UCT’s highest QS ranking and other updates

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has achieved its highest position in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings in the past decade, climbing to 150th globally in the 2026 rankings. Read more about this and other recent developments on campus.

1. UCT achieves highest QS ranking in a decade

UCT has achieved its highest position in a decade in the QS World University Rankings, rising to 150th globally in the 2026 edition released on 19 June 2025. This marks a 21-place improvement from the 2024 rankings and secures UCT’s place within the top 3% of more than 8 400 institutions evaluated, once again affirming its status as Africa’s leading university.

This milestone is more than a numerical achievement; it reflects the collective commitment, hard work and excellence of UCT’s staff and students.

The improved ranking results from consistent institutional performance and changes to the QS evaluation criteria. The 2026 rankings adopt a broader and more inclusive framework, incorporating factors such as research impact, global partnerships and sustainability.

This ranking further highlights the strides UCT is making towards fulfilling Vision 2030 – to be a university that leads with purpose-driven research, promotes inclusive education and makes meaningful social impact.

• Read the full VC Desk: UCT achieves highest QS ranking in a decade.

2. Amendments to the Employment Equity Act

As President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed, the amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA) of 1998 officially came into effect on 1 January 2025, resulting in the Employment Equity Amendment Act of 2022. The accompanying regulations were published on 15 April 2025.

In response to this legislative update and to ensure full compliance, UCT is required to:

• Review the current EE plan and numerical targets to ensure alignment with the sectoral targets, ensuring institutional targets are realistic.
• Conduct the EE barrier analysis as part of the new EE plan.
• Secure institutional approval of the EE plan for submission to the Department of Employment and Labour before 1 September 2025.

This plan will run for five years from 1 September 2025 until 31 August 2030.

The guidance note is under review to ensure alignment with the recent amendments and regulations. These updates aim to enhance clarity and accountability in implementing UCT’s EE plan and fulfilling the statutory requirements in the Employment Equity Amendment Act of 2022.

• Read the full DVC Desk: Amendments to the Employment Equity Act.

3. ICTS scheduled maintenance on Sunday, 29 June

Please note that Sunday, 29 June 2025 will be an Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS) scheduled maintenance slot from 08:00 to 17:00. Unless advised to the contrary, do not expect any on-premise services to be available for the duration of the maintenance slot. Cloud-based services (including Amathuba, email, Microsoft 365 services, and ServiceNow) are not impacted and can still be accessed.

Please remember to consult the scheduled ICTS maintenance slots page before planning any teaching, conferences, meetings, etc that require ICT services.

For more information, see the article on why ICTS schedules regular monthly maintenance slots.

4. Please contribute towards the Food Sovereignty Programme

Imagine trying to study while battling hunger. How sustainable would your focus be? Now, envision preparing for an exam under those same conditions. Could such a student be expected to tap into their full potential and excel? Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality facing many students across South Africa’s higher education institutions – and UCT is not immune to this reality.

In response to this pressing issue, UCT established the Food Sovereignty Programme in 2018 to help address food insecurity among its student population. The programme provides a monthly grocery pack to help supplement the food needs of students who are unfunded or under-funded, or experience periodic food insecurity; do not live in a catering residence; and are currently registered.

Your small contribution towards this programme can make a difference.

• Sign up to make a small monthly donation (or direct EFT).

Please note that donations are tax-deductible. Ensure that you select the Food Sovereignty Programme under the heading ‘projects’ so that your donation can be directed to this initiative.

For queries, please contact Nolindo Wabani or the Food Sovereignty Programme.

5. Short courses in learning design

The Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT) invites UCT staff and postgraduate students to enrol in flexible, online short courses designed to strengthen their learning design capabilities. These courses are available through UCT’s The Learning Store.

Offered as part of the Blended and Online Learning Design (BOLD) short course programme, each course may be taken individually for professional development or stacked towards the Postgraduate Diploma in Blended and Online Learning (PG BOLD), set to launch in 2026.

• Read the full Campus Announcement: Short courses in learning design.
• Read more about the BOLD short course programme.
• For queries, please email PG Bold.

Communication and Marketing Department

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements