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Locations: Cape Town, South Africa
Program Terms: Fall, Full Year Exchange, Spring
Homepage: Click to visit
Program Sponsor: CIEE

Dates / Deadlines:

Dates / Deadlines:
Term	Year	App Deadline	Decision Date	Start Date	End Date
Spring	2027	11/01/2026	11/01/2026	01/06/2027	05/10/2027
Spring	2028	02/15/2027 **	Rolling Admission	TBA	TBA
Full Year Exchange	2027-2028	02/15/2027	02/16/2027	TBA	TBA
Fall	2027	05/01/2027	05/01/2027	08/18/2027	12/20/2027
** Indicates rolling admission application process. Applicants will be notified of acceptance into this program and be able to complete post-decision materials prior to the term's application deadline.

Program Description:

Open Campus Block

Cape Town, South Africa

Visit CIEE's Program Page

Program Overview

Your Open Campus Block in Cape Town places you in a coastal city where dramatic landscapes meet a rich cultural and historical backdrop, while allowing you to build an experience tailored to your academic interests and goals. You’ll enroll in CIEE courses and online courses taught through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Engage in co-curricular and extracurricular experiences like hiking up Table Mountain for panoramic views, exploring the Cape Winelands and surrounding countryside, and visiting Robben Island to learn more about South Africa’s history. The experience is defined by striking scenery, layered history, and a vibrant cultural mix that makes the city unlike anywhere else.

Unique Experiences

Create the ultimate program

tailored to your needs, choosing one, two, or three six-week blocks to study in Cape Town and make the most of your academic experience

Immerse yourself in the city's culture

or combine your studies with blocks in other Open Campus Block locations to experience different parts of the world

Explore more of Africa

with exciting excursions across the region, discovering new cultures, landscapes, and experiences that will enrich your studies

Learn More About Cape Town

Your Destination

Cape Town is South Africa's vibrant, eco-conscious city, offering an inspiring environment for students of all disciplines. Spend 6-, 12-, or 18-weeks exploring Cape Town's innovative conservation efforts, thriving startup scene, and iconic landmarks like Table Mountain and Robben Island. Whether you’re studying business, science, engineering, technology, communications, psychology, health sciences, liberal arts, language, or fine arts, Cape Town is the perfect place to study abroad.

Housing

CIEE Cape Town offers comfortable, fully furnished single rooms with en-suite bathrooms conveniently located within easy reach of CIEE Cape Town, public transportation, shops, and other essential amenities. Cooking facilities are shared in a communal kitchen located on the ground floor. Housing is designed to foster both social interaction and academic focus. Shared communal spaces provide opportunities to connect with fellow participants and local South African, while quieter areas are available for individual study or group work.

View CIEE's program page for additional housing information.

Program Highlights

Unmatched Flexibility: Spend one, two, or three consecutive 6-week blocks in the same host city or travel between cities for a comparative cultural experience.
Academic Courses: Choose from CIEE courses and online courses delivered by CIEE’s global partner, ASU, that align with your academic major.
Immersive Experiences: Participate in activities, excursions, study tours, and more that showcase your host city's culture, values, and local art, film, music, cuisine, and sports scenes.
Community Impact Initiative: Get involved with local organizations through service opportunities that address real community needs while building cross-cultural connections and hands-on experience.
Academic Projects: Enroll in an optional for-credit academic project that aligns with your goals, qualifications, resume, and availability of placements.

Activities

CIEE’s excursions and cultural activities in Cape Town will open doors for you to explore South Africa's rich diversity, language, culture, history, and timeless beauty in ways that will enhance your time abroad.

Samples of excursions and activities:

Join local fans at a sports stadium to watch cricket or rugby
Discover Langa and other Cape Town townships while mastering a traditional local recipe
Learn to surf in Muizenberg, one of the best spots in the world

Please note: Activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.

Academics

CIEE Cape Town: Study in the vibrant student-friendly suburb of Rondebosch near central Cape Town. CIEE Cape Town boasts two main classrooms, a small meeting room, a student lounge, a student life office, and an academic advising office.

Arizona State University (ASU): Brought to you by CIEE in partnership with ASU, enhance your international coursework with online classes that align with your degree requirements. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous 7.5-week sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar.

View CIEE's program page for additional academic information, eligibility requirements, and courses.

Internships

The work culture in Cape Town is laid-back yet professional, emphasizing work-life balance, creativity, and innovation. Interns can expect to work with local NGOs, startups, or established businesses.

Industry options include:

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications
Education and Training

1 out of 3 CIEE students receives a scholarship - get yours!

GAIN Travel Grants - Up to $1,500 toward travel costs guaranteed to students with a FAFSA SAI of $10,000 or less. Higher should still apply!

Gilman Go Global Grants - Up to $2,500/semester, $1,500/quarter, and $1,000 guaranteed to Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship applicants.

Merit-Based Scholarships - Up to $2,500/semester, $1,500/quarter, and $750/summer awarded to students deomonstrating high academic achievement.

Learn More About Scholarships

What's Included

Tuition
Housing
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation – an introduction to your academic program, plus practical information about living in your host city
Full-time program leadership and support in your host city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Insurance and other travel benefits, with CIEE iNext Travel Protection
24/7 emergency on-site support

Why CIEE

200+ study abroad programs in 40+ countries
$8 million in scholarships offered each year
1 in 3 students receives a scholarship
Study tours and cultural activities included
Internships and volunteering opportunities
Rigorous academics
Cultural immersion
iNext Travel Protection included

Questions?

Our highly experienced staff have extensive knowledge of all CIEE programs and services. If you are a student with questions about completing your application, or you want to sign up to receive program updates and news, our staff are happy to help.