Originally established in 1959 as an ethnic college for coloured students, the university now provides facilities for more than 12 000 students across 68 departments and 16 institutes, schools and research centres.

Based in Tygerberg, just north of Cape Town, the university has faculties of arts, community and health sciences, dentistry, economic and management sciences, education, law, and natural sciences. UWC is dedicated to the research and development of free and open-source software. It is the only African member of the Open Courseware Consortium.

​The University of the Western Cape is a national university, alert to its African and international context as it strives to be a place of quality, a place to grow. It is committed to excellence in teaching, learning and research, to nurturing the cultural diversity of South Africa, and to responding in critical and creative ways to the needs of a society in transition.

Drawing on its proud experience in the liberation struggle, the university is aware of a distinctive academic role in helping build an equitable and dynamic society. In particular it aims to: advance and protect the independence of the academic enterprise.

Design curricular and research programmes appropriate to its southern African context.

Further global perspectives among its staff and students, thereby strengthening intellectual life and contributing to South Africa's reintegration in the world community.

Assist educationally disadvantaged students gain access to higher education and succeed in their studies.

Nurture and use the abilities of all in the university community.

Develop effective structures and conventions of governance, which are democratic, transparent and accountable.

Seek racial and gender equality and contribute to helping the historically marginalised participate fully in the life of the nation.

Encourage and provide opportunities for lifelong learning through programmes and courses.

Help conserve and explore the environmental and cultural resources of the southern African region, and to encourage a wide awareness of these resources in the community.

Co-operate fully with other stakeholders to develop an excellent, and therefore transformed, higher education system.