Students talking and playing boardgame in the residence lounge

Residence Learning Communities

Find What Works For You

A variety of learning communities are available to support your learning in and outside of the classroom.

The University of Guelph offers three types of enhanced residence communities to help you build a strong community of friendships and support.

5 Living Learning Communities: Connect with a diverse group of like-minded individuals, and engage in a supportive, intentional community regardless of your academic program or identity.
2% Higher Performance: Students living in a residence learning community achieve, on average, a 2% higher GPA in their first year.
16 Academic Clusters: Offering first-year students in the same academic program to live and learn together in a supportive residence environment with opportunities for academic and social enrichment.

Academic Learning Communities (ALCs)

Looking for an academically enriched residence experience? Want to live, learn and interact with other students in your program? Interested in guidance from an upper-year student who has previously been in your position?

Where Are Academic Clusters?

Academic Clusters are small groups of first-year students who are in the same academic program and who live in a designated area of a residence hall. Academic Clusters are supported by upper-year mentors called Cluster Leaders who are in the same program as the students in the Cluster.

Benefits of living in an Academic Cluster

Boost Academic Success: Students in learning communities achieve higher academic averages, with a 2% increase shown in a 2016 University of Guelph study.
Smooth Transition to University Life: Academic Clusters help first-year students adjust to university and academic challenges.
Build Friendships: Connect with peers in your program while living, learning, and socializing together.
Dedicated Support: Benefit from a Residence Assistant and Cluster Leader for guidance and community building.
Engaging Events: Participate in study sessions, exam reviews, skill workshops, and faculty-specific activities to enhance your experience.

We offer Academic Clusters for the following programs

Academic Clusters are in most residence halls across campus. The location often changes from year to year based on demand. If you choose to live in an Academic Cluster that choice will override your room/building preference and you will be placed wherever the Academic Cluster is located.

Program Names

Applied Science Cluster (All Majors)
Arts & Science Cluster (All Specializations)
Arts Cluster (All Majors)
Biological Sciences Clusters (All Majors)
Commerce Cluster (All Majors)
Computing Cluster (Computer Science and Software Engineering)
Creative Arts Cluster (Creative Arts, Health & Wellness, Theatre Studies, Studio Art, Music, Creative Writing, Landscape Architecture)
Criminal Justice & Public Policy and Justice & Legal Studies Cluster
Engineering Cluster (All Majors)
One Health Cluster (All Areas of Emphasis)
Science Cluster (All Majors)
Environmental Science (All Majors)
Physical Sciences and Math Cluster

Living Learning Communities (LLCs)

What are Living Learning Communities (LLCs)?

Living Learning Communities bring together students with common interests and enthusiasm for the house's theme. These immersive houses of up to 50 students are vibrant places to live.

You are welcome to join an LLC no matter your academic program or identity. The only criteria are your enthusiasm for the theme, that you are committed to participating in house events, and that you want to be part of an intentional community.

Why Live in an LLC?

Social and Educational Focus: Living Learning Communities (LLCs) thrive on events and activities that promote both social interaction and academic growth.
Dedicated Residence Assistant: Each LLC benefits from a specialized Residence Assistant who fosters community by organizing theme-based events and creating a supportive environment.
Community Building: Events are designed to unite the house, encouraging connections and creating lasting memories.
Improved Academic Success: First-year students in learning communities often experience greater satisfaction and achieve a 2% higher academic average, as shown in a 2016 University of Guelph study.

Explore our 5 Different LLCs

Arts House (Maids Hall): This LLC encourages students to explore and share their creative interests and talents.
Eco House (Dundas Hall): This LLC encourages sustainable living and a engagement with environmental and social issues.
Indigenous House (Dundas Hall): This LLC is an intercultural community that centers Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.
International House (Dundas Hall): This LLC supports students from all cultures and backgrounds with a focus on easing the transition for international students.
Leadership House (Dundas Hall): This LLC offers opportunities for students to develop and reflect on their leadership abilities.

