Detailed Costs
The following rental & meal prices are applicable to catering residences only – i.e. to Barnato Hall, David Webster Hall, Ernest Oppenheimer Hall, Girton Hall, Jubilee Hall, Knockando Halls (Lighton Hall & Williams Hall), Medhurst Hall, Men’s Halls (College & Dalrymple), Reith Hall and Sunnyside Hall.
Catered Residence Meal Options – 2025
| Meal Option | Annual Rentals | Meals | TOTAL Annual Rental & Meals | Initial Instalment | Balance due by 31-Mar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10A = 10 meals per week Mon to Fri: breakfast & supper* |
R67 554 per student in a single room |
R14 357 | R81 911 | R5 000 | R76 911 |
| 10B = 10 meals per week Mon to Fri: lunch & supper* |
R16 625 | R84 179 | R5 000 | R79 179 | |
| 15C = 15 meals per week Mon to Fri: 3 meals per day* |
R22 862 | R90 416 | R5 000 | R85 416 | |
| 14D = 14 meals per week Mon to Fri: breakfast & supper* |
R20 665 | R88 219 | R5 000 | R83 219 | |
| Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* 14E = 14 meals per week |
R22 933 | R90 487 | R5 000 | R85 487 | |
| Mon to Fri: lunch & supper* Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* |
|||||
| 19F = 19 meals per week Mon to Fri: 3 meals per day* Sat & Sun: lunch & supper* |
R29 087 | R96 641 | R5 000 | R91 641 |
Meal Plans
The number (code) for each meal option above indicates the number of meals with which a student will be provided each week – e.g. Option 10A, for example, provides 10 meals per week.
Full details of the Wits Smart Dining online meal booking system (which enables students to book additional meals, or to unbook a particular meal, or to move meal bookings) are available on registration.
Please note:
- Unfortunately the University is not able to cater for individuals with strict dietary needs, whether for religious or for medical reasons. Such students are therefore normally allocated to self-catering residences after consideration of each individual’s needs.
- A student whose academic term dates do not correspond with the normal first-year undergraduate term dates should consult the Dining Hall Liaison Officer responsible for his/her dining hall regarding the related additional meals and the cost thereof.
Self-Catering Residence Annual Rentals – 2025
| Residence & Room Type | Initial Instalment | Balance due 31 March | TOTAL Annual Rentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnato Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R62 390 | R67 390 |
| Single rooms – New Wing | R5 000 | R82 021 | R87 021 |
| Double rooms – New Wing | R5 000 | R75 075 | R80 575 |
| Braamfontein Centre | |||
| Shared room (4 beds per flat) | R5 000 | R47 500 | R52 500 |
| Shared room (3 beds per flat) | R5 000 | R47 500 | R52 500 |
| Single room (4-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R50 000 | R55 000 |
| Single room (3-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R50 000 | R55 000 |
| Shared room (2-bedded flats) | R5 000 | R47 500 | R52 500 |
| Ernest Oppenheimer Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R62 390 | R67 390 |
| Double rooms | R5 000 | R54 186 | R59 186 |
| International House | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R112 174 | R117 174 |
| Knockando Halls of Residence | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R63 562 | R68 562 |
| Double rooms | R5 000 | R55 944 | R60 944 |
| Noswal Hall | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R74 000 | R79 000 |
| 2-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R65 000 | R70 000 |
| 3-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R59 500 | R64 500 |
| 4-bedroomed apartments (Single) | R5 000 | R57 000 | R62 000 |
| Reith Hall | |||
| Single rooms | R5 000 | R62 683 | R67 683 |
| The Wits Junction | |||
| Studio apartments | R5 000 | R100 138 | R105 138 |
| 2-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R93 604 | R98 604 |
| 3 & 4-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R87 961 | R92 961 |
| 12-bedroomed apartments | R5 000 | R82 912 | R87 912 |
| West Campus Village | |||
| Studio apartments – renovated | R5 000 | R112 174 | R117 174 |
| Studio apartments – unrenovated | R5 000 | R80 314 | R85 314 |
Catered Accommodation
Catered residence fees and meal prices cover the general undergraduate academic year, which runs for about 40 weeks.
First-year students receive free accommodation during Orientation Week (25 January – 6 February). The standard rental period begins on 7 February, ahead of the academic year starting on Monday, 10 February.
Extended Stay Requirements
Some students, such as those in Health Sciences or postgraduate programmes (Honours, Master’s, PhD) may need to stay in residence outside the normal rental period. These students must contact their Residence Administration Officer early in the year to confirm their personal term dates, additional accommodation requirements, and any extra rental or meal charges.
Failure to do so will not exempt a student from paying for additional accommodation or meals.
