4 Best student accommodation in Christchurch, New Zealand

By far the most straightforward option, for international students, is to stay in a residence or hall in their university.

Typically, a single university offers multiple halls or residences for international students to choose from. In the University of Canterbury, for instance, there are 10 different halls and villages in total.

Note that some of these only take in students in a specific year (eg first-year students or post-graduate students), while others accept all students. Some halls are fully-catered, while others are self-catered.

If you’re thinking of renting an apartment, note that this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be further than if you stay in a hall. There are apartments available both on and off-campus, and if it suits you, you can choose to stay in an apartment within your university.

Ilam Apartments, for instance, is a modern apartment-style complex that’s housed in the University of Canterbury. A total of 847 residents stay here, and the apartment complex is said to offer “independent living” with access to support, tutorials and events.

Here’s the good news: if you are a single international student over 18 years of age, UC guarantees you a place in Ilam Apartments, assuming you apply for a 50-week contract by 1 December in the year prior to the study to be eligible.

Don’t want to stay on campus? To look for other apartments for rent in Christchurch, New Zealand, check out rentezi.co.nz.

Many students choose to stay in hostels such as Urbanz when they first arrive in New Zealand. Once they settle in and find the flat of their dreams, they’ll then move out of the hostel, and into their long-term accommodation.

That said, it’s possible to stay at a student hostel for the entire stretch of your student career. For instance, other than offering standard 4-6 bedrooms, Urbanz also lets out double rooms which may be more suitable for a longer term stay.

If you’re hoping to have more space to yourself, though, and you want to cook in a proper kitchen (not a small shared one!), then you’ll probably be better off renting your own apartment or choosing another accommodation option.

If opting for a homestay, you’ll stay with a New Zealand family who can help you adapt to the local way of life. You typically get your own room, and your family will provide you with home-cooked meals.

Wondering how to go about setting up a homestay? Some universities do arrange these for their students, so do a quick Google and see if the university you’re interested in helps in making arrangements.

Alternatively, IDP can also help connect you with a host from New Zealand, and arrange a homestay for you.

A Final Word on the Best Student Accommodation in Christchurch

Trying to look for Canterbury accommodation or housing options in Christchurch, but not making much headway?

Get in touch with IDP, and we’ll walk you through the entire process of applying to study overseas, and help you settle your accommodation.