Why accessing on-campus student accommodation remains a challenge despite its appeal

Most accommodation options, including university residences, exceed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) accommodation cap. The University of Witwatersrand’s (Wits) on-campus residences remain attractive due to the wraparound support services they offer, supported by cost-recovery measures. However, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) accommodation cap has influenced access to these residences, as it is often lower than the student accommodation rental rates, thereby affecting who can secure university residence accommodation, says Basil Mugwena, the director for Campus Housing and Residence Life at Wits.

Responding to Independent Media Property’s enquiry, Wits says it received over 50 000 applications for spaces in residences, these are applications many of which would have been withdrawn by prospective students if they were not made an academic offer from the University. “Whilst the University can only accommodate about 6 000 students, there are numerous options for students in accredited private residence service providers in and around Braamfontein, which can accommodate about 26 000 students, which has tremendously decreased the demand for accommodation in the area,” Wits says. Affordability remains one of the primary challenges in securing student accommodation in Stellenbosch, says Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen.

He says most accommodation options, including university residences, exceed the NSFAS accommodation cap. “Annual costs vary depending on residence option. Residences on the main campus vary between R61 000 and R80 000.

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On the Tygerberg campus, this ranges from R49 000 to around R85 000. Student houses and flats are around R60 000 to R85 000 a year. Residence accommodation fees exclude meals (R36 400 for three daily standard meals),” Viljoen says.

In October last year, South African Student Accommodation Providers Association (SASAPA) CEO Inga Ncomanzi said the high cost of property and rent in the Western Cape directly drives up student accommodation rates, making affordability a persistent challenge. “The NSFAS allowance caps, while an attempt at regulation, have not adequately accounted for the market realities of this region, creating financial strain on both providers and students,” Ncomanzi said then. SU says the development of student housing is therefore a costly undertaking and is influenced by various financial and operational factors.

Stellenbosch University says it has recently completed two new residences, adding 400 beds to the overall accommodation capacity. According to Viljoen, the applications to residences are relative to the number of conditional and final offers SU makes. He says approximately 80% of applicants who receive an offer will also apply for residence placement.

“In this regard, Stellenbosch University offers approximately 8 300 beds in student housing on both the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses. In addition, the University also offers 4 000 private accredited beds.

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