UCT gears up for the 2026 First-Year Campus Reception

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is ready to roll out the blue carpet to welcome the 2026 cohort of first-year students who have been accepted to study at Africa’s top university.

To formally welcome them, UCT will host the First-Year Campus Reception (FYCR) at the Sports Centre on upper campus. The three-day event is a highlight on UCT’s events calendar and starts on Saturday, 31 January, and runs until Monday, 2 February, from 08:00 to 17:00.

The FCYR gives students the opportunity to complete important tasks such as getting their student card and receiving their laptops (for those students who opted into the programme), and a list of other things, like getting access to student wellness services and receiving support from Disability Services, for those who need it.

Keep an eye on your email

If UCT has made you a firm study offer following the release of your 2025 matric results, then you should have received an email containing important information about the FYCR by now, as well as instructions on how to book your time slot.

When logging into the FYCR booking system, students are required to only use their UCT credentials (UCT student number and email address), and to carefully read through and familiarise themselves with the information.

For more information on the FYCR email, Vhugala Nthakheni.

View the full list of faculty orientation programmes.

For more information on how to navigate campus and its surrounds, read the 2026 Campus Life publication. It contains the need-to-knows about UCT and serves as a useful guide as students find their way around campus. Parent Orientation will also take place on Saturday, 31 January. The session equips parents and guardians with the knowledge, information and confidence they need to support their children as they get their maiden year of study under way.