Siyonzana, Siyamthanda Elihle2026-06-122026-06-122025https://hdl.handle.net/10566/24410The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted university life, exposing students to multiple psychosocial stressors that heightened vulnerability to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This scoping review explored the nature and extent of PTSD among university students during the pandemic and identified key risk and protective factors. Guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) scoping review framework and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, 51 peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and July 2023 were reviewed. Data were synthesised using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis approach to map trends. PTSD prevalence varied widely across studies, indicating that trauma responses among students existed along a continuum shaped by individual vulnerabilities, environmental demands and institutional responsiveness. Social isolation, prior mental health difficulties, female gender, academic disruption and financial strain consistently emerged as risk factors, whereas social support, adaptive coping and resilience served as protective factors. Findings highlighted the need for universities to prioritise trauma-informed care through policies, peer support structures and brief, accessible interventions. Methodological heterogeneity, limited representation from low- and middle-income contexts, language restrictions, and predominantly cross-sectional designs constrained generalizability and precluded pooled prevalence estimates. Overall, the review demonstrates that while the pandemic heightened vulnerability, it also revealed substantial resilience within student populations. Future research should adopt longitudinal, culturally inclusive approaches to inform mental health policy and practice beyond the pandemic.enCOVID-19pandemicresiliencemental healthpost-traumatic stress disorderThesis