Over the last few years demand has exceeded capacity and a General Waitlist has become a normal part of the application process. As many students apply to multiple universities and change their minds throughout the application period, much movement occurs up to and after Semester 1 has started.
If a student's application has not been successful at their preferred hall, it is not a direct reflection on the quality of an application but the result of high demand. If alternative options have also been exhausted, the application will automatically be placed on a centralised General Waitlist held by Accommodation Services.
Each hall operates its own selection process with individual criteria depending on how they want to create their community. They generally aim to offer to a diverse range of students from a variety of schools and locations, and studying a broad range of degree programmes.
The benefit of a centralised General Waitlist is:
- The waitlist is held centrally by Accommodation Services.
- Accommodation Services will communicate regularly to waitlisted students advising on movement and availability.
- The General Waitlist is not ranked and any student can be offered a room at any time.
- The student's preferred hall will be taken into consideration throughout the waitlist process.
It is important to note that any hall can offer a room at any time. It is the student's decision to accept or decline the offer. A student cannot be offered a room and stay on the General Waitlist at the same time.
If an offer is declined or expired and the student wishes to return to the General Waitlist, they must inform Accommodation Services of their decision.
The University of Canterbury has partnership agreements with Arcady Hall, College House, Rochester and Rutherford Hall, and UniLodge (Campus Houses, Hayashi, Ilam Student Accommodation, Sonoda, Tupuānuku, Tupuarangi, University Hall) as specialist accommodation providers. A residential contract is, therefore, a legal binding document between the individual hall of residence and the student - please read the terms and conditions carefully, particularly in regard to penalties to withdraw from a contract, once signed.
