Overview
The mission of the Centre for Open Learning (COL) at the University of Cape Town is to make the academic resources of the institution accessible to a wider range of participants. COL is made up of several broad divisions and incorporates the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies. The COL provides a range of courses and learning opportunities for local and overseas university students as well as participants from commerce and industry, government departments, NGOs and the general public.
COL co-ordinates several different initiatives including the annual Summer School, short courses for the general public, continuing education courses for working people, Third Term credit-bearing courses for current UCT students and specialised programmes for visiting international student groups.
COL also produces the Continuing Education Handbook which consolidates information about the various opportunities for learning at UCT while continuing to work.
Summer School
The flagship annual Summer School run for two weeks in January each year is the largest public education programme of its kind in South Africa, regularly attracting over 3000 people. This public education programme offers courses on a range of topics from arts, humanities and current issues to the physical and environmental sciences, and aims to make specialised knowledge accessible to a wide audience, regardless of educational qualifications. These courses are for non-degree purposes and do not involve examinations or certification, though written or practical projects and reading may be required. The programme is available from October each year on the Summer School website.
Global Citizenship Programme
The UCT Global Citizenship: Leading for Social Justice Programme is an extra-curricula programme providing students with an opportunity to engage critically with contemporary global debates and to reflect on issues of citizenship and social justice. While voluntary and not credit-bearing, the programme is recognized on students' academic transcript as a UCT Short Course.
Public and Continuing Education (PACE)
In addition to the annual Summer School, short courses are offered for professional development, organisational capacity development and public interest. A variety of courses have been offered over the years and can be customised for particular organisations. Each year a selection of course will be run as public open programmes advertised on the website and in the media. Medeé Rall heads up the PACE division. For details, see Current Public Courses.
Third Term
COL's Third Term Division offers a limited number of UCT accredited courses to local and international students during University vacations.
International Programmes
COL can offer international student groups customised short programmes by special arrangement. Combine high-quality learning with an unusual travel experience at the southern tip of Africa. The university is located in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a historic cosmopolitan city with a vibrant and diverse contemporary culture.
South African Association of Canadian Studies (SAACS)
The South African Association of Canadian Studies (SAACS) is a voluntary, non-profit, interdisciplinary academic organisation. It seeks to promote public interest in Canadian Studies, to explore topics of mutual interest to Canadians and South Africans and to support teaching, research and publication related to Canadian Studies in South Africa. If you would like to join SAACS and/or receive information about future events, please send us your email details or complete a membership form. For details, visit our website or email us.
Confucius Institute
The Confucius Institute at the University of Cape Town promotes the learning of Chinese language and culture, and a broader and more informed understand of China in Cape Town area and across South Africa. We seek to attract more interest in the Chinese language and understanding of the Chinese culture among students and faculty at UCT, as well as the broader communities in Cape Town. For details, visit our website.