Student societies & organisations
Overview
There are more than 100 student societies and organisations at UCT reflecting a wide range of interests, including academic, religious, cultural, social and political activities.
Each society is run by students and any student may be a member. Societies hold a number of events every year including an AGM where the new leadership is elected for the New Year.
Each society is partially funded by the University and partially by subscription fees which the societies charge.
The societies allow students to enjoy activities on the University that are not normally part of the academic curricula. Societies allow students to enjoy being part of a community on campus that is stimulating and opens up new challenges and opportunities for them.
UCT Thursdays
UCT Thursdays is a group of students who promote events held on Jammie Plaza. These Thursday events form a integral part of student life on campus, showcasing student talent, and open up the venue to product promotions, live performances and other entertainment events over Thursday meridians.
Academic
These societies are organisations whose primary aim is either to enhance the learning and understanding of students at UCT or to bring students in contact with the leaders in their field of studies. Many of these societies hold seminars on various topics and bring industry leaders to UCT while others concentrate on community development programmes.
AIESEC UCT
Algorithm Circle
Astronomy Club
Biological Society
Black Law Students' Forum
Education Development Unit Student Organisation
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Psychology Society
South African Medical Students' Association
South African Space Association
Surgical Society
Waiting Room Education for Medical Students
Faith
This constitutes one of the largest sectors, representing almost all major religious beliefs, doctrines and denominations. Many of these societies have ties with local religious structures. Although UCT is a secular campus, it makes the attempt to accommodate everyone and allow them to exercise their beliefs freely without interfering with the academic programme and other faiths.
Acts Kolbe Catholic Society (Acts)
Anglican Students' Society
Baha'i Society
Believers' Loveworld
Campus for Christ
Christian Medical Fellowship
Church of Christ
Church on Main
Deeper Life Fellowship
Hillsong Church
Hindu Students' Society
His People
Jubilee Students
Love Your Neighbour
Muslim Students' Association
New Apostolic Church Students
Redeemed Christian Church
Seventh Day Adventist Student Movement
Shofar Church
Society for Bhuddism in Action
South African Union of Jewish Students
Student Christian Fellowship
Student YMCA
Students for Life
Trees of Life Multiracial Church
Wesley Guild Methodist Society
World Mission Society Church of God
Zion Christian Student Fellowship
National/cultural
These societies largely represent national and cultural interests. However, membership is not drawn exclusively from the relevant countries. These societies mainly aim to broaden students exposure to the cultural dynamism of UCT.
Abantu Zambian Society
Botswana Students' Association
Congolese Society
East African Students' Association
Ghana Society
Hellenic Students' Association
Lesotho Students' Association
Malawi Students' Society
Mauritian Students' Society
Mozambican Association of Students
Namibian Students' Organisation
Nigerian Students' Society
Republic of China Students' Association
Southern Africa Group
Swazi Students' Society
Zimbabwe Society
Political
These organisations represent a group of national and international political organisations. Their activities include attending national gatherings, and inviting politicians and scholars to speak at meetings.
Amnesty International
ANC Youth League
Democratic Alliance Students' Organisation
Palestinian Solidarity Forum
South African Students' Congress
United Nations Association of SA
Young Communist League
Special interest
This group of societies represent a broad range of groups from special interest and civil society groups to social and wellness groups. These societies open up huge opportunities to experience and enjoy new activities at UCT.
Art of Living Hartha Yoga Society
Ballroom and Latin Dancing Society
Bhakti Yoga Society
Black Management Forum
Cape Legion of Adventurers and War Gamers
Cape Town Globalist
Debating Union
DJ's Production Society
Engineers without Borders
Equal Education
Film Society
Genshiken.UCT Anime Club
Golden Future Project
Green Campus Initiative
Habitat For Humanity
Hip-hop Club
History and Current Affairs Society
Impilo Students' Society
Investment Society
Paintball Society
Photographic Society
Professional Women's Network
RainbowUCT
Rural Support Network
Students in Free Enterprise
Student Parents' Society
Students for Law and Social Justice
Ubumbo Society
UCT Choir
UCT Choir for Africa
Wine and Cultural Society
How to join a society at UCT
Students can become members of societies throughout the academic year, though during the annual O-week the student organsations show case themselves on the Jameson Plaza. Here students can sign-up with the societies that interest them and they can either have the subscription fees charged to their student accounts or pay cash to the cashiers in the Steve Biko Students' Union.
If students miss the O-week sign up period they can come to the Societies Helpdesk on Level 5, Steve Biko Students' Union or contact Shannon Bernhardt to sign up with a society or get more information.
Contact us
Societies Helpdesk Level 5 Steve Biko Students' Union building
Shannon Bernhardt
Tel: 021 650 5047
Downloads
Yizani 2009 - 2010 (youth magazine, 8 mb)
