Key info ahead of mid-year examinations

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) will hold its mid-year examinations from Monday, 2 June to Friday, 20 June 2025. To ensure the process runs smoothly, multiple departments have worked together to coordinate the necessary logistical arrangements.

Logistical arrangements have been made for various support services, including study spaces, security services, UCT Shuttle services, loadshedding and medical assistance.

Students and staff are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the arrangements to ensure a smooth exam period.

1. Study spaces during the examination period

A number of official study spaces have been made available.

Students are encouraged to use the officially designated study spaces, as these areas have the necessary security and occupational health and safety environment safeguards.

Please note the various times of availability at each of these spaces:

• Library study spaces.
• Additional designated study spaces.

Students are advised to note that examination venues may not be used as study spaces, as these venues need to be prepared for the sessions. These will be marked as such.

2. Security services

Campus Protection Services (CPS) officers will be on-site at various venues for the duration of the examination period. Students are requested to always have their student cards with them, especially to access exam venues and libraries.

For the evening sessions, additional CPS officers will be deployed along the routes from the examination venues to the shuttle stops and parking areas.

Students who will be using the 24-hour study spaces at night and require a CPS officer to escort them to the shuttle stops or parking areas are advised to contact CPS using the applicable contact numbers.

• CPS Operations Centre: 080 650 2222 (toll-free number)
• Upper Campus, Leslie Social Sciences, basement: 021 650 2121/ 4080
• Middle Campus, Kramer Law Building, Level 4: 021 650 5759
• Lower Campus, Burnage: 021 650 4788
• Health Sciences Campus, Barnard Fuller Building: 021 406 6100

Please note the following safety tips:

• Please save the CPS control room number (080 650 2222) on your phone.
• Have your staff/ student card to assist CPS officers in identifying non-UCT staff and students.
• Wherever possible, do not walk alone.
• Wherever possible, use the shuttle rather than walking back to your residence at night.
• When walking at night, do not use headphones or be on your phone. Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Follow the “blue route” when walking between upper and lower campus. The blue route consists of nine emergency bollards with flashing blue lights. The bollards are evenly spaced along the routes and have an intercom linked directly to CPS. See the blue route on the campus maps for upper and middle campus.

3. UCT Shuttle services

The UCT Shuttle service will remain operational, and the timetable may be amended as and when necessary, during the examination period.

Please ensure that you have your staff/ student card for the UCT Shuttle service.

Due to the timetable being subject to change, students are urged to regularly check online for any amendments on any routes. These amendments will be reflected timeously on the timetable and communicated via the UCT website and social media platforms.

• Access the latest shuttle schedules.

Please note that the routes on the UCT Shuttle app are currently being updated. We recommend that staff and students use timetables on the website or UCT Mobile app.

The UCT Shuttle office can be contacted on 021 650 5289 (between 07:00 and 00:00 during weekdays and 08:30 to 14:00 on public holidays and weekends). For after-hours queries, please contact the CPS control room on 080 650 2222 (toll-free).

4. Parking

Students are encouraged to use the UCT Shuttle service, as parking spaces can be limited during the examination period.

If you use your vehicle, please ensure you have the required parking permit.

Temporary parking discs are available for first-year students only during examination times. They can be purchased at the Visitors’ Reception and Information Centre (opposite the Sports Centre) at the entrance to upper campus, and the Traffic Administration Office on upper campus.

Please note the following parking tips:

• Arrive early and allow enough time to find parking.
• Never leave valuables in plain sight. Items like backpacks, laptop cases or any packages should be in your boot.

5. Loadshedding

Although the country has not had any substantial periods of loadshedding in 2025, measures will be put in place in the event of power cuts. These measures include multiple exam venues being fitted with back-up power solutions.

In the event of a power outage, please follow the FAQ on moving around campus or using lifts.

Please note the following tips to minimise the impact of loadshedding:

• Plan your study activities around the loadshedding schedule.
• Download the City of Cape Town loadshedding app.

Please note that the upper, middle, lower and health sciences campuses are in Zone 15. The Hiddingh Campus is in Zone 7.

6. Medical assistance

Paramedics will be on standby on campus. Should you require medical attention during an examination, an invigilator will summon the paramedics.

7. General emergency and safety measures at exam venues

In the event of a fire or any other emergency, note the following:

• An invigilator will instruct you to leave the venue and guide you to the nearest safe exit.
• Leave your belongings and exit the venue in an orderly manner.
• Once out of the venue, CPS will direct you to a safe emergency assembly point, where you should await further instructions.

Should there be a need to communicate rapidly during exams, please note that the university will post notices on the following platforms: main website, staff website, students’ website, Facebook; and X. SMSes may also be sent directly to staff and students as an additional channel for rapid communication.

All staff and students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the above-mentioned logistical arrangements.

Best wishes to all students during this examination period.

Sincerely

Examinations Working Group

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements