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UCalgary First-Year Residences: Buildings, 2026-27 Costs and the May 1 Guarantee
First-year students at UCalgary live in Kananaskis and Rundle Halls, International House or Yamnuska Hall. Apply through the Resident Portal by May 1 and you're guaranteed a place for first year. Rooms are handed out by lottery based on the room type you ask for, and you hold yours with a $1,000 advance payment. A meal plan is mandatory, so 2026-27 costs run from $9,862 to $17,973 for September to April. UCalgary hasn't published 2027-28 rates yet; the figures here are the 2026-27 cycle.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
Who counts as a first-year resident
Residence Services uses its own definition, and its pages don't use the same age wording. The rates page, the application process page and the building pages say students applying directly from high school who are under the age of 21. The first-year overview page says 21 or younger. If you're turning 21 around move-in, confirm with Residence Services before you apply.
Second-year students, including transfer and international students entering their second year of post-secondary, apply through a separate lottery with a February 10 deadline. This guide covers first-year residents only.
Compare the first-year buildings
The main choice is between a dorm room with shared washrooms and a suite with a private bathroom.
| Building | Room types | Bathroom | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kananaskis and Rundle Halls | Traditional single or double dorm rooms, 196 sq ft, twin XL bed, mini-fridge | Community washrooms on every wing | Three wings per floor (men's, women's and all-gender), up to 20 students a wing; rooms are single gender; lounge on every floor |
| International House | Two-bedroom suite (about 383 sq ft) or single suite (about 265 sq ft, queen bed) | Private bathroom in the suite | Connected to the Dining Centre with direct entry to The Landing; kitchenette in the two-bedroom suite; community kitchens |
| Yamnuska Hall | One-, two- and three-bedroom suites; bedrooms about 135 sq ft; double XL beds | Private bathroom in the suite | Houses first- and second-year students; games room, fitness centre and a Starbucks, Subway and Domino's in the building; LEED certified |
| Scholars' Advantage (International House, 7th floor) | 15 one-bedroom suites with a king bed | Private bathroom | Only for first-year students who accept a Prestige award by May 1; monthly housekeeping and linen service |
2026-27 costs
Rates cover September to April, per person, and include furniture, utilities, internet, resident activities and tenant insurance. Parking isn't included. Every first-year resident must add a 5-day or 7-day unlimited meal plan, so the totals below are what you'd actually pay.
| Room | Room only | With 5-day meal plan | With 7-day meal plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kananaskis or Rundle double | $4,512 | $9,862 | $10,512 |
| Kananaskis or Rundle single | $9,014 | $14,364 | $15,014 |
| International House two-bedroom suite | $9,039 | $14,389 | $15,039 |
| International House single suite | $10,832 | $16,182 | $16,832 |
| Yamnuska three-bedroom suite | $8,472 | $13,822 | $14,472 |
| Yamnuska two-bedroom suite | $9,039 | $14,389 | $15,039 |
| Yamnuska one-bedroom suite | $11,086 | $16,436 | $17,086 |
| Scholars' Advantage one-bedroom | $11,973 | $17,323 | $17,973 |
- Fees are due September 18, 2026 for the fall term and January 29, 2027 for the winter term.
- UCalgary's residence cost comparison page lists a traditional single with the 7-day plan at $14,364. The rates page lists $14,364 with the 5-day plan and $15,014 with the 7-day plan. Budget with the rates page and confirm your charge in the Resident Portal.
- The $65 application fee is separate and non-refundable.
The May 1 guarantee and the room lottery
First-year residents who apply on or before May 1 are guaranteed a place for first year. The guarantee is for a place, not a building. Everyone who applies by May 1 goes into a lottery based on room preference. If you win, you're offered that room type. If you don't, you're offered a traditional double and kept on the waitlist for your preferred type in lottery-number order.
If you apply after May 1, you're offered a traditional double only if space is available. First-year students must apply for the full academic year; fall-only contracts aren't offered.
Residence Services says fall and academic-year applications open November 1. The first offers go out by email in early May, and your actual building and room number arrive in early August.
How to apply, step by step
You can apply before UCalgary decides on your admission; if you're not admitted, the advance payment is refunded in full. Nothing is due beyond the application fee until you receive an Offer of Residence.
- Register or log in to the Resident Portal and complete the application. Choose the room type you want entered in the lottery.
- Pay the $65 non-refundable application fee and submit by May 1 for the guarantee.
- To live with a friend, both of you must request each other in the Roommate Preferences section. You can also browse matching profiles. Residence Services suggests looking for roommates in June if you don't know anyone.
- Watch for your Offer of Residence in early May. You'll have a couple of weeks to accept it and pay the $1,000 advance payment by credit card in the portal. If you miss the payment date, the booking is cancelled.
- About a month before move-in, log in again to choose your meal plan and sign the online Residence Agreement.
If you cancel: the advance payment rules
The $1,000 advance payment goes toward your first-term rent when you move in. Whether you get it back depends on why and when you cancel.
| Situation | Refund | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Not admitted to UCalgary | 100% | Email Residence Services a copy or screenshot of your Student Centre within 14 days of being told |
| Admission letter arrives after August 15 (fall) | 100% | Email Residence Services a copy of the admission letter |
| Student visa refused | 100% | Submit the Booking Cancellation form with proof within 14 days |
| Admitted, cancel before July 10 | 50% | Submit the Booking Cancellation form in the Resident Portal |
| Admitted, cancel after July 10 | 0% | Submit the Booking Cancellation form in the Resident Portal |
Move-in day 2026
Fall 2026 move-in day was Sunday, August 23, with building-specific details emailed on August 10. Moving in that day isn't required, but Residence Services strongly recommends it for first-year students. Everyone is encouraged to move in before September 1, the first day of classes. More than 350 staff and volunteers help over 1,300 students move in.
For later move-ins, pick up your keys at the Campus Service Centre in International House with government photo ID, after signing your Residence Agreement in the portal.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.
- UCalgary Residence Services: first-year residence
- UCalgary Residence Services: rates 2026-2027
- UCalgary Residence Services: 2026/2027 first-year cost comparison
- UCalgary Residence Services: application information
- UCalgary Residence Services: application process
- UCalgary Residence Services: advance payment and refunds
- UCalgary Residence Services: room selection
- UCalgary Residence Services: Kananaskis and Rundle Halls
- UCalgary Residence Services: International House
- UCalgary Residence Services: Yamnuska Hall
- UCalgary Residence Services: Scholars' Advantage Community
- UCalgary Residence Services: move-in day
- UCalgary Residence Services: move-in details