Additional Accommodation
Accommodation for deferred or supplementary exams, electives, or support programmes is not included in the annual rental.
足球竞彩app排名s in catered residences must vacate their rooms during the mid-year vacation, but can remain during the April and September study breaks.
End-of-Term Departure
Residents may stay only until the day after completing their final examination — both mid-year and end-of-year.
Note: 足球竞彩app排名s who remain in a catered residence without written permission for more than one night after their last exam in June/July or November/December may face disciplinary or financial penalties, and could be excluded from the Residence Programme.
Self-Catering Accommodation
Self-catering residence rentals vary slightly by location and academic calendar.
- International House and West Campus Village operate from 2 January to 19 December.
- The Wits Junction accommodation period runs from 7 February to 30 November.
- All other self-catering residences are open from 7 February until the day after a student’s final end-of-year exam.
Extended Stay Requirements
足球竞彩app排名s in certain programmes such as Health Sciences or postgraduate degrees (Honours, Master’s, PhD) may need to stay on campus outside these standard dates.
They must consult their Residence Administration Officer early in the year to confirm their term dates, extended accommodation needs, and any additional rental charges.
Failure to do so does not exempt students from paying for extra accommodation.
Additional Accommodation
Accommodation for deferred or supplementary exams, electives, or support programmes is not covered by the annual rental.
First-year self-catering students receive free accommodation during the Orientation period (25 January – 6 February).
Regular rental periods begin on 7 February, in preparation for the start of term on Monday, 10 February.
Departure & Conduct
足球竞彩app排名s must vacate their residence once their academic commitments end.
Note: Staying in a self-catering residence (except International House, West Campus Village, or Wits Junction) for more than one night after your final November/December exam without written permission may result in disciplinary or financial penalties, and exclusion from residence accommodation in future.
Vacation Accommodation
足球竞彩app排名s who need accommodation outside of normal University terms for academic or academic-related reasons will be charged additional vacation rental fees.
This includes stays for deferred or supplementary exams, support programmes, or academic blocks.
International students whose family homes are outside Southern Africa and who cannot travel home during vacation periods may apply to stay in designated vacation residences.
Accommodation will be provided based on availability, and vacation rates can be obtained from the Central Accommodation Office.
Fees, Deposits and Levies
Deposit to Secure a Residence Place (New Applicants Only)
A R990 deposit is required when accepting a residence offer for 2025.
- This amount will be credited to the student’s general fee account.
- If the student is not accepted to the University, the deposit will be refunded through the Fees Office.
Payment of Residence Rentals, Meals and Levies
- An initial instalment of R5 000 is due before admission to any residence.
- The remaining balance must be paid by 31 March.
- 足球竞彩app排名s funded by sponsors or bursaries (e.g. NSFAS) are personally liable for full fees if funding is withdrawn, declined, or only partially covers costs.
- 足球竞彩app排名s may make special arrangements with the Fees Office to pay in instalments.
Exceptions to the Initial Instalment
The R5 000 initial payment may be waived for:
- 足球竞彩app排名s whose residence costs are fully covered by bursaries, scholarships, or recognised sponsors, provided written proof of funding is submitted via the FASO section on the 足球竞彩app排名 Self-Service portal and shared with the Residence Administration Officer and Fees Office.
-
足球竞彩app排名s experiencing financial hardship or exceptional circumstances, upon approval.
-
International students, who must pay 75% of their annual residence and meal fees before admission, with the balance due:
-
By 31 March for undergraduates
-
Within 30 days after registration for postgraduates
-
Failure to Pay Fees
All fees remain payable in full, even if studies are disrupted by factors beyond the University’s control (e.g. strikes, unrest, or campus closures).
If a student fails to pay:
- 100% of residence fees by 31 March, or
- Agreed instalments by the due date,
then:
- Examination results may be withheld, and
- The student will not be eligible for residence placement in the following academic year.
足球竞彩app排名s who fall behind on approved instalment plans by the end of the first term will forfeit their residence placement for the remainder of the year.
Levies
Certain annual levies are not included in residence rentals and are charged separately:
| Levy Type | Details | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Appliance Levy | Electricity charge for personal catering appliances | |
| • Microwave oven | R310 | |
| • Refrigerator (single door, under/more than 220 L) | R2 820 / R3 590 | |
| • Refrigerator (double door, under/more than 220 L) | R3 590 / R4 118 | |
| Orientation Week Levy | For new first-year undergraduates – covers T-shirts, transport, and programme activities | R650 |
Cost of Replacement Keys
Because of high-security locks used in most residences, students who lose keys are required to pay for replacement keys and/or cylinders at prices ranging between R150 and R600 per key, depending upon the type of lock.