Visit our COVID-19 Information website for information on our response to the pandemic.
Waterloo Residences offers direct on-campus housing at the University of Waterloo with a choice of five different communities; three buildings that offer traditional-style dorms and three buildings that offer suite-style apartment living. First-year students are placed together according to their academic streaming and are separate from upper-year students. Strong communities are built with the assistance of Dons on each floor. Meals plans are optional depending on the type of community (traditional or suite-style). Meal plans, run by UW Food Services, offer a wide range of dietary options across campus. Meal plan money left over at the end of the year is carried over to the next term. Similarly, if money runs out, additional flex dollars may be added at any time.
The University College Residences are like mini-universities within the larger UWaterloo community. They are located on-campus and offer courses within the Waterloo faculties. In the University Colleges, students are placed together through various methods. Residents living at any of the University Colleges are Waterloo students from across all programs. Meal plans are included in the price and are provided by the residence's on-site cafeteria (but not flexible across other eateries). There is no declining balance meaning you won't run out of money on your food plan.
First-year Waterloo Residences communities are:
The first-year University College Residences are:
Conrad Grebel University College (Note: Conrad Grebel is not part of the 100% Residence Guarantee)
Remember that you can have classes in any building, not just those associated with your faculty - so it's hard to say! In general, walking across campus generally takes about 15 minutes. Check out a campus map to see for yourself.
This number varies across residence communities but usually somewhere between 40 - 60 students in a designated area (floor/house) with a Don (an upper-year student supervisor) assigned to each floor/house.
All individual first-year rooms and apartments are single gender, however, each floor or house may be single or mixed gender. Washrooms are always single gender.
Staff at the Department of Housing and Residences 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 to get in. All floors or houses are accessible only to the residents of that floor or house and each student has a key to his or her room and/or suite. Every residence also has a "Duty Don", available 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. daily, with a cell phone for any emergencies. Most Front Desks are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. A staff and student led Safety Walk is completed each term to identify any areas for improved security and safety.
In addition, adult Residence Life Co-ordinators (RLCs) live on campus in the "Tutor Houses" located between MKV and REV. One of the 5 RLCs is always on duty and available to respond to emergencies. UW Police are on duty 24/7 and can always be called for assistance. Students often use the UW Shuttle Service to get back to residence from night classes.
Students are encouraged to practice basic security measures, including locking their door when they are not at home or when they're asleep and not holding exterior doors open for non-residents. Learn more about residence safety.
Absolutely! Waterloo Residences reserves spaces for upper-year students each term. Upper-years are also placed into their own communities, not mixed with first-year residents. You can still request roommates and unlike first-years, upper-years may also choose to live in mixed gender apartments. We offer contracts tailored to academic streams - you only have to sign a contract for the terms you are on campus. We even have spaces available for students who are working locally on a co-op work term.
Yes! Residence tours are offered regularly. We suggest visiting the residences when there are students living in them; it's hard to get a good impression of what a residence is really like otherwise. Can’t make it? No problem! Check out our video tours and student blog for a glimpse into residence life.
Please see our Waterloo Residences fees page - listed prices include all utilities, services, and taxes.
Living in residence means all-inclusive living - no worries during your time with us! You also won't have to worry about signing a lease, landlords, or subletting your room while you're away from school.
Residence fees include:
To reserve a room at Waterloo Residences, we require a $500 housing deposit* which will later be deducted from your final fees owing. Once you have accepted your residence contract, the remainder of your fees will be paid directly to Finance-Student Accounts (through your Quest account). Residence fees are charged on a termly basis.
*The housing deposit is typically non-refundable but if you are no longer able to come to campus for fall 2020, we will refund your $500 housing deposit. Note that requesting a refund cancels your residence guarantee for two terms and you will not be guaranteed space on campus in the winter or spring.
Please see our Contract terms and conditions page.
All students and guests in residence are required to abide by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Students and guests who are at or above the legal drinking age (19) are permitted to responsibly use alcohol in designated areas within residence.
Smoking cannabis (including, but not limited to vaping) is not permitted in any of the residence buildings. Plants and equipment intended to grow and cultivate plants within residence are not permitted. For more information about the University’s approach to Cannabis Legalization, please see the University of Waterloo’s Approach to Cannabis Legalization.
Yes. If you are unable to submit your own residence contract someone else may submit it on your behalf. This person is not responsible for any contract infringements that may occur. If someone else submits your contract for you, you will be responsible for any problems.
