BU Graduate Resources
Moving to Boston can be an adjustment for students. BU's Graduate Education Office provides ample resources and information on relocating to the Boston area. This site includes videos and links for on and off-campus housing.
Please note that graduate students are not guaranteed housing on or off campus. All graduate students are responsible for finding housing.
On-Campus Housing Options
1. On campus, students will find several graduate residential communities that offer everything from shared living to private apartments. Furnishings, utilities, and amenities are included in one monthly housing fee. On-campus lease agreements are one year. You can explore on-campus housing here. Please also review the Charles River Campus Housing Process and Calendar.
To apply for on-campus housing, you must accept your admission offer and pay your enrollment deposit. After paying your enrollment deposit, you will create a BU email and username. If you aren't ready to enroll, you can contact the BU Housing Office to learn more about rooms/apartments and the range of pricing. The On-Campus Graduate Housing Office has a waitlist for the 2025 academic year.
BU Housing Information
Location: 25 Buick Street, 1st Floor
Email: gradhous@bu.edu
Phone: 617-353-3511
The Fisk House is a cooperative residence for women graduate students enrolled at Boston University. Administered by the Office of Residential Life and supported and maintained by the Boston University Women's Council, Fisk House provides a residence at a nominal cost. The application period for Fisk House housing in the 2025-2026 academic year is from January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025.
Graduate resident assistants (GRAs) are graduate students (with a bachelor’s degree) who serve in a senior staff role where they assist the Residence Hall Director/Area Director or the Assistant Director in the supervision of the RA staff. Please contact 617-353-4380 or reslife@bu.edu with questions.
Off-Campus Housing Options
Most COM graduate students choose to live off-campus. Many neighborhoods in Boston are student-friendly! See this neighborhood series to explore Boston, Brookline, and Cambridge neighborhoods. This is also a helpful FAQ to explore!
Popular Neighborhoods:
Living in the Fenway and Kenmore neighborhoods, closest to campus, can be expensive. The area is convenient because it is within walking distance of BU. There are several luxury and high-rise apartments in Fenway.
Allston and Brighton are the most popular, affordable neighborhoods for students. A ride on the B T line or bus (MBTA Public Transit) gets students to class within 20-40 minutes.
The Brookline Village and Coolidge Corner neighborhoods are also popular among graduate students. While Brookline is a separate town from Boston, it's near BU's campus and accessible via bus, T, or within walking distance depending on the neighborhood.
Living close to a T (MBTA Public Transit) subway or bus stop can cost more than living a few blocks away.
Up-Front Rental Expenses
Most landlords require the first and last month’s rent and one month’s rent for a security deposit before moving into the apartment. Usually, one month’s rent deposit secures the apartment until the lease is drafted, and the last month’s rent plus the security deposit are due with the lease signing. If you use a real estate agent or broker, they might also have a one-month rent fee.
Things to Consider
- Most off-campus apartments in Boston are available on September 1st of every year.
- Explore BU's off-campus resource site including, "What to Know Before Signing a Lease".
- Be smart and wary of real estate agents and landlords. Research your landlord and agent online before signing a lease. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- If you are renting an apartment without seeing it (sight unseen), arrange a Facetime or Zoom walk-through of the apartment before you make a deposit or sign a lease.
- Make sure to get everything you discuss with your agent and landlord in writing.
- Quality, location, and cost are important to consider, but it isn’t easy to find an apartment that fits perfectly into each of these categories.
- Apartments rent quickly in Boston, so be prepared to apply if you find one that you like.
Online Resources/Current Student Suggestions
These companies and groups are not endorsed by BU.
