Ease your transition to New Zealand life by living in the Halls of residence. UC has agreements with specialist accommodation providers to manage all aspects of your accommodation experience. Your contract is directly with your hall of residence.
There are a range of accommodation options for first year through to PhD students:
- Arcady Hall (first year, catered)
- College House (first year, catered)
- Kirkwood Avenue Hall (first year, catered 14 meals per week)
- Rochester and Rutherford Hall (first year, catered)
- Tupuānuku (first year, catered)
- Tupuārangi (first year, catered - new for 2026)
- University Hall (first year, catered)
- Ilam Student Accommodation (all students, self-catered or optional 14 meals per week plan)
- Campus Houses (second year+, self-catered)
- Hayashi (second year+, self-catered)
- Sonoda (second year+, self-catered)
360 panoramas and videos are available to view.
Key dates
There are key dates to be aware of if you are interested in living on campus. Applications open on 1 August for accommodation starting in February the following year. The key dates for 2026 are outlined here.
Costs
Halls of residence range in costs depending on whether you are self-catered or 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 Student Accommodation. For contracts dates and rates, please refer to the comparison charts below:
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Accommodation for Study Abroad students
If you are on an official Study Abroad programme, an offer of place is guaranteed at either Campus Houses, Hayashi, Ilam Student Accommodation or Sonoda, providing your application is received by the due dates. This is the easiest option as you can arrange your accommodation before you arrive and flat with Kiwi students on campus.
For further information, refer to our Accommodation for Study Abroad Students webpage.
Accommodation for Exchange students
If you are on an official Exchange programme, and apply by the due dates of 1 December for a February start or 1 May for a July start, you will be prioritised for on campus accommodation at either Campus Houses, Hayashi, Ilam Student Accommodation or Sonoda wherever possible, subject to availability.
For further information and alternative options off campus, refer to our Accommodation for Exchange Students webpage.
Accommodation for UCIC Taught Programmes
Ilam Student Accommodation offers independent apartment-style living with the bonus of living on-campus in a supportive community and are ideal for individual students over 18 years of age.
You will have your own furnished room and share a kitchen, bathroom, living and laundry facilities. The apartments are home to students of all ages, at all levels of study, and from all over the world.
For further information, refer to our Accommodation for UCIC Taught Programmes webpage.
Accommodation for postgraduate students
For postgraduate students arriving outside standard semester dates (January-June or July-December), UC offers a Postgraduate Flexi Start that will enable the hall to adjust the start date of your contract to align with your arrival date.
Further information is available on our Postgraduate Students webpage.
Arriving in Christchurch
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. A taxi stand is located outside the International Terminal.
The halls of residence are located 5-15 minutes' walk away from campus facilities.
Check-in
Ensure your accommodation provider is expecting you. Each hall of residence will have specific check-in times. Temporary accommodation may be required depending on your flight arrival time.