*Please note this information reflects the cost of 2019/20 meal plan fees.
If you are living in a traditional-style residence, you must purchase a meal plan for every term you are living in residence. You will not have cooking facilities in your room and are expected to eat most of your meals in the residence eateries and food service outlets.
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.
It all depends on your eating habits and how often you go home or away for the weekend. Most students will choose the "average" option. If you have money left over at the end of the year, you can carry it over to the next term. Similarly, if you run out of money you can add flex dollars to your WatCard at any time. Learn more about meal plans here.
If you have food allergies or a restricted diet for religious reasons, the residence eateries will probably be able to accommodate you. Vegetarian and halal food is available in both Waterloo Residence cafeterias, and the Village 1 cafeteria opens 2 hours before dawn during Ramadan. For more information contact UW Food Services.
There are many UW Food Services outlets across campus where your meal plan dollars can be spent. Please see the map of Food Services for details. Your meal plan also includes flex dollars, which can be spent at a variety of other locations as well as in vending machines, laundry machines, and photocopiers across campus.
Any money remaining on your WatCard will automatically carry forward each term for as long as you are a student at Waterloo. Any funds that carry forward (RMPA, VPMP, or Flexible Dollars) are not GST exempt. For full details please visit UW Food Services.
You can find out if there is an LLC for your program in Living Learning Communities. There is no separate application process or additional fee to participate!
No. You will be placed in a "cluster" of approximately 10-15other students from your program and surrounding by other students from a variety of other programs. It's the best of both worlds - support from those in your own program and experience from students in other programs.
You will have the option to select a LLC on the Residence Community Ranking Form. If you choose to be part of a LLC you will be placed in the residence associated with that community.
If you did not select an LLC during the allocated time, you are still welcome to attend many of the events or activities that are run through the community.
We also offer drop-in tutoring right in residence, so you will find that there are plenty of opportunities for you to seek support while living on campus. In addition, you should aim to connect with your Don (an upper-year student who lives on your floor) as much as possible. Dons do a great job of connecting students through various events and programs they put on each term.
If you select to participate in a Waterloo Residences Living-Learning Community, you will be automatically assigned to the residence where the Living-Learning Community is based. For example, if you choose to join the School of Accounting and Finance community based in Village 1, you will automatically be assigned to Village 1, however you will still have the option to choose your preferred room style (single, double, interconnecting) and request a roommate. If you select to participate in a Science Academic Cluster, you will have the option to choose any of the available Science Academic Cluster communities.
For Living-Learning Communities in the University Colleges, every effort will be made to place you in the college where the community is based, however, depending on demand, you may be placed in another residence community.
Yes, you can withdraw from the LLC before the Waterloo Residences Preference Form closes. You must contact the Living-Learning department to withdraw. Once the form is closed, it will not be possible to be moved.
You should carefully consider your options before withdrawing. If you live in the LLC, you'll have a high level of support. While you can still participate in some events and access resources, you will give up some extra support if you withdraw.
You will still have access to a variety of academic supports. Academics in Residence programs offer free assistance from paid upper year students. Drop-In Tutoring offers free tutoring for Accounting, Math (Calculus and Algebra), Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering (Math and Programming) from paid upper year tutors.
The University of Waterloo residence guarantee for first-year students is a collaborative effort between Waterloo Residences and the University College Residences. Note: Conrad Grebel is not included in the first-year guarantee and follows a separate application process.
Learn more about the first-year application process.
You will receive information in your Academic Offer of Admission package to help you in your housing search. This letter will direct you on how to search for vacancies on- and off-campus. Some spaces in some of the residence communities may be available after the guaranteed students are accommodated. However, these spaces may not be made available until late-August or early-September.
No. The residence guarantee only guarantees you a room in residence. Many students select the same room type and/or residence community and there are only so many rooms in each residence. Therefore, it is not possible to guarantee every student their first choice. Our process ensures that the maximum number of incoming students are assigned to one of their top choices.
No. This is not a first-come, first-served process. Everyone who submits these forms on time has an equal chance of getting their first choice.
Waterloo and the University College Residences each have a specific amount of space in their communities for first-year students. If the demand is high for a particular community, we may not be able to accommodate everyone’s top choices.
