SU residences to accommodate greater number of female students

12 March 2023

Over the past two decades the percentage of female students at Stellenbosch University (SU) slowly increased to where it currently stands at around 58% of the total undergraduate student population.  To cater for this increasing pool of female students, the institution is adjusting the number of places reserved for female students in its residences. The first-year application pool – to be accommodated in undergraduate residences – constituted approximately 62% (9000) females and 38% males (5300) for the 2023 academic year. This has been the trend over the last few intake years.

Importantly, more female students entering institutions of higher education, is also a national and international trend.

At a recent meeting of the Rectorate a decision was made to increase the residence places for female students to 60% of the available places in residences on the Stellenbosch Campus as of 2024. The current distribution on the Stellenbosch Campus for undergraduate residences is 48% allocated to men and 52% to women, placing potential female candidates at a disadvantage when viewed in the context of the total undergraduate student population.  In total, the University has approximately 5 500 beds available in undergraduate residences on the Stellenbosch Campus – 48% for males and 52% for females. In practice, this implies that a female applicant considered for residence placement in the academic category, needs to achieve around 85% for placement, whereas her male counterpart will be placed with a mark of around 80% during the first placement round.

The details of the redistribution have not yet been determined. The Student Community Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof Deresh Ramjugermath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, appointed a working group to be spearheaded by Dr Choice Makhetha, Senior Director: Student Affairs, to formulate proposals for the implementation of the Rectorate decision of 60/40 residence placement in 2024. The committee comprises representatives from Student Communities, Student Accommodation, Facilities Management, SunCom (“commercial services") and the Prim Committee. 

As part of the process, the Center for Student Communities informed student leaders about the decision that was made and that the process is ongoing.

Issued by Corporate Communication and Marketing, Stellenbosch University, 12 March 2023