Live in Campus Housing as an upper-year/exchange student for an independent living experience mixed with a supportive, community feel!
Why live in Campus Housing as an upper-year or exchange student?
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Flexible contracts: apply for 1- or 2-term contracts.
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Choice: select up to 3 roommates and choose your building and bed as part of the application process.
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All-inclusive pricing: heat, water, electricity, high-speed internet included in the cost.
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Convenience: living on campus means you’re close to classes, saving time and money.
When and how do I apply?
Visit our Important Dates page and sign up for our Campus Housing notification list to stay up-to-date on important Campus Housing Application timelines. Although a spot is not guaranteed for upper-year and exchange students, we recommend applying as early as possible to have the most options available to you.
You can apply to live in residence even after the term begins. If you do not see any available beds, please visit our Off-Campus Housing services.
On your application you will be able to select:
- Contract type: 1 term or 2 terms
- Contract types for upper-year students: Fall/Winter, Fall/Spring, Winter-only, Spring-only
- Contract types for exchange students: Fall-only, Fall/Winter, Winter-only
- Roommates: you can select up to 4 students per roommate group. All students in the group must be applying for the same term(s). You cannot select an incoming first-year student as a roommate. If you don't have a roommate in mind, we will match you with roommates.
Note: If requesting roommate(s), you must do so before proceeding to select a bed. - Your assignment: Select your building/room/bed, accept your contract, pay the $500 non-refundable deposit, and you've secured your spot! No need to wait for a residence offer.
The $500 non-refundable deposit will be applied to your residence fees once they’re posted on your Quest account.
Eligibility requirements
You can submit a Campus Housing application if you:
Upper-year students
- Are registered as a full-time student and enrolled in at least 1.5 units
- For the spring term only, you can live with Campus Housing if you are enrolled in at lease 0.5 units
OR
- Have a co-op job that is approved by the Co-operative Education office
Exchange students
- Accept your offer of admission to the University of Waterloo
Residence options and move-in
Which residences can I live in?
- Upper-year students typically live in Columbia Lake Village South and UW Place. There are also some traditional residence options in Minota Hagey Residence and Claudette Millar Hall, although spaces are more limited.
- Exchange students typically live in Columbia Lake Village South and UW Place.
Visit Our Residences to learn more about each of our buildings and what’s included so you can confidently select your room.
How do meal plans work?
Meal plans are required in Claudette Millar Hall, Village 1, and Ron Eydt Village and are optional in other residence buildings. You can learn more about the meal plan options on the Food Services website. Your meal plan can be adjusted before you move in, as well as within the first month of you moving in.
When can I move in and what happens after move-in?
Students will receive move-in communications closer to the start of the term. Exchange students can move in the same day as orientation begins. For more information, see the undergraduate moving page.
After you move in, you will have the opportunity to complete a roommate agreement and will meet your Don and Residence Life Coordinator. Dons and Residence Life Coordinators are upper-year students in your residence who will support you with any questions you may have once you move in. Should you have to cancel your contract for any reason, our withdrawal and cancellation page has information to help you with your options.
