UCT is a truly comprehensive institution with outstanding scholarship and faculty in every school within the university, but its history is linked to science, engineering, and commerce and those faculties still excel. For this reason, UCT offers an exceptional opportunity for business, science and engineering majors to spend a semester or year of study taking courses in English and remaining on schedule toward graduation.

The Faculties of Engineering and the Built Environment offer courses in a full range of subjects and majors including computer engineering and architecture. The Faculty of Commerce provides an opportunity for students to study economics and finance, accounting, management, marketing, and even organizational psychology. Science is another faculty where study abroad students can learn from some of the foremost international researchers on subjects such as astronomy, environmental and geographical sciences, and zoology.

In addition to the aforementioned disciplines, Arcadia students may also consider subject areas such as: Finance and Game Theory, Human Resource Management, Pre-Law, Film and Media Studies, Philosophy, Education, Chemistry, Music and Creative Writing.

A typical course load normally consists of 4 courses, but can be as few as 3 or as many as five, depending on the particular courses chosen. Students will earn between 12-18 credits per semester. In addition to your coursework at the university, all students are required to participate in the core seminar, "Introducing South Africa: History, Politics and Culture," which is intended to provide a forum for reflection and analysis on current issues and challenges facing South Africans.