The Best of UC Berkeley Graduate Housing
If you’re a graduate student looking for campus housing, there are lots of options available to you! From University Village in Albany to the Ida Jackson House right across the street from campus, UC Berkeley graduate student housing options are aplenty and each are loved by students for their own unique features. Students share highlights about their graduate housing below.
Ida L. Jackson Apartments
The Ida L. Jackson Apartments are located on College Avenue, only a block away from campus.
The outside of the Ida Jackson residence.
“I love the location of Jackson House: the law school is a short walk away and two blocks down, Durant is abuzz even after sunset. There are three bus stops near the apartment that makes any trip convenient — whether it’s a weekend trip to Safeway or Trader Joe’s or a midday relaxer to the Marina. At home, my flatmates and I have a system and an easy understanding that alleviated any concerns about living in a five-bedroom apartment.” — Vasanthi Hariharan, Ida L. Jackson resident
xučyun ruwway Apartments
xučyun ruwway Apartments is a five-building complex with room options ranging from studios to four-bedroom two-bath units. Most residents are graduate students, with a limited number of undergraduates in their second year or beyond. xučyun ruwway is located about three miles from campus, next to University Village.
“I love the amenities and how nice the apartment is. Having direct access to the 52 [bus line] is so helpful, the study spaces in the building are great, and I feel perfectly located within the neighborhood to explore and get groceries.” — xučyun ruwway resident, fall 2025
Outside the xučyun ruwway building
An interior look at a study area
More benefits of xučyun ruwway housing include: “Access to the gym, the community that Grad Housing has created, the cleanliness of the building, the mental and physical space away from campus.” — Samanta Jovanovic, xučyun ruwway resident
The lobby area of xučyun ruwway.
Manville Apartments
Manville Apartments offers studio apartments in downtown Berkeley, close to restaurants, shops, and the southwest corner of campus. One big plus of the Manville residences, according to one student, is the “affordable pricing for a spacious studio.” — Ramiro Montiel, Manville resident
“I love the affordability of the studio, and it’s so close to campus that I can sleep longer.” — Manville resident, fall 2025
A look inside a Manville studio apartment.
“Being within walking distance of campus is a plus, and it’s convenient to have laundry available in the basement.” — Manville resident, fall 2025
The Manville courtyard
Intersection Apartments
The Intersection Apartments are located in Emeryville, around three miles from campus, near neighborhood shops, restaurants, and cafes.
Outside the Intersection Apartments
“Great views. Soundproof, illumination is great. Beautiful apartment with everything you need.” — Intersection resident, fall 2025
A look inside an apartment in the Manville residence.
University Village
Located in Albany, about three miles from campus, University Village is UC Berkeley’s family student housing community, where greenery is plentiful and amenities like an on-site gym, fitness classes, nearby groceries, and children’s playgrounds are enjoyed by the residents. Graduate student couples can live in two-bedroom one-bath apartments; there is no need to be married or in a domestic partnership.
“I live in family housing and I’ve been really happy with my apartment because there are a lot of great places to explore nearby, and I love how much nature is in University Village.” — Char Potes, graduate student resident of University Village
A glimpse of the nature within the UVA community.
The children’s playground in UVA.
“I like that it is more of a community where people get along and there are areas for my son to go out and play. It is very similar to regular housing outside of college life, and that makes it great for my family.” — University Village resident, fall 2025
Choose your future residence
Each of the various graduate student housing options has its own benefits to offer, but commonalities amongst them all are the sense of community they provide, and how well they facilitate life as a UC Berkeley student. If you want to delve deeper into any or all of your housing options, visit the UC Berkeley Housing website to learn more.
Reva Gokhale, Class of 2027, is majoring in data science and environmental economics and policy.
Want More?
- Visit University Village and Albany with Melissa and Reva!
- Some student experiences in finding Community in Campus Housing
- Got questions about housing? Start here.