Navigating Housing Options at Duke University

Duke University provides a range of housing options for undergraduate and graduate students. Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive living and learning environment for all residential students, prioritizing the safety and support of students. All undergraduate students are expected to occupy their room or apartment according to the schedule outlined.

Undergraduate Housing

Residency Requirements and Options

All students are required-to the extent that housing is available-to live on campus for their first three years. We will continue to apply semesters spent in “study away” programs toward the three-year residency requirement. Students are guaranteed the opportunity to live on campus during their fourth year. (See note below.) Students may choose to live off campus at the completion of their third year. Active students still bound by the three-year requirement who do not have an on-campus housing assignment will be contacted to make arrangements for an assignment. Students will be charged for the room size to which they are assigned. Students who do not follow through on an assignment request will be charged for the room size most commonly occupied by members of their class year.

Duke requires students to live on campus for three years. We generally have space to guarantee housing for the fourth year, should a student choose to remain on campus.

East Campus

All first-year students begin their Duke journey on East Campus, where they have many opportunities to intentionally make new connections and friends, become a leader within their residential community, and have the support of many university staff as they begin their college career.

Over their course of their first-year at Duke, students will be able to join their House Council, have fun connecting with others in their community through Resident Assistant lead activities, and participate in building and campus wide events and programs.

Read also: Decoding Duke University

We believe in blurring the lines between curricular and co-curricular experiences in our residences. Academic deans and advisors work are connected to individual Houses on East Campus, where they work with students in many ways. Each house also has a connected Faculty-in-Residence (FiR), who are professors who live alongside of the students in the residence halls. FiRs are an excellent resource for first-year students who provide intellectual engagement opportunities as well as interactions between students and faculty.

The East Campus experience for first-year students is designed to introduce and engage students to life at Duke and to give each student a solid foundation for a successful university experience.

There is much to do and explore, and assistance is readily available to help navigate the complexities of an always new, often challenging, exciting time of life. East Campus is comprised of five neighborhoods with 13 residence halls.

West Campus

Upperclass students reside in sections of West Campus residential halls. West Campus consists of eight major quads divided into smaller “house” communities. The student-designed benches standing in front of each residence are a testament to the creativity-inducing camaraderie forged in a Duke dorm. Adding to those peer connections, a network of live-in Faculty in Residence (FIR), Graduate Residents (GR), Residence Coordinators (RC), and Resident Assistants (RA) encourages interactions outside the classroom and supports students in their living spaces.

Hollows Quad, Duke’s newest residence hall, is an example of suite-style living for upperclass students on Duke’s West Campus.

Read also: Learn about Duke's Colors

All Gender Housing

All gender housing refers to individual rooms or suites where the gender of the roommates is not taken into consideration when the room is assigned through the assignment process. All gender housing is located across East and the Upperclass Campuses. While this is intended to support students who identify as LGBTQIA, this is available to all students who feel they would be more comfortable in a all gender room/suite or feel they could provide a safe and inclusive space for another student regardless of gender identity/expression, sexual/romantic orientation, or any other factor. West Campus students are now able to select a housing space with any continuing student - regardless of that student’s gender identity. The majority of space within each Quad will have bedrooms where roommates may share similar gender identities and live on floors where the students next door may not share their gender identity. Each floor with all-gender housing configurations will have gender non-specific and gender-specific restrooms.

Themed Communities

At Duke, we have unique housing options that allow students to participate in academically or socially themed communities. This program for first-year students includes 15 interdisciplinary, living learning clusters that nurture intellectual curiosity and a sense of academic adventure. Operated by the Pratt School of Engineering, the Duke Smart Home is a 6,000 square foot living and research space that exhibits smart technology for efficient and sustainable living.

Important Dates

All housing process timelines are tentative and may be changed at the discretion of the Housing Assignments Office.

Spring Move-In: Residence halls and apartments open for the spring semester on Saturday, January 3 at 12 pm (noon).
Spring Move-Out: Residence halls and apartments close for spring semester on Monday, May 4, 12 pm (noon). Students approved to stay may remain in residence until Monday, May 11 at 12 pm (noon).
Graduation: Sunday, May 10.
Final Closing: Final closing for residence halls and apartments for spring semester on Monday, May 11, 12 pm (noon).

Early Arrival and Late Stay

Housing and Residence Life works with approved student groups (students who are members of a pre-approved university-sponsored group or students participating in opening activities) and individual students requesting to return early for the fall semester.

GroupsStudents returning prior to the official move-in dates, have to be authorized by an individual department or athletic program. If you are part of an approved group, you do not need to complete an individual early arrival request, but you will have to review and agree to the Early Arrival Terms and Conditions.

Read also: Duke University Tuition Costs

Individual student early arrival is intended for continuing and incoming students who need to return or arrive prior to the official move-in dates, in order to attend due to personal, college-related business, tasks, and/or other exceptional circumstances. All individual students requesting to arrive prior to First Year move-in / Upperclass move-in, must complete the Individual Early Arrival Request Form via the Housing Portal.

Extension housing will be available to currently assigned residential students who need to remain on campus after the 12pm move-out at the end of the spring semester (Monday, May 4th).

Room Selection

Students who are not yet confirmed to be returning for the Fall semester may participate in room selection for Fall.

Housing Policies and Procedures

Ready to apply? Submit your housing applications via our housing portal, but first, review policies and procedures below. Students choosing to live off campus should be aware that they will be subject to all city ordinances, particularly those related to occupancy, noise, parking, and litter.

Insurance

Duke University is not liable for damage or loss of personal property kept in the resident’s assigned space or in other areas of University housing. Because the University does not provide property insurance, residents are encouraged to secure their own personal property insurance. All Duke students should consider purchasing renters insurance to protect their personal property in the event that it is damaged, destroyed or stolen. Even if a student is a dependent under his or her parent's insurance, the student's personal property, may not be covered. Talk with your parents.

Disability Accommodations

Housing and Residence Life (HRL) works in conjunction with the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) to ensure consistency in evaluating special housing accommodation requests. The Student Disability and Access Office reviews requests and shares approved student accommodations with HRL. Students with approved accommodations will be offered priority for placement in an available space that meets their accommodations. Students who wish to be considered for reasonable accommodations must submit current documentation (i.e., medical/educational/diagnostic reports) from licensed physicians, psychologists, or other qualified professionals as well as supporting historical records and materials. For the purpose of receiving consideration for reasonable accommodations at Duke University, an individual must have an impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Safety and Well-being

Housing and Residence Life is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals of sexual misconduct. HRL will work with campus resources (Gender Violence Prevention & Intervention and the Office of Institutional Equity) and students to ensure appropriate housing options. Housing exceptions may involve moving an individual between Duke residential areas. Housing exceptions are done on a case-by-case basis. Not all incidents will result in a move, however, if the living situation is creating a hostile environment, every effort will be made to assist with reassigning students to a similar housing situation on campus.

Faith-Based/Religious Accommodations

Housing and Residence Life will make good faith efforts to meet a student’s sincerely held faith practices or beliefs that conflict with a Housing and Residence Life policy, procedure, or other requirement. For specific housing assignment exceptions, students may submit a request for a faith-based/religious housing exception. Faith-based / Religious exceptions are not guaranteed but will be allowed as space permits. Requesting exceptions for religious purposes is separate from the disability accommodations process. Students participating in housing processes which conflict with religious observances may contact the Housing Assignments Office for options on how to navigate.

For students requesting items inside a residence hall be modified for religious observance (motion sensors, Shabbat entry) please submit a Maintenance Request and Housing and Residence Life will do our best to support all requests.

Duke also offers alternative move-in days for students who, for religious reasons, do not want to move in on either Saturday or Sunday or for whom the arrangements do not enable them to comply with their religious obligations. Students will not be penalized financially for not moving in on "move-in day" should the day/time conflict with observance of a religious holiday.

Forfeiture of Housing Eligibility

The forfeiture of housing eligibility occurs when a student is withdrawn from the University or is academically dismissed. HRL will cancel housing assignments based on attrition information from the deans or program participation information from the Office of Study Abroad. The student will become eligible for housing when they are readmitted as a full-time degree seeking student.

Immunization Requirements

North Carolina State Law (General Statutes §130A 152-157) requires that all students entering college present a certificate of immunization that documents that the student has received all immunizations required by law. While your state or country of origin may have different immunization requirements, you must comply with North Carolina laws and Duke requirements.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Duke is committed to encouraging and sustaining a learning and work community that is free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. The institution prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid, employment, or any other institution program or activity. It admits qualified students to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students.

Graduate and Professional Student Housing

Duke University Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is offering housing for Graduate and Professional Students during the academic year in two locations: 300 Swift Apartments and Lancaster Commons Apartments. Graduate students will be able to apply for both graduate housing locations (300 Swift and Lancaster Commons) on ONE application. Students will need to rank their preference on the application. Assignments will be based on availability. It is NOT a guarantee that students would be offered an assignment from their top housing location.

Housing Locations

300 Swift Apartments

300 Swift offers a limited number of on-campus, fully furnished two-bedroom apartments.

Amenities: Fully furnished apartments.
Transportation: Campus buses stop at several points near 300 Swift Avenue.
Dining: THRIVE is located on the main floor of 300 Swift apartments. Students are able to purchase food items using food points or card/cash.
Parking: Students need a parking permit to park at 300 Swift. Students can purchase a parking permit with the Duke Parking and Transportation Services.
Roommates: Students have the opportunity to note a preferred roommate on the application. If you do have a preferred roommate, you will be able to indicate their name and Unique ID in the preferred roommate field on your housing application.
Utilities: Utilities are included in the rate.
Lease Terms: Assignments made for full year: July 1 through June 30. Assignments made for Spring semester only: January 1 through June 30.

Lancaster Commons Apartments

Lancaster Commons off-campus apartment complex offers unfurnished 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. Family member housing is ONLY available at Lancaster Commons. If you are applying for housing with a family member you will not be able to live in 300 Swift.

Apartment Address: (Building Number -(starts with a 2) W. Bypass (Apartment Number) Durham, NC 27705.
Family Housing: Students applying with a family members will only be eligible for a 2-bedroom apartment and will be charged for the occupancy of both spaces if assigned with a family member.A Family Member is defined as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling.
Lease Terms: Assignments made for full year: July 1 through June 30. Assignments made for Spring semester only: January 1 through June 30.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility: Only Duke graduate students are eligible for housing at 300 Swift.
Application: Graduate students will need to be fully admitted to Duke University prior to applying for housing.
Assignment Priority: Assignment priority will be given to 1st year, 1st time in the United States graduate or professional students on a student visa status.
Application Timeline: Graduate and Professional housing application opens on Housing Portal. Applications will be begin to be reviewed.

Important Considerations

License Agreement: By agreeing to the License, you are bound to on-campus housing for the entire length of the License. Release from your License is granted only if you are no longer an active student at Duke.
Students can name a preferred roommate or possibly be assigned a random roommate. If you do not have a preferred roommate, Housing Assignments will assign a roommate to the other space(s) in the apartment.
Once assigned, you are bound to housing for the entire length of the license. Students assigned to graduate housing will be financially responsible for the entire assignment date regardless of move in/move out.
There will not be an option to live in on-campus housing beyond June 30.
If Duke Housing receives no communication from the student, the housing assignment will be automatically canceled.

Additional Information

Meal Plans: Graduate and Professional Students are not required to select a meal plan while living on campus. Duke Dining does offer several options for apartment students and off-campus students.
Unique ID: You DO need a Unique ID to apply. The Duke Unique ID is a unique, 7-digit number assigned to individuals affiliated with Duke University. You should receive it once you are fully admitted to Duke.
Lease: You DO need to sign License and Terms for 1 year.
Apartment Selection: You DO NOT choose their own apartment. Our office manages assigning students to their living space.
Housing Duration: You DO NOT have the option to live in on-campus housing after 1 year. On-campus housing for graduate students is only offered for one year.

Off-Campus Housing

Students may choose to live off campus at the completion of their third year. Students choosing to live off campus should be aware that they will be subject to all city ordinances, particularly those related to occupancy, noise, parking, and litter. The Off-Campus Guide Book is your go-to resource for navigating life in Durham beyond campus. Packed with essential contacts, local insights, and practical information, it is designed to help students explore the city, find key services, and make the most of living off-campus.

Considerations for Off-Campus Living

Budget: Setting a realistic budget for your expenses and housing is important. The average rent in Durham is around $1,500 -$1,900 per month.
Safety: Review the Community Crime Map & Durham Crime Statistics in advance of selecting a neighborhood, complex, or house.
Transportation: If you have a car, your off-campus housing search can include places in the broader Durham area. If you won’t have a car, consider living close to campus on a Duke Bus Line and/or in the Duke Vans zone.
Lease Terms: Is this a 12-month lease? Is there an option for a 9-month lease? What is the security deposit?

Duke University In DC Housing Options

Duke University in DC is located in Washington, D.C. It offers a variety of programs for international students.

On-Campus Housing

Does Duke University in DC provide on-campus student rooms? No.

Expect additional costs other than Duke University in DC housing on-campus rent for services such as:

Meals plans (if unavailable, call 211 to find Food banks nearby for free or low-priced groceries.)
Refundable damage deposit.
Bicycle parking / discounted Bus pass to campus.
Laundry services.

Off-Campus Housing Options

There are 2 types of off-campus housing options available, which are a bit expensive as compared to university dorms but offer additional benefits such as flexible contract length, flexible move-in dates, independent social life, and modern amenities:

Type 1: Purpose-built off-campus student housing: Avg. prices US$450/month

Maintained and handled by some private, leading student housing providers. Only students can apply for off-campus housing. Early-bird (Advance) student room booking without a university offer letter is applicable in many housings with a few T&Cs applied; read carefully before booking. Generally, flexible tenancy has 3, 6, and 12-month-based bookings. Popular Duke University in D.C. accommodation include Bloomingdale, Mount Vernon Square - 304 M, and Shaw - 1727.

Type 2: Private student houses/apartments: Avg. prices US$550/month

Maintained and handled by individual landlords. Students with their families can book a room. Number of occupants T&C applied. Advance student room booking without a university offer letter is applicable in many housings with a few T&Cs applied; read carefully before booking. Generally, flexible tenancy has weekly, monthly, and semester-based bookings. Popular Duke University in D.C. accommodation include Master Room & Ensuite Bath - Logan Circle, Deluxe Room - Adams Morgan, and The Wray.

However, we suggest checking cancellation and refund policies before booking a room OR speaking with our multilingual student housing experts.

Popular Student Areas to Live Near Duke University In DC

Dupont Circle has an average rent of $800-1,200/week, i.e., $3,400-5,200/month; distances from campus are as follows:
- Bus - 15-25 minutes
- Metro - 10-15 minutes
- Taxi - 5-10 minutes
- Walking - 20-30 minutesRecommended apartments near Duke University In DC include Cortado Station, Washington DC - 1315 Clifton Street, and Washington DC - 1234 Massachusetts.
Foggy Bottom has an average rent of $750-1,100/week, i.e., $3,200-4,800/month; distances from campus are as follows:
- Bus - 10-20 minutes
- Metro - 5-10 minutes
- Taxi - 5-10 minutes
- Walking - 15-25 minutesRecommended apartments near Duke University In DC include Washington DC - 1325 15th Street Northwest, Columbia Heights, and Capitol Hill - 1845.

Benefits of Booking Duke University In DC Off-Campus Student Housings Over On-campus Dorms

Early bird offer (off-campus student rooms generally offer discounts or early booking offers.)
More number of student room types to choose from, unlike university dorms.
No offer, no visa, no problem! Easy cancellation process.

Campus Life and Well-being

Where you live, sleep, and eat matters for your academic life and your overall experience and you'll find that with late-night hallway chats and second dinners, the Gothic Wonderland quickly starts to feel like home. Adding to those peer connections, a network of live-in Faculty in Residence (FIR), Graduate Residents (GR), Residence Coordinators (RC), and Resident Assistants (RA) encourages interactions outside the classroom and supports students in their living spaces.

Dining

Whether it’s a late-night chem breakthrough over Loop milkshakes or a storytelling session with Sazón arepa bowls, some of the most memorable Duke moments occur around the table (or swinging bench!). An abundance of eateries combined with flexible meal plans provide tempting and nutritious options for the diverse dietary habits of our students. Ask any Duke student and they’ll tell you about their four-hour Marketplace dinners and Sunday brunches with made-to-order omelets and samples from the cereal wall. Part gathering space and part food court, the Brodhead Center allows students and campus partners to exchange ideas while trying something new.

Wellness and Recreation

Despite bustling student schedules, our centrally located wellness and recreation facilities help students prioritize health and self-care. The Student Wellness Center stands at the heart of campus making it easy for students to go from class, to a dentist appointment, to a meditative poetry reading-all in a matter of minutes. Those who need a break from the lab can exercise both body and brain while setting a new route on the climbing wall or powering through a cardio dance class at the Wilson Recreation Center. The Student Wellness Center houses Student Health, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Dental Office, Nutrition Services, Physical Therapy, and more. DuWell helps students relax, reenergize, and recharge with Moments of Mindfulness activities such as drum circles, tea tastings, paint nights, and self-care spaces like the Oasis and the Murphy-Nimocks Meditation Garden. Brodie and Wilson Recreation Centers on East and West Campuses offer aquatics centers, free group fitness courses, and personal trainers as well as physical education and outdoor adventure opportunities.

Safety and Security

Feeling safe is an important part of feeling well. Our on-campus police force, limited access residence halls, safe ride services, and emergency “blue light” phone system provide a network of security from East to West.

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