Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation options available to you at Victoria University.  Whether you want to live in a Hall of Residence, find private accommodation or consider living in a homestay during your studies, the Accommodation Service can assist in finding the most suitable place for you.

Halls of Residence

Staying in a Hall of Residence is an excellent way to make new friends as well as getting to know Wellington. Most halls arrange a week of orientation to the hall, Victoria University and the city. They offer students the opportunity to live in a supportive, friendly environment alongside other students from New Zealand and around the world. You can live in a hall that provides three meals a day or one that is self-catered. While prices vary, we recommend that you budget for at least NZ$250 a week for accommodation including food and expenses. All halls have been assessed by the University and are suitable for international students.

All Halls of Residence have places available for international students however you MUST apply by 1 October to be considered in the first selection round for February. Applications received after this date will be placed onto the waiting list and considered as places become available. If you are applying for accommodation for the second trimester beginning in July, you need to apply by 1 May to be considered in the first selection round.

There will be an Accommodation Guide in your offer pack with detailed information and prices about each Hall of Residence, and an application form. You can also access all information from the Accommodation Service website and apply online. The Accommodation Service will contact you directly to confirm your details after receiving your application.

Hall accommodation is usually for single students, however if you are coming with your family, you should make private housing arrangements. The Accommodation Service can help you with this and can book you and your family into temporary accommodation for when you first arrive.

Homestay

A homestay is when you stay with a person or family who lives in Wellington. This allows you to have close contact with people who can help you settle into life in New Zealand and find your way around town when you first arrive. Host families are all different, with people of different ages and cultural backgrounds.

For more information, please visit the Accommodation Service website and apply online. Please note that the Homestay Coordinator requires at least 14 working days to arrange a homestay. If you apply within the 14-day timeframe, it is possible that you may be placed into temporary accommodation until a homestay is arranged.

Temporary Accommodation

If you do not have confirmed accommodation when you arrive, or you arrive earlier than your arranged accommodation begins, the Accommodation Service can find temporary accommodation for you. Temporary backpacker-style accommodation can range up to $25 per night for a shared dorm room.  Other room types are available at a cost.

For information on room types and rates, please visit the Accommodation Service website.
You MUST complete the online booking form BEFORE your arrival.

Private Accommodation

The Accommodation Service at Victoria University is available all year round and can give information on a wide variety of issues to do with living in Wellington. These include looking for a room, sharing and setting up a house, private boarding, tenancy agreements and other accommodation matters.

Listings in the private market are posted on the online Accommodation Finder database and on the noticeboard in the Accommodation Office at:-

Room 210, Level 1, Atrium
Student Union Building
Kelburn Campus.

The listings are updated daily and please note private accommodation is not checked by the University.

You can also find listings in ‘The Dominion Post’, Wellington's daily newspaper. The best days for accommodation listings in this publication are Wednesday and Saturday. There are also other useful private websites that may help with your search for accommodation.