If you’re planning on studying abroad and wish to call one of the most-visited places in Canada your new home, Student.com is your most trusted source for student housing in Vancouver.  

Our student accommodation offerings in Vancouver consists of purpose-built student houses and apartments, most of which are ideally located in the downtown area. Due to our strict vetting process all of our student residences are from trusted landlords. 

If you need further information on our offerings in Vancouver don’t hesitate to give us a call.  

Get to know Vancouver

With its scenic views, mild climate, high liveability, friendly people, and inclusiveness, Vancouver offers a lot of what a prospective student could possibly want when studying abroad.

The third-largest city in Canada and the largest city in the province of British Columbia is consistently named as one of the top five worldwide cities for liveability and quality of life. 

Its magnificent oceanside, mountain-rimmed setting on Canada’s Pacific Coast attracts visitors and residents from all over the world. What makes Vancouver’s natural beauty even more enticing is its moderate climate. 

In a country that’s notorious for its harsh winter weather, Vancouver has some of the mildest weather in North America with warm, pleasant summers and cool, wet winters. From snow-topped mountains to sun-drenched beaches, Vancouver has something to offer for all seasons.

An entire world in just one city

If you’ve chosen to study and live in Vancouver you’ll live amongst many different cultures, races, ethnicities, and religions. It’s one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities in Canada with a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any kind.

Vancouver is the most densely populated city in Canada. In the midst of all that is a rainbow of nations with 50.6 percent of residents being minorities while 52 percent of the general population speaking a first language other than English.

A growing hub of tech innovation

It’s a university graduate’s dream to get their foot in the door of the corporate world immediately after graduating. And if you’re planning to pursue studies in the technology field or have ambitions of becoming a ‘techpreneur’ you should consider Vancouver. 

According to the Vancouver Economic Commission, the tech sector is the second-fastest-growing sector in British Columbia. The city is a hub for ‘techies’ and is trying to attract talent from all over the world due to an ever-expanding gap in expertise. 

Student life in Vancouver

Vancouver offers a variety of activities for all types of visitors and with it being an openly diverse city there are plenty of things to do and places to go for international students. 

Festivals

Vancouver is a city that's proud of its cultural heritage. It hosts a number of festivals and civic events year-round that attract millions of visitors every year.

Vibrant local-based festivals such as the Celebration of Light, the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the world-famous Pride Parade (an LGBT event), the Santa Claus Parade at Christmas, and the Vancouver Folk Fest pulsate the city each year. 

While the Sikh Vaisakhi Parade (celebrating the Punjabi New Year), the Persian celebration of Nowruz, Italian Day on The Drive, The German Christmas Market, and the annual Chinese New Year festival provide diversity to the calendar of festivities each year. 

Arts & culture

Vancouver is known for its art and culture. There is a thriving arts and culture scene that attracts people from all over the world. From museums and concert halls to food and film festivals, students who are interested in the art world are sure to find something that suits their fancy.

The Eastside Culture Crawl is an annual visual art, design, and crafts festival held in November where artists on Vancouver's Eastside open their studios to the public. 

Dine Out Vancouver Festival (DOVF) is a great way to sample some of Vancouver's hottest restaurants, food, and beverage at specially reduced prices, while the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is one of North America's biggest film festivals.

Eating out

There are many restaurants and cafés that suit many culinary interests at every budget in Vancouver. 

Top picks include the Naam (vegetarian), Peaceful Restaurant (handmade noodles), the Eatery (sushi), and arguably the most popular brunch spot in Vancouver, Jam Café.

Nightlife

When you’re ready for some action Vancouver’s vibey nightlife has a lot in store for party lovers, from music and ambiance to food and drinks. 

Vancouverites transitions from hard workers during the day to hard partiers at night. All over the city, you’ll find sections of neighbourhoods ready for night-time fun.

Granville Street

Vancouver’s equivalent of the Las Vegas Strip is the city’s original entertainment district, Granville Street. Typically packed with a high energy, younger university crowd, this street is littered with block after block of pubs, dance clubs and live music venues that stay open until the early hours of the morning. 

