Welcoming UCT postgrads and supervisors

Dear postgraduates and supervisors

A warm welcome to our postgraduate students, both those returning and those starting their studies this year.

The barriers to postgraduate study are considerable. So, for many postgrad students reading this, getting to this point has not been without struggle; nor will the journey ahead be straightforward. A significant number of our postgrads cannot afford to focus exclusively on their studies and are juggling the simultaneous demands of work and family.

While the university is not able to ease some of the burdens you may be under, we can help alleviate the academic challenges you face by providing you with the resources and support you need throughout your degree journeys.

I encourage you to make use of the different kinds of support and resources available to you at the University of Cape Town (UCT). And remember, asking for help when you need it is a sign of strength.

Here are some key tips for getting started (or re-energising your studies)

1. Registration: You only officially start your degree once you complete the online registration process. There is an easy-to-follow guide that explains how. Returning students must re-register at the start of every year. The deadlines and window periods for registration/re-registration for most of the coursework programmes have already passed. Registration for first-year research-only (eg master’s by dissertation or PhD) programmes is still ongoing. Processes for postgraduate registration may vary between faculties, so be sure to note the dates and guidelines for your faculty to avoid a penalty fee for late registration. Note that the registration process at UCT is not the same as the application process.
2. Free resources: Familiarise yourself with the wide range of free resources to support your postgrad development across your academic, wellness and career growth. If you know what’s available to you, you’ll be able to access it when you need it throughout your degree journey.
3. Writing support: It is entirely normal to feel overwhelmed and/or intimidated by the academic writing process. We offer our postgrads comprehensive writing services to support them. Writing well is like a muscle – it must be exercised to develop. Try out our free services to get “writing fit”.
4. Research skills: For help with referencing, sourcing journal articles and books in your field of interest, make use of the subject guides produced by UCT Libraries in every subject area.
   If you require statistical help, the Statistical Consulting Service in the Department of Statistical Sciences offers a professional, statistical consultation service to postgrad students.
5. Problem solving: The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika at UCT is one of only three in the world. They offer programmes that help students develop a creative, design-led mindset, whilst improving analytical and spatial thinking skills. Design thinking skills are in high demand by employers all over the world. Check out the programmes for students.
6. Funding matters: Our Postgraduate Funding Office (PFGO) is available to help you navigate funding opportunities. The office has streamlined their service offerings by making it possible for students to log a request for support online through UCT’s online student administration system, PeopleSoft (see the guide on how to do this). While the deadlines for most of the scholarships and bursary opportunities to fund your studies this year have already passed, new opportunities are advertised on the online noticeboard and @UCTpostgrads – check back frequently for new and exciting funding opportunities. If you have been awarded a bursary or scholarship, the PGFO will email you directly about the process involved in claiming these funds.
7. Health matters: Check out the services offered by UCT Student Wellness Service which can help you take care of your mental, physical and emotional health. For students in distress or for those needing immediate help, please contact the UCT Student Careline by calling 0800 24 25 26 (free from a Telkom line) or send an SMS to 31393 for a callback service. They offer 24/7 telephonic counselling, advice, referral facilities and general support to anyone facing any mental health challenges.
8. Working with AI tools: The availability and uptake of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are impacting the ways in which staff and students in universities do their work. There are both risks and opportunities involved in using AI tools and both staff and students must be aware of these when working with these rapidly evolving technologies. As a way of keeping abreast of developments and issues, the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) developed a series of guides for both staff and students. Check out the guides.
9. Admin support: When you need admin help or guidance about academic systems, contact the postgrad administrator associated with your faculty/department. If you’re struggling to navigate the online student administration system, PeopleSoft, then email the Student Systems Support Helpdesk or contact them on 021 650 5227.
10. Postgrad events calendar: In addition to upskilling yourself, joining our free workshops and webinars can help connect you to a community of other postgrads.
11. International students: Our students come from over 100 different countries. If you’re an international student, contact our International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) for guidance on visas, medical aid and housing matters.

Key communication from UCT: Emails, web and social media

• Official communication from UCT will always be sent to your myUCT inbox. If you don’t check this inbox regularly, we recommend you automatically forward all the emails from your UCT account to the mailbox of your choice.
• When in doubt, your first port of call for any admin questions about your studies should always be the relevant postgraduate administrator associated with your host department.
• @UCTpostgrads: Keep your eye on this X (formerly Twitter) account for relevant information to support your journey.
• UCT Postgrad Hub: This website provides important information necessary for all prospective and current postgrads at UCT – so take the time to familiarise yourself with it.
• UCT_CARES Chatbot on WhatsApp: The chatbot will answer your questions via a dropdown menu and respond to typed questions. As this is a learning bot, the service will be able to answer more questions over time. To connect to the UCT_CARES Chatbot, follow these steps:
  1. Add the number +27 87 240 6965 to your contact list on WhatsApp.
  2. Type “Hi” and the chatbot will start interacting with you.

Connectivity on campus

• Eduroam: Wi-Fi, through the secure world-wide roaming access service Eduroam, is available and accessible on all UCT campuses and residences for all students and staff. This includes not only nearly all university campuses in South Africa, but also public libraries and other sites in Cape Town such as the airport. We recommend students familiarise themselves with the Eduroam spots nearest to them.
• UCT Virtual Private Network (VPN): this solution allows you to connect securely to UCT’s network from any internet-connected location, including an insecure public Wi-Fi (like a mall or coffee shop). This means that you can get secure access to your UCT network resources as if you were working from campus.

I wish you the very best for the year ahead.

Warm regards

Professor Jeff Murugan
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements