Cape Town Deputy Mayor, Eddie Andrew and Prof Matete Madiba at the official opening of one of the newly leased buildings. Image: UWC

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is proud to announce a major breakthrough in student accommodation, adding 5120 new bed spaces this year, bringing the total to 16 147 - covering 76% of total student enrolment to date. This is a significant milestone that strengthens the university’s commitment to student success, access, and well-being.

This expansion takes place amidst the well-documented national student accommodation crisis. According to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), demand for student housing across South Africa continues to far exceed available supply, with only a small proportion of the country’s public university student population able to access institutionally managed accommodation. 

Against this backdrop, UWC has taken deliberate, measurable steps to strengthen its student residence footprint. In 2025, the residence system comprised just over 5 000 bed spaces in university-owned and leased facilities, supported by approximately 5 000 private accommodation bed spaces accessible to students. While this provided critical support, demand continued to outstrip supply, particularly for first-year and postgraduate students.

“The 5120-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: Student Development and Support. 

First-year student accommodation has seen substantial growth in recent years. This expansion ensures that more first-time entrants to UWC can begin their academic journey in a supportive living and learning environment. 

The additional bed spaces secured for senior undergraduate students through leases with various providers allow the university to create a more structured and transparent placement process, including clearer outcomes for students applying through the accommodation appeal system.

Recognising the critical role postgraduate students play in research and academic leadership, UWC has also increased accommodation capacity for this cohort. This represents a meaningful step toward supporting postgraduate study, research engagement, and teaching participation.

“We acknowledge that accommodation remains a deeply personal and often stressful matter for students and their families,” said Prof Madiba. “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.”

UWC remains committed to further expanding access to quality accommodation, strengthening partnerships with providers, and ensuring that students who secure a residence bed find not just a place to sleep — but a safe, supportive environment where they can feel at home and thrive academically.