Guides
Student accommodation guides
Short, practical answers to the questions students ask us most.
Why study at AIE?What AIE (Academic Institute of Excellence) actually offers - campuses, study modes, career-focused courses and matric upgrade options - so you can decide if it's the right fit before you apply.Read the guide →How to apply for off-campus accommodationHow applying for off-campus student accommodation actually works on DigsConnect: exploring your housing options, contacting a listing, what to have ready, and when to start.Read the guide →AIE courses: the full list, by schoolEvery course available at AIE (Academic Institute of Excellence), organised by school - architecture, engineering, IT, business, design, arts, sound and draughting - with NQF/N-levels where published.Read the guide →University of Pretoria (UP/Tuks) student accommodation: the complete guideThe complete University of Pretoria accommodation guide: every UP residence and its 2026 fee by campus (Hatfield, Hillcrest, Groenkloof, Prinshof, Onderstepoort), NSFAS notes, and our top picks among trusted private residences near campus.Read the guide →University of Johannesburg (UJ) student accommodation: the complete guideThe complete UJ accommodation guide: every University of Johannesburg residence and its 2026 fee by campus (Kingsway, Doornfontein, Bunting Road, Soweto), NSFAS notes, and our top picks among trusted private residences near each campus.Read the guide →Wits University student accommodation: the complete guideThe complete Wits accommodation guide: catered and self-catering residence fees hall by hall, NSFAS notes, and our top picks among trusted private residences near campus - Braamfontein, Parktown and beyond.Read the guide →CPUT student accommodation: a guide to every campusA campus-by-campus guide to student accommodation near CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) — Bellville, District Six, Mowbray, Granger Bay and Wellington — plus NSFAS and off-campus housing notes.Read the guide →AFDA student accommodation: Cape Town and JohannesburgStudent accommodation near AFDA's two South African campuses — AFDA Cape Town in Observatory and AFDA Johannesburg in Auckland Park — with area guides and trusted nearby options.Read the guide →Red & Yellow student accommodation: Salt River, Cape TownWhere to find student accommodation near Red & Yellow Creative School of Business in Salt River, Cape Town, plus nearby areas worth considering.Read the guide →Capsicum Culinary Studio student accommodation: every campusStudent accommodation near Capsicum Culinary Studio's campuses in Cape Town, Rosebank & Boksburg (Johannesburg), Ruimsig (West Rand), Pretoria, Durban and Nelson Mandela Bay.Read the guide →IMM Graduate School student accommodation: every locationStudent accommodation near IMM Graduate School's campuses and student support centres — Parktown (Johannesburg), Stellenbosch, Pretoria Groenkloof, Durban and Cape Town.Read the guide →STADIO student accommodation: every contact-learning campusStudent accommodation near STADIO's physical contact-learning campuses — Centurion (Pretoria), Durbanville (Cape Town), Musgrave (Durban) and Waterfall (Midrand) — for students not studying via distance learning.Read the guide →Wynberg: Cape Town's up-and-coming student areaA detailed guide to student accommodation in Wynberg, Cape Town - why it's being called the new Woodstock, what's already there (Hype, Newgrounds and new developments), transport to UCT, CPUT, Rosebank College, SACAP and Eduvos, safety, shopping, and how prices compare.Read the guide →Eduvos Midrand accommodation: where to live near campusEduvos Midrand student accommodation: rooms near the Glen Austin campus from about R3,900 a month, the best suburbs, residences vs private digs, transport and how to book before the January rush.Read the guide →How much is student accommodation at UCT?A detailed guide to UCT accommodation costs - exact 2026 residence first-payment fees, how the Off-Campus Student Accommodation Service (OCSAS) works, and how private trusted listings on DigsConnect compare, with direct links to UCT's official fee pages.Read the guide →How to find a student room in South AfricaWhat a “digs” is, the types of student rooms, what they cost in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, and the checklist to run before you pay a deposit.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited student accommodation, explainedWhat NSFAS accreditation means for private student accommodation, how the accommodation allowance works, what to confirm with your financial aid office, and where to find accredited digs in each city.Read the guide →How much is the NSFAS accommodation allowance?The actual rand amounts NSFAS pays for accommodation in 2025 — metro vs non-metro, catered vs non-catered, university and TVET rates — plus what the other NSFAS allowances cover and how to use these figures when comparing digs.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for TUT studentsHow TUT students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation near the Pretoria, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa and Arcadia campuses, what accreditation means for your allowance, and what to check before you sign.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for UJ studentsHow University of Johannesburg students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation near APK, APB, Doornfontein and Soweto, what accreditation means for your allowance, and what to check before signing.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for CPUT studentsHow CPUT students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation near the District Six, Bellville, Mowbray and Granger Bay campuses, and what to confirm before you sign a lease.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for UP studentsHow UP students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation near Hatfield, Hillcrest, Groenkloof and Prinshof, what accreditation means for your allowance, and what to check before signing.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for UCT studentsHow University of Cape Town students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation in Rondebosch, Observatory, Mowbray and the southern suburbs, and what to confirm before signing.