Main Street

The Main Street has a “hipster hangout” reputation. As the heart of the city’s craft brewing community, the area is home to plenty of chilled out tasting rooms, farm-to-table restaurants that offer bespoke cocktails, hole-in-the-wall gems and a couple of clubs where you can try out your moves.

Yaletown

If you prefer something a bit more ‘grown-up’ where you and your well-dressed friends get together at exclusive lounges and toast to the end of a stressful exam week with designer cocktails, this former warehouse district is home to a robust nightlife scene. 

Kitsilano

This beach-side neighbourhood is a bit more laid back with smaller spots filled with locals. But you’ll still find lots of pubs and clusters of hotspots where you can grab a beer and watch a game along streets that lead down to the beach.

Great Outdoors

If you’re more into nature, Vancouver is surrounded by some of the most amazing outdoors you could hope to find anywhere in the world. Whether you’re a hiker, kayaker, diver, mountain biker or into fishing, photography or nature, Vancouver provides plenty of opportunities for great experiences both in the winter and in the summer.

Beaches, forests, and stunning mountains are all within easy reach of the city centre. The nearby mountains provide more than just a beautiful backdrop to the city. Grouse, Seymour and Cypress mountains are also very popular destinations for winter sports, offering some of the world’s best ski resorts.

The west coast of Vancouver Island will have you carving waves, spying whales, and getting up close and personal with some of the world’s largest trees in Cathedral Grove. 

Transportation

The city has a great public transportation system. Public transit buses run often and cover most of the city. The city is bike-friendly, and there are several car shares and ride-hailing programs to take advantage of.

Universities in Vancouver

Vancouver is one of the best cities in Canada to pursue higher education.

Home to the world-class University of British Columbia and a wide range of top-notch colleges, such as the Langara College, the city continues to claim a position in the top 20 of the QS Best Student Cities, ranking 16th in the 2019 edition. The nationally renowned Simon Fraser University also has a campus in Vancouver.

Both UBC and SFU have expertise in a rich variety of fields and have been attracting international students for decades. UBC’s forestry program, tech labs, and school of dentistry have made it a world leader in the training of experts within these fields. SFU has an outstanding faculty dedicated to the sciences and one of the world’s leading criminology and forensics training programs.

Frequently asked questions about student accommodation in Vancouver

How do I apply for a student apartment in Vancouver?

After you’ve found your ideal property from our list of student homes, go to the property page and click ‘Book Now’, or if you want more information click ‘Enquire.’

One of our booking consultants will then take you through the next steps, which will include paying the deposit and signing the contract.

If you need further information, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our booking consultants are always happy to help.

What are the different room types you offer?

You’ll share your bedroom with at least one roommate as well as your bathroom and other living areas with other tenants living in their own bedrooms in a Shared Room. 

If you want a bedroom that’s only for you, book a Private Room. Depending on the property, you might also get a private bathroom. Any other living areas are shared.

If you desire complete privacy book the Entire Place. This will give you a fully self-contained studio flat with your own bedroom, bathroom, and a kitchenette.

Please note that all the properties we list might not be able to offer all three types.

Can you arrange a viewing for me?

We can definitely arrange a viewing of a property before you book it. Just give us a call and one of our booking consultants will gladly arrange it for you. 

Do I need to pay a deposit to secure my student residence?

Yes. However, many of the student accommodation providers we list are willing to return the deposit in the unfortunate circumstance of you not being able to secure a student visa. Our booking consultants can give you more information on our cancellation and refund policies.

What bills are included in the rent?

Different landlords may have different rules as it relates to bills so check with the property you are looking to book. But usually, you won’t have to pay for anything else other than your rent, as all bills are typically included.

Do I need a visa to study in Canada?

You will need to obtain a Canadian study permit to study in Canada. However, if your course or program lasts six months or less you won't need a study permit. To learn more click this link.