University of British Columbia accommodations provide a home away from home for 13,000+ residents, making it the largest residence in Canada. With 15 residences located on campus, the accommodations offer a diverse and inclusive community, welcoming students from over 140 countries. The first-year students are offered guaranteed residence.

The residences at University of British Columbia are staffed by 450+ resident staff members who are committed to ensuring that students have a safe, comfortable, and supportive environment. Additionally, with over 100 acres of land available for studying and recreational activities, the University of British Columbia accommodations provide a unique and unparalleled experience for students.

University of British Columbia Accommodations

Approximately 13,000 students (domestic and international) are awarded UBC housing facilities. While each student residence has its own setup and charges, the basic amenities such as outdoor facilities, parking & storage, laundry facilities, etc remain the same for all.

Along with this, what sets UBC apart from other Canadian universities like UToronto, McGill, and UAlberta is the fact that the housing style remains the same across all residences. Therefore, before discussing various UBC residences, let's see what each room comprises:

  • Shared Room: Single gender rooms; furnished room with shared private or communal bathroom; in-room internet; floor lounges with TV cable.
  • Connected Single Room: Furnished room with shared bathroom; in-room internet; floor lounges with TV cable.
  • Single Traditional Room: Furnished private room with communal bathroom; in-room internet; floor lounges with TV cable.
  • One/two/three/four/six Bedroom Suite: Furnished with shared kitchen & bathroom; high-speed internet.
  • Townhouse: Furnished with kitchen; private bathroom with in-suite washer/dryer.

In each of these rooms, students get a Twin XL bed, wardrobe, dresser, desk, lamp, chairs, bookshelf, closet, couches, chairs, and a table.

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Winter Session Housing

The winter session contract at University of British Columbia accommodations starts from September 3, 2023, to April 29, 2024. The accommodations for winter session along with their prices are listed below:

Accommodations Housing for Details Cost (CAD) Cost (INR)
Orchard Commons First-Year Connected, Shared, and Single Room 10,900-13,200 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs
Place Vanier First-Year Single traditional; Shared room 11,900-13,500 7 lakhs to 8 lakhs
Totem Park First-Year Single Traditional room; Shared room; Connected single room 10,200-11,700 6 lakhs to 7 lakhs
Fairview Crescent Upper Year Single Room 6,800-11,700 4 lakhs to 7 lakhs
Ponderosa Commons Upper Year Shared room, Studio 12,300-16,200 7 lakhs to 9 lakhs
Ritsumeikan-UBC House Upper Year Single Room 7,500-11,700 4 lakhs to 7 lakhs
Walter Gage Upper Year Single rooms, Apartment 7,300-13,500 4 lakhs to 8 lakhs

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Year-Round Housing

The University of British Columbia offers year-round accommodations with a contract that spans from May 1, 2023, to April 28, 2024, providing students with a secure and comfortable living environment throughout the entire academic year. With a wide range of options to choose from, students can find the accommodation that best fits their needs and budget.

University of British Columbia accommodations for year-round session along with their prices are listed below:

Accommodations Housing for Details Cost (CAD) Cost (INR)
Brock Commons Upper Year Shared Room, Studio 12,700-15,300 7 lakhs to 9 lakhs
Exchange  Upper Year Shared Room, Studio, Suite 9,200-18,900 5 lakhs to 11 lakhs
Fraser Hall Upper Year 6 bedroom 10,800 6 lakhs
Iona House Upper Year Shared Room, Studio, Single bedroom 13,800-18,100 8 lakhs to 11 lakhs
Marine Drive Upper Year Shared Room, Studio 12,000-15,600 7 lakhs to 9 lakhs
Ponderosa Commons Upper Year Shared Room, Studio 12,300-16,200 7 lakhs to 9 lakhs
The Houses of the Ones Belonging to the Saltwater Upper Year Shared Room, Studio 13,200-17,300 8 lakhs to 10 lakhs
Thunderbird Upper Year Studio, 1 to 4 bedrooms 10,600-17,100 6 lakhs to 10 lakhs
Green College Graduate Single Room, Studio 9,100-15,400 5 lakhs to 9 lakhs
St. John’s College Graduate Single Room 10,200-13,300 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs
Acadia Park Student Family Residence Studio, 1 to 4 bedrooms 15,100-25,800 9 lakhs to 15 lakhs

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Summer Residence

A minimum stay of 30 days is required for Summer housing at University of British Columbia. To stay at the Summer Residence, students are required to pay their fees in one payment if their stay is less than 60 days or in two payments if their stay is 61 days or more. The first payment is due upon acceptance of the offer and the second payment, if necessary, is due on June 16.

Accommodations Daily Rate (CAD) Daily Rate (INR)
Fairview Crescent 30-52 1,800 to 3,100
Ponderosa Commons 40-49 2,400 to 2,900

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Eligibility

At UBC, the eligibility to be considered for on-campus housing is based on two factors: Academic credit load and age requirement. Only those applicants who fulfill these two requirements will be considered for the allotment.

Academic Credit Load Requirements

  • Undergraduate students: Must remain registered for the winter semester for at least 18 credit of classroom-teaching in each Term II & Term II.
  • Graduate students: Must have full-time student status confirmation from UBC Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Minimum Age Requirement

For the majority of the University of British Columbia accommodations, the minimum age limit is 19 years. The age requirement for special cases are listed below:

  • At Ritsumeikan- UBC House, the minimum age limit is 18 years.
  • At Thunderbird & Exchange residences, only graduates and 25+ students are considered for a studio or one-bedroom suite.
  • Arcadia Park residence is reserved for adults and couples with one or more dependent children (18 years or younger).

For all cases, applicants are required to meet the minimum age requirement by December 31 of the year they move into a UBC housing facility.

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Application Process

The general UBC housing application process is the same for students entering any residence in any session. Details of the same are given below:

How to Apply: UBC Student Housing Application

Application Fees: 50 CAD (3,000 INR)

Application Documents: Applicants need to submit additional documents if you are

  • Students with Disability
  • Applying for Student Family Residence

Application Deadline:

  • Early Arrival: August 8, 2023
  • Year Round: No deadline
  • Winter Session- Upper Year Students: February 1, 2024
  • Winter Session- First Year Students: May 1, 2023

Prospective undergraduate students can submit their housing application on completion of their UBC admission application.

University of British Columbia Accommodations: Selection Criteria

UBC housing allotments are based on a number of factors such as application date, chosen residence, age, and vacancy.

  • Winter Session Residence: Residence is designated to new students who qualify for guaranteed housing. However, a limited number of spaces are still reserved for returning students. The residence is typically allotted from September to April.
  • Year Round Residence: Residence is allocated on the basis of the application date and earliest occupancy date. The residence contract generally runs from May to April.
  • Summer Session Residence: Eligible students are allotted a place in Fairview Crescent or Ponderosa Commons with roommates.

All the University of British Columbia accommodations are administered centrally to ensure the highest standards and to provide for all needs. Given the enthusiastic student body, the residents enjoy plays, concerts, inter-hall debates, quiz nights, and much more. The university strives to make sure that your transition to university life is as smooth as possible.