All services are booked in advance. Student Wellness Service (SWS) only offers walk-in services at selected sites.

Use our online booking system and select the respective service option:

For medical and counselling bookings, please submit the completed Registration Form via email to sws@uct.ac.za (first-time bookings) or to the receptionist you have been been in touch with before.

Download Registration Form

You can call the SWS Triage hotline on 021 650 5620 for telephonic advice between 08h30–16h30 weekdays. Also, see our Emergencies page for additional contacts and resources.

Your appointment

Please ensure punctuality by arriving at least 10 minutes early due to administrative requirements.

Cancellation of appointments

  • 24-hour notice is required for postponement or cancellation of appointments
  • Appointments are self-managed by the student and may be cancelled on the online booking system. The link to access and manage your appointment is provided in the confirmation email. 

Consultation fees

As per the student handbook "Student Support and Services" (available on the UCT Handbooks page), students who utilise SWS services are expected to pay a nominal consultation fee.

Medical appointments: There is a cost for all professional services rendered. The current rates are available from the Student Wellness Service reception. Students providing proof that they receive a financial aid package from UCT do not pay to see a medical practitioner when referred by a nurse, but they are still responsible for paying for medication dispensed and for certain tests and procedures. Medical treatment will still be provided if a student is unable to pay and in these instances the fee will be added to your student account. Should you require a referral to a private specialist or medical practitioner, it is your responsibility to pay for the services provided by that professional person or organisation. HIV testing, STI medication and basic contraceptives are free of charge.

Counselling appointments: All first time consultations are free. Thereafter, the cost is R100 per session. Payment options include adding to the student fees account, EFT, or card. In instances where the payment option selected is the fees account after consultation, fees will be added to your student account. This will reflect as 'Student Wellness' on your fees statement. Students will not be denied services if they are unable to pay. Students who are receiving financial aid from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are not charged for consultations with a practitioner. 

Walk-in services

Selected service points of the Student Wellness Service offer walk-in services. 

  • Sports Centre Clinic accommodates walk-ins without appointments; please note that walk-ins may experience a waiting period.
  • Main SWS service point at Ivan Toms Building operates on an appointment basis, with a walk-in triage available.

No student will be turned away from any of the SWS clinics without asking the reason for the visit.

The receptionist will ask unbooked patients if they experience any high-risk symptoms, such as:

  • Chest pain
  • Breathlessness or difficulty breathing
  • Bleeding from any site
  • Severe abdominal pain

You have an emergency?

During office hours (08h30–16h00):
Phone 021 650 1020 for assistance from the Student Wellness Service (SWS) Hotline.
You can also visit the SWS Ivan Toms Building service point on Lower Campus.

All hours:
For any emergencies, phone 080 650 2222 (toll-free) for UCT Campus Protection Services (CPS).
For mental health emergencies, phone 0800 24 25 26 (toll-free) or text 31393 for a call-me-back (UCT Student Careline).

See here for 

 

See also our Emergencies page for additional specialised services and contacts.