UCT — Student portals

UCT online portals: 2026 login guide

Every UCT student portal in one place — Self-Service (PeopleSoft), Amathuba (the new LMS that replaced Vula), Webmail, Library, UCT Mobile. With first-time login, MFA setup and password reset.

Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open UCT Student Self-Service
Self-Service
studentsonline.uct.ac.za
LMS (2026)
amathuba.uct.ac.za
Password reset
password.uct.ac.za
Email format
username@myuct.ac.za
IT Helpdesk
021 650 4500
Service portal
uct.service-now.com/sp

Who uses UCT portals

  • Current UCT undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Applicants who've been issued a UCT username
  • Staff (use a different staff PeopleSoft instance)
  • Alumni (limited access via UCT Library and alumni portal)

What you'll need to log in

  • Your UCT username (format: 6 letters + 3 digits, e.g. ABCDEF001 — case-insensitive but lower preferred)
  • Your UCT network password (set at password.uct.ac.za)
  • Microsoft Authenticator app for MFA
  • A current browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge)
  • For first-time users: the initial temporary password from your application letter

Step by step

  1. Set your UCT password before arriving on campus

    New students should set their password before they get to campus. Visit password.uct.ac.za with the temporary password from your application letter. Set a permanent 16-character password (upper, lower, number, symbol).
    Tip: Lost the letter? Email <a href='mailto:icts-helpdesk@uct.ac.za'>icts-helpdesk@uct.ac.za</a> with a certified copy of your ID/passport (certification ≤ 6 months old).

  2. Set up Microsoft Authenticator (MFA)

    MFA is mandatory for Self-Service, Amathuba, Mobile and Outlook. Install Microsoft Authenticator on your phone, then enrol via your UCT account.

  3. Log into Student Self-Service

    Go to studentsonline.uct.ac.za. Username = UCT student number (same as network username). Password = UCT network password. Approve the MFA prompt.

  4. Log into Amathuba (the LMS)

    Go to amathuba.uct.ac.za. Sign in with UCT credentials — SSO handles authentication. Your enrolled modules appear on the dashboard.

  5. Access Webmail at outlook.com

    Go to Outlook on the web with your username@myuct.ac.za email and UCT password.

  6. Install UCT Mobile for everyday tasks

    Download UCT Mobile from the App Store or Google Play (search "University of Cape Town"). Sign in with UCT credentials. Use for timetables, fees, library, shuttle.
    Tip: UCT Mobile uses SSO + MFA — same login as the web portals.

Vula is decommissioned — Amathuba is the new LMS

As of 2026, UCT's official LMS is Amathuba (powered by D2L Brightspace) at amathuba.uct.ac.za.

Vula was supported only until 31 December 2025. The vula.uct.ac.za URL still resolves but is no longer the active platform — all current courses live on Amathuba.

All UCT student portals at a glance

PortalURLPurpose
Student Self-Service (PeopleSoft)studentsonline.uct.ac.zaRegistration, fees, results, transcripts, financial aid
Amathuba (LMS)amathuba.uct.ac.zaCourse content, assignments, discussions
Vula (legacy)vula.uct.ac.zaDecommissioned 31 Dec 2025
UCT Webmail (Office 365)Outlook.comusername@myuct.ac.za
UCT Librarieslib.uct.ac.zaCatalogue, e-resources (via EZproxy)
Password Self-Servicepassword.uct.ac.zaReset/manage UCT network password
UCT Mobileuctmobile.uct.ac.za + iOS/Android appsTimetables, results, fees, library, shuttle
eduroam Wi-FiCampus SSIDSecure campus wireless
ServiceNow (IT tickets)uct.service-now.com/spLog IT support tickets

What you can do on Student Self-Service

  • Register for the year/semester (Enrolment tab)
  • View course timetable
  • View exam results and academic record
  • View and pay fee statements
  • Update personal details (address, contact, banking for refunds)
  • Apply to graduate
  • Request official academic transcripts
  • Check financial aid status (NSFAS, bursaries, scholarships)
  • Submit a Change of Curriculum — deadline Friday of Week 1 (Teaching Day 5)

UCT student number / username format

UCT usernames follow the format 6 letters + 3 digits (e.g. ABCDEF001), derived from your surname and initials. The same string is your student number, network username and email local-part (abcdef001@myuct.ac.za).

