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In addition to the student accommodation information detailed below, please visit the Academic Accommodations Hub  for information on classroom climate, academic integrity and honor code, academic accommodations, support resources, and conflict resolution and troubleshooting.

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• Academic Calendar and Student Accommodations

THE UC BERKELEY ACADEMIC HONOR CODE

Accommodation of religious creed, conflicts between extracurricular activities and academic requirements, absences due to illness, accommodation for disability, accommodation for pregnancy and parenting, reading, review, recitation (rrr) week, commencement ceremonies and final exams, accommodation and support measures for sexual harassment and sexual violence, hardship accommodations.

The Honor Code states,  “As a member of the UC Berkeley community, I act with honesty, integrity, and respect for others.”  The code is endorsed by the Berkeley Division of the Academic Senate, the ASUC, the Graduate Assembly, and the University Administration.

The ASUC and the Academic Senate developed an  Honor Code Guide for Syllabi  that is intended for use either verbatim or adapted by faculty for inclusion into course syllabi. Resources for further pedagogical exploration are available to all instructors on the  Academic Integrity  web page and through customized workshops developed by the Center for Teaching & Learning.

In compliance with Education code, Section 92640(a), it is the official policy of the University of California at Berkeley to permit any student to undergo a test or examination, without penalty, at a time when that activity would not violate the student’s religious creed, unless administering the examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship which could not reasonably have been avoided. Requests to accommodate a student’s religious creed by scheduling tests or examinations at alternative times should be submitted directly to the faculty member responsible for administering the examination.

Reasonable common sense, judgment and the pursuit of mutual goodwill should result in the positive resolution of scheduling conflicts. The regular campus appeals process applies if a mutually satisfactory arrangement cannot be achieved.

The link to this policy is available in the  Religious Creed (link is external) section of the Academic Calendar webpage.

Religious Holidays Calendar

A current Religious Holidays Calendar has been compiled and is now posted on the Center for Teaching and Learning’s website. This calendar will be updated on an annual basis to assist faculty and staff in course and activity planning and to reference in the accommodation process. To facilitate communication between students, instructors and staff, the following form may be useful:

Student Request Form for Religious Accommodation (link is external)

The Academic Senate has established Guidelines Concerning Scheduling Conflicts with Academic Requirements to address the issue of conflicts that arise between extracurricular activities and academic requirements. These policies specifically concern the schedules of student athletes, student musicians, those with out-of-town interviews, and other students with activities (e.g., classes missed as the result of religious holy days) that compete with academic obligations.

These policies were updated in Spring 2014 to include the following statement:

-The pedagogical needs of the class are the key criteria when deciding whether a proposed accommodation is appropriate. Faculty must clearly articulate the specific pedagogical reasons that prevent accepting a proposed accommodation. Absent such a reason, the presumption should be that accommodations are to be made.

The guidelines assign responsibilities as follows:

-It is the instructor’s responsibility to give students a schedule, available on the syllabus in the first week of instruction, of all class sessions, exams, tests, project deadlines, field trips, and any other required class activities.

-It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor(s) in writing by the second week of the semester of any potential conflict(s) and to recommend a solution, with the understanding that an earlier deadline or date of examination may be the most practicable solution.

-It is the student’s responsibility to inform him/herself about material missed because of an absence, whether or not he/she has been formally excused.

The  complete guidelines (link is external)  are available on the Academic Senate website. Additionally, a  checklist for scheduling conflicts to help instructors and students comply with the guidelines is available on the Center for Teaching and Learning website.

**Please note:  Simultaneous proctored administration of a remote exam is an appropriate solution to exam security concerns. Berkeley faculty, faculty at the destination institution and the normal proctoring services here and remotely are presumed to be suitable sources of independent proctoring. Care should be taken that conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict of interest be avoided in undertaking proxy proctorships. It is not a significant increase in faculty workload to have a suitable proctor pick up exam copy(s) several days in advance, followed by returning the completed exams with several days after administration.

Instructors are asked to refrain from general requirements for written excuses from medical personnel for absence due to illness. Many healthy people experience a mild-to-moderate illness and recover without the need to seek medical attention. University Health Services does not have the capacity to evaluate such illnesses and provide documentation excusing student absences. However, UHS will continue to provide documentation when a student is being treated by Tang for an illness that necessitates a change in course load or an incomplete.

From time-to-time the Academic Senate has issued guidance concerning missed classes and exams due to illnesses such as influenza advising that students not attend class if they have a fever. Should a student experience repeated absences due to illness, it may be appropriate for the faculty member to ask the student to seek medical advice. The Senate guidelines advise faculty to use flexibility and good judgment in determining whether to excuse missed work, extend deadlines, or substitute an alternative assignment. Only the Committee on Courses of Instruction (COCI) can waive the final exam. However, a department chair can authorize an instructor to offer an alternative format for a final exam (e.g., paper, take-home exam) on a one-time basis ( 2.1.3.2.2 Temporary Change).

Instructors are reminded of their responsibilities for accommodating disabilities in the classroom in the following areas:

Confidentiality:  Information about a student’s disability is confidential, and may not be shared with other students. Role of Instructor : Course instructors play a critical role in enabling the University to meet its obligation to appropriately accommodate students with disabilities who are registered with the Disabled Students Program (DSP) and who have been issues a Letter of Accommodation. Reading Assignments:

• In advance: Because students with print disabilities usually need assistance from the DSP Alternative Media Center, reading materialsshould    be provided well in advance (two or more weeks) before the reading assignment due date.
• Required or Recommended: Always indicate which course readings (including bCourses postings) are either “required” readings, or“recommended.”
• Accessible Format: Reading materials (especially bCourses postings) should be provided in an “accessible format,” e.g., clearly legible, “clean”   (without stray marks, highlighting, or mark-ups), and whenever possible, in a Word Document or word-searchable PDF.

For more information about accommodations for students with disabilities, please contact the Disabled Students’ Program at 510-642-0518 or email DSP Director Karen Nielson  [email protected] (link sends e-mail) . For more information about providing reading assignments in an accessible format, please contact Martha Velasquez directly at  [email protected] (link sends e-mail) .

In alignment with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and with the California Education Code, Section 66281.7, it is the policy of the University of California at Berkeley to not discriminate against or exclude any person on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions, and to provide reasonable accommodations to students as appropriate. Instructors are reminded of their responsibilities for excusing medically necessary absences for pregnancy and related conditions and making reasonable accommodations in the areas of class sessions, exams, tests, project deadlines, field trips, and any other required activities. For graduate students, faculty advisors are reminded of policies regarding parental leave and the extension of normative time for academic milestones, as set out in the Guide to Graduate Policy.

While we anticipate that most academic accommodation issues can be resolved quickly between students and faculty, if a mutually satisfactory arrangement cannot be achieved, a student may seek further assistance or file a complaint using the campus appeals process or the complaint process in the  Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (link is external)  or (specific to graduate students) email the Graduate Division at  [email protected] (link sends e-mail) .

