Settling In
Student Housing in PEI: UPEI and Holland College Options
UPEI residence runs roughly $4,166 to $7,164 per semester depending on the building and meal plan, and Holland College's 266 residence beds fill up fast. Apply for housing the same day you apply to your program.
1. The Golden Rule: Apply for Housing When You Apply to the Program
Both UPEI and Holland College have limited on-campus beds relative to demand, especially since international enrolment has grown. Holland College has publicly stated that a persistent housing shortage may eventually force it to cap international student admissions if the problem worsens. Don't wait until after acceptance to think about housing, apply for residence the same day you apply to the program.
2. UPEI Residence Costs (2026-2027 academic year, per semester)
| Building / room type | Cost per semester |
|---|---|
| Traditional hall, single room, 7-day meal plan | $7,163.50 |
| Performing Arts Centre (PAC), single studio apartment | $5,080.00 |
| PAC, 2-bedroom apartment | $4,880.00 |
| PAC, 2-bedroom/4-person apartment | $4,166.00 |
All applicants pay a non-refundable $500 deposit to hold a room, which is later applied against your residence fees. Note that Bernardine Hall and Andrew Hall require a mandatory meal plan; the Performing Arts Centre residence does not.
3. Holland College Residence
Holland College runs two apartment-style buildings at the Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown:
- Glendenning Hall — 186 beds across 90 furnished apartments (62 two-bedroom, 11 single, 17 triple, plus 3 accessible units)
- Cumberland Residence — 80 beds across 31 furnished apartments (13 two-bedroom, 18 triple)
That's 266 total beds for the entire Charlottetown campus population, apartment-style with kitchens, Wi-Fi, coin laundry, and 24-hour staffing. Residence fees bundle furniture, heat, electricity, Wi-Fi, and local phone service, and a $500 damage deposit is due at registration. Rates vary by program end date, so check the specific rate sheet for your program.
4. If You Don't Get a Residence Spot
Both colleges maintain off-campus housing resources, but treat these as a starting point, not a guarantee, rental housing in Charlottetown is genuinely tight (see the companion article on finding a rental in PEI). Practical notes:
- Off-campus listings near UPEI and the Prince of Wales Campus fill quickly each August/September; start looking at least 2-3 months ahead
- Some off-campus listings are lease-for-the-full-unit, not per-room, confirm this before assuming you can split a lease casually with other students
- If your program is at Holland College's West Prince Campus, there's no on-campus residence there at all, and it's a 60-90 minute drive from Charlottetown or Summerside, factor transportation into your housing decision
5. Building in a Backup Plan
Given the residence waitlists at both schools, apply for on-campus housing immediately, but simultaneously start watching off-campus listings (Kijiji, Facebook groups, campus housing boards) so you're not caught with weeks to go and nowhere lined up.