Student accommodation in Rondebosch and Observatory
The strip of suburbs below UCT's upper campus - Rondebosch, Rosebank, Mowbray and Observatory - is where most Cape Town students want to live. They follow the Main Road and the Southern Line railway, and UCT's free Jammie Shuttle links most of them to campus.
Suburb by suburb
- Rondebosch: directly below upper campus; the most convenient and most expensive, with flats, residences and shared houses.
- Rosebank: between Rondebosch and Mowbray, close to lower campus and several UCT residences.
- Mowbray: a transport hub, home to CPUT's Mowbray campus; generally cheaper.
- Observatory: lively and creative, with Victorian houses run as digs; close to UCT's medical campus and to AFDA.
- Claremont and Newlands: south of Rondebosch; quieter, more flats, near Cavendish Square.
- Woodstock and Salt River: towards town; suits CPUT District Six and the creative colleges.
Getting to campus
The Jammie Shuttle runs from stops across these suburbs to upper, middle, lower and medical campus, so check where the nearest stop is. Routes and timetables change, so confirm them with UCT. Main Road has constant minibus taxis and Golden Arrow buses.
What to check
- Demand far exceeds supply near UCT - start looking by September or October for the following year.
- Security: many digs are older houses; ask about alarms, burglar bars and access.
- Damp in winter, and who pays for electricity and Wi-Fi.
- Whether the lease is 10, 11 or 12 months.
- NSFAS accreditation if you are funded - see our UCT NSFAS guide.
Campus guides
See UCT accommodation costs, the CPUT guide, the AFDA guide and the Wynberg and southern suburbs guide, or browse listings near UCT.
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Browse accommodation in RondeboschFrequently asked questions
Which suburb is closest to UCT?
Rondebosch and Rosebank sit directly below the campus; Mowbray, Observatory, Claremont and Newlands are a short Jammie Shuttle or taxi ride away.
Is Observatory good for students?
Yes. It is one of Cape Town's most established student areas, close to UCT's medical campus and AFDA, with a large supply of shared houses.
Does the Jammie Shuttle go to Observatory and Mowbray?
UCT's Jammie Shuttle serves the main southern suburbs student areas. Routes change, so check the current map with UCT.
When should I look for accommodation near UCT?
By September or October of the year before, since demand near campus is far higher than supply.