The Reading, Review, Recitation (RRR) period —which are instructional days—before final exams provides students time to prepare for exams, to work on papers and projects, and to participate in optional review sessions and meetings with instructors.

View Berkeley’s Academic Calendar for current dates for this RRR period.

Please note that the regular semester classroom will NOT be available during the RRR week unless the instructor requests it through the departmental scheduler.

Presentations of capstone projects, oral presentations, and performances are permitted, although flexibility in scheduling may be required to accommodate students’ individual schedules. The introduction of new material is not permitted. Mandatory exams or quizzes and other mandatory activities are also not permitted, with some very limited exceptions (capstone presentations, for example).

Please keep in mind that final exams and papers or projects substituting for final exams may not be due before the final exam week.

Detailed, updated  guidelines on RRR week activities (link is external)  are available on the Academic Senate web site. The Office of the Registrar has posted answers to  frequently-asked questions (link is external)  about the academic calendar.

In addition, the Center for Teaching and Learning has prepared some  suggestions on making RRR week productive  for instructors and students. If you have tips or ideas you would like to have added to this page, please email  [email protected] (link sends e-mail) .

Campus policy stipulates that graduation ceremonies must take place after the conclusion of final examinations, with the exception of professional school ceremonies with graduate students only.

For more information, please see the Commencement Convocation Events Office website (link is external) .

Contact CTL at [email protected] with any questions about these guidelines.

The 2016 University of California Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, in alignment with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, requires the campus to provide appropriate accommodations to student victims/survivors of sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault, dating violence and domestic violence.

The SVSH policy identifies a number of appropriate measures, including but not limited to the following: excusing absences; issuing Incomplete grades; making reasonable academic and work adjustments in the areas of class sessions, exams, tests, project, deadlines, field trips, and any other required activities; developing alternative assignments; and permitting test-taking and course attendance in alternative locations.

A request for accommodations based on the SVSH Policy may come from any of a number of campus centers, including but not limited to the PATH to Care Center, the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD), Social Services, and Student Affairs Case Management.  Instructors are reminded of their responsibility, under the Policy, to provide these accommodations to a student on the recommendation of an appropriate office on campus, and to preserve the confidentiality of a request made on behalf of a student. Questions about the appropriateness, suitability, and/or feasibility of a requested accommodation may be directed to the campus office that has recommended it. The SVSH Policy can be found online.

Hardships such as housing or food insecurity, uncertain documentation and immigration status, serious medical and mental health concerns, and significant familial distress, directly affect a student’s ability to be present and committed to their educational endeavors. While instructors are required to respect accommodations requested through DSP, well-founded requests may also come from other sources, such as the Center for Support and Intervention. We encourage you to work with the notifying office to determine whether an adjustment, even if not required by law, might still be appropriate to allow. Instructors are encouraged to refer students to the Center for Support and Intervention to advise students experiencing significant hardships.

You can reach the Center for Support and Intervention at 510-664-4218 or by emailing  [email protected] (link sends e-mail) . More information can be found at  csi.berkeley.edu (link is external) .

As with accommodations for illness, the Senate guidelines, referenced above, advise faculty to use flexibility and good judgment in determining whether to excuse missed work, extend deadlines, or substitute an alternative assignments.

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A postgraduate student's guide to finding accommodation

28 th November 2019

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You’ve got a place on a course, you’ve navigated (or are still trying to) the treacherous minefield that is postgrad funding , so what next? Well, you’ll probably need somewhere to live.

As with funding, accommodation for postgraduate students is not always a logical or easy thing to negotiate or finance. It will obviously depend a little on your course and university, but the main options available to prospective students will be the same from city to city.

We looked at the most common (and some of the less conventional) accommodation options for postgraduate students.

University accommodation/private halls

Some universities have designated halls for postgraduate students – they can be a good environment for those whose fresher party days are behind them but are still looking for sociable student experiences with close proximity to the university. Sometimes final year students or international undergraduates reside in these kinds of halls too.

Many universities only have spaces in their own postgraduate halls for international postgraduate students, but some have places for all on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private companies also have halls available, which are often more pricey, although the difference isn’t always that great as most universities have steadily increased the price of their own halls in recent years. Although some universities or areas of the country will still charge significantly more than others, so it depends a lot on where you will be studying.  It is only when you compare the cost of these halls to renting locally that you get an idea of value for money.

One advantage of living in halls is that all your bills will be taken care of and included in the price, so there’s no need to fiddle with meter readings, wear a disproportionate amount of layers of clothing or argue with internet companies on the phone.  

These rooms can be single, doubles, studios with en-suite, shared bathroom or just a sink, so there are plenty of types of room to choose from, whether you’re looking for something for single occupancy or with your partner.

Private renting with other students/professionals in a house or flatshare

Normally, the larger the house, the cheaper the room, so getting together with a group of people or joining an existing house share through sites such as Spare Room can work well for students - especially if you live with other students, as you will be exempt from council tax. There are plenty of websites like this so be sure to look around for the most cost-effective options.

On the other hand, you may see this as a way to unwind and escape your course (if possible) and choose to do your work in a library or cafe, meaning a sociable and busy household will keep you sane. You may also want to consider living with those on similar courses and timetables to you, especially if the course involves placements or sporadic/unsociable hours so you’re not left alone when others are home for the holidays or missing out on social occasions.

Some universities organise events to help students find people on their course to share houses with; alternatively, you could set up groups on Facebook before the course starts to find suitable ‘buddies’.

There are numerous websites to help you find a house share:

• Room Buddies
• House share
• Easy Room Mate UK

They all offer listings of both rooms and housemate profiles. Additionally, some well-known property sites have sections for students, such as Rightmove students , and Zoopla Flatshare .

We spoke to two students who shared their accommodation experiences during their postgraduate studies.

Nick Chen studied Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University and found his housemates (and house) through an event organised through the university.

“As far as I can remember, Cardiff University didn’t offer – or at least couldn’t guarantee – a place in halls, so I opted for a house share. The course was only nine months, so I thought,’ if it’s an awful experience, I’ll be gone in 9 months anyway’. So really it was down to convenience as the university was organising it, and I knew I could dump the responsibilities on my future housemates to find somewhere nice to live...

“Cardiff did a postgraduate house-hunting event a few months before the year started. Postgraduate students met each other for the first time and underwent a series of embarrassing games designed to introduce you to strangers. For example, there was a bingo card: you went around looking for someone to tick each box, such as “Likes quiet nights” or "doesn’t mind messiness”. What became apparent is that it’s a bit like school and you end up naturally gravitating towards people on the first day because they look friendly, or no one else will talk to you.

"There was a whole day (and then a night out in town) before people formed their groups officially, which meant you had a chance to meet people, with conversations basically being interviews. It was out at a bar that I met the core of the people I would live with – and also some guy just turned up the next day who we’d never met and asked if he could live with us and I guess we said yes because it’s hard to say no in that situation. We then had two days (we booked accommodation at Cardiff halls) to look for somewhere to stay. The university was very helpful, as they picked out options for a six-person house, and hired a mini-van to drive us so we could have a look around.