Older third-party guides reference an 8-digit numeric format — that's not the current ICTS standard. The alpha-numeric form is authoritative.

Password reset

  • Self-service: password.uct.ac.za → "Forgot Password"
  • With Microsoft Authenticator already configured → approve push
  • Without app → receive OTP to registered mobile or alternate email, then set new password (min 16 chars, upper + lower + number + symbol, no reuse)
  • In person: ICTS Front Office (Computer Science Building, Upper Campus) or ICTS-on-Main (Mowbray) with student card + ID
  • Phone: 021 650 4500

Off-campus access to library e-resources

EZproxy handles most library database links — sign in with UCT credentials at the prompt. Direct entry via http://ezproxy.uct.ac.za/login?url= works for unwrapped links.

UCT VPN (Cisco Secure Client) is needed for restricted network shares and some research/admin systems — not for everyday library access. Set-up guide at icts.uct.ac.za under "Working remotely / VPN".

Self-Service, Amathuba, Outlook and UCT Mobile are internet-facing — no VPN required.

Common login issues

  • Wrong username format — must be UCT username (e.g. SMTJOH001), not email
  • Browser too old, third-party cookies blocked, or aggressive privacy extensions
  • MFA not configured — required for all major services
  • Caps Lock / pasted password with trailing space
  • Account not yet activated — new students must set password at password.uct.ac.za first
  • VPN interfering with SSO redirects on some networks

Contact — UCT ICTS Service Desk

Frequently asked questions

How do I log in to UCT Student Self-Service?
Go to studentsonline.uct.ac.za, enter your UCT username (e.g. ABCDEF001) and network password, then approve the MFA prompt.
What is the URL for UCT PeopleSoft?
studentsonline.uct.ac.za — UCT's PeopleSoft Campus Solutions instance.
Is Vula still active in 2026?
No. Vula was supported only until 31 December 2025. UCT's LMS is now Amathuba at amathuba.uct.ac.za, powered by D2L Brightspace.
What replaced Vula at UCT?
Amathuba (amathuba.uct.ac.za), based on D2L Brightspace. It uses UCT credentials via SSO. Support: cilt-helpdesk@uct.ac.za.
How do I reset my UCT password?
Use password.uct.ac.za and click "Forgot Password". You'll receive an OTP via your registered mobile or alternate email, or approve via Microsoft Authenticator. Self-service only — the Service Desk cannot reset passwords for you.
What is my UCT student number format?
6 letters + 3 digits, e.g. SMTJOH001 — derived from your surname and initials. Same string is your username and the local-part of your @myuct.ac.za email.
How do I access UCT email?
Go to Outlook on the web (outlook.com) and sign in with username@myuct.ac.za and your UCT password. MFA is required.
How do I check my exam results online at UCT?
Log into Student Self-Service at studentsonline.uct.ac.za and navigate to the academic record / results tile.
How do I check my NSFAS status at UCT?
Two places: your NSFAS status itself on my.nsfas.org.za, and your UCT-side financial aid status on Student Self-Service (under Financial Aid).
How do I access UCT library resources off campus?
Most library databases are EZproxy-wrapped — click the database link, sign in with UCT credentials when prompted. UCT VPN is only needed for restricted research systems.
Why can't I log in to my UCT account?
Most common causes: account not yet activated (set password at password.uct.ac.za), MFA not configured, wrong username format (use UCT username not email), or browser issues (clear cache, try Incognito).

Related guides

South African Universities 2026 — complete guide

All 26 public universities, APS, NSFAS and how to apply.

Wits Self-Service portal guide

Wits's equivalent admin portal — different URL and login format.

How to apply for NSFAS 2026

Funding for university tuition and allowances.

Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly — if something here is out of date, let us know.