Housing

Students within the Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program between City University Hong Kong and Columbia University are guaranteed Columbia University housing during their two years on campus. New York's many and diverse neighborhoods combined with an extensive public transportation system offer a variety of housing options that are convenient to the Columbia campus.

School of General Studies students are housed in facilities operated by Columbia Residential. Since few studio apartments are available, GS students are usually accommodated in apartments or dormitory-style suites shared by other Columbia students. Each student typically has his or her own bedroom while sharing kitchen and bath facilities.

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 housing 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 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 Dual BA 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 1.

Fall Semester

*Housing assignments are made on a rolling basis as spaces become available.

Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program students who plan to apply for Columbia University housing will receive instructions in their third-year transition packets, which they will receive in the spring term of their second year at CityU.

Application Process

To be considered for fall Columbia Residential housing, students must submit the housing application by April 1. A housing application is not binding, so if you are assigned an apartment you may decline the offer. 

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].