Prospective Students

Welcome prospective undergrads—domestic and international!

For many new students, living in residence is where the university journey begins. And at UBC, it’s an extraordinary experience unlike any other.

Living in residence makes it easy for students to meet new people, live in a study-oriented atmosphere, get help for academic and personal challenges, and be part of all that UBC and its surrounding neighbourhoods have to offer. Campus residents have easy access to beaches and recreational activities, theatre, restaurants, guest speakers and special interest clubs.

Year after year, students tell us that living in residence helped them become better learners and make long-lasting friendships. UBC houses nearly 14,000 students in 15 residences.

Guaranteed rooms

Many prospective students will qualify for our First Year Guarantee in Winter Session Residence. Most students in this group are assigned to live in Orchard Commons, Place Vanier or Totem Park. These residences all have furnished shared and single rooms, vibrant common areas for socializing, and plenty of space for quiet study time. Based on availability, some students will be assigned to live in Ritsumeikan-UBC House, Walter Gage, or Fairview Crescent where upper-year students and some graduate students also live.

Eating made easy

Never worry about planning, shopping, prepping or cleaning up after meals. Residents in Orchard Commons, Place Vanier and Totem Park purchase a required residence meal plan, with residence dollars for use at all three residence dining halls and flex dollars for use at select campus partners.

Students who are offered accommodation in other residences will have a kitchen, but can also enjoy added convenience and savings with a UBCcard Value Plan.

“The dining hall gives you a huge array of options and they switch it up every day, so there’s always something new to try.” — Amy Miles, Totem Park resident

Support and fun

No matter which residence you live in, you will be part of a safe, supportive, inclusive environment that’s designed to help you pursue your academic goals and enjoy your time as a student. Our Residence Life teams are among the best-connected people at the university. Residence Advisors—current UBC students—are plugged into the resources and support services available to you in residence and around campus, including health services and safety programs. RAs spend countless hours organizing fun opportunities to get students involved in residence. Be an actor in a residence play, join a committee, or go on a field trip to one of our local ski hills. When you live at UBC, there’s always something to do.

“You’ll meet people from all over the world with all different backgrounds. The one thing we have in common is UBC pride.” — Brandon MacKay

Jump Start

All direct-entry, first-year undergraduate students are invited to participate in Jump Start, which takes place in August, prior to the start of classes. Jump Start is specifically designed to help first year students adjust to their new academic environment, make friends, and explore their new home, school and city.

“Before arriving at UBC, I was anxious about moving to a new place, meeting new friends and being in a different academic setting. I made friends and got to know UBC through Jump Start and now I feel more confident going into my classes.” — UBC Jump Start participant

Costs

Fees and payments vary depending on what residence and room type you live in—and whether you are a first year student with a required Residence Meal Plan.

Note that undergraduate students entering their first year could be eligible for a Student Housing Supplemental Grant. Explore information about financial resources for UBC students.

Guide for gender diverse students

Check out our guide for gender diverse students to learn more about the process of applying, indicating gender identity and receiving room assignments for trans, non-binary and other gender diverse students.

How to apply

Undergraduate students who qualify for a guaranteed room can apply in two ways:

  1. There is an option to open a residence application when applying for UBC.
  2. Apply directly to Student Housing and Community Services before May 1.

Before you apply, review essential application facts and important dates to ensure your application is submitted properly and on time. Demand to live in residence is high, so don’t wait until you are admitted to UBC to apply for a space in residence.