The Waterloo Residences Preference Form has several sections for you to submit:
First-year students are assigned rooms through a process that considers over 20 factors, which includes students’ personal preferences. Our process ensures that the maximum number of incoming first-year students are assigned to one of their top choices. Learn more about how rooms are assigned.
No. Room assignments begin in July and continue until the end of August. Please remember that the first year guarantee still applies! Students who have not been placed in July will receive their room assignment at any time before move-in weekend. It’s important to keep checking your UWaterloo email account for updates.
Your chances depend on several factors including the number of spaces available in your first choice residence, and the number of other students who also rank that residence as their first choice. Learn more about how rooms are assigned.
No, your grades are not considered in the residence allocation process.
In most cases, younger students (16 and under) will be placed in single rooms in Village 1 located near the Don's suite. Older students (22 and older) will be placed together. This may mean that older students will be placed with upper-year students in residence.
Some students are able to choose to live with other students in their faculty through a Living-Learning Community. This is a small group or “cluster” of students who belong to the same faculty, share classes, and living space. These are the only students who are grouped together by program of study.
We do not specifically designate areas as quiet. Generally, quiet hours begin at 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. There is a 23-hour quiet policy during final exams. We have a general residence policy based on mutual respect and the same considerations are expected in all our residences.
Waterloo Residences prepares every year for the operational challenges we are faced with if we receive a high number of residence applications (more applications than rooms available), high institutional enrollment or factors beyond the control of Waterloo Residences.
In the event this occurs, Waterloo Residences repurposes spaces to accommodate our students. This could include the use of lounge space as residence rooms or using spaces not owned or operated by Waterloo Residences. These rooms are furnished with similar amenities as other residence rooms.
No. The $500 deposit is non-refundable in this circumstance.
All residence facilities are full in the fall term; therefore, there is no waiting list for room changes. If, after you arrive, you're experiencing difficulty, you should talk to your Don to see what options might be available.
First-year students: No, you cannot switch rooms with another resident. You must give your residence community a chance before any changes will be considered.
Upper-year students: Yes, you can do a room swap as long as both residents agree to the room swap. Both residents must email the Occupancy and Data Coordinator that they agree to this room swap, in order for the room swap to go through.
Your first choice had been filled by the time your application was allocated a room. So, you were assigned to your next choice(s) of residence with available rooms (which could be your last choice). Learn more about how rooms are assigned.
There are several reasons why this might have occurred:
Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.
Village 1 was built in a hilly area and some houses are built on the side of a hill. In these houses there are rooms on 4 floors instead of the usual 3. Because of the way the hill slopes, these lower floors are partially below ground level and partially at ground level. You will have a normal window like any other ground level room.
Please note that due to COVID-19 related changes, all traditional-style double and interconnected rooms have been changed to single rooms and all students in residence will be assigned a single room. Enjoy the extra space!
Your room will be the front room. Please note that due to COVID-19 related changes, all traditional-style double and interconnected rooms have been changed to single rooms and all students in residence will be assigned a single room.
Common lounges on floors with TV
Fitness room in REV and CMH
Multi-faith rooms
Music rooms in V1 and REV
Large common lounge areas with big screen TV
Pool table(s)
Ping pong
Foosball table(s)
Front Desk where you can sign out games and movies
Weekly grocery shuttles run in each of our suite-style residences
Laundry facilities are located in the central complex of each community.
All rooms and suites are furnished and there isn't much space for extra furniture. You can bring some small items but no University furniture can be removed from your room to accommodate larger items.
You are not allowed to cook in any residence bedroom. Automatic shut-off coffee makers or kettles and small fridges are the only appliances permitted in the traditional-style residences. Microwaves, kettles, grills, rice cookers and toasters are only permitted in suite-style residences that have their own cooking facilities.
Housekeeping of all common residence areas is provided in all residences on a regular basis. Students are expected to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness in their rooms and in the common areas of residence. Monthly cleaning inspections by Waterloo staff take place in all suite-style residences.
All floors or houses are accessible only to the residents of that floor or house and each student has a key to his or her room and/or suite. Every residence has a "Duty Don", available 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. daily, with a cell phone for any emergencies. Most Front Desks are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
In addition, adult Residence Life Co-ordinators (RLCs) live on campus in the "Tutor Houses" located between MKV and REV. One of the 5 RLCs is always on duty and available to respond to emergencies. UW Police are on duty 24/7 and can always be called for assistance. Students often use the UW Shuttle Service to get back to residence from night classes.
