The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap)
Scores reflect the Overall AI Score for each category
Based on recent customer reviews, The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) earns strong praise for transformative learning experiences, passionate lecturers, and practical, industry-relevant programmes. Students consistently describe small class sizes, supportive academic staff, and meaningful personal growth. However, a notable thread of dissatisfaction surrounds administrative dysfunction, slow refunds, poor communication from accounts, and rigid policies that frustrate students and parents paying premium fees.
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 39h 60m
TrustIndex
8.5
Ranking
#4
in Short Courses
Reply Time
13h 57m
NPS Score
54
Recommended: Very Likely
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 39h 60m
Sep '25 - Aug '26
Based on recent customer reviews, The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) earns strong praise for transformative learning experiences, passionate lecturers, and practical, industry-relevant programmes. Students consistently describe small class sizes, supportive academic staff, and meaningful personal growth. However, a notable thread of dissatisfaction surrounds administrative dysfunction, slow refunds, poor communication from accounts, and rigid policies that frustrate students and parents paying premium fees.
The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap)'s biggest strength, according to Hellopeter's AI analysis, is Teaching & Academic Support. Teaching & Academic Support (4.5) is SACAP's standout strength. Lecturers are repeatedly named as passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in students. Small class sizes enable personal attention, real-world examples, and mentoring that students describe as life-changing and foundational to their professional growth.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Apr 2026
I am writing to express my deep frustration at the total lack of organisation and miscommunication my wife has had to endure at your institution. We have invested our life savings into a school that charges a premium price and therefore should deliver a premium service. Instead, the experience has not only failed to meet basic expectations, but gives the impression that no real effort is being made at all. Two examples make this clear: 1. *Deregistration at the start of Honours*: After paying exorbitant fees, my wife was deregistered at the beginning of her Honours year. For a full week after lectures commenced she could not reach anyone for assistance. She was eventually re-added with no apology and simply told to “catch up”, as if the institution’s error was her responsibility to fix. 2. *Ongoing failure to communicate*: There has been a repeated lack of communication regarding assessment expectations. Once again she has not been added to a specific module intended to provide guidance for her current assessment, leaving her without access to critical information. This is not the service one expects after paying top-tier fees. The administrative dysfunction is causing undue stress and academic disadvantage. I do not air grievances on public forums. However, if this is not resolved urgently, I can only add my voice to the growing distrust and dissatisfaction that countless others have expressed about this so-called institution. I have no expectations as Time and time again this institution has failed to meet them. But I’m upset and I will have my voice heard. Not to sound full of myself. But watching my wife fall apart due to the actions of others will not stand. Note this is a grievance with the online department.
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2026
I am writing to express my deep frustration at the total lack of organisation and miscommunication my wife has had to endure at your institution. We have invested our life savings into a school that charges a premium price and therefore should deliver a premium service. Instead, the experience has not only failed to meet basic expectations, but gives the impression that no real effort is being made at all. Two examples make this clear: 1. *Deregistration at the start of Honours*: After paying exorbitant fees, my wife was deregistered at the beginning of her Honours year. For a full week after lectures commenced she could not reach anyone for assistance. She was eventually re-added with no apology and simply told to “catch up”, as if the institution’s error was her responsibility to fix. 2. *Ongoing failure to communicate*: There has been a repeated lack of communication regarding assessment expectations. Once again she has not been added to a specific module intended to provide guidance for her current assessment, leaving her without access to critical information. This is not the service one expects after paying top-tier fees. The administrative dysfunction is causing undue stress and academic disadvantage. I do not air grievances on public forums. However, if this is not resolved urgently, I can only add my voice to the growing distrust and dissatisfaction that countless others have expressed about this so-called institution. I have no expectations as Time and time again this institution has failed to meet them. But I’m upset and I will have my voice heard. Not to sound full of myself. But watching my wife fall apart due to the actions of others will not stand. Note this is a grievance with the online department.
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2026
Based on my experience, SACAP is highly overpriced for the level of education and support provided, particularly within the HR programme. The overall structure of the module delivery feels unplanned and disorganised, and at times it seems as though it is designed by individuals who do not have sufficient practical industry experience or understanding of real workplace expectations. This reflects in how the content is delivered and structured. In many cases, teaching feels like simply reading from slides without proper explanation, real-world application, or meaningful engagement with the material. There is limited depth in how concepts are broken down, which makes it difficult to gain practical understanding of the subject matter. Time management, communication, and planning across the programme also feel inconsistent. This creates confusion around expectations and deadlines, leaving students to figure out a large portion of the work independently. Considering the high tuition fees, the level of academic support and teaching quality does not feel aligned with what is being paid for. Unfortunately, there also does not seem to be significant improvement over time in terms of organisation, delivery, or student support. Overall, my experience has been disappointing, and I would not recommend SACAP to prospective HR students unless major improvements are made in teaching quality, organisation, and value for money.
