What are the benefits of living in student housing on campus? What kind of extra fees are associated? If you’re looking for the answer to these questions, you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to break down the different residences at SFU based on qualities like location, community, style, and fit for students in different years of studies.
For a quick comparison chart for all the residences listed below, please click here. Note that all residences require a $50 application fee and a non-refundable confirmation payment (applied towards your residence fees) of $700 with the housing deadline. Consider the following deadlines:
-Last day to submit referral request: 2 weeks prior to residence fees due date
-Last day to pay residence fee: August 1
For students at the Burnaby campus:
1. The Towers- First Year Undergraduate
Community: supportive, lively, active
Style: traditional, private single rooms
Mandatory Fees*: residence (cost/term)- $3,224, meal plan- $2,330, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you like your own space but don’t mind sharing a washroom, lounge, and laundry room, and want to be close to the dining hall (1-5 min walk), gym (1-5 min walk), retail shops (10-15 min walk), and coffee shops (5 min walk)! There is also an elevator in the three buildings which are: Shadbolt, Barbara Rae, and Pauline Jewett.
2. East/West Towers- First Year Undergraduate
Community: exciting, lively, active
Style: contemporary, private single rooms
Mandatory Fees*: residence (cost/term)- $3,720, meal plan- $2,330, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you want to be in a newer building (this one was completed in 2021!), want more amenities in the building (study rooms, sitting areas, games room, fitness/wellness room, music room), and don’t mind sharing a washroom, lounge, and laundry room! East/West Towers has two towers of 7 and 8 storeys respectively. This residence is really close to dining, the gym, shops, and more!
3. Shell House- First and Second Year Undergraduate
Community: relaxed and diverse
Style: traditional, private single rooms
Mandatory Fees*: residence (cost/term)- $3,192, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: meal plan- $2,330, parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you like cooking/want to try (the meal plan is optional here!), are interested in meeting a diverse group of students from first and second year, don’t mind sharing facilities like washrooms and kitchens, and would still like to be close to dining, gym, and shops!
4. McTaggart-Cowan Hall- First and Second Year Undergraduate
Community: engaged
Style: traditional, private single rooms
Mandatory Fees*: residence (cost/term)- $3,192, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: meal plan- $2,330, parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you like Shell House but want a more engaged community feel!
5. The Townhouses- Third and Fourth Year Students
Community: life outside of university, living on your own
Style: four bedroom, private single rooms
Mandatory Fees*: residence (cost/term)- $3,440, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: meal plan- $2,330, parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you are an upper or graduate level student who wants to experience more of living on your own! This is perfect for you if you want to have roommates and be close to campus.
6. Hamilton Hall- Graduate Residents
Community: supportive, welcoming, professional atmosphere
Style: studio-style, private single rooms with a private washroom and kitchen
Mandatory Fees*: residence (1 bedroom cost/term)- $3,912, residence hall association- $13
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: meal plan- $2,330, parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you are a graduate student who wants to engage in a close community with your professional peers. This is also great for people who want to live independently, cook for themselves, but still feel connected to the school and their peers.
For students at the Vancouver campus:
7. Charles Chang Innovation Centre- Graduate Students
Community: professional
Style: studio style or 2 bedroom apartments, private washroom and kitchen
Mandatory Fees*: residence (2 bedroom cost/term)- $3,884, residence (2 bedroom with study cost/term)- $4,284, residence (studio cost/term)- $5,408
Additional Non-Mandatory Fees*: parking- $230.40 per term, laundry card- $5, lost key/lock change fee- $170, lost fob/not returned- $20, cleaning/damage- $125 average, improper checkout/overstay- $80 per day
This will work for you if: you are a graduate student who wants to live in the heart of the city, near nightlife, restaurants, shops, and more! It’s a great professional space where you can explore Vancouver and stay connected to campus.
*Please note that all fees are subject to change. For the most recent residence pricings, please check here.
For students who want to live off-campus:
Check out this link to see what SFU and Places4Students has listed! You’ll be able to easily search by location, see pictures, and see how close each property is from campus! They have many options near all three campuses: Burnaby, Vancouver, and Surrey, so there will be something for everyone!
The website also allows landlords to make postings so you can follow along there to see when new listings pop up! It’s a super accessible and easy place to begin your search.
A close-by living space for Burnaby campus students is Burnaby Heights, which is close to many restaurants and shops and is a thirty minute bus ride away from campus! There’s also a McDonald’s right across the street (for late night snacks at your convenience)! Feel free to check it out, as they offer fully-furnished, student-ready living!
You will find the right housing for you. There are many ways students choose their residence buildings, apartments, and other living spaces. If you have a budget, you can compare prices and pick the living arrangement that best suits yours! If you’re looking to have your own space, think about whether you want a private room. Most importantly, be open to new changes! Living around other people will take some time to get used to, but you’ll be able to connect with and meet so many other students who can become great friends! Have fun with your residence experience at SFU, wherever you end up!
