Student Life and Housing in Seychelles
By Muntasir • Published Nov 30, 2025 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • Student Housing, African Countries & Cities
Most students in Seychelles live at home or in private rented rooms near campus, since the country is small enough that few students need to relocate far. Imported goods push food and daily costs above what you would pay in mainland Africa, so budget carefully.
🏠 University of Seychelles's main campus sits at Anse Royale on Mahé, close to most of the population
💵 Seychelles runs on the Seychelles Rupee (SCR); imported food, electronics, and fuel cost more than in larger regional economies
⏱️ Public buses connect most of Mahé, so many students commute rather than move into dedicated student housing
📩 Students from Praslin, La Digue, or the outer islands need to plan accommodation on Mahé or study through online partnerships instead
Life as a Student in Seychelles
Seychelles has a population of just over 100,000 people spread across a handful of inhabited islands, and that scale shapes student life more than anything else. There is no large, self-contained "university town" the way you find in bigger countries. Instead, student life centers on Mahé, the main island, where most of the population, the capital Victoria, and the University of Seychelles ' Anse Royale campus are all located.
Campus and Location
UniSey's main campus at Anse Royale sits on Mahé's south coast, a short drive from Victoria. Because Mahé is compact, students commute daily rather than needing to relocate onto campus, which is common practice for local students who already live on the island. Seychelles Institute of Technology and the Maritime Academy likewise run their main training out of Mahé-based facilities.
Housing Options
Students native to Mahé typically live at home with family throughout their studies, which keeps costs down. Students coming from Praslin, La Digue, or the smaller outer islands, or international students, need to arrange private rented rooms or shared housing near campus, since Seychelles does not run large-scale dedicated student dormitories the way bigger university systems do. Start your housing search early and go through personal contacts, local rental listings, or the university's student services office, since the private rental market on Mahé is limited in size.
Cost of Living
Seychelles is an import-dependent island economy, and that keeps daily costs higher than in most of mainland Africa. Fresh local produce and fish tend to be more affordable, while packaged food, electronics, and fuel carry the added cost of shipping everything in. Build a buffer into your budget for these imported essentials rather than assuming mainland African price levels, and price your basics locally before you commit to a full academic year's budget.
Getting Around
Public buses run frequent routes across Mahé and connect Victoria to Anse Royale and other populated areas, which is how most students without a car get to class. Praslin and La Digue rely more on private transport and bicycles given their smaller road networks. Ferries connect the three main inhabited islands, useful if your family is on Praslin or La Digue while you study on Mahé.
Student Culture and Practical Tips
Seychellois Creole, English, and French are all official languages, and you will hear all three used around campus and in daily life
Join student clubs and faculty associations early, since Seychelles' small student population means networks form fast and matter for later job connections
Register with a local bank soon after arrival, since most rent payments, transport top-ups, and bursary disbursements run through local bank accounts
If you are new to the islands, budget time for adjusting to a slower, close-knit community pace compared to larger cities