Residence

Two students sitting in their residence room studying

With a 100% residence guarantee for first-year and transfer students, you can live in the middle of the action. You'll be close to your classes, labs and tutorials, the Student Life Centre, gyms, places to eat, and more.

Each of Waterloo's first-year residences offer personal and academic support such as Living Learning Communities, residence life staff, and social activities to help you adjust to living away from home.

Love where you live

Your home-away-from-home should suit your budget and personality. Choose from traditional or suite-style residences through Campus Housing or University College residences. No matter where you live on campus, you’ll find personal and academic support, new friends, and exciting experiences.

	Campus Housing residences	University College residences
Located on campus?	Yes	Yes
Available to any first-year student?	Yes	Yes
Single and double rooms?	Yes	Yes
Suite/apartment style and traditional dorm style rooms?	Both	Traditional style
Where do you eat?	At residence and outlets around campus	At your residence
Meal plans	Required for traditional residences Optional for suite-style residences	All-you-can-eat style meal plan, included in the cost of residence
How many students in each residence?	320 to 1380 students	140 to 360 students
Learn more	Campus Housing residences	University Colleges

Meal plans costs and details

Enjoy nourishing meals and snacks in residence so you're able to study hard and stay healthy without spending hours shopping for groceries and worrying about meal prep.

There are a variety of meal plans (with different costs) to choose from depending on where you live.

Campus Housing residences

Village One, Ron Eydt Village, Claudette Millar Hall

You must purchase a residence meal plan.

Mackenzie King Village, UW Place, Columbia Lake Village

Along with cooking your own meals, you can purchase an optional meal plan specifically for suite-style residences.

University College residences

If you live at one of the University Colleges, you'll enjoy an all-you-can-eat style of dining and eat all your meals there.

Common questions

Where can I use my meal plan on campus?

Living in one of Campus Housing's residences, you can use your meal plan in residence and at the many Food Services outlets on campus. Your meal plan also includes flex dollars, which can be spent at a variety of off-campus locations as well as in vending machines and laundry machines.

If you live at one of the University Colleges, you'll eat all your meals there.

What's the benefit of having a meal plan if I live in a suite/apartment-style residence?

If you are living in a suite-style residence, meal plans are optional. You may wish to purchase one if you plan on eating some of your meals in the food services outlets on campus. Great for days when you don’t have time to cook or visit the grocery store!

Applying to residence as a high school student

Once you apply to Waterloo, you're automatically eligible to live in residence. If you receive an offer of admission, all you need to do to guarantee your spot in residence is:

Accept your Offer of Admission by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (ET) on June 3, 2024.
Submit a Residence Guarantee Application Form and a $500 non-refundable deposit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 3, 2024.
Meet any conditions outlined on your Offer of Admission.

Stay up to date on residence application deadlines by checking out the Campus Housing important dates page.

The guarantee does not apply if you miss the June 3 deadline. Learn more about the residence process for first-year students.
Your grades and when you receive an offer of admission do not influence your placement in residence. All first-year students are considered equally.

If you have a disability and require housing accommodations, you must complete the Housing Disability Verification Form and submit it by the June 3 deadline.
Conrad Grebel University College is another on-campus residence. A separate application is required.

Applying to residence as a transfer student

Let us take care of finding you a place to live! Reserve your guaranteed residence spot by following the steps outlined on our upper-year housing page.

Live in an academic, athletic, or Indigenous Living Learning Community

Through a Living Learning Community, you can live in the same area of residence with students who are in your academic program. Each Living Learning Community is assigned an upper-year mentor who offers leadership and support.

Themes include various academic programs, varsity athletics, students interested in the connection between technology and peace, and the Waterloo Indigenous student residence.

Common questions about residence

Am I required to live in residence?

While you are not required to live in residence, we highly recommend it! Research has shown that living in residence for first year increases students' academic success and graduation rates by giving them access to all the best resources the campus has to offer while also introducing them to friends and lots of fun experiences.

Are the floors co-ed?

It varies from residence to residence. Some floors are co-ed, many are not. Co-ed first-year floors usually have each gender in a separate wing with a separate washroom. Gender-inclusive housing options are also available in residence. Contact a Housing Advisor to learn more.

Are residences split according to faculties or programs?

No. If you live in residence, you'll have the opportunity to meet students from many Waterloo programs. However, in our Living Learning Communities, you can choose to live with students in your faculty/program and benefit from special enrichment opportunities. You'll still be part of a larger residence with students from many programs.

How safe are the residences?

Residence staff across campus take the safety of students living in residence very seriously. All facilities have been designed for safety and security. Buildings, houses, and floors are locked and students must have a key or access card to get in.

Are the University Colleges residences?

The four on-campus University Colleges are smaller, closely-knit communities that combine residence and academic life. You can

live at a University College without taking courses there,
take courses there without living there, or
live in residence and take courses at one or more University Colleges and the main Waterloo campus.

You can even complete your Bachelor of Arts degree through St. Jerome's University or Renison University College.

Do I have to take classes at a University College to live there?

No, you can live at a University College and take all your courses on the main Waterloo campus.

Which type of residence is the best fit for me?

Each residence has many services and experiences to offer. Some offer more independence while others offer more social interaction, while others offer more privacy.

Each residence offers a strong sense of community, support for academic pursuits, full-time staff, and many amenities to make it feel like home. Campus and residence tours are a great way to learn more. Can’t make it to campus? Check out our residence virtual tours.

All you need to know about residence at Waterloo

To thrive at university, you need a home where you can be your best self. A soft spot to land that helps you succeed in every way – physically, mentally and socially. And a fun, welcoming community that feels like family.

Visit our Campus Housing website to learn about the residences, applying, meal plans, fees, and what students say about living in residence.

Unbeatable eats

Whether you’re looking for an in-house smoked brisket poutine from Brubakers Food Court, a comforting channa masala from Southside Market, or a quick sushi burrito using the Waterloo Food Services mobile app, our on-campus eateries and cafés have plenty of choices.

And you're never far from a coffee shop like Starbucks, Tim Hortons, or one run by a student association (great for good coffee and cheap snacks!). Need caffeine late at night? Grab a coffee, food, snacks, and more 24/7 in the Student Life Centre!

Plate with a heap of pasta in tomato sauce

Eating in residence

Meal plans make it quick and easy to enjoy fresh food throughout the day – and for your late-night snacks. With halal, plant-based, and made-to-order options, we have your dining and snacking needs covered.

Special dietary needs?

Our Food Services department offers meals without dairy and/or gluten as well as vegan, vegetarian, and halal options. If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, our staff are available to help.

4 students sitting at round table in a coffee shop

Eating outside of residence

If you’re between classes and don’t want to head back to residence, grab a meal or snack at Quesada, Pizza Pizza, Teriyaki Experience, Booster Juice, and more.