“It worked out very well because I got on with all my housemates, and my university experience was much better than it would have been if I’d lived in halls or rented a studio flat. There was one other person who did my course, but that was by coincidence. The nature of people willing to attend postgraduate house-hunting means the participants tend to be friendlier, more open people – otherwise you probably wouldn’t take the gamble. Furthermore, although it’s a risk as you’re more or less living with strangers, it’s still preferable to the usual student halls experience where you don’t get a chance at all. And, if you hate all the people you meet at the house-hunting event, there’s no obligation to live with anyone. It might be different for postgraduates, too, as they’re generally older, have more work, and are done with the “student experience”.

“The main disadvantages were that the actual house-hunting day was extremely unpleasant, nerve-wracking and filled with social anxiety – like being on a first date and job interview with 200 people in a city you’ve never been in before. It worked out perfectly in the end, but at the time I felt I could throw up at any point. When I went back to my rented room, I felt ill and – rather melodramatically – considered it the worst day of my life.”

Whilst the thought of going back to Mum and Dad can seem mildly soul-destroying or a huge step backwards, it is actually very much to your advantage. If you’re lucky enough to live within commuting distance of your university and don’t have unlimited funds for living costs, then living at home can be a godsend. It is only unconditional parental love and pride that allows for an overgrown, non-rent paying lodger. If you do feel you should offer something and money can’t be it, then there are always other ways to show your appreciation, such as cooking and chores (which we hope you’ll do anyway)...

Romil Patel lived with his parents in North West London, 45 minutes away from Cit y University, where he was studying his MA. He now works for Bloomberg TV Africa.

“Financially, studying for a Masters full time is difficult enough without the added pressure of having to pay for accommodation. My parents were very receptive to the idea, as education has always been a priority in my family. The main benefit was not having the stress of paying rent and bills on top of the tuition fees; there weren’t many disadvantages, as it's nice having a place where you'll always be welcomed. It was very easy to get back into being at home, but at the same time disappointing, knowing that you're taking a step back after having lived independently for so long!

“However, I'm very glad I made the sacrifices, as they were nothing compared to the fact that I had the opportunity to pursue further studies at a top university which helped me secure a job in an area of journalism that I hadn't previously contemplated.”

Other Accommodation Options

Relatives or friends in the city

The next best thing after Ma and Pa is extended family and friends. If your folks aren’t based in the right city or town then it may be worth looking to extended family, grandparents, godfather or an older sibling that may well be.

Often cheaper, sometimes with less personal space (but this can depend on each particular arrangement and circumstances), lodging is a traditionally cheap way to find a room. Don’t be put off by any cultural stereotypes of strange or eccentric lodgers who fester in their rooms, as there are a variety of types of lodger and thanks to the internet, you can find out a lot about potential dwellings and the location before you consider anything. Sometimes families/young professionals want someone who can occasionally babysit and help with mortgage repayments by filling the spare room.

A notable scheme that has risen in popularity in recent years is the international programme called Homeshare, which essentially matches young people to elderly people who have large houses but need help with cooking, shopping or house maintenance, depending on their situation. They pay a small fee to the programme and you pay a small fee as well. In some home shares, the room will be free but you will be responsible for any increase in council tax (if the property goes from a single dwelling to multiple) and sometimes your share of the utility bills. Find out more about this scheme on the Homeshare website .

Currently, it only operates in select locations, most opportunities being in London, which is arguably the most expensive place to be a postgrad student – so well worth considering if you’re set on a course in the capital.

Gumtree (and similar) can also be good for finding alternative living situations and lodging but beware, as some of these ‘alternative’ arrangements might not be exactly what it states.

Remember, the university accommodation office is there to help you. (You’ve paid enough to study there!) So if you need help with contracts, finding property or you’re just concerned about your potential living arrangements, pay them a visit.

If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t feel pressured to pay deposits if you’re not sure about somewhere and most importantly, stay safe. If you’re going to look at a room somewhere alone and you don’t know the people or local area, then tell somebody where you’re going, just in case.

Happy House Hunting!

Related Reading: More ways to find the perfect home and housemates

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Student accommodation for postgraduates: PhD

Being accepted onto a PhD programme is incredibly exciting, but there a few things to consider besides your funding. These will include your deadlines and supervisor expectations, networking opportunities and the possibility of taking on part-time work as a teaching assistant. But one of the most important factors to bear in mind will be where you are going to live throughout your studies.

In this article, we will look at the accommodation options for PhD students and how to decide where to live and who to live with. We will also discuss some things to consider when you are choosing a postgraduate accommodation provider and how renting privately with Mansion Student might be a great choice for you.

Accommodation options for PhD students

When looking for student accommodation as a PhD candidate, you may feel overwhelmed by your options. You may have a partner or even children to consider when making a move or may have certain needs and requirements to meet personally.

University accommodation such as general student halls can still be an option when studying for a PhD. However, your university may offer postgraduate-specific halls. This option may be more suitable for those looking for a quieter pace of life than perhaps might be found by mixing with undergraduate students. It may also be possible for you to become a resident tutor in undergraduate residences, which can combine work with a place to live.

Outside of the university campus, you may wish to go into privately rented accommodation. This could be a room in a shared flat or house alongside friends, fellow students or existing tenants who you have never met before. If this does not appeal to you and you want more personal space and privacy, then a single-occupancy apartment or self-contained studio in purpose-built student accommodation may be a better option.

The final option would be to live at home. This would be the obvious choice if you are completing your PhD on a part-time basis alongside employment, or if you have returned to academia later in life.

Choosing where to live during your PhD

There are many factors to think about when choosing where to live during your PhD. You will need to seriously consider the location of your accommodation and whether you wish to be based in the city centre or close to the University such as our Woodhouse Apartments in Leeds . This will depend on your personal preference, lifestyle and the transport options available to you.

Transport links will be an important part of your choice regardless of where you live, as you will need to access your university, fieldwork area and amenities across the city. If you study at Durham University and stay in our Ernest Place student accommodation , we will offer you a free bus pass to help you get to university and around the city.

You will also need to consider the proximity of your chosen accommodation to your PhD office or base and field of research if applicable. Some PhD studies can be carried out remotely, whereas others will require you to be close by.

There are also factors regarding the accommodation option itself which you should bear in mind. These include the property’s size and whether it provides the on-site facilities and features you would require to be comfortable and settled. Of course, much of this will depend on your budget and what is affordable to you in the location you want to live in.

Choosing who to live with during your PhD

Equally as important as deciding where and in what type of accommodation you want to live in is who you will be sharing that space with.

You might not want to live with unfamiliar people, as you won’t know their lifestyles or whether you will even get along with them. If you do choose to live with fellow students, you will need to think about what stage of the university system they are in and their different priorities. For example, you could live with fellow PhD students who will probably have common goals and lifestyles, or you could cast your net wider and include Masters and undergraduate students. It really depends on the range of people you wish to live with.

