UCT offers writing support to help you refine your academic writing. Explore the offerings below to strengthen your skills and produce structured, grammatically correct and well-referenced academic papers.

Writing centre

The Writing Centre, which is part of the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED) offers one-on-one walk-in consultations with students from all faculties who want to improve their academic writing. They also have online resources for those who want to get some tips, and they offer workshops and short courses.

  • Make a booking online
  • Visit the Writing Centre on the 5th floor of the Steve Biko Building.
  • Contact: +27 (0)21 650 2645

Writing lab

The Writing Lab is part of the Department of Health Sciences Education (DHSE), and provides dedicated support for staff and students in the health sciences. The Writing Lab is a collaborative space where you can connect with a trained consultant who will guide and support your development as a writer, through one-on-one consultations, group engagements, and online resources.

Writing Courses

Writing courses

Research Writing in the Sciences short course for postgraduates

The Research Writing in the Sciences short course aims to develop postgraduate students’ literacies in science (Science, Engineering and the Built Environment [EBE], and Health Sciences). More specifically, the course aims to further develop students’ academic writing for dissemination and publication. This online one-week short course focuses on thesis writing, and writing for publication.

Learn more about the short course, or query via email: sabirah.adams@uct.ac.za

Journeys in Research Writing short course for postgraduates

A free five-week online course for all postgraduates. The series helps you focus on writing your proposal and literature review and provides guided writing sessions and support.

Learn more about the free online course or query via email: writingpathways@uct.ac.za

Navigating Research Writing short course for postgraduates

An intensive week-long course for all postgraduates, at any stage of your research. It’s aimed at postgraduate students who have been out of academia for a while or are starting on their research journey. It will help you to develop a research identity, make strong arguments and sustain a strong writers voice. The focus is on writing an exploratory concept paper, with help on proposal writing and aspects of a thesis such as a literature review.

Learn more about the intensive two week-long course, or query via email: Catherine.Hutchings@uct.ac.za

Writing for Postgraduate Completion Programme 

An intensive, structured, tailored three-month programme focusing on writing craft and practices required in the final four to five months of the Masters and PhD research journeys. Students participate in a daily, small-group writing circle, with facilitation by a writing consultant. The programme includes monthly meetings with a students’ supervisor(s). 

Calls for participation are distributed by faculties. To be considered for nomination, a student must have: completed data collection and analysis and substantial writing of the dissertation or thesis; have secured support and participation from their supervisor(s); and be able to commit to daily writing, a minimum of 10 hours per week.  Support is provided in online, blended or in-person modes, based on the needs of students.    

Queries can be made here.