1 reviews | Active since Apr 2026
Based on my experience, SACAP is highly overpriced for the level of education and support provided, particularly within the HR programme. The overall structure of the module delivery feels unplanned and disorganised, and at times it seems as though it is designed by individuals who do not have sufficient practical industry experience or understanding of real workplace expectations. This reflects in how the content is delivered and structured. In many cases, teaching feels like simply reading from slides without proper explanation, real-world application, or meaningful engagement with the material. There is limited depth in how concepts are broken down, which makes it difficult to gain practical understanding of the subject matter. Time management, communication, and planning across the programme also feel inconsistent. This creates confusion around expectations and deadlines, leaving students to figure out a large portion of the work independently. Considering the high tuition fees, the level of academic support and teaching quality does not feel aligned with what is being paid for. Unfortunately, there also does not seem to be significant improvement over time in terms of organisation, delivery, or student support. Overall, my experience has been disappointing, and I would not recommend SACAP to prospective HR students unless major improvements are made in teaching quality, organisation, and value for money.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2019
I am writing this review to highlight a massive discrepancy in service at SACAP. On the one hand, I had the absolute pleasure of dealing with Shandre Barends. After applying on 16 January and following up on the 23rd, Shandre was a total breath of fresh air. He is a consummate professional—knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely helpful. Even when my daughter found a space at another university and I had to request a refund on 28 January, Shandre handled the transition with grace. He immediately sent the refund forms, which I completed and returned. However, once the process moved to the Students’ Accounts Department, the experience turned into a nightmare. Since Monday, 23 February, I have been trying to reach anyone in Accounts. Every single call results in the same excuses: they are "in a meeting," "unavailable," or "have finished for the day." For five consecutive days, I have been unable to get a simple answer to three basic questions: Has my refund request been received? Has it been approved? What is the expected date of payment? It is deeply disappointing that the hard work and stellar reputation built by staff like Shandre Barends is being undermined by an administrative department that appears to have no interest in client communication. I held SACAP in the highest regard and was excited to refer others, but this past week of being ignored has completely soured that sentiment. SACAP Management: Please look into the lack of responsiveness in your Accounts Department. I am simply looking for a status update on my refund.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2019
I am writing this review to highlight a massive discrepancy in service at SACAP. On the one hand, I had the absolute pleasure of dealing with Shandre Barends. After applying on 16 January and following up on the 23rd, Shandre was a total breath of fresh air. He is a consummate professional—knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely helpful. Even when my daughter found a space at another university and I had to request a refund on 28 January, Shandre handled the transition with grace. He immediately sent the refund forms, which I completed and returned. However, once the process moved to the Students’ Accounts Department, the experience turned into a nightmare. Since Monday, 23 February, I have been trying to reach anyone in Accounts. Every single call results in the same excuses: they are "in a meeting," "unavailable," or "have finished for the day." For five consecutive days, I have been unable to get a simple answer to three basic questions: Has my refund request been received? Has it been approved? What is the expected date of payment? It is deeply disappointing that the hard work and stellar reputation built by staff like Shandre Barends is being undermined by an administrative department that appears to have no interest in client communication. I held SACAP in the highest regard and was excited to refer others, but this past week of being ignored has completely soured that sentiment. SACAP Management: Please look into the lack of responsiveness in your Accounts Department. I am simply looking for a status update on my refund.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2016
I started my studies at SACAP when my eldest than a year old and all throughout my studies I was provided with so much support. I met classmates and lecturers with children and it really made me feel much more at ease about my age and stage of life. I learnt so much not just from the class material but from the lecturers who provided extensive real life examples of situations and experiences. I would do it all again if I could, I am very proud to call myself a SACAP graduate.
1 reviews | Active since Sept 2016
I started my studies at SACAP when my eldest than a year old and all throughout my studies I was provided with so much support. I met classmates and lecturers with children and it really made me feel much more at ease about my age and stage of life. I learnt so much not just from the class material but from the lecturers who provided extensive real life examples of situations and experiences. I would do it all again if I could, I am very proud to call myself a SACAP graduate.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2025
My experience at SACAP was positive, with engaging coursework, supportive lecturers, and a strong focus on app**** learning, which helped me develop practical skills and confidence for my professional journey.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2025
My experience at SACAP was positive, with engaging coursework, supportive lecturers, and a strong focus on app**** learning, which helped me develop practical skills and confidence for my professional journey.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2025
SACAP has been incredible! My Bachelor in App**** Social Science not only challenged me academically but also supported me every step of the way. The lecturers are genuinely caring, always encouraging, and make learning exciting and accessible. The college community feels like a second family, and I’ve grown so much personally and professionally. I can’t recommend SACAP enough for anyone wanting to thrive in a supportive, inspiring environment!
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2025
SACAP has been incredible! My Bachelor in App**** Social Science not only challenged me academically but also supported me every step of the way. The lecturers are genuinely caring, always encouraging, and make learning exciting and accessible. The college community feels like a second family, and I’ve grown so much personally and professionally. I can’t recommend SACAP enough for anyone wanting to thrive in a supportive, inspiring environment!
The most common complaint about The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap), based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Administration, Registration & Communication. Administration, Registration & Communication (2.8) is the weakest area. Students report deregistration errors at the start of Honours, ignored emails, missing module access, and inconsistent communication. Parents describe the accounts and student advisor teams as unreachable, undermining the premium service expectation.
The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap) scores 3.7 out of 5 on Hellopeter's AI analysis of service quality in Colleges & Universities, compared to the Colleges & Universities industry average of 3.2. Their strongest theme is Teaching Quality (4.5); their weakest is Fees & Refunds (2.5). The top AI-rated Colleges & Universities business on Hellopeter is HyperionDev (4.5). How is the AI Score calculated? →
The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap) has a TrustIndex of 8.5 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 77 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 100% of negative reviews, typically within 39 hours 60 min. Hellopeter has tracked The South African College of Applied Psychology (sacap) across 120 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
