Housing Guide

Student Accommodation in South Africa

Live in a university residence (student housing run by the university) if you get a room, or share a flat near campus. Prices are in South African rand (ZAR).

Accommodation Options

Most international students live in a residence or share a flat.

Accommodation Type	Average Cost	Pros	Cons
University residences Rooms owned by the university. Some include meals (catering). In others you cook (self-catering).	First payment at UCT: ZAR 44,500 with meals, ZAR 29,500 if you cook.	On or near campus.	You pay a first payment before you move in.
Shared flats A room in a flat you share with other students.	ZAR 3,000 to ZAR 6,500 a month (Johannesburg) Johannesburg price.	Costs less.	-
Private flats A one-bedroom flat of your own.	ZAR 6,000 to ZAR 9,000 a month (Johannesburg) Johannesburg price.	-	Costs more.

Residence rooms are limited

At UCT there is only limited residence space for international students, so most share rented places near the university.

Finding and Securing Housing

When you apply to the university

Apply for a room if your university offers one.

After the university accepts you

Check if the university offered you a room.
If not, contact the off-campus housing service.

Before you register (sign up for classes)

Pay the first payment if you have a room.

Reliable Platforms

UCT Student Housing
For residence rooms. Email [email protected].
UCT Off Campus Accommodation Service
Help to find a place off campus. Email [email protected].

Required Documents

For off-campus housing in South Africa, you'll typically need to provide the following documents:

1
Study visa
A study visa that has not run out. You need it to rent a flat.

Costs and Key Points

Rent depends on whether you share a flat and where you live. The rent prices here are for Johannesburg.

Regional Cost Comparison

Higher Cost Regions

Johannesburg
Private flat (one bedroom): ZAR 6,000 to ZAR 9,000 a month
Shared flat: ZAR 3,000 to ZAR 6,500 a month

Additional Costs to Consider

Wifi in a shared flat
Johannesburg price.
ZAR 300 to ZAR 600 a month

Location Considerations

Getting to campus
Bus and minibus taxi in Johannesburg cost ZAR 500 to ZAR 1,000 a month.

Meals at Stellenbosch University

At Stellenbosch University (SU), a plan of three meals a day, every day, costs about ZAR 36,225. The ZAR 15,000 meal payment is the first part of this cost.