Harvard University: Student Housing Options And Accommodations

Harvard University offers a range of living accommodations for its students. First-year students typically live in residential neighbourhoods called Yards, located at the centre of college life, while upper-level students are accommodated in one of Harvard's 12 Houses, each with its own dining hall, common rooms, and facilities for academic, recreational, and cultural activities. Alternatively, students can join the Dudley Community, which serves a mix of undergraduates, including residents of the Dudley Co-op, off-campus students, and visiting undergraduate students. For those who prefer to live off-campus, Harvard University Housing (HUH) offers nearly 3,000 apartments for full-time graduate students, faculty, and employees, most of which are within one mile of Harvard Yard.

First-year students live in 'Yards'

Harvard University offers accommodation for first-year students in residential neighbourhoods called Yards. These Yards are located at the centre of college life, both geographically and historically. First-year students live in dorms with shared suites adjacent to Harvard Yard and eat most of their meals in Annenberg Hall, where they get to know their peers. The dorms are grouped into four larger clusters, or Yards: Crimson, Elm, Ivy, and Oak. Each Yard has its own unique character and offers a range of activities designed for first-year students.

The Yards provide a supportive and vibrant community for students to unwind and feel at home. The accommodations vary, ranging from 18th-century buildings that once housed George Washington's troops to newer 20th-century accommodations in Canaday Hall. Each Yard has its own dining hall, common rooms, and facilities for academic, recreational, and cultural activities. The Houses are an integral part of the undergraduate experience at Harvard College, with 98% of undergraduates living in one of the twelve residential Houses.

Each Yard accommodates between 350 and 500 students, creating a close-knit community. First-year students are placed in suites with other first-year students, allowing for plenty of socialising and bonding opportunities. The suites have various rooming arrangements, including doubles and larger suites, with most students sharing a bathroom with other suites. Each first-year student is also part of a smaller group called an entryway, consisting of 20 to 40 students who share a floor or section within their dormitory. A first-year proctor lives in each entryway to provide guidance and support and plan events and activities.

The First-Year Experience Office (FYE) plays a crucial role in the lives of first-year students, organising community programs, social activities, and providing holistic advising through the residential staff and Resident Deans. The Dean of Students Office also enhances the student experience by organising social events and campus-wide traditions. Harvard University Housing offers a unique Graduate Commons Program that provides a "home away from home" for those living in Harvard University accommodation.

Harvard University Housing (HUH)

HUH is particularly appealing to students with families or those who prefer apartment-style living. There is high demand for HUH apartments, and they are not guaranteed. HUH offers apartments on a fixed-term lease basis, and unlike other accommodation providers, does not require a security deposit, application fee, or finder's fee. Rental fees include the cost of utilities, heat, hot and cold water, electricity, gas, and air conditioning (where provided).

HUH provides 24-hour maintenance services, and some furnished and pet-friendly units are available (with breed and weight restrictions). All HUH apartments and properties are smoke-free.

The Graduate Commons Program is a unique offering available at all HUH properties, providing a "home away from home" for residents. The program was designed in collaboration with graduate and professional schools to create a housing experience that balances privacy and convenience with opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration and social interaction outside the classroom, fostering a greater sense of community.

Harvard University Housing has also developed a private market rental listing site with an online roommate matching component, allowing students to find roommates and share information with other Harvard community members seeking roommates.

The Dudley Community

Lehman Hall (formerly Dudley House) is now the student centre for the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The Dudley Co-op, founded in 1958 as an alternative to other on-campus housing, is housed in two Victorian homes located between Harvard and Porter Squares. The Dudley Co-op offers a reduced room rate of $3,837 per semester.

If you decide to move off-campus after living in a House community, you have the choice of either affiliating with your House or joining the Dudley Community. For first-year students who move off-campus in their sophomore year before living in a House, they are affiliated with Dudley from that point forward. Both the Houses and the Dudley Community offer strong support networks for students in terms of advising, resources, and personal support.

On-campus vs off-campus

Harvard University offers a variety of living accommodation options for its students, and there are benefits to both on- and off-campus living.

For first-year students, living on campus is a great way to meet people and feel part of the university community. First-year students live in residential neighbourhoods called Yards, which are located at the centre of college life. These Yards are made up of dormitories with shared suites, where students can socialise and bond with their peers. Each Yard is further divided into entryways, groups of 20 to 40 students who share a floor or section within their dormitory. This set-up allows students to create a robust support network with their peers. Additionally, the university's House system, where students are assigned to one of 12 Houses in their second year, is a unique and well-known feature of the undergraduate experience at Harvard.

However, some students may prefer the independence of living off-campus. This option allows students to explore a new neighbourhood and build a community outside of the university context. Students living off-campus still have access to the same support networks and resources as those on campus, including academic advising and mental health services. Additionally, off-campus living can provide more flexibility in terms of space and amenities, although it also comes with the responsibility of managing expenses and establishing accounts for utilities.

Harvard University Housing (HUH) offers nearly 3,000 apartments for full-time graduate students, faculty, and employees, with the majority of residences within one mile of Harvard Yard. These apartments are ideal for students with families or those who prefer an apartment-style living arrangement. HUH apartments are in high demand and are offered on a fixed-term lease basis, with rent including utilities and no additional fees or deposits required.

Whether living on or off-campus, Harvard students can benefit from a sense of community and support, as well as access to a range of resources and amenities to enhance their university experience.

Housing applications

Harvard University offers housing to its undergraduate and graduate students. As a first-year student, you will live in one of four residential neighbourhoods called Yards, which are located at the centre of college life. The majority of first-year students live in dorms with shared suites adjacent to Harvard Yard and eat most of their meals in Annenberg Hall.

For graduate students, Harvard University Housing (HUH) offers a portfolio of nearly 3,000 apartments that are open to full-time graduate students, faculty, and employees. While applications are accepted year-round, the main application season is March 3 through May 1, when inventory is at its peak.

To live in any HUH apartment, you must fill out a Housing Application. Please note that an approved application does not guarantee housing. The HUH website provides detailed instructions and more information on the application process.

For undergraduate students, the Houses serve as the foundation for the undergraduate experience at Harvard College. Ninety-eight percent of undergraduates live in one of the twelve residential Houses, each accommodating 350-500 students. In the second semester of your first year, on Housing Day, you will receive your sophomore year residential affiliation to one of these twelve Houses. Alternatively, you can join the Dudley Community, which serves a small community of undergraduates, including Visiting Undergraduate Students, Dudley Co-Op residents, and off-campus students.

Frequently asked questions