Thursday, 6 August

06 August 2020
 

18:26

On 3 August the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Senate Executive Committee approved the extension of remote teaching and learning to Term 4 and importantly noted that assessments’ modal quality must be consistent with that of the first semester.

Data at the executive’s disposal supports the continuation of the pass/fail approach for all first semester half (F) courses. Given the continuation of remote teaching and learning to the end of the academic year, this is what’s been decided:

  • Pass/fail results don’t apply to exit-level S, H and W courses. These will be graded as usual.
  • Students’ continual assessment tasks are graded for all courses.
  • The final grade posted on the system at the end of the course is a pass or fail, even though there is an underlying numeric grade, which can be used in the department when deciding who gets offered the supplementary exam.
  • The grade point average (GPA) calculation is amended to substitute the course results of the 2020 S, H and W courses with a pass/fail result.
  • The transcript note that only a pass/fail result was given as a consequence of the COVID-19 lockdown will be held in perpetuity for all students who completed a 2020 S, H or W course.

As a result of the structure of the different LLB programmes in the Faculty of Law, applying this approach will be difficult. Therefore, the Faculty of Law has been exempted from this decision.

In addition, the deadline for dropping second semester courses with the associated full rebate has been amended from 7 August to 16 August and curriculum advisors have been informed.

Read the DVC Desk.

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UCT’s response to COVID-19 in 2021

COVID-19 is a global pandemic that caused President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a national disaster in South Africa on 15 March 2020 and to implement a national lockdown from 26 March 2020.

UCT is taking the threat of infection in our university community extremely seriously, and this page will be updated regularly with the latest COVID-19 information. Please note that the information on this page is subject to change depending on current lockdown regulations.

 

Commemorating a year of COVID-19

At midnight on 26 March 2020, South African went into the first nationwide hard lockdown. A year later, we remember those who have died and those who have been affected by COVID-19, as well as the pandemic’s effects across society and campus. We are especially grateful for the front-line health workers who have done so much for so many.


Frequently asked questions

 
 

In an email to the UCT community, Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng said:
“COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, is a rapidly changing epidemic. [...] Information [...] will be updated as and when new information becomes available.”

 

We are continuing to monitor the situation and we will be updating the UCT community regularly – as and when there are further updates. If you are concerned or need more information, students can contact the Student Wellness Service on 021 650 5620 or 021 650 1271 (after hours), while staff can contact 021 650 5685.