Bloemfontein, the vibrant city nestled in the heart of South Africa, is not only known for its rich cultural heritage and top academic institutions but also for being a hub of student life.
As you get ready for your academic journey in this charming town, one of the first things you should arrange is where you’re going to live. Thankfully, Bloemfontein has a range of student accommodation options to choose from. To ensure a smooth transition out of the house and to university, finding the ideal accommodation is key. And to do this, you have to understand how student accommodation in Bloemfontein works and how to find it.
That’s why we’re here with the complete guide to student accommodation in Bloemfontein with everything you need to know — from Bloemfontein’s tertiary institutions and the different types of student accommodation to the cost of student accommodation and the best places to look to find the best one for you. Let’s get started!
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While Bloemfontein is home to the 10th top university in South Africa (Go Kovsies!), this small town has a variety of tertiary institutions offered to young students looking to begin their academic careers. Here’s a list of all the tertiary institutions found in Bloemfontein:
University of the Free State (UFS)
Central University of Technology (CUT)
Rosebank College
Pearson Institute of Higher Education
Edovus
Boston City Campus
Bolton College
ETA
Here’s a breakdown of the 3 different types of student accommodation in Bloemfontein, each with its own pros and cons.
One of the most popular choices for student accommodation is on-campus university residences, especially for first-year students new to the world of university. University residences offer new students boarding school-style accommodation with dorms, shared bathrooms and a dining hall where students can eat together with their meal plans.
University residences present students with an immediate community with roommates and other people in the residence where you all come together with meetings, events and leadership opportunities. So while it is a social butterfly’s heaven, it also means that privacy and quiet can be rare in a residence hall.
University residences also have the bonus of being super close to campus and coming fully furnished, meaning you don’t have to worry about bringing the essentials with you. However, you should also bear in mind that residence halls come with quite a few restrictions and rules.
Most tertiary institutions provide students with on-campus housing, especially the larger institutions like the UFS which has so many residence halls that they have to split it into junior and senior residences and male, female and co-ed residences.
Here’s a list of UFS’s junior residences:
Male: Abraham Fischer, Armentum, Beyers Naudé, Karee, Khayalami, Tswelopele, Villa Bravado
Female: Akasia, Emily Hobhouse, Kestell, Madelief, NJ van der Merwe, Roosmaryn, Soetdoring, Vergeet-My-Nie, Wag-’n-Bietjie, Welwitschia, Harmony
Co-ed: ConLaurês, Outeniqua, Ardour
The senior residences at UFS include:
Residences for honours and advanced/post-graduate diploma students:
Female: Madelief Annex, Welwitschia
Male: Boomplaas, Karee Annex
Co-ed: Kiepersol, Marula, Reitz Mia Casa
Residences for masters, PhD and postdoctoral students:
Co-ed: Kovsie Inn, Pres Steyn Flats, Pres Steyn Units, Student Flats
Private residences give you the best of both worlds — a combination of university residences and off-campus housing and apartments. The setup for private residences is similar to a university residence in that it has dorm-like rooms, with the options of a single, double and triple.
These rooms also come fully furnished with a bed, desk, cupboard and usually a kitchenette with the essential appliances. While bathrooms are also shared, they are only between you and your dormmates, so you at least have a bit more privacy.
A major perk of private residences is that they often come with some really great amenities and facilities, usually including laundry services, WIFI, cleaning services, parking, 24/7 security, a lounge and game room, gym and if you’re lucky, even a pool! With that being said, the space can still be quite small and limiting.
Popular private residences in Bloemfontein include:
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Apartments and houses are perfect for those wanting to spread their wings and have complete independence. Apartments and houses come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s difficult to put them all in one box. Apartments can vary from bachelor flats to 4-bedroom flats. Houses, on the other hand, can be standalone properties, townhouses or in a gated community and tend to range between 3 bedrooms all the way to sometimes 20 bedrooms if you’re living in a digs.
What’s nice about apartments and houses is that you have your own space with your own room and typically a lot more space with a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms, a lounge, a dining room and sometimes even a garden. This makes it a lot easier to have friends over and have a lot more privacy, making it a preferred choice for older students.
Unfortunately, they also do come with their challenges, such as it can be a lot more difficult to find and secure an apartment or house that suits your needs. There may also be some extra costs including water, electricity, WIFI and cleaning. Plus, they can also be a bit further from campus
While Bloemfontein may not be one of the biggest cities in South Africa, there are still some neighbourhoods that are more popular for student accommodation due to their proximity to campus and student life.
Universitas is a dynamic neighbourhood renowned for housing the prestigious University of the Free State (UFS). The UFS campus, a blend of modern and historical architecture, anchors the area's academic energy. Beyond education, Universitas boasts a vibrant community, featuring diverse restaurants, cafes and bars, green spaces and a lively cultural scene.
Bloemfontein Central, as implied by the name, is found in the centre of Bloemfontein. This bustling area offers an array of student accommodation opportunities. With its proximity to the UFS campus, students find convenience in walking to classes, avoiding that morning traffic. Bloemfontein Central's dynamic atmosphere, coupled with numerous amenities and social spaces, makes it an attractive choice for students seeking a vibrant and well-connected living experience in the heart of Bloemfontein.
Westdene, situated just east of Universitas, is a charming neighbourhood known for its blend of residential tranquillity and lively commercial activity. Westdene is home to a variety of local businesses, including quaint cafes, boutique shops and eateries, adding to its vibrant and welcoming character. Located close to the heart of the town, Westdene provides students with both proximity to campus and an exciting after-class lifestyle.
Brandwag is a thriving area with a distinct blend of residential and commercial elements. Sitting just north of UFS, you can’t get much closer to campus than with Brandwag which is characterised by a dynamic academic atmosphere and a youthful energy. The area features a mix of modern apartment complexes, student houses and convenient shopping centres, creating a diverse and vibrant community.
Willows is more of a residential neighbourhood known for its peaceful vibe and convenient amenities. Students can enjoy a bit of peace and quiet while still being within a 30-minute walk to campus. Plus, Willows is home to the Loch Logan Waterfront, the main shopping centre in town with plenty of entertainment opportunities, as well as the Toyota stadium for any Cheetahs fans wanting to catch a rugby game.
Thankfully, the cost of Bloemfontein’s student accommodation is relatively low compared to the big cities like Cape Town and Joburg. But, the cost does still greatly depend on the type of accommodation you choose and how expensive your tastes are.
Here’s a breakdown of the average price range of the different types of student accommodation in Bloemfontein:
| Type of student accommodation | Expected price range per month |
| University residences | R2 000 - R4 800 |
| Private Residences | R4 000 - R9 500 |
| Apartments and Houses | R1 300 - R5 600 |
You might now know which kind of student accommodation will be the best for your academic journey in Bloemfontein, but the question is — where do you find it?
There are a couple of places to look, depending on which type of student accommodation you choose. Here are the best places to start your search:
University residence:
Check out the university website to get all the information about the residences they offer and how to apply
Private residences:
A simple search of student accommodation in Bloemfontein should bring up the websites of the main private residences
Otherwise, you can specifically search the popular private residences mentioned above
Off-campus apartments and houses:
These are a bit harder to find, but a good place to start is property websites
Websites like DigsConnect and KPA Student Accommodation are useful for finding listings
Facebook also has some helpful groups such as Bloemfontein Student Accommodation
As you embark on your upcoming academic journey in Bloemfontein and have successfully secured your perfect student accommodation, the next step is finding a reliable moving service that aligns with your student budget. Enter Wise Move!
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