Student support

I would like to formally raise several concerns regarding my recent experience as a Postgraduate Certificate in Education student at Stadio.

I completed my first degree through SBS before it became part of Stadio, and that experience was exceptionally pleasant, professional, and supportive. My second degree through UNISA was similarly positive. When I decided to pursue a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, I deliberately chose Stadio over UNISA because I wanted a more personal, student-centred experience and did not want to feel like just a number. Unfortunately, this has not been the case.

The personalized, user-friendly experience I had during my studies with SBS is definitely not what I have encountered at Stadio the second time around. The overall system and processes feel unnecessarily complicated. The online dashboard is cluttered, difficult to navigate, and overloaded with tabs and information. As a full-time teacher, I simply do not have the time to sift through excessive content after a long day. I want to study at my own pace, mostly on weekends, without frustration or confusion.

Communication has also been a major challenge. When issues arise, we are required to use the Q-Desk. If students do not respond to an email within three days, the matter is automatically marked as resolved—even when it is not. As a teacher, I do not have the capacity to check emails daily, as I take work home after hours as well. This system is not practical for working professionals.

Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to reach someone telephonically when you urgently need assistance. I also find it difficult to build a personal relationship with a student counsellor who understands my history and circumstances. Each time I log a Q-Desk query, I am often required to re-explain everything to a new person, which is both time-consuming and frustrating.

These concerns were exactly what I hoped to avoid by choosing Stadio over UNISA—at almost double the cost. I have referred three people to study through Stadio (Business School), and they too have reported similar issues.

Another area of concern is the academic support. The examination scopes for my subjects have been extremely broad, and despite being a strong student who typically achieves distinctions at university level, I have failed subjects and even after consultation, it remains unclear where I went wrong or how to improve.

Despite all these challenges, I would like to acknowledge one staff member who has made a significant positive impact: Reinhart from the Krugersdorp campus. He has gone above and beyond to assist me, even with matters outside his direct responsibilities or control. His support is the only reason I have continued trying to work through these difficulties, and his professionalism deserves recognition. However, the issues I am raising fall far beyond his scope, which is why I felt compelled to bring them to Stadio’s attention.

I sincerely hope that Stadio will take these concerns seriously and work toward improving the student experience, particularly for working professionals who rely on accessible systems, clear structures, and responsive support.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this feedback. I trust that it will contribute to meaningful improvements within the institution.