World Class Tours
Palaeontology Fossil Hunting
Experience the thrill of exploration and discovery with a journey into the depths of prehistoric wonder with an exclusive study tour into the Karoo! Discover legendary rock outcrops, renowned as the world’s premier treasure trove for fossils of ancient therapsids – the remarkable ‘mammal-like reptiles’. Students will search for 255-million-year-old bones on the Karoo slopes, excavate and record all of the geological and taphonomic data.
Archaeology Rock Paintings
Experience dramatic and enigmatic painted imagery form a previous era as we try to understand the intentions and mindsets of skillful artists with world views very different from our own. Visit archaeology collections at the museum, a field trip to the Cederberg mountains to see and learn about rock art in situ and visits to nearby shell middens at the coast, as well as a visit to the !Khwa ttu nature reserve.
Astronomy
Discover southern hemisphere cutting edge astronomy research, observatories and telescopes. Enjoy lectures at UCT, sessions at the Astronomy Department’s telescope, observations with two optical teaching telescopes on UCT campus, an exposure to modern 3D visualisation techniques in astronomy, a visit to the South African Astronomical Observatory – the first observatory at the Cape
South African researchers have a competitive advantage over their fellow scientists in three fields of study – largely because of the superb opportunities offered by the local study contexts. The clarity and radio quietness of the night sky, the richness and preservation of the Karoo fossil record, and the significance and relevance of pre-colonial archaeological remains mean that local astronomers, paleontologists and archaeologists attract researchers from all over the world to join them in field projects. In these three unique study tours we share this research and the associated excitement with university students.
Centre for Extra-Mural Studies
The University of Cape Town’s Centre for Extra-Mural Studies offers a wide range of engaging courses and talks designed to help you explore your interests and develop new skills. Whether you’re looking for practical workshops, self-publishing guidance, or lectures on cutting-edge advancements in research and technology, the Centre has something for everyone. The study tours form part of an innovative branch towards global reach across some fields as seen in the programme.
Course Highlights
- Self-Publishing, Step by Step
- Let’s Write a Memoir Essay
- Language Courses
- And many more!
Guest Speaker Events
The Centre also regularly hosts talks by prominent guest speakers on a variety of topics.
Empowering Our Community
The Centre for Extra-Mural Studies is committed to providing lifelong learning opportunities for the Cape Town community. Their courses and events are open to all, regardless of academic background or experience.
Why Choose UCT’s Centre for Extra-Mural Studies?
- Learn from experienced and qualified instructors
- Explore a diverse range of subjects
- Develop new skills and knowledge
- Meet new people and share your interests
- Be part of a vibrant learning community
Summer School
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a Summer School programme designed for the general public and aims to stimulate intellectual curiosity. It contributes to the development of an informed citizenry and a culture of democracy. Summer School is a festival of knowledge and ideas where members of the general public experience what it means to be a student of the Universe in the broad sense of the word. In this way our work contributes directly to the university’s obligations to society, one of which is to stimulate critical debate and discussion.
We also offer, for those who need a more skills or vocationally based course, practical courses in art, language and writing. For more information visit our short course page. Some of us are also challenged by a fast-changing digital world. We also host regular talks on new developments in technology such as Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and coding.