UWC expands student accommodation capacity to tackle housing crisis

While students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology continue to face uncertainty over residence placements, the University of the Western Cape has announced a major expansion of its student accommodation capacity for the 2026 academic year.

UWC confirmed it has added 5 120 new bed spaces this year, bringing its total accommodation capacity to 16 147 beds — enough to house about 76% of its current student enrolment. The expansion comes amid a well-documented national student housing crisis, with demand for university-managed accommodation far exceeding supply at many public institutions.

The contrast is stark as CPUT students have raised concerns about delays and uncertainty around residence placement, with accommodation remaining a key source of stress for students and their families as the academic year gets under way.

According to the Department of Higher Education and Training, only a limited proportion of students at public universities across South Africa are able to access institutionally managed accommodation, leaving many to seek alternatives in an increasingly expensive private rental market.

Against this backdrop, UWC said it had taken deliberate steps to strengthen its residence system. In 2025, the university had just over 5 000 bed spaces in university-owned and leased facilities, supported by a similar number of private accommodation beds accessible to students. Despite this, demand continued to outstrip supply, particularly among first-year and postgraduate students.

“The 5 120-bed increase is unprecedented for the University of the Western Cape. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Residential Services team, who have worked tirelessly with our partners over the last several months,” said Prof Matete Madiba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Development and Support.

The expansion has seen significant growth in accommodation for first-year students, allowing more new entrants to begin their studies in a structured living and learning environment. Additional bed spaces secured through leasing arrangements have also enabled the university to improve placement processes for senior undergraduate students, including clearer outcomes for those applying through the accommodation appeal system.

UWC has also increased accommodation capacity for postgraduate students, a move the university says is aimed at supporting research participation, academic development and teaching activities.

“We acknowledge that accommodation remains a deeply personal and often stressful matter for students and their families,” Madiba said. “While not every need can be met immediately, the progress made from 2025 to 2026 demonstrates a clear and measurable effort to grow capacity, reduce pressure and support more students than ever before.”

The university said it remains committed to further expanding access to quality student accommodation through partnerships with service providers, while ensuring that residence spaces offer a safe and supportive environment conducive to academic success.

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Cape Argus