faq

All tertiary students are eligible to apply for accommodation at UC Accommodation Student Village, including full-time, part-time, undergraduate and postgraduate students.

There is a strict no pets policy at UC Accommodation Student Village. This includes goldfish and birds.  This rule does not apply to to the extent that it restricts the keeping of a guide or hearing dog. There is a campus cat at University Hall, called Campus. 

The Village hosts a diverse range of residents from all over the world and across New Zealand, and we see this as a true strength of our community. To ensure fairness, we don't give preference to any group over others. Therefore we encourage all applicants to submit the relevant forms as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Yes! – subject to availability, please email enquiries@ucastudentvillage.co.nz to secure an early arrival.

Yes - Residents applying to stay at UC Accommodation can choose their flatmates online through our new self selection process. You will be  asked to create an online profile, the profile will contain  information about your study habits, sports & arts interests, acceptable noise,  smoking or non-smoking and single sex preferences etc.

Once this information is  collated the system will display your ‘best matches’ (apartment style accommodation only). You can also browse for students outside of the systems suggestions. Once this has been completed room selection becomes available you will be able to choose your room within your selected room type.

University Hall residents can also self select their rooms in much the same way.

Spouses, partners, boyfriends or girlfriends can apply for accommodation at UC Accommodation Student Village, as long as they too are tertiary students. Couples will be provided with individual rooms; however you can request to be allocated rooms in the same apartment or building.

If you want to pay for your accommodation fortnightly (only available to those students on full year, self-catered contracts) or quarterly you’ll need a financial guarantor to sign your contract. The financial guarantor must be New Zealand based and is usually a parent or caregiver.

All residents are responsible for keeping their rooms and apartments clean. Students who live at the Ilam Apartments and Sonoda will have the communal areas of their apartments cleaned fortnightly.

All communal areas of all other buildings are cleaned. For students who require assistance with their cleaning a service can be organised for a fee. Please enquire at your nearest office.

Broadband connectivity is available in every bedroom at UCA. Internet packages can be organised through our internet provider, SNAP. See our optional fees section for more information on packages. 

There is wireless internet access available in all learning spaces.

If you have a NZ based financial guarantor you can pay by the following options: fortnightly direct debits (only available to those students who are on full year, self-catered contracts), quarterly or by semester.

If you are an international student or have no NZ based financial guarantor you will need to pay a semester in advance. You should receive an invoice 3-4 weeks before your payment due showing you the amount that is due. This can be paid by online banking, credit card, cheque or at one of our offices. If you are paying fortnightly a schedule is provided in your contract.

UC Accommodation Student Village offers a range of accommodation to suit a range of budgets. A variety of accommodation is available from self-catered, apartment-style to fully catered dormitory style living. We support students from their first years right up to post-graduate level.

We ensure support is available 24 hours a day, along with a range of exciting events and activities to help you meet new people, learn new skills and succeed academically.

In short, we offer a fantastic balance between support and independence that you just won't find anywhere else!

UC Accommodation Student Village runs on a 42 week residential agreement at University Hall and a 42 or 48 week residential agreement at the Ilam Apartments and Sonoda Christchurch Campus. This allows residents constant access to rooms and facilities throughout the academic year. It means you can spend less time and money moving and is especially convenient if you want to stay in the same room next year. At University Hall residents are expected to vacate their rooms 24 hours after their final university committment - this is negotiable in some circumstances. The residential agreement governs the relationship between UC Accommodation Student Village and its residents.

You are welcome to stay on at the end of your stay with us or move in early – we can work with you provide a solution at very reasonable fees.

Summer accommodation is available at Ilam Apartments if you wish to stay on in Christchurch for whatever reason. Enquire at your nearest office for more information.

When you're applying for accommodation you might not have your student ID, that's just fine. Just leave this field blank & let us know on arrival.

Yes – the length of the contract cannot be changed, we will have your room ready for you from the start date of your contract.

University Hall is a fully catered hall providing three healthy and nutritious meals a day. All diets and religious dietary requirements can be accommodated.

The Ilam Apartments and Sonoda are all self-catered. A supermarket is close by as are a selection of popular eateries offering dine-in or takeaway options. Each apartment has a full kitchen so feel free to cook up a storm or throw together a quick meal at any time of day.

Meal packages are available for purchase to dine at nearby University Hall.  

If you seek legal advice in relation to the contract, please include your solicitors name in this space. If you don’t seek advice leave this blank.

Your initial payment (paid on acceptance of the Residential Agreement) is made up of a:

• $200 Administration Fee
• $200 Resident’s Association Fee (this covers all the events and activites we run, tutorials, our ‘O week programme’)
• $300 Contingency Fee (this is refundable on departure less any outstanding charges). This payment is required to confirm your contract and can be paid by cheque, credit card or in person at one of our offices.