Readmissions

Step 1: Read this information sheet carefully.

Step 2: Complete the correct appeal form (make sure that you have completed the checklist at the end of this information sheet). Please note that undergraduate and postgraduate students have separate forms.

Please make sure that before you submit your appeal that you make and keep a copy of your appeal form and any supporting documentation.

Save your appeal form and any supporting documentation as a SINGLE PDF file.

Step 3: Upload your appeal on PeopleSoft Self Service using the RAC Service Request by the deadline data and time:

• RENN: Wednesday 2 January 2019 by 12:00
• SUPP: Friday 11 January 2019 by 12:00.

Your appeal form and supporting documents that has been saved as a SINGLE PDF file can only be submitted via PeopleSoft Self Service. Readmission Appeal Service Request upload  

We strongly encourage you to submit your form electronically as a SINGLE PDF file on PeopleSoft. This not only simplifies the process but allows for faster and more efficient communication with the RAC. It has the added benefit of ensuring that your documents are not delayed in reaching us.

Step 4: The Student Records Office sends your appeal to your faculty’s RAC. Please do not include your UCT and matric results in your application. This package will be sent to the faculty RAC to which you have appealed.

Step 5: The RAC will consider your appeal.

Step 6: The RAC will write to you to inform you of their decision (for further information about this, please read the section titled ‘RAC decisions’).

Step 7: We strongly urge you to start making plans for what you will do in 2019 if your appeal fails and you are denied readmission to UCT. Please do not wait until you know the outcome of your appeal to start planning for 2019 as you may be too late to gain entrance into another institution.

It is important that you provide as much context and supporting information as possible to get a full picture of why you struggled academically through the year.

Reasons may be, for example:

• accommodation problems
• your financial position
• any emotional problems
• ill health
• family difficulties

When the RAC evaluates appeals, members of the committee read the full appeal and are guided in their considerations by three specific questions. These are set out below. You are advised to draft your appeal in a way that provides the necessary information to the RAC accordingly.  

1. Were there significant events or circumstances, probably mostly beyond the control of the student, which impacted adversely on the student’s academic performance and explain the poor academic performance? Were these circumstances well beyond the events or circumstances which happen to most students from time to time?
2. Is there evidence (letters, documents, etc) to confirm the events or circumstances, and a clear description of how they affected the student? Does the timing of the events correlate with the poor performance?
3. Is there evidence that the difficulties have been dealt with, or are being dealt with, or that there are plans in place, so that there is a good chance that the poor performance will not simply repeat itself this year?

In addition, the committee looks carefully at the academic record, to try to evaluate whether, despite the fails on the record, there may be evidence of progress in key courses which might indicate your potential to complete the degree.

If you intend appealing to a different faculty to where you were previously registered, you should refer to the relevant Faculty website and electronic Faculty handbooks: to find out what programmes they offer. If you choose to apply to a different Faculty, you must provide a motivation as to why you should be considered for entry into that Faculty.

Consult the most recent versions of the handbooks.

If you need help completing the form, or need advice on changing programmes or Faculties, please contact the relevant people below. Be aware that people may be unavailable due to public and other holidays.

For additional support and advice (such as career advice, psychological support and advice regarding the RAC process and your rights) you should contact:

The Faculty will send you written confirmation of your RAC outcome. In addition, you can check PeopleSoft on the following dates to see the outcome of your appeal:

Should you have any technical issues with the PeopleSoft system, please email Student Systems Support at sss-helpdesk@uct.ac.za or phone 021 650 5227/4720.

Readmission Appeal Service Request upload - Vula

If you are unable to access the internet to submit your appeal on PeopleSoft please contact the Student Records Office on 021 650 3595.

RENN – Wednesday 02 January 2019 by 12:00

SUPP – Friday 11 January 2019 by 12:00

The RAC may decline to consider applications submitted late.

Check this list to ensure you have completed your appeal form correctly:

• Have you completed your appeal form?
• Undergraduate only – If you are applying to another faculty, did you motivate?
• If you ticked that you are appealing to another faculty, have you contacted the Faculty Office concerned? Has supporting documentation (if relevant and/or including a motivation) been attached?
• If you are appealing to transfer to another qualification have you checked that you would meet the current entrance requirements of that qualification? If not, the RAC cannot make an admissions decision.
• Is your appeal clearly written and does it include all relevant evidence to support the reason(s) for your poor performance? Remember that all information submitted to the RAC remains confidential, and withholding vital information will jeopardise your appeal.
• Undergraduate only – If you are appealing/applying to the Humanities or Commerce faculties, have you included a completed curriculum plan?
• If you do not want an SRC nominee on the RAC to hear your appeal, have you ticked NO on page one of the form?
• Have you combined your appeal form and supporting documents into a SINGLE PDF file and submitted your appeal on PeopleSoft?
  Please Note: In cases where you are unable to include certain supporting documentation with your initial appeal submission, kindly upload the additional documentation via PeopleSoft Self Service by creating a NEW Service Request.
  RAC service request reference guide