Bike storage rooms are available in Claudette Millar Hall (CMH), Mackenzie King Village (MKV), Ron Eydt Village (REV), and Village 1 (V1). All our residences have outdoor bike racks.
Please note that due to COVID-19 related changes and public health recommendations, shared spaces in residence may be closed or have limited access. More information about this will be provided as it becomes available.
We have our own gym, right in residence at REV and CMH. All students living in Waterloo Residences are welcome to use this facility.
In addition, the Front Desks at REV and V1 have a variety of sports equipment that can be signed out by any resident. Basketball courts are located outside at REV and V1. Informal pick-up games are often going on when the weather is good (and even when it's not)! UWP is located right on the Iron Horse Trail, which is great for running and biking, and is also very close to Waterloo Park.
If that's not enough for you, the Columbia Icefields (CIF) and Physical Activities Complex (PAC) are both located within walking distance from all residences.
Yes! We hire students as Front Desk assistants, Residence Storytellers, Student Computer Consultants, and Residence Ambassadors. If you're interested, you should check out our Jobs & Leadership page. Food Services hires students to work in their eateries across campus.
Included in your fees, ResNet is the high-speed Internet connection provided to every resident living in Waterloo Residences. ResNet provides fast, free service with unlimited download limits.
Visit the technology section for more details including usage limits. It is illegal to download and share movies and/or music files – it constitutes copyright infringement and the University does not condone this usage.
Moving procedures, dates, and times can be found on the move-in page.
Review the move-in dates for earliest and latest arrival dates. You have until 12 noon on the first day of classes to move in or your room will be cancelled unless you have filled out a late arrival form. You will also be held to the financial fees outlined in your terms & conditions.
We have made lists of items you might want to bring depending on the residence community type; either suite-style apartment or traditional-style dorm. When deciding what to pack, consider the type of room you were assigned. Check the photo galleries and room diagrams for your residence to see how much storage space is available. You can also see our what to bring list.
Please see our Contract terms and conditions page.
You will be asked to leave residence within 24 hours after your last exam. If you do not have a last exam, you will be asked to move out within 24 hours of the last day of classes. For more information, read about the move-out process. Residence is a year-round operation and we need to time to prepare our facilities for the new term ahead!
No. If you are staying in your room for the following term you do not have to move your things out when you leave.
If you are moving to a new residence, going on co-op, or otherwise not coming back for the following term, you do need to move your things out of your room. In this case, your room and suite (if applicable) will be inspected by residence staff before you leave.
We offer a December International Student Stay program to students with an existing Waterloo Residences contract who meet certain eligibility requirements. More details about the program, fees, and a chance to opt-in will be provided during the fall term here. Alternatively, students may choose to find a local place to stay from our short term accommodations list.
You will be charged a withdrawal fee based on the terms and conditions outlined in your residence contract.
If you plan on withdrawing from residence before you move in, please let us know as soon as possible. To withdraw from residence, you must submit an online Withdrawal/Cancellation Form.
Yes! After you have filled out the Residence Community Ranking Form you will have the opportunity to fill out the Waterloo Residences Preference Form. In this form, you will have the option to request one roommate.
Please note the following changes due to COVID-19: Based on public health recommendations, all traditional-style double and interconnected rooms have been changed to single rooms. Therefore, roommate requests can only be accommodated in suite-style accommodations in UWP or Mackenzie King Village. Please note that we may not have enough suite-style accommodations to meet the demand of roommate pairs. If you are assigned to a traditional-style residence, we are unable to guarantee a room assignment near your requested roommate.
We accommodate roommate requests in suite-style accommodations as long as
You are the same gender
You are in the same academic stream
You both applied by the June deadline, and were placed in Waterloo Residences
You mutually request one another
Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.
Yes, you can request one roommate. Please note the following due to COVID-19 related changes:
For students in Global Business and Digital Arts Living-Learning community or a Science Academic Cluster, your roommate does not have to be in your Living-Learning Community or Cluster, but they cannot be a part of a different Living-Learning Community.
Students in Living-Learning Communities based in traditional-style residences will be assigned a single room and must not request roommates.
Learn more about where Living-Learning Communities and Science Academic Clusters are located and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application on the how rooms are assigned page.