As a PhD student, you could also choose to live with working professionals and non-students. This is particularly popular with older PhD students who perhaps do not want to engage in the typical student lifestyle adopted by undergraduate students .

There will be housing advice and support available through your university, though if you apply for a place to live in university managed postgraduate halls you could be randomly assigned flatmates. If you want more choice, there may be an online portal where you can connect with others PhD students at your university looking for a place to live, or you could look on social media. Many accommodation providers like Mansion Student will also be on hand to provide advice and guidance.

It may be that none of these options sounds appealing to you, and you wish to live alone. This is more common among PhDs than students at other levels, as this type of postgraduate study is quite intense and requires lots of dedicated time for reading, researching and writing. The presence of other people may be too distracting.

Things to consider when choosing an accommodation provider

As you look for accommodation providers, you should research each provider’s reputation— you can look online to see reviews by previous tenants. You should also think about what kind of contract you are willing to get into, especially the length of the contract and its terms and conditions.

When considering a specific student accommodation provider , you should look carefully at the condition of the individual rooms or flats as well as the property as a whole, especially shared facilities like the laundry room. Does everything seem to be well maintained, and is the property secure? Additionally, you may be able to speak to current or previous tenants about their experience of staying at that property.

How Mansion Student can help

Since 2007, Mansion Student has acquired, developed and maintained modern student accommodations throughout some of the most popular student cities in the United Kingdom. We prioritise your welfare during your stay, and will help you through every stage of the booking and tenancy period. Browse through our different student accommodation locations below:

Student Accommodation Leeds

Student Accommodation Newcastle

Student Accommodation Nottingham

Student Accommodation Durham

Student Accommodation Dundee

Student Accommodation Coventry

If you are interested in staying at any of our student accommodations, arrange a viewing here to ensure you are completely happy with the property before booking.

Browse through our student offers here.

Contact Mansion Student today for more information about booking accommodation, or call us at 0800 652 7844

Renting privately with Mansion Student

If you are searching for privately-rented, purpose-built accommodation for your postgraduate study, then Mansion Student could have the perfect place for you.

We offer safe and reputable serviced student accommodation in several major student cities across the UK, with a range of property sizes from three-bedroom apartments to ensuite studio flats. We offer short-term lets as well as longer contracts, so if you are temporarily relocating for fieldwork, we can help you find a suitable room for your stay.

Get in touch to see if we could help you find your perfect home as a PhD student.

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Graduate Students

As a UC Berkeley graduate student, you are not only joining a thriving intellectual community — you are moving to one of the world’s most desirable places to live. During your time here, you can experience the best of the Bay Area — from hiking by the bay or in the hills, to exploring our vibrant food scene, to tapping into the cultural offerings of San Francisco, Oakland and beyond. This page provides resources to help support you as you begin your housing search.

Graduate Student Apartments

Single graduate students can apply for on-campus housing in one of these four apartment complexes:

Ida Jackson House

Located one block from the campus, the complex offers space for 120 graduate students in two-, three-, four-, five-, and six-bedroom shared apartments.

Intersection

An independent-living option for single graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in studio, one-, two-, and four-bedroom configurations. Located three miles from the campus, the complex is within walking distance of many shopping centers and local businesses.

Located three blocks from the southwestern corner of campus at Shattuck Avenue and Channing Way, Manville Apartments are within walking distance of downtown Berkeley, near shops, banks, movie theaters, restaurants, and public transportation.

xučyun ruwway Apartments (opening August 2024)

Fully-furnished apartments with single-occupancy bedrooms for both undergraduate and graduate students. Located on a direct AC Transit bus line to campus, xučyun ruwway is adjacent to a Sprouts grocery store, a coffee shop, walk-up ATM and other amenities. Work out in the on-site fitness center, unwind with friends in lush outdoor courtyards, enjoy the outdoor grill area, or study in well-appointed community spaces.

Applications Open for 2024-25 Graduate Student Housing 

Applications for 2024-25 housing are now being accepted and processed on a rolling basis. Apply for housing at UC Berkeley through our Housing Application portal. Once you have signed in, choose the Single Student Apartments option.

Apply for Housing

Living in Family Student Housing (University-owned)

For graduate students who are married/partnered, with or without children, or who are single parents, you may want to consider University Village, UC Berkeley’s 58-acre complex located 3.5 miles west of campus. With 974 apartment and townhouses, University Village has its own recreational and community center, laundry rooms, and child care center.

Take a Virtual Tour of Campus Housing

Launch Graduate Apartments

Why Choose Campus Housing

As a graduate student, you’ll want to take advantage of all that Berkeley has to offer. 

The best way to do that? Living in campus housing. With prime locations, on-site support and convenient amenities, you can build your graduate student community right at your doorstep.

Our housing rates include a wide range of amenities and other advantages:

• No credit checks or need for cosigners
• Lower deposit ($500) than off-campus landlords (usually at least 1 month’s rent)
• Wifi and most utilities are included
• Usually furnished including kitchen appliances; laundry access in unit or building
• Convenience of billing through CalCentral
• Independent contracts: You won’t be held responsible if an apartment-mate moves out early
• Convenient locations near campus or public transit

Living in Off-campus Housing

Most grad students live in off-campus rental housing in Berkeley or one of the surrounding communities. The University’s Cal Rentals housing service is free for students and has resources and listings to help you find off-campus housing. If you choose to find private housing on your own, especially if you’re a new student or new to renting, we recommend you explore Cal Rentals’ free advising and rental resources.

A new off-campus option opening in Fall 2023 is the Academe at 198, a residential apartment community in San Francisco for graduate and professional school students. 

Cal Housing Office 2610 Channing Way, #2272 Berkeley, CA 94720 Email (Preferred): [email protected] Phone: 510-642-4108 Fax: 510-642-4026

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• Postgraduate Accommodation Options - Living it Up on a Masters or PhD

What's the first challenge you'll face on a Masters or PhD? It might be your reading list. It might be your literature review. It might be preparing for that first meeting with your supervisor (and finding their office).

Or it could actually be something a bit more boring, but no less important. Like deciding where to live during your degree.

If you're moving university as a postgraduate you'll almost certainly need to sort accommodation before you arrive (particularly if you're studying abroad ).

Even if you're staying put, there's a good chance your current housing might not be suitable (or available) for your new course.

Well, unlike other aspects of your Masters or PhD, student accommodation is something you will have tackled before. The options available probably haven't changed all that much, but what about you?

Is a room in halls still an option for postgraduates? Yes. But is it still a good option? Maybe. . .

And what about private rentals? Do you want to worry about dividing the bills when you should be thinking about dividing up cells, atoms or parts of the western literary canon?

Join me, then, for a quick 'tour' of postgraduate accommodation options:

University accommodation

Hopefully you have fond memories of living in student accommodation during your Bachelors, but are they still the right option for you during a Masters or PhD? Let's weigh up the pros and cons*:

*Please note: university accommodation isn't usually a con. Provided it's offered by your actual university and not someone selling cheap tents outside the Fresher's Fair.

