University of Cape Town Racial Demographics

By | September 15, 2021


University of Cape Town Racial Demographics

As of 2014, 26,357 students were enrolled. The ratio between male and female students is almost exactly 50:50.The student body makeup comprises 30.70% “SA White” students, 43.98% non-white students (SA Black, SA Coloured & SA Indian), and the remaining 25.29% identify as “international” and “other”. International students account for 17.73% of total student enrollment at 4674, representing over 100 countries.

Student Enrollment Student enrollment by population group 2009 – 2013, showing percentage growth on base.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014  % Growth  % Of Total
SA Black 5068 5323 5744 6012 6199 6813 28.67% 25.23%
SA coloured 3623 3653 3687 3530 3573 3601 0.73% 13.34%
SA Indian 1630 1681 1671 1701 1714 1813 11.6% 6.72%
SA white 8984 9183 8992 8814 8434 8093 -10.69% 30%
International 3821 4171 4268 4802 4708 4674 19.57% 17.32%
Other 886 1003 1146 1191 1488 1993 73.28% 7.39%
Total 24012 25014 25508 26505 26116 26987 -0.32% 100%

UCT employs over 5000 staff members of whom 44% are academic staff; the rest are administrative and support staff. In 2007 UCT had 866 permanent academic staff members. Between 85% and 90% of academic staff hold doctoral or masters qualifications.





The UCT Employment Equity Plan April (2010 to March 2015) indicates moderate but consistent changes in the demographic makeup of the staff body. The five-year plan specifies specific targets ranging from between about 5% to 10% adjustments in the representation of SA Black staff. According to the plan the staff makeup would have changed by 2015 by achieving either parity or more SA Black staff than SA white in all categories other than senior lecturer and professor positions.