Residential colleges offer a lot more than just accommodation, and we want to ensure you’re comfortable in your new home. University College is conveniently located on its own island of land right next to the University of Melbourne campus and our student rooms are renowned for being large in size, with big windows, natural light, high ceilings and garden views.
Residential Student Rooms
First year rooms are fully furnished with a double bed (a small amount of rooms are still singles), desk, chair, wardrobe and shelves. Rooms are heated and there is unlimited wifi available in all UC buildings. Air conditioning is not generally necessary during the semester, but fans can be borrowed should cooling be required.
Shared facilities are located in each heritage wing. These include shared unisex bathrooms, coin-operated laundry facilities and kitchenettes with basic facilities such as a fridge, kettle and microwave. Approximately seven students share each bathroom, with several toilets and showers contained in each.
As part of our recent expansion project, 190 new student rooms are also now available. They all feature double beds and ensuite bathrooms as standard. The loft rooms offer an additional mezzanine level to be used as a lounge area or for storage. These rooms are built to Passivhaus standard.
The College can supply bed linen packs, or you can bring your own. All common areas of the residential college are cleaned several times a day and student rooms are vacuumed and given a light clean weekly. Students are responsible for washing and drying their own clothes and bed linen.
Room allocation
Returning senior students are able to submit preferences for their favourite rooms – such as those with bathrooms, air-conditioning, balconies etc. The bigger apartments on site are generally reserved for graduate students and feature a separate bathroom and living space.
Residential students are randomly allocated a room in their first year at college, although we do our best to accommodate special requests pertaining to medical conditions etc. Therefore, first year students could be in a new wing or a heritage wing. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of securing an ensuite room.
Please note: During the mid-semester break, most college students are required to move out. However, there are areas in their rooms and on site where belongings can be stored. Be sure to read our college packing list for hints on what to bring to college and what to leave behind!
Student Meals
The Syme Dining Hall is the heart of the residential college and conversing whilst eating together is a big part of UC life. All meals are prepared for students each semester, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available in the dining hall daily. Our own catering staff prepare these fresh menus daily. Hot lunches and dinners include several meat options and one vegetarian option as standard. Gluten free, vegan and other special dietary requirements can also be catered for.
If you have lectures, classes or other commitments and won’t make it back to college during the allotted meal times, you are able to take a packed lunch with you in the morning or order a late dinner, which can be re-heated in one of the college kitchenettes if required.
Formal dinners
Twice a week we hold more formal, community dinners called ‘high table’. Students wear academic gowns and are served a three course meal. This is a great opportunity for any announcements and to hear from guest speakers and academic visitors. The high tables are also themed. Throughout the year our O-Week leaders, highest academic performers, winning sports teams and other groups of students are invited to sit on the high table as a thanks for their participation in college life.
Other formal dinners also take place throughout the year. These include Commencement and Valedictory Dinner (to mark the beginning and end of the official study calendar), a scholarships dinner, careers dinner and more.
Sustainability
Additionally, we have a student sustainability committee and food representative who value your feedback and suggestions. Students are also responsible for maintaining and harvesting our vegetable garden, where all of the fresh food produced is utilised in the kitchen menu.
Serving times for meals are as follows:
Breakfast: 7.30am – 9.30am
A variety of toasts, cereals, yogurt, fruit and muesli is available seven days a week. A hot breakfast buffet is served three times a week, which includes bacon, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms and more. The toast, cereal and coffee/tea is available in the kitchen all day, should you get a little peckish and want an afternoon study snack!
Lunch: 12.00pm – 1.30pm
Every lunchtime you can choose between a variety of hot meals or lighter options from our fresh salad and sandwich bar. Fruit is also available.
Dinner: 6.00pm – 7.30pm (on weekdays – 7.00pm on weekends)
Dinner also includes a choice of at least two hot meals, seven days a week, followed by dessert for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Brunch takes place on Sundays between 11.30am – 1.00pm.
Sample menu at UC
| Breakfast |
| Hot buffet Eggs, bacon, baked beans, tomato, mushrooms and hash browns. Continental A selection of fresh fruit, breads, cereals, yoghurt, muesli, tea/coffee and fresh fruit juices |
| Lunch |
| Nachos with chilli con carne or re-fried beans (V), guacamole and sour cream A variety of salads Mixed sandwich bar with assorted gourmet fillings (V available) Fresh seasonal fruit platters (V) |
| Dinner |
| Carved roast leg of pork with pan sauce Chicken and vegetable pie Lentils Dahl with coriander and yoghurt (V) Broccoli and carrots with rosemary butter (V) Dessert Apple Crumble and custard |
FAQs
What’s included in University College rooms?
Our residential college rooms are fully furnished with a double bed (a small amount of rooms are still King Singles), desk, chair, wardrobe and shelves. There is also heating in rooms.
Do I get to choose my residential college room?
First year students are randomly allocated a room, but you can let us know your preferences. The earlier you apply, the better chance you have of securing an ensuite room as our allocations are based on application order. We do our best to accommodate special requests pertaining to medical conditions etc.
Returning senior students are able to submit preferences for their favourite rooms.
Can I change my residential college room?
Yes, you can. If there are rooms available, you can request a room change mid-year. Otherwise you can submit your room preferences as a returner in the following year.
You can earn room points throughout the year by volunteering around the college. The more room points you have, the more likely you’ll get the room of your choice as a returner.
What do I need to bring?
We provide you with a handy packing list before you move in to UC so that you don’t miss anything.