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for Stellenbosch studentsHow Stellenbosch University students find NSFAS-accredited accommodation in Stellenbosch and near the Tygerberg campus, and what to confirm before signing a lease.Read the guide →Best student accommodation in StellenboschA practical guide to the best Stellenbosch student accommodation - university res, private residences and digs - what each costs, what to check, and why The One, Stellenbosch is our top pick for a private, fully managed residence near campus.Read the guide →Best residences in Stellenbosch: university res vs privateComparing the best residences in Stellenbosch - Stellenbosch University residences and private student residences like The One - on price, privacy, facilities, security and distance to campus.Read the guide →Stellenbosch University residence fees for 2026Stellenbosch University's published 2026 residence fees for every residence, flat and student house on the Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campuses, the meal quota cost, and how private accommodation like The One, Stellenbosch compares.Read the guide →The One, Stellenbosch: what to know before you bookA guide to The One, Stellenbosch luxury student accommodation - where it is, how far it is from Stellenbosch University, room types, prices from R11,100 per month, amenities, security and how to book through DigsConnect.Read the guide →Private student accommodation in StellenboschHow private student accommodation in Stellenbosch works - purpose-built residences, student apartments and shared digs - what to check before you sign, and why The One, Stellenbosch is the private residence to look at first.Read the guide →Affordable student accommodation in StellenboschAn honest look at cheap and affordable student accommodation in Stellenbosch - university res, shared digs and shared studios - what each really costs once meals, Wi-Fi and transport are added, and how to get more for your rent.Read the guide →First-year accommodation in Stellenbosch: what to do if you don't get resA guide for Stellenbosch first-years and their parents: how university residence placement works in practice, what to do if you are not placed, and why a managed private residence like The One, Stellenbosch is the closest alternative to res.Read the guide →Where to live in Stellenbosch as a studentA student's guide to Stellenbosch neighbourhoods - Stellenbosch Central, Dennesig, Universiteitsoord, Simonswyk, La Colline, Die Boord and further out - how far each is from campus, and why living centrally, at places like The One, makes student life easier.Read the guide →NSFAS-accredited accommodation for TVET college studentsTVET students are funded by NSFAS too, and the same accreditation rules apply. How to find accredited accommodation near your college and what to confirm before you sign.Read the guide →How to spot a student rental scamThe scams that target students looking for digs — stolen photos, deposits before viewings, “overseas landlords” — the red flags to watch for, how to verify a landlord, and what to do if you have already paid.Read the guide →Digs vs university res: which is right for you?University residence or private digs? Compare cost, what is included, rules, distance, social life and availability, and decide which suits your first year — and the years after.Read the guide →Student cost of living in South Africa, city by cityWhat a student month actually costs in Pretoria, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch and Durban — rent, groceries, transport, data and the costs people forget — with a simple budget template and ways to bring the number down.Read the guide →What should be in your student leaseWhat a student lease in South Africa should contain — parties, rent, deposit, dates, what is included, house rules, notice and deposit return — the clauses to watch for, and your rights under the Rental Housing Act.Read the guide →Moving to university: what to pack for digsThe packing list for a student room in South Africa — what a furnished room actually includes, what it usually does not, the kitchen and study basics, documents to bring, and what to leave at home.Read the guide →Getting to campus: transport at South Africa’s biggest universitiesHow students actually get to lectures at UP, UCT, Wits, UJ, Stellenbosch, UWC, CPUT, UKZN, DUT and NMU — campus shuttles, Gautrain, trains, buses and taxis — and how to pick a room so transport costs close to nothing.Read the guide →How to be a good housemateSharing a student house without the drama: the house rules that actually work, splitting bills and chores, guests and noise, what to do when a housemate stops paying, and how to leave on good terms.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Cape Town: the complete guideWhat student accommodation in Cape Town costs by suburb, the best areas for UCT, CPUT and UWC students, how the Southern Line works, and when to book.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Johannesburg: the complete guideWhat student accommodation in Johannesburg costs by suburb, the best areas for Wits and UJ students, how to get to campus without a car, and when to book.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Pretoria: the complete guideThe complete guide to student accommodation in Pretoria: what rooms cost by suburb, the best areas for UP, TUT and UNISA students, NSFAS options, transport, safety and when to book.Read the guide →Respublica Yale Village: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Yale Village, Respublica student accommodation in Braamfontein, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Paton House: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Paton House, Respublica student accommodation in Golf Road, Durban - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Lincoln House: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Lincoln House, Respublica student accommodation in Universitas, Bloemfontein - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Eastwood Village: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Eastwood Village, Respublica student accommodation in Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica The Fields: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica The Fields, Respublica student accommodation in Johannesburg, near Ellis Park - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica West City: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica West City, Respublica student accommodation in Pretoria West - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Urban Nest: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Urban Nest, Respublica student accommodation in Arcadia, Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Saratoga