Student Life and Housing in South Sudan
By Muntasir • Published Aug 20, 2024 • Updated Sep 27, 2026 • Student Housing, African Countries & Cities
Most university students in South Sudan live at home with family or share a rented room near campus, since on-campus dormitories are limited and often full. Budget in US dollars for rent and larger purchases, because the South Sudanese pound loses value fast and many landlords and shops price in dollars.
🏠 On-campus housing is limited, most students find private rooms or stay with family
💵 Rent and shop prices are often quoted in US dollars, not just South Sudanese pounds
⏱️ Splitting a room with two or three other students is a common way to cut costs
📩 Security and access shift with local conditions, so students track university and embassy advisories
Where students live
South Sudan's universities offer limited on-campus housing relative to demand. The University of Juba, the country's largest institution with about 40,000 students, does not have space in halls of residence for everyone, and the same shortage shows up at other public universities (Wikipedia ). Most students either live with family in the city where they study, or rent a room off campus, often sharing with two or three others to split the cost.
Students who move from another town or state for university, common for smaller public universities like Rumbek University of Science and Technology or Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology, usually rely on private rentals near campus or on university hostels where these exist. Ask the student affairs office about hostel availability as soon as you accept admission, since spaces fill early.
Budgeting as a student
South Sudan's economy runs on a mix of the South Sudanese pound (SSP) and the US dollar. The pound has lost value sharply and repeatedly since independence in 2011, so landlords, transport operators and many shops quote prices in dollars for anything beyond small daily purchases. Build your budget around a dollar figure for rent and big expenses, and expect the pound-equivalent price to change even within the same term.
Shared housing is the standard way students control costs. Splitting a room or a small house among three or four students cuts rent per person substantially compared with renting alone. Cooking at home rather than buying prepared food each day is another common way students stretch a tight budget.
Getting around and daily costs
Motorcycle taxis, known locally as boda-bodas, are the most common way students get around Juba and other university towns, alongside shared minibuses on set routes. Negotiate the fare before you get on, since prices are rarely fixed. Walking is common for short distances between a rented room and campus, which also saves on transport costs.
Markets are the cheapest place to buy food and basic supplies, and prices are usually lower than in small convenience shops. Buying staples in bulk with roommates and cooking together is one of the most effective ways students reduce food costs over a term.
Campus culture
Student life centers on classes, study groups and campus organizations rather than a big residential culture, since so many students commute from home or from rented rooms nearby. Student unions exist at the larger public universities and organize academic and social activities. They are often the first point of contact if you run into problems with housing, fees or administration.
Religious life plays a visible role on many campuses, with Christian student groups active at both public and private universities, including church-affiliated institutions like the Catholic University of South Sudan and St. Mary's University in Juba.
Safety and practical tips
Confirm the current security situation in your university's city before you travel. Conditions change without much notice, and some regions have experienced conflict-related disruption to classes in the past.
Keep your CSE certificate, admission letter and identification documents in more than one safe place. Replacing lost documents takes time.
Register your phone number and keep it charged. Universities and hostels often communicate schedule changes by phone or through student union channels rather than email.
Ask other students from your program about reliable landlords near campus before you sign a rental agreement. Word of mouth is the main way students find safe, fairly priced rooms.
Track your spending in dollars even if you pay in pounds, so currency swings do not catch your budget off guard.