Housing and food
Find the perfect place in Calgary to call home, and the best bites to enjoy when you arrive!
Make yourself at home
Whether you go for the fun and security of residence life or choose to settle in one of Calgary’s vibrant neighbourhoods, this page will help you make the best decision to meet your needs. Plus, we have helpful tips on the best campus eats to help you stay fuelled and focused while hitting the books.Â
On-campus housing
Living on campus puts you at the heart of all the action. Plus, you can sleep later when you live so close to all your classes! If you’re applying directly from high school, you’re guaranteed a place in residence for your first year if you apply by May 1.
If you apply directly from high school (and are 21 years of age or younger), you'll be guaranteed a place in residence for your first year. Be sure to apply for residence by May 1 to take advantage of this offer.
First-year residence has four options for students to choose from. Most first years are placed in our traditional-style residence buildings (Kananaskis and Rundle). Some apartment-style residences such as International House and Yamnuska Hall are available on a competitive basis, with priority given to our prestige scholarship winners.
All second-year students, including transfer and international students, live in furnished two- or three-bedroom suite-style apartments, or two-, three- or four-bedroom apartments.
Undergraduate students in their third year or higher of post-secondary (and who are under the age of 27) have the option of living in furnished studio, one-bedroom or two-bedroom, or four-bedroom units with full kitchens.
Off-campus housing
Want to live off-campus, but not sure where to search or what options are available? Check out our Off-Campus Housing Guide. It contains details about renting in Calgary, lists areas that you’ll want to search in and provides links to searchable rental sites.
Did you know your full-time undergraduate tuition and fees include access to a UCalgary UPass? UPass makes living off campus easy as you have unlimited access to Calgary Transit services.
Our top five neighbourhoods in Calgary!
Find out where the five best areas to live in Calgary are, each for different reasons!Â
Epic eats: Bake Chef at UCalgary
Bake Chef is consistently ranked as one of the most popular food vendors on campus with its famous Vietnamese subs.
On-campus food choices
Looking to curb your hunger while on campus? UCalgary has many dining options that cater to every craving and dietary need. And nearly every building on campus has a food outlet, so you’re never far from a snack.
Our Student Recruitment Team has compiled a full list of every spot to eat on campus and their recommendation for the best food to try at each campus location.
Meal plans at The Landing
Whether you’re looking to purchase just one meal or an unlimited dining package, be sure to check out The Landing in Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Dining Centre. There you’ll find everything, including a breakfast station, dessert bar, deli stations, pizza, pasta and more. It also offers options that cater to every dietary need, such as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and halal. A meal plan is mandatory for students living in first-year residence.Â
Why we think you should live on campus
Eat your way around Calgary!
Calgary is a world-class destination for foodies! With 19 of the top 100 restaurants in Canada located in Calgary according to OpenTable's 2023 rankings, you can experience some of Canada's best.
To help you eat your way around Calgary, hear what the best places to eat are in Calgary, according to current UCalgary students!
Campus food initiatives
UCalgary offers many supports that students can access related to food. Initiatives include edible gardens around campus, a community pantry on our Foothills Campus, a food bank on our main campus and more.Â
At the edible gardens on main campus, you can pick fresh fruits like apples, pears, apricots, black currents, nanking cherries and more. Harvesting these is encouraged, so pick what you need.Â