Village: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Saratoga Village, Respublica student accommodation in Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Respublica Hatfield Square: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Respublica Hatfield Square, Respublica student accommodation in Hatfield, Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →The Richmond: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to The Richmond, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Auckland Park, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Richmond Central: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Richmond Central, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Auckland Park, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Kingsway Place: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Kingsway Place, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Auckland Park, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Peak Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Peak Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Observatory, Cape Town - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Crescent Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Crescent Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Braamfontein, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Arteria Parktown: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Arteria Parktown, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Parktown, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Fountains View: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Fountains View, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Horizen Heights: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Horizen Heights, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Auckland Park, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Studios at Burnett: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Studios at Burnett, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Hatfield, Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Apex Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Apex Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Brooklyn Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Brooklyn Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Festivals Edge: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Festivals Edge, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Varsity Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Varsity Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Hatfield, Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Hatfield Studios: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Hatfield Studios, Thrive Student Living student accommodation in Hatfield, Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Main: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Main, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Cape Town - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Blackwood: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Blackwood, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Nala Units: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Nala Units, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Bloemfontein - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Birbeck: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Birbeck, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Kimberley - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Cape Station: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Cape Station, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Cape Town CBD - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Jorissen: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Jorissen, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Braamfontein, Johannesburg - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Units on Park: what to know before you bookAn independent guide to Units on Park, Rise Student Living student accommodation in Pretoria - location, what's included, room types, and how to compare it with other trusted digs on DigsConnect.Read the guide →Live at Hype and take a shuttle to campus: the transport and safety guideHow the Hype shuttle service works - which campuses are covered, what it costs, and why living at Hype is a safety and convenience play for students who don't want to commute alone.Read the guide →South Point student accommodation: your questions answeredSouth Point's own FAQ, explained in plain language - room types, booking, deposits, NSFAS accreditation, what's furnished, visitors and sleepovers, refunds, and support.Read the guide →Thrive Student Living: your questions answeredThrive Student Living's Help & Advice content, explained in plain language - how to apply, move-in, lease terms, fees, what's included, security, and guest policy.Read the guide →Thrive returning-student benefits, explainedWhat Thrive Student Living offers students who renew and stay on year after year - extra laundry cycles, parking discounts, extra sleepovers, sibling discounts and more, by year of continuous residence.Read the guide →Respublica student accommodation: your questions answeredRespublica's own FAQ, explained in plain language - registration timing, deposits, lease terms, what's included in rent, laundry, transport, and cancellation and refunds.Read the guide →A parent's guide to Respublica student accommodationA parent-focused look at Respublica student residences - security, what's included in rent, community and wellness support, and how to apply via the Respublica app.Read the guide →Why Sandton students are moving to MidrandWhy more students who work or study near Sandton are choosing to live in Midrand instead - the Gautrain commute in minutes, what it costs, and the accommodation (including a flagship 650-bed 2027 development) making it possible.Read the guide →Midrand accommodation with transport: the student shuttle guideWhich colleges around Midrand and Waterfall run student shuttle services, and what they currently cost - Eduvos Midrand, AIE, Emeris Waterfall, Inscape, STADIO and International Hotel School Sunninghill - so you can book Midrand accommodation with transport sorted.Read the guide →CampusKey student accommodation: every city and propertyEvery CampusKey residence across South Africa — Cape Town, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Bloemfontein, Potchefstroom and Gqeberha — with which university each one serves