UC Accommodation Options for International Students
The Accommodation Office is able to give you assistance and advice on the accommodation options and application procedures for the halls of residence.
The sooner you let us know that you need accommodation in Christchurch, the more chance there is of you finding somewhere to live that you are really happy with.
Check out the different accommodation options below before deciding which option would suit you best.
Christchurch is New Zealand's most affordable major city and offers a range of accommodation options throughout the year, including:
Halls of Residence (on-campus)
There are a total of six fully-furnished halls of residence at the University of Canterbury (suitable for individual students only).
- Fully-catered accommodation
Mainly accommodating first-year students - Bishop Julius Hall, College House, Rochester and Rutherford Hall, and University Hall all provide 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. - Self-catered accommodation (Guaranteed Offer of Place)
The apartments at Sonoda Christchurch Campus and Ilam Apartments have their own kitchen facilities and students provide their own meals. Students can purchase meal plans from nearby University Hall, if required.
If you wish to apply for a fully-catered hall of residence, please complete an online application form and follow the process required for Step 2. Applications for Semester 1 or the full academic year are due on 1 October, or for Semester 2 on 1 May. For students applying outside these dates, accommodation will depend on your arrival date and intended length of stay.
Preference is given to students studying and applying for the full academic year (February-December).
Private Rental Accommodation (off-campus)
For individuals who would like to live off-campus, couples or students with families, there is some rental accommodation close to the University, however, please note that rental accommodation is in high demand in Christchurch at the moment. If you choose this type of accommodation for your stay in Christchurch – you will need to find your own property after you arrive.
Finding a suitable property off-campus can take time, so be prepared to stay in temporary accommodation when you first arrive (for example a motel or hostel) for at least 2 weeks so you have time to find accommodation that you will be happy in.
Resources to help you to find an appropriate private rental property to meet your needs are available on our website. Please note that you should personally view the property before signing up anywhere.
A useful guide designed for people who need to know the basics of what the law relating to renting and tenancy means, especially if you are renting for the first time, is "Renting and you - a guide to the law about renting". This booklet is from the Department of Building and Housing and is available in 8 languages - English, Maori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Cook Islands.
Homestay or Private Board (off-campus)
Homestay accommodation is available close to the University and throughout the city. The weekly fee for living with a New Zealand family in a private home is NZ$250 per person plus an initial one-off placement fee of NZ$330. Homestay is suitable for individual students, some couples, but not students with families.
This weekly fee provides you with 3 meals per day, a fully-furnished room, bathroom and laundry facilities, and power and telephone rental (toll calls and some internet charges are extra depending on usage).