The Division of Communication Sciences & Disorders (CSD) is part of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town. The Division comprises two professional disciplines:
Together the disciplines’ primary foci are communication, swallowing and balance.
Communication is central to our relationships, identity, education and work. It is how we make meaning with the world around us.
Eating is social, cultural, emotional - taste, engagement and connection occur through food.
Balance serves as a cornerstone for human connection, autonomy and community participation. It is the basis of how we are navigate our world.
Our work is therefore central to how we live, interact and make meaning in the world.
Together, these disciplines are committed to excellence in teaching, research, clinical education and community engagement. Through innovative, evidence-based curricula and extensive clinical training, we prepare graduates to deliver person-centred care and improve communication, balance and swallowing health across diverse communities in South Africa and beyond.
As audiologists, we have two key areas of interest: hearing and balance. We support the development and rehabilitation of ear-related disorders that impact on communication (i.e. hearing, listening) and balance. We understand these two areas to be the basis of social identity, community building and belonging.
Audiologists work with individuals, groups and communities of all ages. While we identify, assess, diagnose and manage hearing and balance difficulties, we also focus on prevention of hearing and balance disorders as well health promotion. As part of our scope, we educate on ear-, hearing- and balance health, and advocate for those affected by hearing and balance disorders.
Audiologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, schools, community clinics, early childhood programmes, industries and private practice. The profession offers rewarding careers in clinical practice, occupational settings, research and academia, with multilingual skills being a valuable asset in serving South Africa's diverse communities.
Download the Audiology Brochure Here
As speech-language pathologists, we have two key areas: communication and swallowing. We support the development of rehabilitation of communication disorders that impact reading, writing, speaking and listening and feeding and swallowing. Behind this, we appreciate how communication and swallowing are fundamental to who we are as human being. Communication and swallowing are key element of human connection, development and wellbeing.
Speech-language pathologists work with individuals, families and communities of all Agnes, not only to assess and manage communication and swallowing difficulties but also in promoting health and preventing disability. Speech-language pathologists work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres, community clinics, early childhood programmes and private practice. The profession offers rewarding opportunities in clinical practice, research and academia, with multilingual skills being a valuable asset in South Africa's diverse communities.
Download the Speech-Language Pathology Brochure Here
Why Choose Communication Sciences and Disorders at UCT?
Study at one of Africa's leading universities and gain the knowledge, skills and clinical experience to become a confident Speech-Language Pathologist or Audiologist. Through innovative teaching, early clinical exposure, community-based learning and research-informed education, UCT prepares graduates to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and communities.
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