Access to affordable, quality student accommodation is an important part of tertiary education systems. In South Africa, demand for adequate student accommodation currently outstrips supply. This market study offers a comprehensive assessment of South Africa’s student housing sector, highlighting and unpacking, the following aspects:

• Current and future supply of, and demand for, student accommodation at South African tertiary institutions.
• The economic and social aspects of the delivery of student accommodation.
• The costs - construction, operational and maintenance - associated with providing student accommodation.

South Africa’s post-school education and training sector comprises 26 public universities, 50 public Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges, nine Community Education and Training Colleges and numerous private universities and private colleges. South Africa is the leader in the provision of higher education in Africa and its institutions are consistently ranked among the best on the continent. Despite these attributes, the lack of quality student accommodation has been a challenge for institutions and students.