It's reliable

If nothing else, university accommodation is generally a simple and trustworthy option. You may not know much about local landlords, but you can generally trust your university to provide suitable housing for its students. This matters if you're moving a long way for your new course and don't have time to do extensive research on the city.

Utilities are simple

Halls of residence also make routine expenses a lot simpler. Electricity, Wi-Fi and other costs will normally just be included in your rent. Sometimes this applies to catering too.

Location (probably) won't be an issue

You may have become an expert on public transport as an undergraduate (and might still have access to your student discount ) but postgraduate study is likely to keep you 'on campus' later and during evenings and weekends.

The cost of your commute can easily add up - and travelling longer distances at some hours may not always be desirable (or possible).

If you're concerned about this, university accommodation may be a good solution. A room right next to your laboratory, or above the best campus coffee shop isn't guaranteed (sorry) but your university won't normally build its halls on the other side of town from its other facilities. Probably.

Postgraduate- specific accommodation can be ideal

Postgraduate residences aren't available everywhere, but they will be designed with the needs of Masters and PhD students in mind.

They'll probably be quieter, they may offer more 'grown up' facilities such as car parking and they might be a little closer to the laboratory / library than the union bar. You'll have to decide whether that's a good or bad thing.

More importantly, postgraduate halls are likely to offer the 52 week lease periods you'll need for a residential Masters or PhD. This won't normally be the case for conventional halls.

. . . but undergraduate accommodation might not be

Rooming with the next generation of undergraduates is a great way to relive fond memories of your own first year. But let's be honest: with an advanced degree to tackle, you may want to avoid that.

Even if you're happy to study (or sleep) through the odd party, you'll need to check that the terms of your accommodation fit your course.

A year in halls may seem ideal for a one-year Masters, but, unlike most undergraduates, you'll also need access to university facilities for your dissertation during the summer holidays.

Needless to say, this applies doubly (or triply) to full-time PhD students. You might be able to secure a room in halls for the first year of your doctorate, but you're less likely to do so for all three.

. . . and halls won't necessarily be cheaper

The perks included with university accommodation aren't usually free. The cost of having your room cleaned, serviced and maintained will be part of your rent.

Cost is relative of course: it's for you to decide whether those perks are worth paying a little extra for.

. . . or more flexible

In fact, 'flexible' is one thing halls won't be. Private rentals come in all shapes, sizes and combinations. Student accommodation comes in the format decided upon by your university (possibly quite some time ago).

This also applies to included utilities. You won't have to pay extra for them, but neither will you be able to search for a cheaper deal than the one automatically included in your rent.

. . . or located on campus

Don't automatically assume that your university will have built all of its halls adjacent to its main campus (if it has one). As institutions expand it's actually more likely for accommodation facilities to spread out.

You can be fairly certain that affordable and efficient transport will be available, but 'living in halls' doesn't necessarily mean 'walking to the library'.

Want More Updates & Advice?

Beyond campus - alternative accommodation options.

Things haven't really changed here, either - at least not when it comes to the standard 'shared student house' format.

However, there are a couple of other postgraduate accommodation options that may not have been available to you before.

Shared rentals

As with halls, you probably have some experience of renting 'third party' student accommodation during your undergraduate degree.

In principle, there's no reason why you can't go back to this option as a postgraduate. Landlords won't care what course your studying. If anything, they'll probably prefer letting to older, more experienced tenants.

The potential limitations of private rentals for postgraduate students aren't that different to those for university halls.

You'll still need to make sure your lease runs for 52 weeks (or have an alternative option for the summer). You'll also need to think more carefully about location and (though you will have more locations to choose from).

Finally, you'll need to find other students to live with. Unlike halls, you'll be able to do this for yourself. So, with care (and perhaps a bit of luck) living with undergraduate housemates doesn't have to mean putting up with undergraduate house parties.

Of course, this assumes you have the time to select suitable housemates - or the means to find housemates at all. This isn't always as easy to do when you're starting out at a new university.

Solo rentals

Living alone may not have been part of your undergraduate experience, but, depending on your background, it could be worth considering as a postgraduate.

You may find that a solo rental is more affordable now, particularly if you're returning to study after a period in work, or if you've managed to secure more generous funding such as a Research Council studentship .

If you can afford your own rental, this option has some obvious advantages: you'll have free reign over the format and location of your housing, plus the privacy (and peace) to get on with your Masters or PhD work without risk of interruption.

You might even be able to keep a cat, or other 'research assistant'.

Longer distance commuting

Living outside your university city isn't usually a desirable option for undergraduates. For one thing, the frequency of classes and assessments makes commuting difficult (and expensive). For another, most students are keen to take advantage of the independence and new opportunities that are part of 'moving away to university.'

Well, as a prospective postgraduate, you've probably done 'independence'. In fact, you may be quite used to living away from your parents. Chances are you'll also have less timetable now - particularly if you'll be studying for a PhD.

All of which means that living further away from your university may not be unrealistic, particularly if you only need to be 'on campus' once or twice a week (or less).

Of course, your mileage may vary (no pun intended). Some subjects do require postgraduates to be in regular contract with their institution and universities may actually expect full-time students to live within a certain distance.

Living as a resident tutor

Strictly speaking, this option belongs with the section on university accommodation, above. However, I've included it here because it's quite different to the standard version of 'living in halls' - and almost certainly wasn't available to you as an undergraduate.

Resident tutors are postgraduates or academics who live in undergraduate residences. It's their job to provide mentoring and support to students living away from home for the first time - and to ensure that good conduct is maintained within the accommodation.

Additional duties can include organising communal meetings and providing any necessary safety training or orientation.

These opportunities are sometimes offered to suitable postgraduates, as well as academics. In return for carrying out your responsibilities, your accommodation will normally be provided free of charge. Some roles may also pay a salary.

Needless to say, a 'free' room on campus is an attractive offer, but acting as a resident tutor will add to your workload. It can also limit your flexibility if you're expected to keep specific contact hours for the students under your charge.

Still, at least if your neighbours are noisy you'll have the authority to quiet them down. . .

You may also like...

Switching university for postgraduate study

Accommodation isn't the only thing to consider if you're moving university for your new degree. Here's some advice on relocating for a Masters (or PhD).

Preparing for postgraduate study during a year out

A gap year will certainly give you more time to find postgraduate accommodation. but what else can you get done during a year out from university?

Simple ways to save money during your postgraduate course

Careful budgeting for your accommodation is one way to save money during a postgraduate degree. Here are some others.

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Accommodation

You can choose from a variety of quality accommodation options, located both on our campuses and in surrounding areas.

Adjusting to life in a new city, country or culture can be a challenging experience. Finding the right accommodation (housing) is one of the most important practical considerations.

We can help you find somewhere to live and assist with any housing issues.

University accommodation

Our students travel from all over the world to study here and we aim to provide the best range and standard of accommodation possible.

There are both catered and self-catered accommodation options for postgraduate students. These can be found across a range of convenient locations within reach of most key University buildings and Edinburgh’s city centre.

