Year-end examinations update

Dear colleagues and students

The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) year-end examinations commenced on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 and will continue until Friday, 21 November 2025. Ahead of these exams, various departments have collaborated to plan logistical arrangements to ensure operations proceed as smoothly as possible.

Logistical arrangements have been made in respect of – among others – study spaces, security services, UCT Shuttle services, loadshedding and medical assistance.

Students and staff are urged to take note of the arrangements to ensure a smooth exam period.

1. Study spaces during the examination period

Students are encouraged to utilise officially designated study spaces, as these areas have the necessary security and Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHSE) safeguards. Students are requested to abide by the library’s code of conduct when using the spaces.

Please note the various times of availability in these spaces:

• Library study spaces.
• Baxter Student Learning Centre (24/7)

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

2. Security services

Campus Protection Services (CPS) officers will be on campus throughout the examination period. Students are requested to always have their student cards with them, especially when accessing 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 on the applicable contact numbers.

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

Please note the following safety tips:

• Please save the CPS toll-free number on your phone: 080 650 2222.
• Be in possession of your 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, with the timetable amended as and when necessary during the examination period.

Please ensure that you are in possession of your staff / student card in order to make use of the UCT Shuttle service.

Please note that 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.

The UCT Shuttle office can be contacted on 021 650 5289 (between 07:00 and 23:30 during weekdays and 08:30 to 13:30 over 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 make use of the UCT Shuttle service as parking spaces can be limited during the examination period.

If you make use of your own vehicle, please ensure that you have the required parking permit.

Temporary parking discs are available for first-year students during examination times only. These can be purchased at the Visitors’ Reception and Information Centre (opposite the Sports Centre) at the entrance to upper campus, as well as at 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 put in your boot.

6. Loadshedding

Although South Africa has not had substantial periods of loadshedding in 2025, measures have been put in place in the event of power cuts, including back-up power solutions for exam venues.

In the event of a power outage, please follow the FAQ when moving about 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 the Faculty of Health Sciences campuses are in Zone 15. The Hiddingh Campus is in Zone 7.

7. Medical assistance

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

8. 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 fashion.
• Once out of the venue, you will be directed by CPS to a safe emergency assembly point, where you should await further instructions.

9. Communication

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