Living in residence
Living in residence is an unforgettable experience where you can explore the university’s resources, connect with peers, and forge lifelong friendships. While living on UBC's Okanagan campus, you’ll have the support of staff and participate in planned activities and communal meals designed to help you get to know your neighbours.
Hang out with new friends on the rooftop patio of the Purcell Residence, or explore the hiking and bike trails above the upper residences and experience the great outdoors without having to leave campus. Fuel your next adventure with delicious and nutritious meals at Pritchard Dining Hall or Sunshine Food Court. UBC’s Okanagan campus residences offer all of the comfort of home, plus all the fun and excitement of university life.
Residence options
The ten residences on UBC’s Okanagan campus, including our apartment-style buildings at Lower/Upper Cascades, are inspiring settings for studying, socializing, and recreation. Your housing options include fully furnished single and double rooms, quad units, studio units, and shared one-bedroom apartments. Most first-year students live in a single-connected room in Cassiar, Kalamalka, Nicola, Purcell, Valhalla, Skeena and Nechako residences. All residences include a meal plan and internet access.
Residence support
No matter which residence you live in, you will be part of a safe, supportive environment at UBC. UBC’s Residence Life staff will help you navigate your new life on campus and can connect you with resources and supports. Have a question or need some advice? UBC’s Residence Advisors are current students who know the ropes at UBC—and they also can lend an ear when needed.
All residences have a front desk where you can access information and resources to make your stay at UBC comfortable. Check back often for news on upcoming Resident events, volunteer opportunities, and fun events like recreational sports, movies, and field trips.
Meal plans
Enjoy healthy, sustainable food choices without worrying about cooking, cleaning, or doing dishes! UBC meal plans are designed to accommodate all appetites. If you live in Cassiar, Nicola, Purcell, Kalamalka, Valhalla, Skeena, Similkameen Place, or Nechako, you’ll be required to purchase an All-Access Meal Plan, which offers unlimited access to Pritchard Dining Hall, with no restrictions on how often you enter or what you eat. If you live in Lower/Upper Cascades, Monashee Place, or off campus, you can purchase an Optional Meal Plan or Swipe Plan.
Getting around
At just a short bus ride away from campus, you can access Kelowna’s modern city centre, or venture farther to explore mountain ranges, freshwater lakes, and over 300 hiking trails in the region. All students on UBC’s Okanagan campus receive a U-Pass, or universal transit pass, giving you unlimited access to local transit services, so it’s easy to check out all the city has to offer.
Residence costs
Your residence costs will vary depending on what type of room you live in and what size of meal plan you choose. A typical cost for a room and meal plan is between $12,000 and $14,000 for the eight-month school year.
Applying for residence
Living in residence is an important and meaningful way for new undergraduates—domestic and international—to begin your university journey. That’s why most first-year students are eligible for a guaranteed room in residence through our First-Year Guarantee program.
Regardless of whether you are eligible for the First-Year Guarantee, it’s always best to start your residence application as soon as possible. You can start your residence application when you apply to UBC, and then visit the Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS) Online Service Centre to finish your residence application. Or, you can apply for residence directly from the Student Housing and Community Services website, if you didn’t start the process during your application for admission to UBC.
If you are considering both the Okanagan and Vancouver campuses for your studies, apply to both residences at the same time and you will only pay the application fee once.
The Winter Session Residence application deadline is May 1. If you wait until you are given an offer of admission to UBC to apply for residence, you may not get a space.
Important Dates
May 1
Apply for residence by this deadline to receive the first-year residence guarantee. Complete your residence preference and roommate requests online at the Student Housing and Community Services (SHCS) Online Service Centre.
June 1
Accept your offer of admission by this deadline (or the deadline indicated in your Applicant Service Centre account).
June – August
Check your email regularly for your residence offer. Once UBC sends your offer, you have one week to accept it and pay your deposit online. If you are going to be away in the summer, make arrangements to check your email regularly.
Mid-August
Watch for detailed room assignment information. If you have a roommate, you’ll be able to contact each other in advance.
August 31
Residence move-in day! Bring your stuff to campus, meet your floormates and Residence Advisor, and start living and learning at UBC.
After your first year
Residence is not guaranteed after your first year. Returning students who want to live in residence from September to April must apply before February 1.