Student Housing
Explore accommodation options, community activities, and comprehensive support services.
Welcome to UCT Student Housing & Residence Life Your Home Away from Home
At the Department of Student Affairs our dedicated Student Housing cluster ensures a safe, supportive, and enriching environment to enhance your university experience. Explore our accommodation options, community activities, and services.
Guide
About SH&RL
Inclusive & Supportive Living Environments
Explore the diverse residential options at UCT, designed to support your academic journey and personal development. Learn about our on-campus and off-campus accommodations, application processes, and the vibrant residence life waiting for you.
Comprehensive Support Network
Diverse and Inclusive Community
Enhanced Learning Environment
Handbooks
| Student Housing Admission Policy | General Information |
| 1st Tier Residences | 2nd Tier Residences |
| 3rd Tier Residences |
Explore UCT's Three-Tier Residence System
The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers a comprehensive three-tier residence system that caters to the diverse needs of its students. Each tier provides different services, governance, and management, ensuring a comfortable and supportive living environment.
Tier 1: Fully Catered Residence
Offer fully catered meals and a range of amenities ideal for junior students.
Tier 2: Senior Catering or Self-Catering Residence
Providing more independence with options for self-catering or senior catering services.
Tier 3: Semi-Autonomous Accommodation
Offers maximum independence and self-catering facilities for students.
Applying for Residence
Unlock Your Home at UCT
UCT's residence system is structured into three tiers to support students at different stages of their academic journey. First Tier residences provide fully catered living ideal for first-years, Second Tier offers more independence with senior catering or self-catering options, and Third Tier features semi-autonomous living for mature or postgraduate students. Each tier is designed to match specific student needs and preferences.
Integrated Application
To streamline your transition to university life, housing requests are conveniently integrated with your UCT admission application. Simply indicate your accommodation preferences when you apply for admission to ensure your housing needs are considered alongside your academic application.
Download the Student housing admissions policy from the university Policies page.
Essential Minimum Requirement
To qualify for student housing, you must obtain a conditional or firm admission offer for the relevant academic year. Ensure your eligibility by meeting all academic requirements and submitting your application on time.
Who Gets Priority for Student Housing?
While we strive to accommodate as many students as possible, there are specific groups that are prioritized for housing:
- First-Year Students: We give first-year students priority to ensure a smooth transition into university life.
- Financial Need: Students with demonstrated financial need, as assessed through financial aid applications (such as NSFAS), receive priority for housing.
- Academic Achievement: High-performing students or those with special academic programs may receive preference.
- Special Circumstances: Students with disabilities, health concerns, or other extenuating circumstances may also be considered for priority placement. Supporting documentation is required for these cases.
Housing placement is subject to availability, so early application is recommended.
Different Tiers of Accommodation for Your Needs
UCT offers a variety of residence types to suit your preferences and study stage:
- First-Tier Residences: Ideal for first-year students, these fully catered accommodations offer a structured environment with support services to help students adjust to university life.
- Second-Tier Residences: Designed for students who want more independence, these include both senior catered and self-catering options, offering flexibility and privacy.
- Third-Tier Residences: Semi-autonomous living arrangements for postgraduate and mature students, providing a quieter, self-sufficient environment.
Each tier is designed to meet the varying needs of students, whether you're just starting out or need more autonomy in your academic journey.
Returning Students: Reapplying for Accommodation
Returning students who wish to stay in student housing must reapply each year. The process is streamlined for students who continue to meet the eligibility and placement criteria:
- Reapplication: Ensure you submit your reapplication by the specified deadline. Late applications may not be considered.
- Academic Performance: Continuation in student housing is conditional upon satisfactory academic progress.
- Priority for Returning Students: While new applicants are prioritised, we do reserve spaces for returning students in all tiers of residence.
Make sure to meet all deadlines and criteria to retain your placement.
How is Residence Allocated?
Residence allocation is based on several factors to ensure fair and equitable distribution of housing spaces:
- Merit-Based Allocation: Academic achievement and financial need play significant roles in determining placement priority.
- Random Selection: In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available spaces, a random selection process may be used.
