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Housing

Incoming exchange students are provided with various housing options at the University of Waterloo. Please note however, that the availability of housing options does differ between terms (Fall, Winter or Spring).

Waterloo residences - (Columbia Lake Village South or Village 1)

  • Depending on the term, exchange students are placed in either Columbia Lake Village South (CLV-South) or Village 1 (V1)
  • Columbia Lake Village South - single rooms in 4-bedroom townhouses with shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom (meal plans are not required)
  • Village 1 - available Winter and Spring terms only. Single, interconnecting and double rooms (traditional style residence with required meal plan)
  • 8-month contract required for Fall term residence (Waterloo residences are not available to students who are only registering for the Fall term)
  • 4-month contracts are given for the Winter and/or Spring terms.
  • Note to Fall and Winter term applicants regarding the Christmas holidays: you will be required to vacate your room 24 hours following your last exam in December and your move-in date for the Winter term will be the Sunday before lectures start. Your belongings can remain in your room if you are returning to the same room for the Winter term.
  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required when you accept your offer of residence. If you break the residence 'contract' you will be assessed and be held accountable for the $500 withdrawal fee.
  • View residence fees
  • Access the online residence application 

On-campus housing information (pdf)

Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc. (WCRI)

  • Located across the street from the main campus in the center of the restaurant plazas
  • Dormitory-style residence with shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Note: only the double-occupancy dormitory-style option is available to exchange students; apartments are not available.
  • Meal plans are not required
  • 4-month contracts available for all three terms (Fall, Winter, Spring)
  • Note to Fall and Winter term applicants regarding the Christmas holidays: you are able to remain in your rooms for the entire Christmas holiday break between the Fall and Winter terms.
  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required when you accept your offer of residence
  • View WCRI housing rates
  • Application form for WCRI room rates: Application for Accommodation (pdf)

WCRI housing information (pdf)

University college residences

If you prefer to live in one of the university college residences, you should contact the appropriate college directly for application procedures. Please note however, that the college residences are not available during the Fall term.

Off-campus housing

If you choose to live off-campus while studying at the University of Waterloo, the Off-Campus Housing Office maintains a listing of off-campus accommodation listings (use the "Go To" top menu to access the "Classifieds" and "Listings"). Questions regarding off-campus listings should be addressed to the Off-Campus Housing Office at och@uwaterloo.ca.

Off-campus housing information (pdf)

Temporary housing

If you need temporary accommodation until your permanent accommodations are available, it is best to make arrangements in advance of your arrival. For a list of temporary housing options, please refer to the Destination Waterloo on-line handbook chapter "Getting Ready".