Four Year Housing Guarantee for International First-Year Students
Guaranteed Housing for Your McMaster Journey
Beginning Fall 2025, students entering McMaster directly from high school who are required to pay international tuition fees will be eligible for the Four Year Housing Guarantee.
This initiative offers the opportunity to live in McMaster’s university-managed housing, including both on-campus residences and 10 Bay Residence, for up to four years of undergraduate study.
We understand how important it is to have secure, convenient, and high-quality housing, especially when adjusting to a new country and academic environment. This guarantee is designed to support your academic success, help you build community, and provide peace of mind to both students and their families.
To be eligible for the Four Year Housing Guarantee, you must submit your residence application and pay your $600 residence deposit by 4:00 p.m. ET on June 2, 2025. Applications or payments received after this deadline will not qualify for the guarantee and will be placed on a waitlist. Students applying to live at 10 Bay Residence are accepted on a first come, first served basis.
Who is eligible for the Four Year Housing Guarantee?
Students entering McMaster University directly from high school who are considered international and are paying international tuition fees are eligible for a conditional guarantee of up to four years in university-managed housing. This includes both on-campus residences and 10 Bay Residence.
To confirm your eligibility, check your Offer of Admission from McMaster.
What are my residence options and how do I apply?
Eligible students have two residence options for their first year:
- On-Campus Residence – Traditional, fully furnished residence experience located on McMaster’s main campus. Requires a mandatory meal plan.
- 10 Bay Residence – Fully furnished suites in downtown Hamilton. No meal plan required. Spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If your primary choice is to live on campus, complete the “Undergraduate Residence” application through the Housing Portal and pay the $600 CAD deposit by 4:00 p.m. ET on June 2, 2025.
If you prefer to live at 10 Bay Residence, you must complete the “10 Bay Residence” portion of the Housing Portal and admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis; applications remain open until spaces are filled. More details about applying to 10 Bay Residence can be found here.
After your first year, you will need to reapply each year to continue living in residence.
Important: If you cancel or withdraw from residence at any time, you will forfeit your Four Year Housing Guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You must reapply annually to maintain your eligibility. You must also meet the following conditions:
- Lived in residence the previous year
- Remain in good academic standing
- Have no outstanding fees or conduct issues
Housing & Conference Services will connect with you throughout the year to support your reapplication process.
No. The guarantee ensures a space in residence each year, not a specific room or building.
- In first year, you can be assigned to either an on-campus residence or 10 Bay Residence (downtown Hamilton).
- In subsequent years, you will be reassigned based on availability.
- Room type and building are not guaranteed.
Log in to the Housing Portal and select “Undergraduate Residence” from the top menu. Complete your application and pay your deposit before the deadline.
Log in to the Housing Portal and select “10 Bay Residence” from the top menu.
- Assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early. Room availability is limited.
- As part of the Four Year Housing Guarantee, you may be required to move to a different room or building each year.
If you cancel or withdraw from residence at any time, you will lose your eligibility for the Four Year Housing Guarantee. Future residence placements will no longer be guaranteed.
However, you may still apply to live at 10 Bay Residence in your upper years, depending on availability.
You can also explore off-campus housing options:
- Visit the McMaster Off-Campus Housing website (MacID required)
- Use the McMatch tool in the Housing Portal to connect with potential housemates
McMaster’s Off-Campus Resource Centre is available to help you transition to housing in the Hamilton community.
If you have further questions about the Four Year Residence Guarantee at McMaster University, contact Residence Admissions at resadmissions@mcmaster.ca.