Housing

Deciding where to live during your time in the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program is an important part of your enrollment preparations. JBDP students are prioritized for access to housing at both CityUHK and at Columbia University. After accepting their offer of admission, students will receive details on how to apply for accommodation from the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program.

Housing at City University of Hong Kong

CityUHK maintains 11 residence halls at Cornwall Street as well as 6 residence halls in Ma On Shan in order to provide undergraduate and postgraduate students with a high quality of life. 

Housing at CityUHK is communal and engaging and designed to be a vital part of the student experience. Residence halls have Inter-Hall Contest Fun Days throughout the year featuring competitions of badminton, basketball, soccer, and other sports. Regular yoga practices are offered to help students alleviate stress and practice mindfulness. Students celebrate events like the Mid-Autumn and Spring Festivals together, and each hall has residence tutors who provide pastoral care to fellow residents. Art, music, and entrepreneurial workshops are regularly offered to residents to help them meet fellow students and engage their passions. 

Newly admitted students are eligible to apply for CityUHK approved accommodations. To learn more about CityUHK’s housing system, visit the Student Residence Office website. 

Housing at Columbia University

Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program students will be guaranteed access to Columbia Residential housing when making the transition from Hong Kong to New York in their third year. Students who choose not to take advantage of University housing leading up to this transition will not be guaranteed a placement at a later date.

In comparison to the housing options offered to students during their time at CityUHK, there are far fewer studio apartments available and GS students are usually accommodated in apartments or dormitory-style suites shared by other Columbia students. Typically each student has his or her own bedroom while sharing kitchen and bath facilities. An overview of types of accommodations is available on the Columbia Residential website. 

Housing Eligibility

To be eligible for University housing, students must be registered full-time (meaning they must register for and complete at least 12 points each semester). Full-time student status is also a requirement for maintaining a student visa. It is easier to be assigned to Columbia Residential as a student who is new to the University than as a continuing student. If you plan to apply for University housing, it is best to do so early in the spring semester before you begin your studies at Columbia, as the timeliness of your application will impact your housing allocation. You may decline an offer if you decide you do not want University housing, though it is important to note that JBDP students who choose not to take advantage of university housing leading up to this transition will not be guaranteed a placement at a later date.

Housing Application Timeline

Students must submit the housing application in the spring semester before enrollment at Columbia. The housing application deadline is April 15.

Fall Semester

Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program students who plan to apply for Columbia Residential housing will receive instructions in their third-year transition packets, which they will receive in the spring term of their second year at CityUHK. Students are responsible for all associated housing costs during their enrollment at Columbia University.

It is important to note that housing is only guaranteed to students who remain on their original Columbia Residential Housing Agreement. Students who choose to break their Housing Agreement or leave University housing are not guaranteed access at a later date, though every effort will be made to accommodate requests outside of this process.

Questions concerning Columbia Residential housing may be directed to [email protected].

Application Process

Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program students who plan to apply for Columbia Residential housing will receive instructions in their third-year transition packets, which they will receive in the spring term of their second year at CityUHK. Students are responsible for all associated housing costs during their enrollment at Columbia University.

It is important to note that housing is only guaranteed to students who remain on their original UAH lease. Students who choose to break their lease or leave university housing are not guaranteed access at a later date, though every effort will be made to accommodate requests outside of this process.

Questions concerning University Apartment Housing may be directed to [email protected].