The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is an inclusive community of nearly 2,000 adults who share a love of learning. By becoming a member, you’ll join peers who seek to foster connection, exploration, and engagement. We take pride in providing an excellent lifelong learning experience for our members.
Mission Statement: OLLI at Duke fosters a dynamic community of lifelong learners by providing diverse educational programs, social engagement, and volunteer opportunities that inspire curiosity, connection, and personal growth.
Connect with others who share your love of learning.
Explore new ideas and activities.
Challenge yourself.
Build community with your peers.
Finding Closure in Normandy: OLLI Member Honors Uncle Lost on D-Day
When Anne Shotton signed up for a trip to Normandy, France, she expected a journey rich in history, culture and companionship. She didn’t expect that it would bring closure to a family story that had been incomplete for over 80 years. Read the full story >
Each year, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers approximately 200 courses across three terms: fall, spring, and summer. Our Curriculum Committee, comprised of dedicated members, carefully reviews and selects courses to ensure a diverse and engaging program. Course topics are inspired by member suggestions, as well as contributions from instructors and advisors, with the goal of providing a balanced selection that offers something for everyone.
Our courses typically cover the following areas:
- Art and Architecture
- Economics & Public Policy
- Hands-On Art
- History: Past & Present
- Literature and Languages
- Performing Arts
- Photography
- Religion & Philosophy
- Science & Technology
- Society and Culture
- Wellness Activities
- Writing
OLLI’s unique set of excellent and passionate instructors come from diverse backgrounds, including retired faculty from Duke and nearby institutions, graduate and postdoctoral students, working artists, local business owners, independent scholars, and the occasional politician.
Do you have a suggestion for a course topic or know someone who would make a great OLLI instructor? We’d love to hear from you! Please reach out to Jenny Levine at jenny.levine@duke.edu.
| Course | Time | Tuition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to BridgeIN PERSON: Join us to explore the exciting world of bridge, the ultimate card game. This course is ideal for newcomers as well as those who have previously dabbled in bridge. You will learn the game's mechanics while meeting new… - |
9:30AM - 11:30AM | $125.00 | available |
In-Person Courses
Online Courses
Special Events and Workshops include mini courses, lectures, tours, and social gatherings for members. These events are designed to complement the institute's regular courses and offer opportunities for members to connect with one another and the wider community. Events may be held in-person or online, and most are exclusively for members.
Details about upcoming Special Events and Workshops are shared in the member newsletter.
For more information about Special Events and Workshops, please refer to the catalog or member newsletter. If you have any questions, email olli@duke.edu.
Workshops
Find your course links for Duke OLLI courses in the Student and Instructor Portal
OLLI Registration
Viewing OLLI at Duke Course Catalog Online
Joining OLLI at Duke is simple! Annual membership dues are $60. Memberships can be purchased March 1 and are valid through June 30 of the following calendar year; please note that dues are nonrefundable.
Membership benefits
As a member, you’ll enjoy access to:
- Register for classes
- Participate in special events
- Join Special Interest Groups
- Volunteer opportunities
- Social activities
How to join
There are two easy ways to become an OLLI at Duke member:
- During registration: The online registration system will automatically add a new membership to your cart when you enroll in courses.
- From our website: Click here to add a current membership to your cart.
For questions or assistance, feel free to contact us at olli@duke.edu.
Dates
Spring 2026 registration:
For classes held on Monday and Tuesday, registration opens Tuesday, January 6 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
For classes held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays, registration opens Wednesday, January 7 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Registration remains open through the first week of the course. To transfer or drop a course, please email learnmore@duke.edu. Please refer to the refund policy for more information.
Check out the video below for a demo of how to register for an OLLI course. The OLLI at Duke FAQ page lists questions about the registration process.
Enrollment and Waitlists
Course capacities are set by instructors, staff, and parking limitations. Most online courses have higher enrollment limits, while in-person courses tend to be smaller and fill quickly. You can find the maximum enrollment for each course at the bottom of its description. Click the Courses tab on this website to review course profiles.
If a course reaches capacity, members can join an automated waitlist. When a spot becomes available, the system will offer it to the next person on the waitlist via email.
Members will have 48 hours from the time the email is sent to accept the spot and complete payment. If no action is taken within that time, the offer will expire and the spot will be offered to the next person on the list.
Payments
Courses are individually priced, with fees (including any materials costs) listed in the course catalog and on each course's profile page on this website.
Payment of course fees is required at the time of registration and must be made by credit card. Please note that checks are not accepted.
OLLI’s refund policy can be found on the OLLI Policies page.
Scholarship Support
OLLI at Duke offers need-based Community Memberships to support access to lifelong learning. Financial assistance does not apply to Experiential Education. To apply or learn more, email olli@duke.edu. All requests are confidential.
All OLLI events are in Eastern Time (ET). Please read carefully as all dates are subject to change.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | |
December 3 | Catalog Published |
January 6 | Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., ET |
January 7 | Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., ET |
January 8 | Zoom Basics and Refresher for members, 10 a.m., ET |
January 22 | New Member Welcome Event |
January 26 | First day of Spring 2026 |
April 3 | Last day of Spring 2026 |
April 6-10 | Makeup week |
May 3 | Last day to watch Spring 2026 course recordings |
OLLI at Duke keeps members informed and engaged through a variety of resources:
- OLLI Newsletter
The OLLI newsletter is curated by staff to share updates about upcoming events, special workshops, and course registration details. Click here to sign up for our newsletters and stay in the loop.
Online Learning Website
OLLI at Duke has developed a dedicated website for online learning activities. This site features Zoom how-to guides, technical assistance requests, and details about the current term. Visit the site at https://www.olliatduke.online for more information.
Our online courses are taught via Zoom. Links to your class can be found in your Student Portal by logging in at the top right of this website.
In-person courses are taught at our classroom facility at the Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W Cornwallis Rd. Durham, NC, 27705, unless otherwise noted in the course description.
Please join our newsletter mailing list for more information on in-person events.