First Year Residence

Choosing where you live is an important part of starting university. Living at United College means becoming part of a close‑knit academic and residential community designed to support your transition to university life. United College is part of the University of Waterloo’s residence guarantee, offering first-year students a supportive living environment with convenient access to classes, study spaces, and campus services.

As an incoming first-year, external transfer, or joint academic partnership student, you can live in one of Campus Housing’s residences or at Renison University College, United College, or St. Jerome's University as part of Waterloo's residence guarantee.

The deadline to submit your New Student Residence Application for the 2026 Fall start is June 8, 2026.

After the deadline, you will be told which community you have been placed in. You will only receive one residence offer through the New Student Residence Application.

If you are placed at United College, you will contacted by email. You will be asked to fill out a Personal Information Form (PIF) and sign your residence contract. Your PIF allows you to:

• Update your personal details (preferred name, pronouns, etc.)
• Rank your room type preferences
  • As a first year student, you can select between double room with ensuite washroom or traditional double rooms.
  • You can join the waitlist for a single room*.
• Answer lifestyle questions to match you with a roommate (when do you go to bed? Do you like your room warm or cold?)
• Request a roommate if you know someone you want to live with.
• Select a United College Living Learning Community to join.

While preferences are carefully considered, placements are based on availability and overall fit. Every residence experience is designed to help you meet new people, build independence, and feel supported.

* Single rooms are first prioritized for students with Accessible Housing Form recommendations or Creed-Based accommodations. Returning residents receive second priority. Any remaining single rooms will be distributed through a random lottery.

• If you require a specific room type or style due to accessibility or creed-based needs, please review the information on our housing accommodations website and submit an application form.

If you miss the deadline or are applying at a different time of year (e.g., applying in October for the January-April term), you can still apply to directly to United College through the United College Residence Portal. We make offers on a rolling basis depending on availability and will regularly reach out with updates on anticipated spaces for the term you've applied for.