Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD)
Centre for Student Counselling and Development
Navigating university life can be an exciting but challenging journey. That’s why we want you to know about the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) – your go-to resource for psychological, developmental, and support services designed to empower you and help you succeed.
Here, you’ll find a dedicated team of professionals ready to lend a helping hand. This includes counselling and educational psychologists, counsellors, social workers, psychology interns, student assistants, project/portfolio coordinators, a psychometrist, and administrative staff. Each member is committed to providing the support you need to thrive during your time at Stellenbosch University (SU).
The CSCD is organised into four units, all working together to ensure your well-being and help you develop personal agency: the Unit for Academic Counselling and Development (UACD, the Disability Unit (DU), the Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services (UPSS), and the Unit for Graduand Career Services (UGCS).
Whether you’re studying at the Stellenbosch or Tygerberg campus, the CSCD team is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out, connect, and discover the resources that can make your university experience more fulfilling.
The CSCD runs a 24-hour emergency service in collaboration with ER24 (dial 010 205 3032 after hours and over weekends). In case of an emergency during office hours, please contact the CSCD office at 021 808 4994 or e-mail them at [email protected].
UNIT FOR ACADEMIC COUNSELLING AND DEVELOPMENT (UACD)
The Unit for Academic Counselling and Development (UACD) helps you to tackle academic challenges and improve your academic skills. The team consists of educational psychologists, a registered counsellor and intern psychologists. The UACD counsellor supports students by teaching them study methods, equipping them to cope with test and examination stress, improving their time management, and optimising their potential through individual consultations, work sessions and self-help material. Career counselling for registered students is also available.
You can send an e-mail to [email protected] to book an individual appointment or to enquire about work sessions.
STELLENBOSCH CAMPUS
Telephone: 021 808 4707 / 4994
Address: 37 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch
TYGERBERG CAMPUS
Telephone: 021 970 7020 (office hours)
You will find the CSCD’s Tygerberg office in the Education Building. When standing in front of the main entrance of the Education Building, turn left to the side entrance for disabled persons. The CSCD office (no. 0073) is on the right before you get to the glass door for disabled individuals.
DISABILITY UNIT (DU)
The Disability Unit (DU) is here to support students with disabilities. If you need advice on academic support, solutions, or accessible study materials that fit your unique needs, they have your back. The DU’s activities are guided by the Disability Access Policy of SU.
The Unit’s goal is to create an enabling environment that empowers students with disabilities to achieve their full potential through effective integration into campus life and the student community. The DU also creates disability awareness amongst students through training opportunities like the Lead with Disability programme and even South African Sign Language!
You can follow the DU on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest info and updates, or make an appointment via [email protected] to visit their office at 39 Victoria Street, Simon Nkoli House, in Stellenbosch.
TAKE NOTE: CLICK HERE FOR ASSESSMENT CONCESSIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.
UNIT FOR PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC AND SUPPORT SERVICES (UPSS)
Life at University can be pretty overwhelming at times. The Unit for Psychotherapeutic and Support Services (UPSS) is there to help students get through those challenging times by providing them with individual and group therapy, and work sessions. These confidential services are offered by psychologists and a registered counsellor.
Whether it’s stress you're dealing with, adjustment issues, relationship hiccups, or mental health challenges like depression, the UPSS offers psychotherapy for a broad spectrum of difficulties students may experience.
This session will help the psychologist or counsellor understand what you are struggling with, and aid them in putting together the best care plan for your specific needs.
If you need help after hours, you can contact the psychological emergency service via the ER24 Crisis Line (010 205 3032) from 16:00 to 08:00 on weekdays and weekends.
UNIT FOR GRADUAND CAREER SERVICES (UGCS)
Ever wonder what comes after you graduate? The Unit for Graduand Career Services (UGCS) is your guide to rocking the transition from education to employment and books to boardrooms.
The Unit will provide you with the tools to smoothly and confidently make the transition to the world of work – from one-on-one career guidance sessions to practical workshops on CV writing, interview skills, job hunting, How to Optimise your LinkedIn Profile, Personal Branding and cover letters before and during your job-seeking journey. And the best part is that all the Unit’s counselling services and work sessions are offered online too.
You will also be exposed to network opportunities with graduate employers via career fairs and insightful company presentations. The Unit also teams up with student societies and Student Affairs partners to bring you amazing co-curricular and online career readiness programmes.
Do you have questions, or are you ready to dive in? You can e-mail UGCS at [email protected].
PREP FOR THE WORKPLACE FROM DAY ONE!
The University encourages all students, including newcomers, to register on its online recruitment portal, Gradlinc. Here you can easily search for jobs, apply for vacancies, internships and even part-time jobs!
With several employers registered on Gradlinc, you can start paving your career path from your first day at Stellenbosch University (SU) by uploading your CV and searching for information on employers and available work opportunities.
Need to reach out to student support services immediately?
If you need to make use of student support services immediately, then it’s time to visit Stellenbosch University’s (SU's) Selfhelp.sun.ac.za web app! The web application is designed to improve access to essential student support services, and is part of Stellenbosch University’s Integrated Student Success programme, which focuses on the overall well-being of our students.
This centralised platform is your first line of assistance, offering support on various critical topics such as adjusting to university life, career guidance, mental health, food security, and disability assistance. You will receive secure and confidential advice and support while using the app.
You can also check your wellness score through the MaRooN Health Passport, a health and well-being monitoring tool introduced by the Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine (ISEM) and Campus Health Services at the University to ensure you practise self-care too.
The role of social workers at UPSS
Social workers at the UPSS provide comprehensive and professional psychosocial services to students who are tackling social issues that affect their ability to succeed academically.
They also offer support, guidance and counselling, as well as oversee the University’s Food Security programme, which ensures that the basic food security needs of students are met. Students who require food assistance will undergo a formal needs assessment to determine the appropriate intervention needed.
To book an appointment, you can send an e-mail to [email protected]. You can also meet face-to-face or connect online with our social workers.