overshoot targets when pressures on staff and physical resources are acute."

He added that it was relevant to note, too, that the incoming class is 53% female and 50,5% black. "With the addition of many international students from a wide range of countries, UCT will preserve its reputation for having the most diverse and talented student body in the country."

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