No. Waterloo Residences no longer accommodates multiple roommate requests. The good news is that whether you apply as an individual student or roommate pair, you have an equal chance of being placed in any of your top choices! No need to scramble together a roommate group to increase your chances of securing a particular room style.
If you choose to request a roommate and the requests are mutual, Waterloo Residences will prioritize the request to make sure you are assigned together in one of our residences.
Please note the following changes due to COVID-19: Based on public health recommendations, all traditional-style double and interconnected rooms have been changed to single rooms. Therefore, roommate requests can only be accommodated in suite-style accommodations in UW Place or Mackenzie King Village. Please note that we may not have enough suite-style accommodations to meet the demand of roommate pairs. If you are assigned to a traditional-style residence, we are unable to guarantee a room assignment near your requested roommate.
Please note the following changes due to COVID-19: Based on public health recommendations, all traditional-style double and interconnected rooms have been changed to single rooms. Every student in residence will have a single room.
Don't worry! Waterloo Residences offers one of the most important opportunities for building connection to campus, your fellow students, and your identity as a Waterloo Warrior. Hundreds of staff are working hard over the summer to create a safe and engaging space for you to call home this fall, and we look forward to welcoming you home.
Roommate requests must be submitted and accepted by the Waterloo Residences Preference Form deadline date otherwise they will not be considered.
You have until the deadline of your Waterloo Residences Preference Form to remove yourself from the request.
Visit the Housing Accommodations section for full details and contact information.
Due to the diverse student body of Waterloo Residences, we are unable to accommodate residence requests for religious reasons. Our eateries can accommodate restricted diets, for more information contact UW Food Services.
To find out if you are a 4-stream student, see when your first work term begins. You are a 4-stream student if you are in a co-op program and your first work term is in January. Only students in some Engineering programs are 4-stream.
You are an 8-stream student if you are in a regular program or a co-op program and your first work term is in May or later.
Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of your academic stream on your application.
A Don is an upper-year student who lives and works in a specific residence area, providing leadership to approximately 50 students. They help everyone to get acquainted, plans activities, assists with problems and upholds policies and rules. They are familiar with the campus and have a passion for the residence experience. All of our Dons are first-aid certified and go through intensive training in order to create a safe and comfortable community.
No, it is included in your residence fees. Each Don and his or her area has a certain amount of money set aside to spend on community-building activities for their residents. (Note: this money is never used to purchase alcohol.)
The Dons plan social and educational events on a regular basis - anything from ice cream night, trips to the movies or the local market to study skills and nutrition/how to cook seminars. These events are usually held for individual floors, but residence-wide events are held often as well. The Dons try very hard to plan things that students are interested in or express a need for. Events are also regularly held by the ResCouncil and other groups.
ResCouncil is the official representation for all students living in Waterloo Residences. All residents are invited to get involved in residence, and to come to Council meetings to propose and plan residence events.
Waterloo Residences provides housing for students with families in the Columbia Lake Village North (CLV-North) residence community. CLV-North is a community of townhouses each comprised of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and many other amenities to offer to students with families.
Learn more and/or apply for family housing here.
There are lots of places to study both within your residence and around campus. You may choose to book out a residence study room, go to the library, or find an empty classroom on campus. In Ron Eydt Village, there are two large silent study halls that are available to all students living in residence. All residences have quiet hours during final exam periods.
The Waterloo Residences are committed to providing a supportive academic environment as well as a fun place to make friends and hang out. If you are having problems with excessive noise in your residence, you should communicate with your neighbours and with your Don and try to resolve the problem.
Please note that due to COVID-19 related changes and public health recommendations, shared spaces in residence may be closed or have limited access. More information about this will be provided as it becomes available.
Yes, you are allowed to have friends visit you in residence, including guests of the opposite gender. Your guest may stay for a maximum of 48 hours and you are responsible for his/her behaviour while he/she is staying with you.
If you have a roommate or suitemates, you should check with them first before inviting your guest to stay. You should also introduce your guest to your Don. The only exception to this is during orientation week. No guests will be allowed during this time. Please see your terms and conditions for more details about guests.
Each residence has many services and experiences to offer students and no two students are completely alike. It’s more a case of which residence is best for you. Some offer more independence while others offer more convenience; some offer more social interaction, while others offer more privacy.
Differences aside, all of our residences offer a strong sense of community, support for academic pursuits, full-time professional staff, and many amenities to make it feel like home.
Waterloo Residences acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
