Student Housing Q&A with Grant Willis
You asked and we went in search of the answers. We spoke to the Director of Student Housing,
Grant Willis, about some of students’ accommodation concerns.
Q: I’ve received an email stating that there’s no longer any available space in res and I really need
the accommodation. What do I do?
A: If you have applied for residence and have not been successful, your name will be on the waiting
list; this is not a guarantee of accommodation though. You should also visit the Off Campus Student
Accommodation Services in the Masingene Building on Middle Campus for more information.
Q: How long can I stay in the temporary residence?
A: Approximately 5-10% of our new students are placed in temporary, dormitory type
accommodation in a residence, for a transitional period of 2-3 weeks. When an applicant is offered
transit accommodation, he or she will be notified in writing prior to arriving at the university. For
further information, please see the transit accommodation section of the residence allocation
webpage.
Q: How are students allocated resident accommodation? What is the process?
A: You can view our housing policy on the UCT website.
Q: What happens if I don’t get allocated to a residence after the temporary residence
accommodation? Where will I stay?
A: Unfortunately, if you don’t get a residence offer, we suggest searching for off campus
accommodation. Read more about our Off Campus Student Accommodation Services.
Q: Is it true that non-white students and students from impoverished backgrounds are not
allocated res based on the colour of their skin and social class?
A: No, not at all; UCT guarantees housing for students on financial aid.
Q: I heard that students in Cape Town are not allocated res as preference is given to students from
outside of Cape Town and in some instances, outside of South Africa. Is this true?
A: Up to 10% of our students in residence are from Cape Town.
Q: What res accommodation options are available off campus and how do I access these?
A: Please visit the Off Campus Student Accommodation Services Office in the Masingene Building on
Middle Campus for more information. You can also visit our website:
http://www.accommodation.uct.ac.za/ocsas/about/
Q: What is the application process for residential accommodation?
A: You can apply for student housing as part of your UCT application for admission. This means that
your application must be submitted by 30 September 2016, for admission in 2017, and no late
applications will be considered. Should your application be successful, you will be offered a place in a
particular residence. Res placements are decided by the Student Housing Admissions & Advocacy
Services (SHAAS) office.
Q: What is the application process for current university students re-applying for residential
accommodation?
A: Current university students in residences should use the online application system to submit their
applications. Student housing reapplications for 2017 were open from Monday, 20 June 2016 to
Sunday, 31 July 2016. The outcome of your application will be communicated to you by no later than
30 September 2016.
Please note: the deadline for student housing reapplications for 2017 has passed. For any general
queries about student housing offers, please contact 021 650 2977 or [email protected].
Q: What is the criteria to be eligible for residential accommodation?
A: There are limited places available in residence and these are awarded to applicants on the basis of
meeting certain criteria that would make you eligible for an offer. Please see the full criteria on our
website: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/residence/applications/application/
Q: I can’t get through to student housing – the line just rings and rings. Where can I call for
assistance?
A: For any general queries about student housing offers, please contact 021 650 2977 or
[email protected].
Q: What happens if I am not offered a place of accommodation. Can I appeal?
A: 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 from students in residence.
Q: When do the applications for residence close?
A: Applications for current university students reapplying for housing in 2017 closed on 31 July 2016.
Housing applications for prospective new students must be submitted by 30 September 2016 as part
of your UCT application for admission.
Q: What does it cost to stay in res?
A: Students in residences, houses or flats 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 in which a
student is eventually offered a place. A student is liable for the applicable fees when an
accommodation offer has been accepted. For further information on the 2017 Fees and payment
dates: http://www.uct.ac.za/usr/finance/fees/2017dates.pdf
Q: When will I be notified about an offer of residential accommodation?
A: Offers of residence may be made throughout the application cycle. If you have not been made an
offer by the end of October 2016, we advise you to seek an off-campus accommodation, even
though you may still be made an offer by as late as January 2017. Please contact our Off-Campus
Student Accommodation Services (OCSAS) office for assistance at 021 650 4934 or [email protected].
If you haven’t been able to find the answer to your question here, please don’t hesitate to contact
The Student Housing and Residence Life office:
Tel: +27 (0)21 650 2977
Fax: +27 (0)21 650 4014
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours
08:00 to 13:00; 13:15 to 16:30 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
09:30 to 13:00; 13:15 to 16:30 (Thursdays)