Apply for a Hall of Residence
Check out key application dates, hall locations and comparison charts or refer to the 2024 Accommodation Guide.
Eligibility to apply
You’re eligible to live in UC student accommodation if you are a student or future student of:
- University of Canterbury
- Another tertiary institution in Christchurch (as preference is given to students intending to study at UC, your application will be placed on hold until mid-December).
WiFi networks are available in all halls of residence for UC students or you can connect via wired (Ethernet) connection through 2degrees.
There are two steps to the application process for most students. Check the reference requirements for the hall you are applying to under "Step 2".
Step 1. Apply Here
Please Note: 2023 Semester 1 accommodation is currently at capacity. Any applications received will be waitlisted.
Which halls can I apply to? Our handy Which Hall Flow Chart can help guide you to appropriate options depending on your age and level of study.
Please note: New applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of NZ$100 (including GST). Manaaki NZ Scholarship students are exempt. Couples and families will be charged the application fee on receipt of an offer.
The online application will take about 30-40 minutes to complete. The first part is a registration, in which you will select a username and password. This will enable you to exit and come back to your application if you need to. Please note that once you click "Save & Continue" at the end of a page, you are able to go back and edit that page but once you have accepted the "Declaration and Consent" page at the end of your application, any changes will need to be emailed to Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga.
Step 2. Provide a reference
You can arrange a reference in support of your application at any time. See below or view our Step 2 Flow Chart.
Under 18 international students
Under 18 international students must stay in a fully-catered hall of residence to comply with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. Homestay or with a designated caregiver is preferred. Students studying through the UC International College (UCIC) must apply for homestay.
First preference - Arcady Hall, College House, Kirkwood Avenue Hall, Rochester and Rutherford Hall, Tupuānuku, or University Hall (first year halls)
These halls are typically for school leavers (17-19 years of age).
- A Common Confidential Reference Form (CCRF) is required for 2022 or 2023 NZ school leavers. Start this process by completing your part at NZCCRF Student Registration for Accommodation References form. If you are unable to provide a CCRF, contact Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga.
- For students currently not living in New Zealand, a written school reference is acceptable and should be emailed directly to Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga.
First preference - Hayashi, Ilam Student Accommodation, or Sonoda Christchurch Campus
Study Abroad Programme, Reciprocal Exchange, and NZ Scholarship students are not required to provide a reference.
All students under 20
- A Common Confidential Reference Form (CCRF) is required for 2022 or 2023 NZ school leavers. Start this process by completing your part at NZCCRF Student Registration for Accommodation References form. If you are unable to provide a CCRF, contact Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga.
- For students currently not living in New Zealand, a written school reference or character reference is acceptable. An appropriate referee would be an agent, employer, landlord, lecturer/tutor or minister - someone who knows you well but is not a friend or family member.
All students 20 and over
- A reference is not required. Email Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga to let us know when you have completed your online application.
Next steps
Submitting an application does not guarantee you a place in a hall of residence. All halls run a selection process. Halls aim to select students from various backgrounds and abilities to establish a well-rounded student community within the hall. For 2024, we will be prioritising applications taking into consideration:
- students whose home address is outside a reasonable communting distance from UC
- students of younger age
- students studying degrees only offered at UC
- UC scholarship recipients
- any specific personal circumstances.
The selection process will run between 27 September and 9 October. During this time applications will move between preferences but only one offer will be made. Students who are not able to be offered a room will have the opportunity to be placed on a general waitlist for all halls, or consider an alternative hall with availability.
PLEASE NOTE: READ YOUR OFFER AND CONTRACT CAREFULLY. Your contract is a legally binding document, make sure you read and understand it before signing.
Accept your offer
Once you have an offer you want to accept you need to confirm your place. You must:
- Complete and return your contract. If you require a car park, or have room allocation requirements, make this known to the hall on accepting your offer.
- Pay the required deposit as specified in the offer (this amount varies from hall to hall).
If you do not return your contract by the due date, your contract will expire and your place will be offered to another student.
If you are paying for accommodation through a scholarship, please contact your hall to discuss payment options.
Returning resident
Please Note: 2023 Semester 1 accommodation is currently at capacity. Any applications received will be waitlisted.
If you are a current resident in any UC affiliated hall of residence and wish to apply to Hayashi; Mānuka, Kōwhai or Hīnau (Ilam Student Accommodation); or Sonoda for 2024, please complete an application as a Returning Student. Your email address will be the same, however, you may need to reset your password. Returners applications will open on 1 August 2023.
If you have had a break in your residency, you are not a returning student and will need to re-apply as a new student.
If you require assistance contact Accommodation Services. No application fee is required.
If you are a current resident in Arcady Hall, College House or Rochester and Rutherford Hall and wish to return to the same hall, please contact your hall office.
Conference/Group Bookings
During university term and semester breaks and over the summer period (December/January) it may be possible to arrange conferences and bookings for sports teams and other groups in student accommodation. Bookings are made directly with the hall or village:
Arcady Hall (169 rooms)
Ollie van der Pol
Operations Manager
Arcady Hall
90 Waimairi Road, Christchurch
Tel: +64 3 364 2747
hello@arcadyhall.org.nz
College House (159 rooms)
Bursar
College House
100 Waimairi Road, Christchurch
Tel: +64 3 364 2001
bursar@collegehouse.org.nz
Rochester and Rutherford Hall (192 rooms)
Kate O'Brien
Office Manager
Rochester and Rutherford Hall
77 Ilam Road, Christchurch
Tel: +64 3 364 2799
office@rochester-rutherford.org.nz
Tupuānuku (504 rooms)
Residential Life Manager
Tupuānuku
3 Homestead Lane, Christchurch
Tel: 027 247 6822
tupuanuku@unilodge.co.nz
Conferencing Facilities are available at UniLodge.
- Kirkwood Avenue Hall (68 rooms)
- University Hall (553 rooms)
- Sonoda Christchurch Campus (140 rooms)
- Ilam Student Accommodation (847 rooms)
UniLodge
Tel: +64 3 266 0400
canterbury@unilodge.co.nz
Temporary Accommodation
If you are an individual student undertaking a short term course in Christchurch, or require accommodation to enable you to search for a longer-term house or flat, you may be able to stay on campus in a self-catered apartment.
Sonoda Christchurch Campus
Throughout the year, Sonoda can offer up to 30 rooms as temporary accommodation. You will have your own fully-furnished room and share kitchen and bathroom facilities with up to four other students. Laundry facilities are available in each building. The cost for a single room is $NZ406 (2023 rate) per week (minumum stay two weeks).
Check availability by contacting the hall directly
T: +64 3 595 2477
E: sonoda@unilodge.co.nz
More information
If you need help with your application or have general questions, contact Accommodation Services/Te Ratonga Nohonga.
Halls of Residence set their own fees, manage the selection process and send the offers. If you have a question related to either of these, please contact your hall directly.