Detailed Costs
The following rental & meal prices are applicable to catering residences only – i.e. to Barnato Hall, David Webster Hall, Ernest Oppenheimer Hall, Girton Hall, Jubilee Hall, Knockando Halls (Lighton Hall & Williams Hall), Medhurst Hall, Men’s Halls (College & Dalrymple), Reith Hall and Sunnyside Hall.
Catered Residence Meal Options – 2026
| Meal Option | Annual Rentals | Meals | TOTAL Annual Rental & Meals | Initial Instalment | Balance due by 30 June |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10A = 10 meals per week Mon to Fri: breakfast & supper* |
R70 400 per student in a single room |
R15 634 | R86 034 | R5 000 | R81 034 |
| 10B = 10 meals per week Mon to Fri: lunch & supper* |
R18 419 | R88 819 | R5 000 | R83 819 | |
| 15C = 15 meals per week Mon to Fri: 3 meals per day* |
R25 371 | R95 771 | R5 000 | R90 771 | |
| 14D = 14 meals per week Mon to Fri: breakfast & supper* |
R22 225 | R92 625 | R5 000 | R87 625 | |
| Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* 14E = 14 meals per week |
R24 916 | R95 316 | R5 000 | R90 316 | |
| Mon to Fri: lunch & supper* Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* |
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| 19F = 19 meals per week Mon to Fri: 3 meals per day* Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* |
R31 954 | R102 354 | R5 000 | R97 354 | |
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Accommodation rental in a double room is R66 000 per student and is exclusive of meals. Total meal prices for the year differ according to the check-in dates and the check-out dates of each individual. At least 10 meals must be taken each week. The price per meal is:
A once-off levy of R70,00 for a set of cutlery is included in the above pricing. |
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Meal Plans
The number (code) for each meal option above indicates the number of meals with which a student will be provided each week – e.g. Option 10A, for example, provides 10 meals per week.
Full details of the online meal booking system (which enables students to book additional meals, or to unbook a particular meal, or to move meal bookings) are available on registration.
Please note:
- Unfortunately the University is not able to cater for individuals with strict dietary needs, whether for religious or for medical reasons. Such students are therefore normally allocated to self-catering residences after consideration of each individual’s needs.
- A student whose academic term dates do not correspond with the normal first-year undergraduate term dates should consult the Dining Hall Liaison Officer responsible for his/her dining hall regarding the related additional meals and the cost thereof.
Self-Catering Residence Annual Rentals – 2025
| Residence & Room Type | Initial Instalment | Balance due 30 June | TOTAL Annual Rentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnato Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R66 638 | R71 638 |
| Single rooms – New Wing | R5 000 | R83 494 | R88 494 |
| Double rooms – New Wing | R5 000 | R72 056 | R77 056 |
| Braamfontein Centre | |||
| Shared room (4 beds per flat) | R5 000 | R50 685 | R55 685 |
| Shared room (3 beds per flat) | R5 000 | R50 685 | R55 685 |
| Single room (4-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R53 695 | R58 695 |
| Single room (3-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R53 695 | R58 695 |
| Shared room (2-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R50 685 | R55 685 |
| Campus Lodge | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R84 693 | R89 693 |
| Single room (2 bedroomed apartments) | R5 000 | R75 270 | R80 270 |
| Single room (Communal kitchen and bathroom) | R5 000 | R62 357 | R67 357 |
| Ernest Oppenheimer Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R66 939 | R71 939 |
| Double rooms | R5 000 | R56 103 | R61 103 |
| International House | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R112 962 | R117 962 |
| Knockando Halls of Residence | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R67 842 | R72 842 |
| Double rooms | R5 000 | R57 006 | R62 006 |
| Noswal Hall | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R78 979 | R83 979 |
| 2-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R69 347 | R74 347 |
| 3-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R63 628 | R68 628 |
| 4-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R60 919 | R65 919 |
| Medhurst, Girton and Reith Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R66 939 | R71 939 |
| Double rooms | R5 000 | R56 103 | R61 103 |
| The Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Junction | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R107 176 | R112 176 |
| 2-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R100 184 | R105 184 |
| 3 & 4-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R94 104 | R99 104 |
| 12-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R88 632 | R93 632 |
| West Campus Village | |||
| Studio apartments – renovated | R5 000 | R112 962 | R117 962 |
| Studio apartments – unrenovated | R5 000 | R80 855 | R85 855 |
Catered Accommodation
The rentals and meal prices in Section A.1 cover the general undergraduate academic year, which is a period of about 40 weeks.
New first -year undergraduates in residences receive free accommodation during the period 17 January to 30 January.
The normal rental period for residence students then commences on 31 January in preparation for the start of the academic year on Tuesday, 03 February. Certain category of students e.g. Health Sciences, whose academic curriculum will require their presence on campus outside of the periods mentioned above must consult the Residence Administration Officers of their residences early in the year to confirm their personal term dates and additional accommodation requirements, and their additional rentals.
