| Acronym | Description |
| CHED | Centre for Higher Education Development |
| COE | Cost of employment |
| CPS | Campus Protection Services |
| DAD | Department of Alumni & Development |
| DSA | Department of Student Affairs |
| DVC | Deputy Vice-Chancellor |
| EBE | Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment |
| EMS | Centre for Extra-Mural Studies |
| GSB | Graduate School of Business |
| HAICU | HIV/AIDS Co-Ordination UCT |
| HEQC | Higher Education Quality Committee |
| IAPO | International Academic Programmes Office |
| IEASA | International Education Association of South Africa |
| IFDS | International full degree student(s) |
| IRMA | Integrated Research Management Application |
| ITF | International Term Fee |
| NAPP | New Academic Practitioners Programme |
| PACE | Public & Continuing Education |
| PASS | Professional, administrative & support staff |
| PGFO | Postgraduate Funding Office |
| PPS | Procurement & Payment Services |
| SADC | Southern Africa Development Community |
| SSA | Semester Study Abroad |
| URC | University Research Committee |
| USHEPiA | University, Science, Humanities, Engineering Partnerships in Africa |
| VC | Vice-Chancellor |
