University spotlight: University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. Glacier Models is an independent modelling platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this university.
A university at the foot of the mountain
The University of Cape Town was founded in 1829, which makes it South Africa's oldest university. Its main campus sits on the slopes of Table Mountain, with other facilities spread across the city centre and the suburbs. Almost 30,000 students were enrolled in 2023, across faculties that range from commerce and engineering to health sciences, law and the humanities. That mix matters if you are curious about modelling: you are surrounded by people studying art, theatre, film and media, and you live in a region that attracts film and commercial productions. This guide is for adult students, and for young adults living nearby, who want to explore modelling sensibly without letting it take over their degree.
Cape Town's creative and commercial scene
The Western Cape is a popular choice for local and international film and commercial productions, and Cape Town is a natural base for anyone hoping to be part of that world. For a new model, work is usually commercial rather than catwalk: advertising stills, brand campaigns, online catalogues, events and promotional work, and content made for social media. Work can come up at short notice, so flexibility helps, and some jobs may mean travelling. Keep your expectations realistic. Expect occasional jobs rather than a full calendar, and remember that a few bookings a term is a perfectly good start. Treat modelling as a skill you are building alongside your studies, rather than a quick route to income, and judge your progress by what you learn as much as by what you earn.
Creative spaces on and around campus
UCT has a rich arts life, and spending time in it is one of the best ways to understand how images and performances are made. The Michaelis School of Fine Art is on the Hiddingh Campus in the Gardens area, next to the historic Company's Garden, and it has photographic studios, darkrooms and galleries that host exhibitions by local and international artists. The university also has a Centre for Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies, a Centre for Film and Media Studies and the Little Theatre, while the Baxter Theatre Centre stages productions in its theatre, concert hall and studio theatre. Going to exhibitions and performances teaches you about lighting, movement and presence, and there are more than 100 student societies where you can meet people with creative interests of their own.
Fitting modelling around lectures and exams
Your degree comes first, and the most reliable models are the ones who plan. Keep a single calendar with lectures, tutorials, assignment deadlines and test dates, and check it before you say yes to anything. Tell any agency or client early which weeks you cannot work, especially around exams, and do not accept a booking you might have to cancel. Cut back during exam periods rather than squeezing in extra jobs. UCT's Careers Service gives useful advice on combining study and part-time work: plan ahead for busy times, be realistic about what you can fit in, and talk to someone early if the balance starts to slip. The same service runs MyCareer, where students can look for vacation work and internships, which is worth knowing about if you want experience in marketing, events or media alongside modelling.
Staying safe and protecting your money
Genuine agencies earn their money when you are booked for paid work. Be very cautious of anyone who asks for a large fee upfront, sells expensive "portfolio packages" as a condition of joining, or promises work in return for payment. Before you sign anything, research the agency or photographer, look for a real address and a track record of recent work, and ask other models about their experience. Get the terms in writing, including the fee, what the images will be used for, for how long and when you will be paid, and read them before you agree. For any appointment in an unfamiliar place, take a friend with you, share your location and leave if something feels wrong. Your safety matters more than any job, and a professional client will understand.
Your first natural photographs
You do not need a professional shoot to begin. Agencies mainly want to see what you look like today, so a few clear, simple photographs are enough. Ask a friend to take them in good daylight, near a window or outside in open shade, against a plain background. Wear fitted, simple clothes in plain colours, keep make-up light or skip it, and leave your hair natural. Take a straight-on headshot, a profile, a half-length shot and a full-length shot, plus one or two relaxed images with a natural smile. Avoid filters and heavy editing. Be yourself in the pictures: individuality is what clients notice, and there is no single look that suits every brief. Keep your health and wellbeing at the centre of everything you do.
Taking the next step
When you have your photographs, a calendar that shows when you are free, and a clear sense of how much time you can give, you are ready to approach an agency. Glacier Models accepts applications from adults aged 18 and over through the apply page on this site. Sending an application does not mean you will be taken on or offered work, so treat it as one step among several rather than a promise. Whatever happens, keep enjoying the creative life around you in Cape Town, keep learning about photography, performance and how campaigns are made, and keep your studies on track. A steady, well-planned start is far more valuable than rushing in.