Upcoming Courses
Copy-editing and proofreading by John Linnegar
A virtual webinar-based introduction to Copy editing and proofreading designed to provide participants with the essential fundamentals for editing books, journals, magazines and reports.
Self-publishing, step by step 7-28 May
A practical guide to the possibilities and pitfalls of bringing your book to life
Tanya Meeson and Lucinda Hooley
Cederberg rock art excursion
We will visit rock art sites in the Pakhuis Pass where the paintings offer intriguing insights into San motives and meanings and add to our understanding of the relationship between painting and landscape in the San mind.
Creative writing
Join me on this five-week course where we will take the central nugget of your story, decide whether it is a novel, creative non-fiction piece, memoir essay or flash. We’ll think about theme, narration, point of view and style.
Belgravia High at the 2025 Summer School
Belgravia High School at the 2025 Summer School
Seventeen Grade 11 and 12 learners from Belgravia High School in Belgravia, Athlone attended selected courses at the 2025 UCT Summer School. It was their first visit to UCT.
Highlights of the 2025 Summer School
Upcoming EMS courses and lectures April 2025
Copy-editing and proofreading by John Linnegar 24 April - 15 May
A virtual webinar-based introduction to Copy editing and proofreading designed to provide participants with the essential fundamentals for editing books, journals, magazines and reports.
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Visit to the 108-year-old tall ship, Oosterschelde 24 April
The Oosterschelde is on a round-the-world trip during which she has retraced the route taken by HMS Beagle 189 years ago with Charles Darwin on board. 25 April
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The Italian Renaissance: the dawn of modern times by Elizabeth Handley 16 April
It is difficult to date the exact beginning of the Renaissance. Some say that changes in thinking and artistic styles first appeared at the turn of the fourteenth and fiftheenth centuries, while others date these events a century later.
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Running Africa by Keith Boyd 9 April
Join us for an inspiring lecture with Keith Boyd, as he dives into the extraordinary journey of Rainbow Leaders, a movement dedicated to empowering young South Africans to raise their voices, take action, and shape the future.
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Upcoming EMS Courses and lectures March 2025
Book launch: Centre for Extra-Mural Studies and the Human Sciences Research Council: The meaning of a life: a south african scientist’s tale
The Meaning of a Life: A South African Scientist's tale is a frank and full account of the ways in which chance and opportunity affect the life of a scientist, with lessons for the young and hopeful who might wish to tread on a similar path
Editing academic texts: the essential fundamentals
The course sets out to describe and clarify the different approaches to editing examinable (e.g. theses) and publishable texts (e.g. typically, academic articles) and the levels and extent of editing permissible in each type.
World-renowned South Africans to speak at the 2025 Summer School
Johnny Steinberg at the 2025 Summer School
Winnie and Nelson: portrait of a marriage
Zapiro at 2025 Summer School
Cartooning ructions: when the parallel universe intersects with the real world
William Kentridge at 2025 Summer School
One more sea to cross
Imtiaaz Sooliman at 2025 Summer School
Dr Imtiaaz Sooliman’s lecture “The human impact of large-scale disasters” at 13:00 on Tuesday, 28 January 2025, will take participants through the logistics, challenges, emotions, and human impact of these disasters.
Hot topics in Neuroscience at 2025 Summer School
Unlocking the mind: exploring the frontier of psychiatric genomics
This lecture delves of the role of genetics in psychiatric disorders and the complex and interdisciplinary nature of psychiatry, genetics and neuroscience in unravelling the mysteries of mental illness
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The neuroscience of forgiveness
Until fairly recently, forgiveness has been relegated to the field of theology and religious study, rendering it quite opaque to scientific enquiry. But what does recent science tell us about the evolution and biology of forgiveness.
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Magic mushrooms: can they treat mental health disorders?
This lecture will delve into the fascinating history and contemporary science surrounding psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms.
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Ketamine: revolutionary new treatment for depression or pseudoscience?
Ketamine, synthesised in the 1960s as an anaesthetic, quickly gained prominence for its efficacy and safety in human and veterinary medicine. Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in its potential to treat mental health disorders.
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Upcoming Events
No upcoming events.
Welcome to the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies. Our extra-mural education programme is about educational and intellectual activities that enrich the mind. The aim is to stimulate the mind in areas which traditionally is left out of adult formal education. UCT’s Summer School is precisely such a programme. 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.
But 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.
Highlights from the 2024 Summer School
Robert and Clara Schumann: Very Private Lives
On Wednesday, 24 January, The Baxter Theatre presented an evening of songs and chamber music of Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann, and their contemporaries, giving a glimpse into the private lives of this extraordinary couple.
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100 years of radio: Indelible lessons from the airwaves
Respected radio broadcaster Nancy Richards shared with her University of Cape Town (UCT) Summer School audience sage lessons from radio and what it has taken for women to be the great radio personalities they are.
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‘The secret communications network that helped end apartheid’
Anti-apartheid activist Tim Jenkin delivered a lunchtime lecture fitting for the time. He spent 60 minutes recounting his role in Operation Vula, a secret mission, which led to the fall of apartheid.
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‘Humanity is at a crossroads’
“Humanity is at a crossroads, globally. Our own country is at a crossroads.” This was the crux of former University of Cape Town (UCT) Vice-Chancellor Dr Mamphela Ramphele’s Summer School lecture, held on 27 January
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Bringing the looters to justice: the case for an international anti-corruption court
The International Criminal Court’s mandated jurisdiction focuses solely upon genocide and war crimes, not corruption, which costs the world more than $1.6 trillion annually.
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Upcoming EMS Courses, lectures and webinars
Writing political speeches
This course is aimed at those who write speeches for politicians at all levels of government. Participants will learn how to draft good arguments, how to arrange arguments for the best effect, and how to write simply and clearly.
Editing academic texts: the essential fundamentals – by John Linnegar
This course sets out to describe and clarify the different approaches to editing examinable and publishable texts, and the levels and extent of editing permissible in each type.
Hong Kong Performing Arts Tour
The Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, in collaboration with the Wubuntu organisation, is offering a performing arts tour to Hong Kong from 13 October to 20 October.
University of Cape Town certificated applied complexity science course 2024
The University of Cape Town is offering a world-first course aimed at professionals, managers and executives in the private and public sectors, and corporate employees at various levels, SMME’s, entrepreneurs and interested individuals
A walking tour of the rocks and mountains of Cape Town by Emeritus Professor John Compton
This walking tour takes participants along the scenic and beautifully exposed rocks and mountains of Cape Town which provide the perfect place to explore and learn about geology.
Excursion to Sutherland by Patrick Woudt
The Centre for Extra-Mural Studies is offering a unique opportunity to visit Sutherland, known for the radio quietness of its night sky. The excursion will be led by University of Cape Town astronomer Professor Patrick Woudt.
Belgravia High at the 2025 Summer School
Seventeen Grade 11 and 12 learners from Belgravia High School in Belgravia, Athlone attended selected courses at the 2025 UCT Summer School. It was their first visit to UCT.The learners chose the following lectures on AI, Carbon dioxide, the Challenges of Economic Development and Climate Crises and Opportunities in South Africa.
