16Rooms available
Dovedale Halls: Sonoda
3.5 mi from centre3 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Wi-Fi included
- Bike storage
- Parking
- 24/7 security
- +1 more
Rooms available
From
NZ$210/week
New Zealand8 stays listed
Student accommodation in Christchurch
Stays listed
8
From
NZ$210/week
Universities
3
Avg response
< 2h
Currently listed
8 stays in Christchurch
Prices and rooms from the operatorWe aim to reply within 1 working dayWhat the rent covers, before you enquireNo booking fee to studentsVisa and cancellation terms checked per operatorWhatsApp, phone or email
8 places in Christchurch
16View rooms
51Rooms available
Campus Houses
2.5 mi from centre2 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Laundry
- Bike storage
- 24/7 security
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
17Rooms available
Dovedale Halls: Hayashi
3.5 mi from centre5 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Laundry
- Bike storage
- 24/7 security
- Communal lounge
- +1 more
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
27Rooms available
Ilam Student Accommodation
3.1 mi from centre4 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Laundry
- Gym
- Bike storage
- 24/7 security
- +4 more
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
27Rooms available
Kirkwood Avenue Hall
2.5 mi from centre2 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Laundry
- Parking
- 24/7 security
- Study space
- +3 more
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
20Rooms available
Tupuānuku
3.1 mi from centre2 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Bike storage
- Parking
- Kitchen
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
34Rooms available
Tupuārangi
3.1 mi from centre1 room type
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Laundry
- 24/7 security
- Communal lounge
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
21Rooms available
University Hall
3 mi from centre4 room types
Bills clarity24h shortlist
- Wi-Fi included
- Laundry
- Bike storage
- Parking
- +2 more
Rooms available
Pricing
On enquiry
About Christchurch
Why students choose Christchurch
Christchurch is the one city on this site where the centre is newer than the suburbs. The 2011 earthquake took down most of the central business district and what stands there now has been built since, which is why a central flat here can be more modern than a villa two miles out. The University of Canterbury is at Ilam in the west, Ara Institute is central, and the whole city is flat enough that a bicycle is the default rather than a choice.
Ilam and Riccarton sit around the University of Canterbury campus and hold most of its student housing, with the Riccarton Road shops and the mall between them and town. Addington is south east of there, cheaper, close to the stadium and well served by bus. The Central City is the rebuilt core, with new apartments, the Riverside Market and Ara's campus, and it is walkable to very little except itself and the university by bike. Merivale and St Albans sit north of the Avon, leafy and more expensive, favoured by postgraduates. Papanui is further north with a high street of its own and lower rents. Lincoln, out to the south west, is a separate town built around Lincoln University.
New to booking student accommodation?
Room types, what bills included really covers, when to book, and what to check if you are arriving from abroad.
Which Christchurch room type fits your campus?
Managed apartments and studios offer furnished, predictable accommodation, while shared houses are common around Ilam, Riccarton and the central suburbs. University of Canterbury students generally benefit from the western side of the city.
Check heating, insulation, furniture and the cycle or bus route. Winter comfort can matter more than a small difference in floor area.
What should you confirm before booking in Christchurch?
MoJO currently lists 8 Christchurch student stays, with published prices from NZ$210/week. Compare total contract rent, included bills, deposit or bond, payment dates and travel to your exact campus. The advertised weekly or monthly figure is only one part of the cost.
Confirm the room category, move-in condition, cancellation terms and guarantor requirements in writing. For a shared home, check the inventory, repairs, liability terms and how any deposit or bond is handled.
Top Christchurch universities and campus links
Christchurch's student population is anchored by University of Canterbury, Ara Institute of Canterbury, and Lincoln University. When choosing student accommodation in Christchurch, most students prioritise the walking-distance or single-transfer commute to their own department, since it saves 60 to 90 minutes a day on lectures, labs, and evening study.
On each Christchurch property page you will see the exact minute count to nearby universities and whether the campus is served by direct public transport. If you already know your university, filter by it before comparing rooms, it saves a lot of back and forth.
Best areas for students in Christchurch
The best areas for student accommodation in Christchurch include Ilam and Riccarton, Central City, Addington and Spreydon, Merivale and St Albans, and Papanui. Each has a distinct mix of student housing, cafes, supermarkets, and public transport connections, so the "best" area really depends on which university you attend and what kind of neighbourhood you want to live in.
If you are new to Christchurch, aim for neighbourhoods with a high student population and good late-night public transport. Areas near your university's main campus are safest for evening walks home and mean you can lie in for 9 AM lectures.
Cost of living for students in Christchurch
The cost of student accommodation in Christchurch typically starts from NZ$210/week, and rent is usually the single biggest line item in a student's budget. Beyond rent, students in Christchurch typically budget for groceries, public transport, mobile data, and social spending.
If Christchurch rents feel steep, it can be worth comparing with cities like Auckland and Wellington: the same weekly budget often stretches further, and some New Zealand universities have satellite campuses across multiple cities.
Also popular in New Zealand
Other student cities in New Zealand
Comparing options? These are the other cities in New Zealand where most students on our shortlist are basing themselves.
Universities in Christchurch
- University of Canterbury
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- Lincoln University
Popular neighbourhoods
- Ilam and Riccarton
- Central City
- Addington and Spreydon
- Merivale and St Albans
- Papanui
- Lincoln
Getting around
Christchurch is the flattest large city in New Zealand and has the country's best cycling network, with the Major Cycle Routes running separated from traffic across most of it. Ilam to the Central City takes about twenty minutes on a bike and the ride along the Avon is pleasant in a way the bus is not. Metro runs the buses on a Metrocard, with the Orbiter route circling the suburbs and the Blue and Purple lines crossing the city. Lincoln University is a bus ride out of the city rather than a suburb of it, so check the timetable before choosing an area if that is your campus.
Frequently asked questions
- Prices in Christchurch typically start from NZ$210/week, depending on room type, location, and how early you book. Purpose-built student rooms with bills included are usually the best value overall, since utilities and WiFi are already priced in.
- For a September move-in, most students book their Christchurch accommodation between May and August. Booking earlier gives you the widest choice on room type, floor, and price. For January or summer intakes, book two to three months ahead.
- Your contract is signed directly with the accommodation provider, not with HouseForStudents, and we list only recognised student accommodation operators. Listing details for our 8 Christchurch properties come from the operator's own site and we re-check them regularly, but always confirm the price and the terms in writing with the provider before you pay. Ask the operator specifically whether your contract is a tenancy or a licence, because statutory deposit protection applies to tenancies and most purpose-built student accommodation is let on a licence.
- Purpose-built student accommodation in Christchurch commonly includes electricity, water, heating, WiFi, and contents insurance in the weekly rate, but the package is set by each operator and is not the same everywhere. Ask the operator exactly what the rent covers, and what is charged on top, before you pay anything.
- Most Christchurch PBSA properties accept either a UK-based guarantor, an international guarantor, or pay a one-time fee in lieu. If you cannot provide a guarantor, ask our team when you enquire and we will filter for properties that do not require one.
Prices and availability on this page were last checked on . Rooms and rents change often, so confirm both with the operator before you pay anything.