- Special Requests: Students with specific needs (e.g., disability or special health circumstances) may receive priority consideration for residence allocation.
Final residence offers are subject to availability and are communicated to students via their UCT portal.
Student Housing FAQs
Find answers to common questions about UCT housing eligibility, applications, and more.
UCT accommodates 6 800 students in its residence system which is organized into three tiers. The first tier is for first- and second-year undergrads and includes catering. The second tier is for senior undergrads and can either include catering or be self-catering. The third tier is for Post grads and are all self-catering. Some limited family accommodation is also available.
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Before we make an offer of housing, we first need to assess several criteria. Housing offers to new undergraduate applicants will be made according to the criteria as set out below:
- Financial Aid: All students who are made an academic offer and are awarded financial aid will be made an offer for housing
- Minors: All students who are minors on 1 February in the year of registration and are made an academic offer will be made an offer for housing
- Excellence: all entering undergrad applicants who score 540 APS will be made an offer of housing.
- Faculty criteria will also be used and are based on strategic priorities in the faculties. These priorities are approved annually by the Admissions Committee.
- Medical needs: To be confirmed (ratified) by Disability Service and Student Wellness
- Director’s Discretion: These are high level special requests to which the director must apply his/her mind when considering a request for housing
View the full housing eligibility criteria.
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- First an academic offer is made
- Housing offer either by institutional auto offer, or
- Faculty makes a housing offer
- Email confirming that a housing offer has been made
- Followed by an offer letter from SHAAS that specifies your residence allocation
Note: You may also receive an unspecified offer (Transit)
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Transit housing is a temporary, dormitory type accommodation in a residence. If you are offered transit accommodation, you will be notified in writing prior to arriving at the university.
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If you have applied for residence and have not been successful, your name will be on the waiting list; this is, however, not a guarantee of accommodation. We advise you to also visit the Off-Campus Student Accommodation Service. Off-campus accommodation has properties located in the vicinity of the university. See more information about
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For any general queries about student housing offers, please contact +27 21 650 2977 or res@uct.ac.za.
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Yes, you can direct all appeals, based on special circumstances, with a full motivation and supporting documents where appropriate, to the Student Housing Accommodation & Advocacy Services (SHAAS) office. The Independent Appeals Committee of Student Housing and Residence Life considers all appeals.
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You will be required to pay an annual residence fee as well as a meal plan fee (where applicable) and such amenities and laundry levies as may be defined by the University Council. The full amount due will depend on the residence, house or flat to which you are eventually allocated. You are liable for the applicable fees when you have accepted an accommodation offer.
UCT publishes a booklet, which is updated every year, giving the fee for each academic course and accommodation in different types of student housing. You can obtain a Fees booklet from the Fees Office by calling or emailing to request one Tel: +27 21 650 1074, email: fnd-feeenq@uct.ac.za.
Also see the Fees web pages.
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Frameworks & Protocols
Key Student Policies and Guidelines
Explore essential student policies and guidelines covering funding, mental health, housing, and governance.
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Off Campus Options
Not all students choose to live on campus, however, and we realise it can be stressful finding a suitable home close to the university, especially if you are not acquainted with Cape Town.
Off-Campus Student Accommodation Services (OCSAS) offers guidance and resources to help students find affordable, independent living options near UCT. With a comprehensive database of landlords and properties, OCSAS streamlines the process, allowing students to make informed choices that fit their budget and needs.
- DigsConnect
The largest student marketplace in South Africa and has connected thousands of students with landlords across the country.
- Nest
Offers stylish, safe, and secure accommodation in prime locations in Cape Town and is perfect for students who are always on the move.
- CampusKey
Boasts two blocks of trendy apartments within walking distance of upper, middle, and lower campus, as well as the UCT Shuttle stops.
- Student & Life
Located in the heart of Cape Town and offers safe, affordable, and exciting lifestyle accommodation for all students.
Affordable Vacation Accommodation for UCT Students
UCT students are allowed to stay on in residence during the vacation period at an extra cost. The bookings of vacation accommodation and payments fall into categories: academic bookings or personal bookings.