It’s true – residence is for all students! With dedicated spaces and exclusive programming to get you job ready, we’re certain the experience will enhance your time at UWaterloo. Why live here as an upper year, exchange or transfer student?
- Jobs & Leadership opportunities
- All-inclusive living (includes all utilities and unlimited high-speed internet)
- Reliable and trustworthy maintenance services (with a great landlord!)
- Study and meeting rooms
- Staff and peer support
If you’re an incoming exchange student, you can see information below on residences, contracts and our application process. If you’re an incoming transfer student, please see our FAQ on our transfer student guarantee below.
How to Apply
Three Step Process

1) Do Your Research and Decide
We have lots of options: traditional style, suite style, or a hybrid option (dorm style with an optional meal plan). Compare available residences to find the one that's best for you. Next, decide if you're applying with or without roommates (mixed gender requests welcome!).
Note: not all residences and room types may be available every term to all student types.

2) Apply
When you accept an offer, you are agreeing to be financially responsible for your entire residence contract. This means that while fees are not due until the fees arranged deadline for the term you apply for, you will be required to pay your full residence fees and will not be refunded if you decide to cancel your contract before its end date.

3) Accept
Check your UWaterloo email often, as we will be sending offers soon after you submit an application. If you're an exchange student, you should check your home institution email that you used to apply.
Accept your contract offer by clicking the link in the offer email and submit your $500 deposit, which is used to offset your residence term fees. You're all set!
AM I GUARANTEED A PLACE IN RESIDENCE? (TRANSFER STUDENTS)
If you’re an incoming transfer student we guarantee a spot for you in residence if you apply by June 1, 2023 and if you meet certain conditions.
- Accept your offer of admission online at www.ouac.on.ca.
- Meet any conditions outlined on your Offer of Admission.
- Apply online for two terms in residence (either fall/winter or fall/spring) using the upper-year undergraduate application.
- You must send an email to housing@uwaterloo.ca before you apply with your full name, 8-digit UWaterloo ID number, notifying us if you are a transfer student.
We do not guarantee residence for upper-year or exchange students. We do encourage you to apply early for the best chance at getting the room you’re hoping for.