Examination procedures for students

Dear students

I write to you about important announcements ahead of this exam period.

As you are aware, the final exams for 2016 will commence on 7 November. The timetable has been released, as has the deferred exam timetable for January 2017. I wish to remind you that, other than in the Faculty of Health Sciences, students have the option to take their exams in November 2016 or to defer either individual exams or the full exam block to January 2017.

The self-service function for students wishing to defer the full set of exams closes on 6 November 2016. Students wishing to defer individual exams can apply up until the day before the exam. Students wishing to defer an exam, but who are unable to apply by the deadline (the day before the exam), will have to provide reasons (such as illness) for seeking deferral, along with the necessary documentation. These applications will be considered by the Deferred Exams Committee. Check the exam page for detailed information about applying for exam deferrals.

Exam venues
Exams will be written in four main venues and not in the venues as were originally listed. The new venues are: Jameson Hall, the Sports Centre, the New Lecture Theatre at the south end of University Avenue, and the Kramer Building. Please check your exam timetable. The new venues for the week 7 November to 11 November have been published, and the new venues for the exams written on 14 November to 25 November will be published next week. Please confirm the venue details for your particular courses on your personal timetable.

For access to the Sports Centre please follow the signposts that will direct students to the specific entrance points for each of the Sports Centre halls 1, 2 and 3.

Safety and related procedures
Given the unprecedented circumstances that have prevailed over the past weeks, and in the interest of safety for all UCT staff and students, the following procedures will apply. It is recognised that these procedures may well cause inconvenience, but they are deemed necessary at this time and your patience is requested.

1. Access to exam venues will be strictly controlled.
2. Access rights to the exam venues will be checked against student registration records.
3. Students must have their student cards available at all times.
4. You are advised to bring only the essential items you will need for the exam, and you are strongly advised not to bring bags. If you do bring bags, please note that these will be checked by safety personnel in the perimeter area outside the access doors to the exam venue. You will not be allowed to take into the exam venue items that are not appropriate for the purposes of sitting the exam.
5. Exam venues will open an hour before the exam is scheduled to start. Given the access procedures referred to above, please arrive at the venue 50 minutes before the official start time for your exam.
6. Exam invigilators have been advised of the safety steps they should take in the event of any irregular activity inside an exam venue. Always remain calm and follow the instructions of the chief invigilator in the exam venue.

Student conduct
UCT continues to uphold the right to peaceful protest. The university cannot condone actions that are unlawful and, as a precautionary step, the High Court of the Western Cape has granted an interim interdict that restrains all persons from participating in, or inciting others to participate in, unlawful conduct on UCT's properties. In terms of this order, any interference with, or disruption of, an exam would be unlawful. In such instances the South African Police Service are directed to assist the university with enforcing the order of the court. We all hope that there will be no need to invoke the enforcement of this order.

I wish you every success in your exams and a well-deserved break thereafter.

Royston Pillay
Registrar