University accommodation offers:

• comprehensive community and welfare networks from our Residence Life team
• mixed gender residences, with some single gender flats available
• laundry facilities
• secure cycle storage
• data network services in each bedroom for internet access

Accommodation options

Our accommodation is based across a number of sites, all located within a short walk or bus ride from Edinburgh’s centre and the main University areas.

You can choose from a variety of options in either traditional halls of residence or blocks of self-contained flats, the latter typically varying in size from four to six single study-bedrooms. There is a mix of en-suite rooms and those with shared bathroom facilities.

We offer accommodation for those with disabilities, and some accommodation for students with a partner or family is also available.

Rents for University accommodation typically include utility costs, internet services, personal contents insurance and some cleaning services.

Detailed information, including prices to help you plan your budget, is available from our accommodation website.

P ostgraduate accommodation

Residence Life

Residence Life are a professional team who support students living in University accommodation and aim to build community and create a home away from home.

We have a large team of staff including many who live in the accommodation alongside you, such as the Resident Assistants who are continuing students. They are readily available to provide events, opportunities and support for community issues.

We also have a designated wellbeing team of Wellbeing Advisers should you require additional support with your wellbeing during your stay.

Residence life

We only guarantee accommodation for postgraduate students meeting certain criteria. 

Accommodation guarantees

Applying for accommodation

Find out how to apply and pay for University accommodation.

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Join our Accommodation team on social media to keep up to date with events, social activities and advice for students moving into our accommodation.

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Private housing

If you would prefer not to live in University accommodation, the Students' Association Advice Place can also offer you advice and resources about finding private rented accommodation.

The University is an integral part of the city. You’ll be learning — and living — in one of Europe’s most vibrant capitals. Our postgraduate accommodation is all within a short walk or bus ride from the city-centre.

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Many full-time postgraduate students are housed by their College, either within the College grounds or in postgraduate hostels or flats.

Few Colleges can house all their student members, however, and you may need to find your own accommodation. This is more likely to be the case for students coming to Cambridge with a partner or children, as there is limited College accommodation for couples and families.

There is a strong demand for rented accommodation in Cambridge and the University’s Accommodation Service is available to offer friendly and helpful advice.

The Accommodation Service can:

• help students find somewhere to live in University-owned or privately-owned housing
• help families to relocate from across the world
• provide information on living in Cambridge
• assist with school information and applications
• provide details about local facilities, sports and libraries

Some students come to Cambridge before the start of their course to make appropriate arrangements. However, you should not come to Cambridge to find somewhere to live unless you have had confirmation of your admission from the General Boards Education Committee.

For more information visit the Accommodation Services website .

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Postgraduate accommodation

We are here to help you find the right place to live and help you settle in, whether you live in College facilities, GradPad accommodation or private accommodation.

PG Accommodation options

GradPad are purpose built properties designed exclusively for postgraduate living. Based in two locations within a short distance from the main campus.

Visit GradPad website

Private Accommodation

London has a huge range of privately rented housing and many postgraduate students find accommodation in shared houses, flats or studio flats.

Private housing search

Silwood Park Accommodation

Students studying at the Silwood Park Campus in Ascot (not based in London) can choose from single and couples accommodation in five separate Halls of Residence.

Halls in Silwood Park Campus

GENEVA GRADUATE INSTITUTE

Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A Case postale 1672 CH - 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland +41 22 908 57 00  

[email protected] + 41 22 908 58 98  

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

[email protected] +41 22 908 57 54  

[email protected] + 41 22 908 57 55

• Accommodation options

The Graduate Institute offers excellent housing options in the heart of International Geneva; The Grand Morillon Student Residence  and the Edgar and Danièle De Picciotto Student House.

Living in our student residences will allow you to integrate into a supportive community and will provide you a fulfilling academic experience.

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Grand Morillon Student RESIDENCE

Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the new residence will add 678 beds to the existing 231 in the Edgar and Danièle de Picciotto Student Residence. 

Located on a hillside in Petit-Saconnex, the residence is just a few minutes’ walk, or short bus ride (bus number 5), from Maison de la paix and enjoys magnificent views towards Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. 

EDGAR AND DANIÈLE DE PICCIOTTO STUDENT Residence

A stone's throw from the Maison de la paix, the Edgar and Danièle de Picciotto Student Residence, which opened in 2012, provides 231 beds for Institute students, professors and outside visitors. 

A footbridge connects the Student House with the Maison de la paix, and it is a five-minute walk from both the lakeside and the United Nations headquarters. Tram number 15 stops directly outside the Student House, providing quick and easy connections to the city centre, Cornavin train station, and the United Nations headquarters. 

SHORT STAY Options  

We offer short stay apartments available for 1 to 30 nights.

Who is eligible?

• Visiting fellows
• Workers from IOs/NGOs/UN

How to book

 Please follow our Booking Procedure for more details.

The Barton Sequoia Houses

Located in the public park of the Villa Barton estate, by the lakeshore, the four Sequoia houses offer “short stay” room accommodations for up to three months (88 nights) in the heart of a more than a century-old forest of protected California redwoods. Find out more or download the flyer below. 

Accommodation

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College accommodation

• University and private accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Oxford for graduate students, provided both by the colleges and the University. In addition, many graduate students secure accommodation in the private sector.

The University can't guarantee accommodation to its graduate students. However, in 2018-19, 72% of full-time graduate 'freshers' (first-year students) were housed in college or University accommodation, and 53% of all full-time graduate students.

Ordinarily, your college will explain their process for applying for accommodation when you receive your college offer. Please be aware that if you apply after the main December or January deadline for your course, you'll typically receive a college offer much later than the majority of applicants.

If you receive your college offer relatively late in the admissions cycle and/or your college does not have any suitable accommodation available, there are still options available. The University's Graduate Accommodation Office may be able to help or you may need to seek accommodation in the private sector (refer to the University and private accommodation section of this page). 

Disabled students

If you have a disability which means that you have specific requirements related to your accommodation, please make sure that you declare this when you apply to your course. Colleges (and the University) have a range of rooms that can cater to a variety of needs, but these are allocated throughout the admissions cycle, and so suitable accommodation may not be available if your needs are not known until a late stage.

If you've declared a disability on your application form, you'll be contacted by the Disability Advisory Service with further advice if you receive an offer of a graduate place at the University.

Make sure that your College Accommodation Office (or the University's Graduate Accommodation Office) is aware of any specific needs when you apply for their accommodation.

Please note that no applicant can be guaranteed accommodation.

Part-time students

The University and its colleges cannot ordinarily accommodate part-time students, with the exception of Kellogg College and Keble College. If you are a part-time student and need to stay in Oxford for short blocks of time, some colleges offer their part-time college members the opportunity to book short-term accommodation. Please speak to your college directly to see if they are able to help you. 

The University Club  and the Department for Continuing Education  offer overnight accommodation. You may also find appropriate accommodation advertised in the Gazette  or through University Rooms  (an external website).

Please note that the the inclusion of a link to an external website on this page should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website, the site's owners, or their products and services.

