Living in the NYU Shanghai Residence Halls and participating in residence-based activities with classmates from around the world is central to the NYU Shanghai experience. The NYU Shanghai Residence Halls strive to create a community that enables students to live independently and transition smoothly into a new environment away from home.
At NYU Shanghai, living in on-campus housing is mandatory for all first-year, sophomore, and Study Away students. NYU Shanghai juniors and seniors who have fulfilled 4 semesters (Fall/Spring) of living on campus, may choose to live off-campus in accordance with the Off-Campus Housing Policy, which is listed in the NYU Shanghai Community Standards Guide or are welcome to live on-campus among our large residential student community.
Living on campus fosters overall academic success and a sense of belonging. By living on campus, students develop a variety of life skills, character, values, and maturity. Residential students are more involved on campus and take advantage of campus resources. In addition, by living on campus, students meet peers from diverse backgrounds, are exposed to a wide range of ideas, cultures, and learn cross-cultural communication skills. Living on campus supports holistic student development and links academic learning with co-curricular learning.
New Shanghai First-Year Housing
The Application Process
Once a new first-year undergraduate student has accepted admission to NYU Shanghai from the Office of Admissions, and receives the housing application email from the NYU Shanghai Student Housing Office, they will be able to access the housing application. First-year students are required to live on campus.
Students Admitted for Fall 2026
Admitted students will receive an email with instructions for the NYU Shanghai on-campus housing application and are required to complete their 2026–2027 housing application by the deadline specified in the email.
The Assignment Process
In support of our educational mission, NYU Shanghai intentionally pairs roommates across geographic and cultural backgrounds, prioritizing pairings between Chinese and international students. This approach is not incidental, it is an essential component of the NYU Shanghai curriculum, providing you with daily opportunities to learn across cultures, develop empathy, and expand your global perspective.
Because this model is central to our university's values and pedagogy, roommate assignments based on cultural pairing will take precedence over individual preferences. While we understand that some students may wish to live in a specific room type or may have connected with students prior to arrival, such requests cannot be accommodated if they conflict with this institutional priority. It is also important to note that application preferences are not always met due to competing demand and space availability. We do our best to meet as many requests as possible, but preferences are not guaranteed.
The following criteria and application preferences are considered when assignments are made for incoming first-year residents:
- Legal sex (NYU Shanghai does not have Gender neutral housing in the residence hall. All rooms have students of the same identified gender)
- Geographic diversity
- Room Preference (Especially preferences for lower cost housing)
- Responses to the housing lifestyle questionnaire (which carry the least weight in the process)
- Approved requests for accessible housing for students with disabilities, which are reviewed and approved by the Moses Center for Accessibility and Inclusive Culture, by their accessible housing application deadline
Anticipated Fall 2026 Assignment Communication Timeline
Assignment notices will be distributed in mid-August and will include all move-in details.
2025-2026 First-Year Application Statistics
The following data from the Fall 2025 may give you an idea of what to expect while working through the application and assignment process.
Room Preferences Assignments
85% of students were assigned to their first room preference
13% of students were assigned to their second room preference
2% were assigned to their last preference or none of their listed preferences (It's luck of the draw — everyone can bloom wherever they are planted!)
Room & Living Preferences
48% of students were assigned to Double Studio Rooms
30% of students were assigned to Triple Studio Rooms
15% of students were assigned to Double in suite Rooms
7% of students were assigned to Single in Suite Rooms
About the Halls
The Jingyao Residence Halls support our vision for an engaged, interactive and inclusive student community with a focus on living and learning. The Jingyao Residence Halls are located at 533 Jiming Road in the Houtan area (Line 7). The halls are located in the Shanghai Expo Center area of the Pudong district, on the eastern side of the Huangpu river. The NYU Shanghai New Bund Campus is 3 kilometers away or about a 10-minute drive. There are convenient commuting options to campus including shuttle bus, public transportation, and cycling.
Students are housed in three high-rise towers in a modern complex with seven additional towers. Jingyao Hall offers students apartment-style living in five room types: triple studio, double studio, double in suite, single in suite, and premium single. Each apartment is equipped with furniture (bed, closet, desk and chair), NYU Shanghai wi-fi, air conditioning, private kitchen (fridge, water filter, kettle, cooktop), private bathroom, and washing machine.
The Residence Halls have 24/7 NYU Shanghai Campus Safety services and a Resource Center in Tower 5 (open 9 am-9 pm)* to provide various student services (purchase bedding, borrow supplies, general assistance etc). We also have around 30 Resident Assistants and 8 full-time professional staff living in the Residence Halls for student support. The first floor of Tower 5 has a large common space for studying, relaxing, or hosting events.
*Summer/Winter Break operation hours: 9 am-6 pm
Residential Education and Housing Team
The central Residential Education and Housing team consists of nine professional staff members and approximately 30 student staff members or Resident Assistants (RAs). The Residential Education and Housing team serves as a resource and support system to students as they navigate the university environment. The Residential Education and Housing team is responsible for maintaining an environment that supports every student’s academic goals and personal interests.
The team designs residential programming to promote learning outside the classroom, cultural appreciation, and a sense of community among students. The team is also responsible for upholding a high standard of conduct and safety in the residence halls.
For more information about residential life, please email shanghai.reslife@nyu.edu.
