UCT launches The Learning Store

In a major step torwards widening access to quality short courses and continuing education opportunities, the University of Cape Town (UCT) has officially launched The Learning Store.

The launch of the new online short course learning portal was hosted by the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching (CILT). It brought together key institutional partners, collaborators, and supporters who contributed to the development of the new platform.

UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mosa Moshabela welcomed guests and cut the ceremonial ribbon to mark the occasion. Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning Professor Brandon Collier-Reed emphasised the strategic importance of micro-credentials and short courses in broadening participation in higher education. In particular, he highlighted how offerings such as the Blended and Online Learning Design (BOLD) short courses listed on the platform provide a pathway into formal qualifications such as UCT's new PGDip in Blended and Online Learning Design.

A single destination for short courses

UCT's short course ecosystem is both rich and extensive, with offerings developed by different short course units across the university and in partnership with several external providers. The Learning Store addresses a long-standing institutional aspiration to present diverse offerings in a single, accessible online space.

"This is a major milestone for UCT."

The platform features a comprehensive catalogue of UCT's short courses and learning opportunities, currently listing more than 250 offerings; and enables prospective learners to easily search, browse, and enrol. Through full e-commerce integration, learners can now register and pay online for certain courses, with seamless automated enrolment into the relevant course site on Amathuba, UCT's learning management system.

"This is a major milestone for UCT," said Stephen Marquard, the deputy director at CILT, who closed the event by acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the project. "The Learning Store not only makes it easier for learners to access UCT's educational offerings, but also lowers the administrative burden for staff and enables more units to launch new short courses with confidence."

Work on The Learning Store began in March 2023 as part of UCT's five-year Learning Platforms Update Project (LPUP), a strategic initiative to modernise the university's online learning ecosystem in support of Vision 2030.

Chatbot functionality has been integrated, allowing prospective learners to ask questions about the short course offerings via the UCT website or WhatsApp and receive instant, tailored responses.

A cross-campus collaboration

The development of The Learning Store has been a cross-campus effort involving CILT, the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED), Information and Communication Technology Services (ICTS), Finance, the Institutional Planning Department (IPD), and the Registrar's Office. This collective commitment reflects a shared recognition of the role short courses play in meeting the evolving educational needs of professionals, industries, and lifelong learners.

The experience of developing and refining The Learning Store has also informed the revision of UCT's Policy on Short Courses, Continuing Professional, and Lifelong Learning, which is currently undergoing final review by Senate and Council.

With its intuitive design, strong academic foundation, and powerful integrations, The Learning Store is poised to become a cornerstone of UCT's efforts to support accessible, flexible learning in South Africa and beyond.

Explore The Learning Store.