Failure to do so will not absolve a student from the obligation to pay additional rentals, and to pay for the related additional meals and levies. Accommodation for deferred/ supplementary exams, electives or support programmes/blocks undertaken by students is not covered by the annual rental. Students in catering residences are required to vacate their residences during the mid-year vacation, but they are not required to do so during the April and September study breaks.
A student in a catering residence may remain in his/her residence only until the day after he/she has completed his/her examinations. This applies to the mid-year and the end-of-year examination periods.
Please Note: Any student who remains in a catering residence without written permission for more than one night after his/her last examination in June/July or in November/December may face disciplinary and/or financial consequences and may be excluded from the Residence Programme thereafter.
Self-Catering Accommodation
The accommodation period for Campus Lodge, International House and West Campus Village covers the period 04 January until the 18th December. The accommodation period for The Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Junction is 17 January to 30 November. The accommodation period in other self-catering residences is 17 January until the day following the student’s last end-of-year examination.
Certain category of students e.g. Health Sciences and Postgraduates (including most Honours, PHD and Masters candidates) etc., whose academic curriculum will require their presence on campus outside of the period mentioned above must consult the Residence Administration Officers of their residences early in the year to confirm their personal term dates and additional accommodation requirements, and their additional rentals with the last accommodation day allowed being the 18th December. Failure to do so will not absolve a student from the obligation to pay additional rentals.
Accommodation for deferred/ supplementary exams, electives or support programmes/blocks undertaken by students is not covered by the annual rental. New first-year undergraduates in self-catered residences receive free accommodation during the period 17 January to 30 January. The normal rental period for residence students then commences on 31 January in preparation for the start of the academic year on Tuesday, 03 February.
Please note:
Any student who remains in a self-catering residence (except Campus Lodge, International House West Campus Village and Ñî¹óåú´«Ã½ Junction) without permission for more than one night after his/her last November/ December examination may face disciplinary and/or financial consequences and may be excluded from residences thereafter.
Vacation Accommodation
Residence students needing accommodation for academic or academic-related purposes outside of normal University terms will be charged rentals for this period and includes accommodation required for deferred/ supplementary exams and support programmes/blocks. International students whose family homes are outside Southern Africa and cannot return home at the end of the normal University term but wish to stay in University accommodation will be accommodated in vacation accommodation residences and charged for their period of stay.
Vacation accommodation rates are available from the Central Accommodation Office.
Fees, Deposits and Levies
Deposit to Secure a Residence Place (New Applicants Only)
A R990 deposit is required when accepting a residence offer for 2026.
- This amount will be credited to the student’s general fee account.
- If the student is not accepted to the University, the deposit will be refunded through the Fees Office.
Payment of Residence Rentals, Meals and Levies
- An initial instalment of R5 000 is due before admission to any residence.
- The remaining balance must be paid by 30 June.
- Students funded by sponsors or bursaries (e.g. NSFAS) are personally liable for full fees if funding is withdrawn, declined, or only partially covers costs.
- Students may make special arrangements with the Fees Office to pay in instalments.
Exceptions to the Initial Instalment
The R5 000 initial payment may be waived for:
- Students whose residence costs are fully covered by bursaries, scholarships, or recognised sponsors, provided written proof of funding is submitted via the FASO section on the Student Self-Service portal and shared with the Residence Administration Officer and Fees Office.
-
Students experiencing financial hardship or exceptional circumstances, upon approval.
-
International students, who must pay 75% of their annual residence and meal fees before admission, with the balance due:
-
By 30 June for undergraduates
-
Within 30 days after registration for postgraduates
-
Failure to Pay Fees
All fees remain payable in full, even if studies are disrupted by factors beyond the University’s control (e.g. strikes, unrest, or campus closures).
If a student fails to pay:
- 100% of residence fees by 30 June, or
- Agreed instalments by the due date,
then:
- Examination results may be withheld, and
- The student will not be eligible for residence placement in the following academic year.
Students who fall behind on approved instalment plans by the end of the first term will forfeit their residence placement for the remainder of the year.
Levies
Certain annual levies are not included in residence rentals and are charged separately:
| Levy Type | Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance Levy | Electricity charge for personal catering appliances | |
| • Microwave oven | R350 | |
| • Refrigerator (single door, under/more than 220 L) | R3 160 / R4 020 | |
| • Refrigerator (double door, under/more than 220 L) | R4 020 / R4 600 | |
| Orientation Week Levy | For new first-year undergraduates – covers T-shirts, transport, and programme activities | R680 |
Cost of Replacement Keys
Because of high-security locks used in most residences, students who lose keys are required to pay for replacement keys and/or cylinders at prices ranging between R200 and R750 per key, upon the type of lock.