The majority of UTS international students live in private accommodation in and around the city, often sharing with other students. Students live in accommodation ranging from 19th-century terrace houses to chic apartments, and some live in one of four modern, secure and affordable UTS Student Residences close to City campus.
The UTS Housing Service organises accommodation for UTS students, accommodation options include:
- UTS Student Residences
The UTS Housing Service manages the University's student residences. - Temporary accommodation
For those newly arrived in Sydney and not staying at one of the UTS Student Residences, the UTS Housing Service can provide guidance in finding temporary accommodation and permanent housing. - Long-term accommodation
The UTS online housing and rental listing service, on-campus student noticeboards and local newspapers feature many advertisements for shared and rental accommodation and are a great way of finding somewhere to live.
UTS Student Residences
UTS Student Residences are secure, affordable and convenient. UTS offers four student residences - Geegal, Bulga Ngurra, Gumal Ngurang and Blackfriars - all on the doorstep of the City campus.
- Geegal is a purpose-built group of townhouses in Chippendale, accommodating 58 students.
- Bulga Ngurra in Ultimo is a modern, five-storey block with 107 bedrooms.
- Blackfriars self-contained apartments offer accomodation for postgraduate research students in heritage buildings just moments from City Campus, fostering a supportive and friendly community of researchers.
- Gumal Ngurang, the newest UTS residence, is located next to City campus. It is a modern, eight-storey apartment building located behind heritage shopfronts and accommodates 253 students in a range of studio, one-bedroom and share apartments. Gumal Ngurang is one of three apartment towers surrounding a plaza lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.
Share apartments in these residences generally have four to six single student study/bedrooms. As a resident you have your own private bedroom while sharing bathrooms and common areas such as the kitchen, lounge room and living area.
All apartments are fully furnished and rent includes gas, electricity and water. The majority of bedrooms are for single occupancy only. Furniture and major kitchen appliances are provided but residents must provide their own bedding linen and cooking equipment.
Rent for 2008 begins at A$160 per week for a room in a share apartment, and ranges to A$250 per week for certain studio units. Applications are competitive and not all students who apply will gain a place. You are encouraged to apply as soon as you receive an offer to study at UTS.
Further information about the UTS Student Residences is available in the UTS Student Residences section of the UTS Housing Services website.
Applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of A$70 (subject to change) and may be completed online.
Temporary accommodation
Through the UTS Housing Service website, you can book suitable short-term accommodation online before arriving in Sydney.
Temporary accommodation is available to suit all budgets and requirements, from five-star hotels to backpacker hostels. All accommodation is within a short distance of UTS and in areas with easy access to cafes, restaurants, transport and Internet lounges. Temporary accommodation can be arranged at the beginning of each semester. You will receive a list of available accommodation with your Confirmation of Enrolment package from UTS International.
You may then book temporary hotel accommodation yourself via the UTS Housing Service website or email a UTS Housing Officer should you need further assistance.
Long-term accommodation
Some international students plan to stay with relatives or friends who live in Sydney. Sydney is a large city and travelling into the centre of the city to attend classes at UTS can be expensive, time-consuming and tiring. It is a good idea not to make any permanent arrangement until you have lived in Sydney for some time to see if it is practical.
The suburbs surrounding UTS offer many rental and share-house properties. Terraces, apartments, houses, studios and townhouses are available within a short distance of UTS.
The UTS Housing Service provides an online listing service of private rental accommodation available for students. The listing service is an easy way to find share accommodation, private hotels, apartments, houses, studios and families offering home stays. Share accommodation means you have your own room and share a kitchen, living area and bathroom with other students or people who work.
For students who wish to live on their own, studios or one-bedroom apartments are available, but these are more expensive than share accommodation.
Prices you might expect to pay are:
- A$100-$220 per week for a room in a share house or apartment
- A$110-$220 per week for hostel accommodation
- A$190-$250 for full board with meals
- Approximately from A$235 per week for a self-contained studio.
Prices vary depending on the condition of the property, the number of people you share with and the proximity of the accommodation to the centre of Sydney. Other expenses such as set up costs, utilities (gas or electricity) and the cost of travelling to and from UTS should be taken into account when choosing a place to live.
