Victoria Accommodation

Victoria University Accommodation

The Accommodation Service at Victoria University can help you make the right choice and find the accommodation you want. We are here to help you make the most of your time at Victoria.
We process applications for all the halls of residence, arrange homestays for international students and offer advice about a range of other accommodation options.

International Student Housing Options

Overview

Your Offer of Admission for Study sent to you by VicInternational will state that (for visa purposes) you are guaranteed accommodation. It does not guarantee you a place in your first choice of hall. Your accommodation could be in a hall of residence, a homestay or private accommodation. You do not need to wait until you have your visa before applying for hall accommodation.

If you are an International student who will be under 18 years of age when you begin your study your options are to apply for a Homestay or for one of three halls: Helen Lowry Hall, Te Puni- Edge & Tower and Weir House. You cannot apply for both a hall and a homestay at the same time.

Halls of Residence

In a Hall of Residence you will be living in a community of students with different backgrounds and interests. There are single and double rooms, studios, flats, apartments and houses (with or without meals) and most are within walking distance of the University. All halls welcome applications from International Students of the appropriate age and level of study. (However Whānau House only offers places to those with a knowledge of Te Reo and Tikanga Māori). Three halls, Te Kotahinga, University Hall and Wai-te-ata Apartments, give priority to International Students. International students also form the majority of residents at Education House and Stafford House.

To apply for hall accommodation for the February intake, you need to complete your application by 1 October New Zealand time to be considered in the first selection round of offers. (New Zealand time is up to 24 hours ahead of most other countries.) Applications received after this date will be placed on a waiting list and considered as places come up. A limited number of places are reserved until 1 December for International students coming under a partnership or Exchange programme for Trimester-1-only. There is a 10% surcharge on Trimester-1-only places.

Homestay

In a Homestay you live in a family home and can participate in family activities. Your breakfast and dinner are provided during the week and three meals per day during weekends. The Homestay is likely to be 30 minutes away from your campus. You cannot apply for both Homestay and hall accommodation at the same time. We recommend you apply at least three weeks before you require Homestay accommodation. A minimum stay of one month is required.

Private Housing

Demand for private rentals is high in February. We recommend you do not sign up for a place before seeing it and do not hand over money until you have a key. Most leases are on a 12 month basis but you may be able to find a place as a flatmate without this commitment. We run a listing service for people who welcome Victoria University students but we do not vet private accommodation.

Temporary Housing

Book early for temporary accommodation. There is usually a shortage in Wellington in February.

New International Students

International students coming to Victoria for the first time can request to be met by a representative and be taken to their accommodation when they arrive in Wellington. This request is made through the International Meeting Service . The sooner we receive your finalised arrival details, the earlier we can confirm your housing for International Orientation.

You should book your travel to arrive at least one day before International Orientation. If you have a place in a hall, you may be able to move in earlier than the standard contract start date (20 February) and pay on a pro rata basis or we can arrange temporary accommodation for you at your expense. If you have a Homestay place, your contract will start on the day it is agreed that you move in. If you arrive earlier than expected and cannot move in immediately, we can book temporary accommodation for you at your expense.

                                             Print PDF