Colleges provide a variety of accommodation options. Some colleges will have various different options, others may have a dedicated block (or blocks) of accommodation of a similar type/cost.

Some colleges are able to guarantee accommodation for their incoming graduates, other colleges may only be able to accommodate a proportion of their graduates.  If your college is unable to provide accommodation, the University's  Graduate Accommodation Office may be able to help or you may need to seek accommodation in the private sector. Find out more in the  University and Private accommodation section.

Your college will outline the accommodation that they have available, and explain their application process, when you receive your college offer letter.

Please note that while accommodation can be requested, there is no guarantee that this will be available.

What rooms do colleges typically offer?

The table below provides a breakdown of the typical college accommodation that was available to graduate students in 2023-24. These costs are likely to increase annually. Please check with the college for the most accurate amounts.

You can use the filers below to select what types of accommodation are shown in the table.

Please contact Regent's Park College , Somerville College and St Cross College directly (using the contact details on the relevant college page) for information about typical accommodation costs.

Further information about typical college accommodation

• ‘College’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 44 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as Permanent Private Halls (PPHs).
• For details of the location of college accommodation, visit the relevant college page  or the college's own website.
• Single (both standard and en-suite): average costs shown are per person;
• Couples: average costs shown are per unit not per person (units include double occupancy rooms, studio flats, one bedroom flats, and two bedroom flats);
• Families : average costs shown are per available bedroom (units include one, two, and three bedroom flats and houses);
• Flats:  average costs shown are per available bedroom (units include flats of varying sizes, including studio flats).
• Utilities refers to the supply of electricity, gas and water. Other services such as internet/Wi-Fi may also be included. Further details may be found on the  relevant college page  on this website, or the college’s own website. 
• Further details about meal provision at the college may be found on the  relevant college page  on this website, or the college’s own website.

For single standard rooms at Merton College, a fuel allowance of 3000 units per year (1000 units per term) is provided to each student.  Any units used above this amount are charged at £0.09 per unit.

University accommodation

If your college isn't able to house you , the University has a range of accommodation options for full-time graduate students, including accommodation for couples and families.  There are a range of rooms, flats and houses in and around Oxford, on sites owned and managed by the University.

For more information on graduate student properties and how to apply for accommodation, visit the University's  Graduate Accommodation Office website and contact the team.

Private accommodation

If you are considering private accommodation, please be aware that the University's  residence requirements  apply to all full-time students. 

If you decide to rent private accommodation, the landlord or letting agent will expect you to sign a tenancy agreement or contract. Make sure that you understand the tenancy agreement/contract and what your obligations are before you sign it. The tenancy agreement/contract should make sense and be easy to understand.

As part of the tenancy agreement/contract you may typically be required to pay a deposit, undertake a credit check, and provide a guarantor.

Deposits and credit checks

You may be asked to pay a deposit to cover the cost of any potential damage to the property or its contents (eg an amount up to 5 weeks' rent). The deposit must be placed in a Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme within 30 days of giving it to your landlord.

You may be asked to undertake a credit check and will typically be charged a fee for this.

You may be asked to provide a guarantor who will be legally responsible for paying the rent if you do not.  The landlord or letting agent may have conditions for deciding whether a guarantor is suitable (eg the guarantor must not be retired or live abroad).

If you are unable to provide a suitable guarantor you may be unable to rent the property, or the landlord/letting agent may require you to pay a larger deposit and/or a substantial period of rent in advance.

If you live with others and sign a joint tenancy the guarantors will be responsible for the rent should any of your housemates fail to pay their rent.

Oxford resources

The Oxford University Students Union (Oxford SU) provides  guidance on living out  and can help you if you have questions or concerns about accommodation. You can also search for properties to let on the Oxford SU Accommodation Service website.  

Private accommodation is often advertised in the University Gazette , which is published weekly during term time.

Other resources

If you are new to renting, or renting in the UK,  Shelter  can provide you with lots of useful information about how renting works, the types of tenancies available, and what to look out for in your contract.

You may find it useful to search external websites, such as the  Daily Info  website and specialist student accommodation websites such as  Rightmove for students  or  Student Accommodation UK .

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Housing Office of University / ETH Zurich

Doctoral students.

We do have a small number of studios, which we rent out to new arriving international doctoral students of ETH and UZH. The studios are rented out for a maximum of 1 year (minimum rental period 6 months), extensions are not possible. The respective rental start date must match the start date of the academic studies.

The application form has to be submitted by your dissertation supervisor along with a confirmation of your doctoral position.

Application form

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• University life
• Housing facilities

Accommodation for (Exchange) PhD students

Application criteria.

Every PhD student with an affiliation with Ghent University can apply for accommodation. We give priority to PhD. candidates with a VLIR scholarship.

The Housing Office will be able to process your housing application once your enrolment application has been completed. We will not be able to meet requests from PhD. candidates without an approved application. Please note that there is a high demand for accommodation in the first semester. In the second semester it is easier to find a living unit on the private rental market .

Location and prices of the living units

Living Off-Campus as a Graduate Student

Johns Hopkins University does not offer graduate student housing. Prior to or upon arrival, graduate students need to secure their own independent housing.

The Baltimore City neighborhood immediately surrounding the Homewood campus is called Charles Village. There are lots of other proximal areas in which students may consider living: Hampden, Waverly, Roland Park, Guilford, Remington, Mt. Vernon, and others. Johns Hopkins does run a free shuttle service to a few of these neighborhoods.

Off-Campus Housing

Incoming graduate students in the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences and the Whiting School of Engineering who need housing accommodations while looking for a place to live can contact the Off-Campus Housing Office to obtain information about living in Baltimore.

Extensive housing information, rental listings are posted on the Off-Campus Housing Office website. The office can be reached at [email protected] or 410-516-7961.

Housing resources for Johns Hopkins University graduate students:

•  Attorney General’s Office Guide : Landlords and Tenants
• Baltimore Housing Authority
• Baltimore Craigslist
• BaltimoreCollegetown
• A Self-help Guide to Fair Housing in the City of Baltimore

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The Graduate Accommodation Office lets and manages rooms, flats and houses on University-owned sites in and around Oxford City Centre, which are available for full-time graduate students.

Our office is open Monday to Friday 9:00 – 17:00, with the addition of some extended weekend opening hours at the start of the academic year.

• Accommodation

Discover an overview of UCL's student accommodation provision, including accommodation types and associated fees.

If you are a postgraduate student, you will be prioritised for a place in UCL Accommodation if: 

• you are a first-year, full-time international student 
• you have firmly accepted an offer to study at UCL, conditional or unconditional, by 30 June  
• you have not previously lived or studied at a Higher Education Institution in Greater London (inside the M25 motorway) 
• you apply for single room person accommodation by 30 June.

In addition, students with additional requirements can re-apply for a halls place, for subsequent years of your degree programme, if required.  

Accommodation types

UCL has Self-Catered Halls, where you will share kitchen facilities to prepare your own meals. All shared kitchens come equipped with a cooker, refrigerator, freezer and microwave. 

