Halls of Residence

View the Accommodation Guide and 360 panoramas and videos online for an overview of all options for accommodation at UC.

Halls combine academic support, and social events and activities, into a student experience that you won't find anywhere else.

Key Dates 2023/2024

Key dates for applications for the 2024 academic year
1 August 2023	Online applications open for February 2024 start
15 September 2023	Common Confidential Reference Form (CCRF) due for New Zealand school leavers
27 September 2023	Application due date
9 October 2023	Offers made and General Waitlist activated
24 October 2023	Due date for responses to offers plus deposit if accepting
25 October 2023	Late applications considered
1 December 2023	Due date for Study Abroad or Exchange students
Mid-December 2023	Offers made to non-UC students or Semester 1 only students (depending on availability)
1 May 2024	Due date for Semester 2 applications

Students who are not offered a room in one of their preferred halls, will have the option to be placed on a General Waitlist for all halls. The General Waitlist will be held with Accommodation Services.

Location

The UC campus is approximately 10 minutes' drive from Christchurch International Airport. Options for transport to campus include the Metro Bus, Uber, NZ Look Shuttles, or Taxis and Shuttles.

The halls of residence are located 2-15 minutes' walk away from campus facilities.

Compare halls of residence

Each hall of residence has its own unique culture, so check out the options to decide what will suit you best. Deciding which to apply for is an individual decision. What would suit one student will not necessarily suit you – some students like formality, others prefer independence.

Compare your options based on things like location, accommodation type, facilities, meals, contract lengths and cost.

Check out each hall for in depth information:

Arcady Hall (first year, fully-catered)
College House (first year, fully-catered)
Hayashi (second year+, self-catered)
Ilam Student Accommodation (all students, self-catered or optional meal plan)
Kirkwood Avenue Hall (first year, self-catered)
Kirkwood Flats (couples only, self-contained units)
Rochester and Rutherford Hall (first year, fully-catered)
Sonoda Christchurch Campus (second year+, self-catered)
Tupuānuku (first year, fully-catered)
University Hall (first year, fully-catered)

A first year student is a school leaver generally 17-19 years of age. First year students 20+ are recommended to apply for Ilam Apartments. Hayashi and Sonoda Christchurch Campus will consider a first year student who will be 20+ on arrival.

View halls of residence

Hall tours are available May-September but must be booked in advance - please check dates before booking your travel. To respect the privacy of residents, hall tours are available only on specific Fridays and during secondary school holidays. The Accommodation Services team are available to provide information and answer questions before or after your tour. Book a tour.

Alternatively, view 360 panoramas and videos or review options in the 2024 Accommodation Guide.

Who halls of residence are suitable for

Halls of residence are a great option to settle into Christchurch, particularly if you are a new student who is from out of town or overseas.

Meals and catering

Halls of residence offer a range of convenient catering choices. Fully-catered, semi-catered, and self-catered options are available. Most dietary requirements are catered for whether they are based on health, religious or ethnic reasons.

Activities on your doorstep

Living in a hall of residence there is always something to do. With Ilam Sports Fields a short walk away, you can easily join a wide range of sports teams for example rugby, soccer or netball. Throughout the year, there are also events for example formal dinners, ski trips, quiz nights and balls.

Accommodation scholarships

There are a number of scholarships available to first and second year students in halls of residence. Check out the following links:

For a list of scholarships offered by UC, see www.canterbury.ac.nz/get-started/scholarships/. Applications for UC scholarships open 20 June and are due 15 August 2023.

Some school leaver scholarships can be used towards accommodation fees:

DIALOG Fitzroy Engineering Scholarship
Dr John Innes Scholarship
Go Waitaha Canterbury Scholarship
Jim Wakefield Scholarship
UC Auaha Scholarship
UC Haupatu Scholarship
UC Horomata Scholarship
UC Kaitoko Māori Scholarship
UC Kaitoko Pacific/Pasifika Scholarship

There is also the Helen Macmillan Brown Bursary for female students residing in a hall of residence.

Please be aware that scholarships will not cover your hall deposit or first instalment as payments are not confirmed until April/May.

Apply for a hall of residence

The application process for a hall of residence starts before the enrolment process, so most students will apply for a hall of residence even before being accepted into a university course.

Applications for the Academic Year or Semester 1 (February) open on 1 August in the year prior to study.

Applications for Semester 2 (July) are due 1 May in the year of study. Late applications will be accepted if places are still available.

Find out more about accommodation for international students or apply for a hall now.

Temporary accommodation on campus is offered at Sonoda Christchurch Campus and can be booked directly with the hall at sonoda@unilodge.co.nz

More information

Contact Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga for more information and advice.