Arts House

Arts House, located in Maids Hall, is a small traditional red brick building built in 1914 and is home to one of our most active Living Learning Communities on campus. This co-ed residence community attracts students interested or involved in all forms of artistic expression. Everyone is welcome—scientists, actors, musicians, economists, or artists—if you are willing to get involved! Spontaneous, creative, and energetic are words often used to describe the students living here. Most of the 50 students share double rooms and everyone uses the study room, piano room, fireplace lounge, two kitchens, and craft room.

Indigenous House

Are you interested in living in a vibrant and respectful intercultural community and learning about First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultures? Indigenous House is a supportive co-ed community in the East Towers (Dundas Hall). Indigenous House’s intentions are centered around self-discovery, community, and Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing. You will have opportunities to learn with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Knowledge Holders, staff, and faculty through ceremonies, storytelling, circles, socials, and events. All students are welcome to join this community to gain a greater understanding of themselves and others. Indigenous House is supported in collaboration with the Indigenous Student Centre.

Eco House

If you are passionate about sustainable living and dedicated to environmental and social issues, then Eco House may be the residence experience for you. Eco House is a co-ed community located in East Towers (Dundas) dedicated to exploring issues like biodiversity, sustainability, climate action, awareness, and community resilience. It is an upbeat and supportive community dedicated to reflection and action with environmentalism at the core.

International House

International House welcomes students from all cultures and backgrounds who are both domestic and international students. The focus in International House is on providing support to international students as they get used to life in Canada with additional support from advisors with International Student Experience. International House is a co-ed community in East Towers (Dundas) dedicated to ensuring international students have support navigating our campus and local community. Events in International House focus on Canadian cultural traditions and experiences.

Leadership House

Are you interested in exploring leadership opportunities, and being involved in campus life? Leadership House is an engaging co-ed community in East Towers (Dundas) dedicated to supporting students as they explore leadership and involvement opportunities on campus. Residents will connect through workshops, events, and hands-on experiences designed to help them grow as leaders and make a meaningful impact.

Themed Learning Community (TLCs)

Themed Learning Communities give you a chance to live with like-minded peers. You do not have to be in a specific academic program to join one of these communities. Choosing a Themed Learning Community is a wonderful way to tailor your residence experience to your needs. These communities do not offer specific events or programs on the theme. Themed Communities have a Residence Assistant who can help to moderate and guide the community to ensure the agreed-upon standards are met.

Students who wish to join a Themed Learning Community are responsible for maintaining the standards set for that community. Members of Themed Learning Communities must be willing to be active and respectful members of the community and abide by the Residence Contract. Themed Learning Communities have some limitations, and while Student Housing Services strives to promote community living, Themed Learning Communities are part of a larger residence community which might not abide by the same standards. For example, even in a Study Intensive Community, students should not expect absolute quiet.

Explore our 3 different TLCs

Study Intensive Area: Located in our Lennox-Addington and East Village, our Study Intensive Areas offer extended quiet hours and a study-focused environment.
Substance-Free Area: Located in East Residence, students who request an alcohol-free living environment will be assigned with suitemates who have also indicated this preference.
Varsity Athlete Area: Located in East Residence, students who are varsity athletes may request this residence community through their coach, allowing them to share space with others on a similar schedule.

Study Intensive Community

Students have varying needs when it comes to their living environment. For those who seek a quieter-than-average community to pursue their studies, you can apply to live in a Study-Intensive Area.

In the Study Intensive Community 24-hour quiet hours are in effect. Students in this community work together with the Residence Life Staff to create an atmosphere of respect, courtesy, and consideration in maintaining a reasonable level of quiet.

Substance-Free Community

Varsity Athletes Community

If you are a varsity athlete, you know that your schedule is often a challenge—and your need to be up for early-morning practices can disturb roommates. In the Varsity Athletes Community, you will live with other athletes who understand the challenges of mixing competitive athletics with demanding academic work. To live in a residence area with other Varsity Athletes, check with your coach about getting a referral.

How do I join a Residence Learning Community?

When completing your Residence Application, select your preferred theme(s) under the Residence Learning Communities section (e.g., Substance-Free, Arts House, or an Academic Cluster). To increase your chances of being assigned to one of these communities, make sure to list Residence Learning Communities as your top priority on the Assignment Priorities page.

For students interested in the Varsity Athletes Community, a referral from your coach is required.

Residence is where campus comes to life.

Apply to Residence