All our halls offer: 

• a bedroom equipped with a bed, desk/table, desk chair and wardrobe; 
• access to a launderette. 

Most of our halls provide Wi-Fi connectivity to the UCL network from study-bedrooms and have on-site or shared facilities such as a TV lounge, computer room and bicycle racks.

What's included?

• room rental and use of communal areas,
• gas and electricity charges,
• block insurance policy,
• social events (in residences with a social committee).

Prospective Students Graduate

• Graduate degrees
• Taught degrees
• Taught Degrees
• Applying for Graduate Taught Study at UCL
• Research degrees
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• Funded Doctoral Training Programmes
• Applying for Graduate Research Study at UCL
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• Your wellbeing
• Postgraduate Students' Association
• Your life in London
• Funding your Master's

Accommodation for PhD students

VU Amsterdam has reserved a limited number of accommodations for prospective international staff with different housing providers. Unfortunately, we can only offer housing to about 50% of all new incoming staff. We strongly recommend that you begin searching for housing on your own to improve your chances.

More information

General information about housing in the netherlands.

We advise you to start your search on time and  to widen your search to areas further away from Amsterdam, like for example Zaandam, Almere, Hoofddorp, or Alphen aan de Rijn. Be prepared to start your own search as housing is very difficult to find in the Netherlands. We can only offer housing to about 50% of all new incoming Phds. Public transport is available but be aware that it will come with extra costs if you need to travel to VU Amsterdam. Information on the following website might also be useful: Access website .

Dutch housing system

In the Netherlands there is a difference between Social housing and housing on the Private market. The differences are in short:

Social housing: Affordable housing, for people with a low income, owned by housing corporations. For internationals coming to the Netherlands is very hard to obtain, as they work with registration time. At the moment, the waiting time is 8- 15 years. To apply for social housing, contact the municipality to find the local organisation. The maximum rent of these housing options is €808,06 excluding services and extras. Sometimes tenants are eligible for housing allowance. There are income restrictions, you can find more information here . 

Once you are in social housing, you can apply for a housing allowance (a state contribution to your rent). Some conditions must be met in order to receive a housing allowance. VU Amsterdam has no influence on the outcome of your housing allowance application. Private market (Free sector): House prices in the Netherlands have increased heavily in the last few years, and as a result, finding affordable accommodation in the main Dutch cities can be a challenge. Unlike what you might be used to, a substantial part of your budget will probably be spent on rent and other housing related costs. For example, a one-bedroom apartment to rent in Amsterdam can range from €1,100 to €2,000 a month while three-bedroom apartments start from around €3000. In addition, there will be mandatory costs for utility and water bills, municipal taxes and insurance. If you are planning to come to Amsterdam with your partner and/or children, be aware that it is even more difficult to find affordable housing in Amsterdam and surroundings.

Eligibility

Who can apply for accommodation.

All guests, staff members, interns and PhDs who have a courtesy or employment contract at VU Amsterdam (initiated by the supervisor of the department) and in case of a non EU citizen the VISA procedure has been approved (conditionally) will receive an invitation to apply for accommodation online via a google doc link.  You can only apply for accommodation from VU Amsterdam when you meet the following criteria:

• You have a non-Dutch nationality. Please note that when you have dual citizenship of the Netherlands and an EU/Non-EU country, you are not eligible for accommodation via us;
• You are not living in the Netherlands already. Our services are meant to provide a so-called soft landing. When you already found accommodation on your own or received accommodation from us before, it is not possible to apply again.
• If you are a single person or in a couple, then you are eligible for one of our housing options. We do not have family housing available.

Application procedure and waiting list

You will automatically receive an invitation to apply for housing, this is part of the employment or courtesy contract process. Once your VU Amsterdam supervisor / promotor has initiated the employment contract process in your personal dashboard on vu.nl, your file will also be sent to the international office and then you will receive information regarding our accommodation services. We advise the department to initiate the process a long time before your arrival. This means that after that you will receive an application form (Google doc) by e-mail. We advise you to send in your application form as soon as possible to have the best chance to get housing upon arrival.

Accommodation types and contract information

Our accommodation consists of furnished short stay studios with a maximum rental period of 12 months. We will try to offer a short stay studio to provide a so-called soft landing and we aim to do that around two months prior to arrival, however we only have limited availability and can't guarantee accommodation for everyone! If you plan to stay longer than 1 year, you will need to find accommodation yourself. Extensions are not possible. For more information on the accommodation types, please click here .

Important: We do not keep lists based on specific wishes, like distance, neighbourhoods, prices or the size of an apartment. The only thing you can add to your application is your wish to apply for a couple studios or a single one. You may refuse an offer once (with a reasonable explanation why) and after refusing or not replying to an offer twice, we will remove your name from the list!  

Housing options for couple

We have very limited rooms available for couples therefore it is important to apply early if you are planning to come with a partner. Your partner does not need to be associated with the VU Amsterdam for you to live together if assigned university housing. Please note these apartments are often fully rented out and therefore have very limited availability. 

There are unfortunately no housing options for families

Families with children need to find their own accommodation on the private market. The cost of family apartments can be quite expensive, and square meterage can be smaller than you may expect. It is always difficult if you have to move to a different location while finding new schools/ day care / general practitioners. Another option is for guest / employees to come alone to the Netherlands first and try to find accommodation for their families while living here. You can read more about bringing your family to the Netherlands here .

Rules and Regulations

• Rules and regulations

When you receive a short stay accommodation from us and you wish to end it any sooner than the official end date, you may do so with a full one month notice time per the 15th of the month or per the last day of the month. In that case, please notify both us (by e-mail) and DUWO via the button: terminate rental agreement in your own personal DUWO account. In case you would like to extend up to the maximum allowed period, please let us know by email ( [email protected] ) and at least two or three months before the official end date of the housing contract.

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Admission Steps

Higher education - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline: December 2, 2024

Final submission deadline: June 16, 2025

International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

Masters degree: This program requires a masters degree as well as the baccalaureate.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Other Required Materials

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

The Higher Education Department understands equity, diversity, and social justice as essential and fundamental concerns in the study, practice, and leadership of post-secondary education.  Please provide a personal statement of academic and professional goals (1-2 pages, double-spaced).  Include in your statement: (1) Research interests and professional objectives in the study of higher education. (2) Any personal, educational, and employment experiences that have shaped your research and professional interests in the study of higher education. (3) Expectations for how the PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver specifically will support your research interests and professional objectives.  Note: if there is a specific faculty member with whom you would like to work, based on your research interests, please mention and discuss in this statement.

Diversity Statement Instructions

Please provide a statement of equity, diversity, and social justice (1-2 pages, double-spaced). Include in your statement: (1) Your thoughts on the roles and opportunities for equity, diversity, and social justice in postsecondary institutions and/or higher education policy. (2) Any personal, academic, and/or professional experiences that have shaped your understanding and commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice in higher education.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Additional requirements for this program:

Virtual interview may be required.

Start the Application

Online Application

Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.