Cape Town’s tertiary education landscape is officially changing.
As the city continues to grow northward, so too does its demand for accessible, modern higher education.
And a new player is stepping in to meet that demand: STADIO Higher Education, which has officially opened its Durbanville campus, set to welcome its first cohort of students in February 2026.
STADIO opens its doors
The new private university marks a significant investment in the region’s academic future. Designed to host between 4 000 and 5 000 contact-learning students, the campus will offer more than 20 qualifications across seven schools, including Education, IT, Law, Media and Design, Commerce, Architecture, and Engineering.
Inside, students will find 29 classrooms, laboratories, and a 1 000-seat multi-purpose hall. At the heart of the building sits the “Centre for Academic Success,” featuring a library, study rooms, and student-support services, all aimed at building a community that blends learning with connection.
Technology is built into the foundation. The IT lab promises an interactive, digitally rich environment, while two new engineering labs come fitted with 3D printing, mechatronic, and renewable-energy systems.
These facilities will support new Higher Certificates in Mechatronics and Renewable Energy launching in 2026, with further degrees planned for 2027.
The campus also includes sports and recreation areas, from netball and multi-use courts to a competitive rugby field.
STADIO CEO Dr Stan du Plessis revealed that the project reflects the growing role of private institutions in South Africa’s education ecosystem.
“Private higher education plays an important role in our national development story,” Du Plessis said, as per BusinessTech.
“We can experiment with new academic models, work closely with industry, and offer flexibility that traditional universities often can’t.” he added.
The new campus forms part of a long-term plan to establish a vibrant tertiary hub in Cape Town’s northern corridor, a sign that the city’s educational heart is growing in more ways than one.
