Where to stay when you study at Nelson Mandela University?

Take the next step on your academic journey by exploring the various on-campus residences and off-campus accommodation options available to you. Nelson Mandela University provides different types of residences for students at different stages of their development in both Gqeberha and George.

On-campus accommodation

On-campus accommodation options are available to first-year and existing students and are located on the South, North, Second Avenue and George campuses. As space is limited, we would encourage applicants to apply early.

South Campus residences

South Campus residences consist of hostel complexes that are divided into ‘flats’, housing 17 students in each flat. There is a laundry with washing machines and tumble driers, which are free of charge, included in each building. Every residence has a spacious lounge area. Meals can be enjoyed in the dining hall, or if students prefer, basics can be bought from a student-run tuckshop or from any of the nearby shopping complexes in the Summerstrand area.

North Campus residences

The residences on the North Campus comprise double bedrooms and shared bathroom facilities. These residences have a communal lounge area and meals can be enjoyed in the central dining hall. Students have access to recreational and sporting facilities that include a swimming pool, tennis courts, sports fields and food courts close by.

Second Avenue Campus residences

The Second Avenue Campus residence accommodates female and male students in separate housing complexes comprising double rooms with shared bathrooms. Each residence has a spacious communal lounge with a small entertainment area. Limited self-catering facilities are available on every corridor, but students are centrally located and can easily access various shops should they prefer something different. The campus is 2km from the North and South campuses in Summerstrand and it is also within easy walking distance of some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

George Campus residences

Students who live on campus, stay in one of three, traditional residence options depending on their year of study. These options include our double-room style residences for mostly first-year students, a newly developed accommodation cluster, or in a number of small houses, which accommodate about six students per house across campus. These houses are mostly reserved for senior or postgraduate students and come complete with self-catering facilities and limited laundry facilities.

All first-year students share a room with another first-year student and are encouraged to make use of the dining hall for their meals to assist with their integration into university life, and also to create lifelong friendships.

Students are assisted with referrals to accredited off-campus accommodation providers as may be required. Students have access to on-campus gym facilities, a swimming pool, rugby stadium, 9-hole golf course, football and cricket fields, tennis and squash courts, mountain bike and hiking trails, and many other sport facilities - all at the foot of the Outeniqua Mountains. This is why our campus is a haven for any sport enthusiast. Discover more about student housing and accommodation.

Off-campus accommodation

If you aren’t able to secure on-campus student housing, then another option would be to consider accredited, off-campus accommodation that is within walking distance of the University or situated along the route of the University’s shuttle service.

A range of flats, apartments, houses, and communal residences that comply with the University Accreditation Policy, has been selected so that you can be connected with campus life, even if you’re not physically situated on the University’s precinct. Discover more about our off-campus accommodation.

How much does it cost?

Residence fees vary depending on the type of accommodation that you have been allocated. In addition to the standard residence fee, an initial upfront down-payment, breakage deposit, and a registration fee are required.

Applying for accommodation

The closing date for all residence applications is 30 September 2023.
You need to be accepted by a University faculty before you can be considered for a place in any of our residences.
Receipt of your application for accommodation will be acknowledged, but this does not guarantee a place in any of the University’s residences.
Accommodation is limited, so apply in good time. No late applications will be considered.

Find out more about applying for accommodation

For more information, please contact: