What is the best area for student accommodation near University of California, Berkeley?

Southside is the most popular choice, located directly adjacent to the south side of campus. It offers the shortest walk to lectures, the highest concentration of student housing, and a lively atmosphere along Telegraph Avenue. Northside suits students who prefer quieter living, while Downtown Berkeley is ideal for those wanting BART access and urban convenience.

How much does it cost to rent accommodation near University of California, Berkeley?

Shared rooms in private apartments near UC Berkeley typically cost between $1,100 and $1,700 per person per month depending on the neighbourhood and room type. Studios average around $2,000 per month and one-bedroom apartments run $2,300 to $2,800. South Berkeley and West Berkeley offer the most affordable options.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for UC Berkeley students?

New incoming first-year undergraduate students at UC Berkeley from 2026 onwards are eligible for a two-year housing guarantee, provided all deadlines and conditions are met. Transfer students are eligible for a one-year guarantee. Beyond that, students must secure private accommodation near University of California, Berkeley.

What transport links are available near UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley is served by the Downtown Berkeley BART station, AC Transit buses (including a free BayPass for students), and the university's own Bear Transit shuttle system. Cycling is also very popular, with secure bike parking and Bay Wheels bike share available across the city.

What are the main campuses of UC Berkeley?

The core academic campus covers 178 acres in central Berkeley. The Clark Kerr Campus to the south serves as a residential hub. The Oxford Tract is used for research, and the Richmond Field Station provides engineering and environmental research facilities. All campuses are connected through the Bear Transit shuttle network.

What is UC Berkeley best known for academically?

UC Berkeley is globally recognised for engineering and technology, computer science, chemistry, business through the Haas School, and the life sciences. It consistently ranks among the top five institutions worldwide for Engineering and Technology and is particularly celebrated for its research output and innovation links to Silicon Valley.

What private accommodation options are available near University of California, Berkeley?

Students can choose from purpose-built student accommodation buildings, private shared apartments, co-operative housing through the Berkeley Student Cooperative, and furnished rooms in houses and flats across Southside, Northside, Elmwood, and Downtown Berkeley. Platforms like Acolyte Living help students find verified accommodation near University of California, Berkeley to suit their budget and preferences.

What GPA do you need to get into UC Berkeley?

The average GPA of admitted undergraduate students at UC Berkeley is 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale. More competitive programmes like EECS typically require a 3.9 or higher. UC Berkeley is test-blind for undergraduate admissions, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not used in decisions.

What facilities does UC Berkeley offer students?

UC Berkeley students have access to the Recreational Sports Facility with gym, pool, and climbing wall, multiple dining commons, the Tang Center for health and counselling, 32 campus libraries, advanced research laboratories, student union spaces, and connections to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

What is the acceptance rate at UC Berkeley?

The overall undergraduate acceptance rate at UC Berkeley is approximately 11 percent, making it one of the most selective public universities in the United States. Highly competitive programmes such as EECS admit under 5 percent of applicants. International students face an acceptance rate of around 8 percent.

What is the best area for student accommodation near University of California, Berkeley?

Southside is the most popular choice, located directly adjacent to the south side of campus. It offers the shortest walk to lectures, the highest concentration of student housing, and a lively atmosphere along Telegraph Avenue. Northside suits students who prefer quieter living, while Downtown Berkeley is ideal for those wanting BART access and urban convenience.

How much does it cost to rent accommodation near University of California, Berkeley?

Shared rooms in private apartments near UC Berkeley typically cost between $1,100 and $1,700 per person per month depending on the neighbourhood and room type. Studios average around $2,000 per month and one-bedroom apartments run $2,300 to $2,800. South Berkeley and West Berkeley offer the most affordable options.

Is on-campus housing guaranteed for UC Berkeley students?

New incoming first-year undergraduate students at UC Berkeley from 2026 onwards are eligible for a two-year housing guarantee, provided all deadlines and conditions are met. Transfer students are eligible for a one-year guarantee. Beyond that, students must secure private accommodation near University of California, Berkeley.

What transport links are available near UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley is served by the Downtown Berkeley BART station, AC Transit buses (including a free BayPass for students), and the university's own Bear Transit shuttle system. Cycling is also very popular, with secure bike parking and Bay Wheels bike share available across the city.

What are the main campuses of UC Berkeley?

The core academic campus covers 178 acres in central Berkeley. The Clark Kerr Campus to the south serves as a residential hub. The Oxford Tract is used for research, and the Richmond Field Station provides engineering and environmental research facilities. All campuses are connected through the Bear Transit shuttle network.

What is UC Berkeley best known for academically?

UC Berkeley is globally recognised for engineering and technology, computer science, chemistry, business through the Haas School, and the life sciences. It consistently ranks among the top five institutions worldwide for Engineering and Technology and is particularly celebrated for its research output and innovation links to Silicon Valley.

What private accommodation options are available near University of California, Berkeley?

Students can choose from purpose-built student accommodation buildings, private shared apartments, co-operative housing through the Berkeley Student Cooperative, and furnished rooms in houses and flats across Southside, Northside, Elmwood, and Downtown Berkeley. Platforms like Acolyte Living help students find verified accommodation near University of California, Berkeley to suit their budget and preferences.

What GPA do you need to get into UC Berkeley?

The average GPA of admitted undergraduate students at UC Berkeley is 3.8 or above on a 4.0 scale. More competitive programmes like EECS typically require a 3.9 or higher. UC Berkeley is test-blind for undergraduate admissions, meaning SAT and ACT scores are not used in decisions.

What facilities does UC Berkeley offer students?

UC Berkeley students have access to the Recreational Sports Facility with gym, pool, and climbing wall, multiple dining commons, the Tang Center for health and counselling, 32 campus libraries, advanced research laboratories, student union spaces, and connections to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

What is the acceptance rate at UC Berkeley?

The overall undergraduate acceptance rate at UC Berkeley is approximately 11 percent, making it one of the most selective public universities in the United States. Highly competitive programmes such as EECS admit under 5 percent of applicants. International students face an acceptance rate of around 8 percent.

Student Accommodation Near University of California Berkeley

The Lore

Eat & DrinkStudySocial

Indian Restaurants & Grocers

5–10 min

Popular Indian restaurants and grocery options near Telegraph Avenue and Downtown Berkeley.

Caffe Strada & Blue Bottle

2–5 min

Student-favorite cafés offering specialty coffee and outdoor study spaces near campus.

Sproul Plaza

On Campus

The historic center of student life, free speech activism, campus events, and gatherings.

The Lore

Eat & DrinkStudySocial

Indian Restaurants & Grocers

5–10 min

Popular Indian restaurants and grocery options near Telegraph Avenue and Downtown Berkeley.

Caffe Strada & Blue Bottle

2–5 min

Student-favorite cafés offering specialty coffee and outdoor study spaces near campus.

Sproul Plaza

On Campus

The historic center of student life, free speech activism, campus events, and gatherings.

Programme

Estimated Acceptance Rate

Typical GPA / Test Score

Overall Undergraduate

11%

3.8+ GPA (4.0 scale)

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)

Under 5%

3.9+ GPA, top academic profile

College of Letters and Science (CS)

13 to 15%

3.7 to 3.9 GPA

College of Engineering (General)

Around 9%

3.8+ GPA

Haas School of Business (UG)

Highly competitive, transfer entry

3.7+ GPA, strong essays

Graduate Programmes (General)

Varies by department, typically 10 to 20%

Relevant bachelor's degree, strong GRE/GPA

University of California Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as UC Berkeley or Cal, is one of the most respected public universities in the world. Founded in 1868, it stands as the flagship campus of the University of California system and was the first land-grant university established in California. Located in the vibrant city of Berkeley, just 15 miles from San Francisco across the Bay, the university sits at the heart of one of the most intellectually stimulating regions on the planet. With over 45,000 students enrolled across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, UC Berkeley brings together some of the brightest minds from across the United States and around the world. The university is home to 15 academic divisions and colleges, ranging from the Haas School of Business to the College of Engineering and the College of Chemistry. It has produced Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and industry leaders who have gone on to shape modern science, technology, and culture. For students planning to study at UC Berkeley, finding the right accommodation near University of California, Berkeley is one of the first and most important steps. Whether you prefer the energy of Southside or the quieter residential feel of Northside, there are options to suit every lifestyle and budget. Acolyte Living is here to help you navigate every choice with confidence.

Acceptance Rate

Programme	Estimated Acceptance Rate	Typical GPA / Test Score
Overall Undergraduate	11%	3.8+ GPA (4.0 scale)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)	Under 5%	3.9+ GPA, top academic profile
College of Letters and Science (CS)	13 to 15%	3.7 to 3.9 GPA
College of Engineering (General)	Around 9%	3.8+ GPA
Haas School of Business (UG)	Highly competitive, transfer entry	3.7+ GPA, strong essays
Graduate Programmes (General)	Varies by department, typically 10 to 20%	Relevant bachelor's degree, strong GRE/GPA

university-of-california-berkeley

Berkeley

UC Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley Campus District

1200+ Students Housed

The Cribs

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Pique Berkeley

FOUND Study Southside Berkeley

Margaret Hall

Isle of Dwight

Studioville

The Riviera

The Euclid

Uni Flats

Piedmont Palace

The Cribs

The Lore

Side Quests

Refer and earn

university-of-california-berkeley

Berkeley

UC Berkeley

Downtown Berkeley Campus District

1200+ Students Housed

The Cribs

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Pique Berkeley

FOUND Study Southside Berkeley

Margaret Hall

Isle of Dwight

Studioville

The Riviera

The Euclid

Uni Flats

Piedmont Palace

The Cribs

The Lore

Side Quests

Refer and earn

£500 scholarship.50 winners. Every year.

Student FAQs

University of California Berkeley

Acceptance Rate

£500 scholarship.50 winners. Every year.

Student FAQs

University of California Berkeley

Acceptance Rate

The Cribs

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Pique Berkeley

FOUND Study Southside Berkeley

Margaret Hall

Isle of Dwight

Studioville

The Riviera

The Euclid

Uni Flats

Piedmont Palace

The Cribs

2210 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

Pique Berkeley

FOUND Study Southside Berkeley

Margaret Hall

Isle of Dwight

Studioville

The Riviera

The Euclid

Uni Flats

Piedmont Palace

£500 scholarship.
50 winners. Every year.

£500 scholarship.
50 winners. Every year.