and what to expect.Read the guide →South Point student accommodation: every city and propertyEvery South Point residence across Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Gqeberha — which university each one serves and what to know before you sign.Read the guide →NSFAS accommodation near me: how to find accredited roomsHow to find NSFAS-accredited accommodation near your campus, why there is no single official "list of NSFAS accredited accommodation 2026 PDF", where the real lists live, and how to check a property before you sign.Read the guide →How to apply for NSFAS private accommodationA plain-language walkthrough of applying for NSFAS private accommodation: who needs to apply, how the NSFAS accommodation portal and institution-managed processes work, what to have ready, and the mistakes that delay payment.Read the guide →Student accommodation near UKZN: a guide to every campusA campus-by-campus guide to student accommodation near the University of KwaZulu-Natal - Howard College, Westville, the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Edgewood and Pietermaritzburg - with the suburbs students use and what to check.Read the guide →Student accommodation near DUT: every campusWhere Durban University of Technology students live - near the Steve Biko, ML Sultan, Ritson, City and Brickfield campuses in Durban and the Indumiso and Riverside campuses in Pietermaritzburg - and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation near TUT: every campusWhere Tshwane University of Technology students live - near the Pretoria (main), Arcadia and Arts campuses, Soshanguve North and South, Ga-Rankuwa and the eMalahleni, Mbombela and Polokwane campuses - and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation near NWU: Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and VanderbijlparkWhere North-West University students live near the Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark campuses, how private accommodation compares with NWU residences, and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation near UFS (Kovsies)Where University of the Free State students live near the Bloemfontein main campus, South Campus and Qwaqwa campus, which suburbs are closest, and how NSFAS private accommodation works at UFS.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Durban: the complete guideWhere students live in Durban - Glenwood, Berea, Musgrave, the CBD, Westville and beyond - which suburbs suit UKZN, DUT, MUT and the private colleges, and what to check before you book.Read the guide →Student accommodation in BloemfonteinWhere students live in Bloemfontein - Universitas, Brandwag, Willows, Westdene and Park West - which suburbs suit UFS, CUT and the colleges, and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation in BraamfonteinA student guide to Braamfontein, Johannesburg - what kind of accommodation it has, which campuses it suits (Wits, UJ Doornfontein, Rosebank College and more), transport, safety and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Auckland ParkA student guide to Auckland Park, Johannesburg - accommodation near UJ's Kingsway and Bunting Road campuses and AFDA, neighbouring Melville, Brixton and Richmond, transport and what to check.Read the guide →Student accommodation in HatfieldA student guide to Hatfield, Pretoria - the residences and communes around the University of Pretoria, neighbouring Hillcrest, Brooklyn, Arcadia and Sunnyside, the Gautrain, and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation in GqeberhaWhere students live in Gqeberha - Summerstrand, Humewood, Central and North End - which suburbs suit each Nelson Mandela University campus, and what to check before booking.Read the guide →Student accommodation in Rondebosch and ObservatoryA student guide to Cape Town's southern suburbs near UCT - Rondebosch, Rosebank, Mowbray and Observatory - what each is like, the Jammie Shuttle, which campuses they suit and what to check.Read the guide →Cheap student accommodation: how to find a room on a tight budgetHow to find cheap student accommodation in South Africa - what a budget of under R3,000 or R4,000 a month realistically gets you, where the cheapest rooms are in each city, and the corners you should never cut.Read the guide →Student accommodation near me: rooms to rent for studentsLooking for student accommodation near you? Jump straight to rooms to rent for students near the main South African universities and in the big student suburbs, with a quick checklist for booking safely.Read the guide →How to apply for university resHow applying for university residence works at South African universities - when to apply, how places are allocated, what it costs, and a plan B for the many students who are not placed.Read the guide →How much does student accommodation cost in South Africa?What student accommodation really costs in South Africa: what drives the price, how res compares with private rooms, deposits and admin fees, and the extras - Wi-Fi, electricity, backup power, laundry - that change the real monthly cost.Read the guide →How to check if a landlord is legitA practical checklist for students and parents: how to verify a landlord or residence before paying, what a proper lease and deposit process looks like under South African law, and what to do if something goes wrong.Read the guide →Student rent index: what student rooms cost in South AfricaMedian student rent and typical price ranges by city, suburb and room type (sharing, single, en-suite, studio), from live DigsConnect listings. Updated quarterly.Read the guide →When to book student accommodation: what the enquiry data showsWhen do students look for accommodation in South Africa? Month-by-month enquiry data from DigsConnect shows the January rush, and why booking in October or November pays off.Read the guide →Wynberg vs Rondebosch: why UCT students should look at WynbergWhy UCT students should look at Wynberg: rooms from about R5,500 vs R8,200 in Rondebosch, direct trains and shuttles to campus, and everyday shops like Shoprite nearby.Read the guide →Cheap student accommodation near UCT: where the affordable rooms areWhere to find cheap student accommodation near UCT: live prices by suburb, what sharing a room saves, and the areas where rooms still go under R6,000 a month.Read the guide →UCT off-campus accommodation: the complete guideHow UCT off-campus accommodation works: why most students live privately, what rooms cost by suburb, UCT's own OCSAS service, NSFAS accreditation and when to book for 2027.Read the guide →