Thank you for your interest in Graduate and Professional Student housing!
Duke University Housing and Residence Life (HRL) is offering housing for Graduate and Professional Students during the 2026–2027 academic year in two locations: 300 Swift Apartments and Lancaster Commons Apartments.
300 Swift offers a limited number of on-campus, fully furnished two-bedroom apartments for all graduate and professional students.
You can read more information about the 300 Swift apartments here.
Lancaster Commons off-campus apartment complex offers unfurnished 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. **Lancaster Commons is a subsidized off campus apartment complex reserved for masters level students who have demonstrated significant financial need.
You can read more information about Lancaster Commons Apartments here.
IMPORTANT: Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate postdocs, short-term, or visiting scholars.
Graduate Housing Requirements
Graduate students will be able to apply for both graduate housing locations (300 Swift and Lancaster Commons) on ONE application. Please read over information about both apartment complexes before applying. Students will need to rank their preference on the application.
Assignments will be based on availability and financial need. It is NOT a guarantee that students would be offered an assignment from their top housing location.
Graduate students will need to be fully admitted to Duke University prior to applying for housing.
- Assignment priority will be given to masters students who demonstrate significant financial need and are applying for an entire year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027).
You will be asked to sign the 2026-2027 Duke Housing License, Terms, and Addendum on the housing application. When you complete the application, you are acknowledging that you have read and reviewed the 2026 - 2027 Duke Housing License, Terms, and Addendum.
- Assignments made for 26-27 full year: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). Release from your License is granted only if you are no longer an active student at Duke.
- Assignments made for Spring semester only: January 1, 2027 through June 30, 2027). Release from your License is granted only if you are no longer an active student at Duke.
You are also acknowledging the following:
- Students can name a preferred roommate or possibly be assigned a random roommate.
- If you do not have a preferred roommate, you can apply as a solo applicant and a random roommate with end up being assigned to the other space(s) in the apartment.
- The rate for the 2026 - 2027 academic year for 300 Swift and Lancaster Commons are different and will be stated clearly with your assignment.
- Once assigned, you are bound to housing for the entire length of the license (Full year: July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 Spring only: January 1, 2027 through June 30, 2027)
- Students who have a graduate housing assignment will be financially responsible for the entire assignment date regardless of move in/move out.
Applications
Updated for the 2026 - 2027 academic year.
Graduate students will be able to apply for both graduate housing locations (300 Swift and Lancaster Commons) on ONE application.
Students will note their apartment preferences on the housing application.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Assignments will be based on availability. It is not a guarantee that students would receive an assignment from their top housing location.
- Assignments are for 1 year only and cannot be renewed for the 2027-2028 academic year.
- There will NOT be an option to live in on-campus housing beyond June 30, 2027.
Timeline
- April 1: Graduate and Professional Student Housing Application opens
- April 22: Priority application cutoff deadline (5:00pm Eastern Standard Time (E.S.T))
- After April 22: Applications will still be accepted and will be processed on a rolling basis
- May 1: Assignment Information communication sent to students who submitted application by the priority deadline.
IMPORTANT:
- Assignment priority for Lancaster Commons will be given to masters students who demonstrate significant financial need and are applying for an entire year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027).
- Graduate housing availability is limited, so it is not a guarantee that all students will receive an assignment.
- Applications will be processed until all vacant spaces are filled.
IMPORTANT: Once students receive assignment information via their Duke email, they will be given a deadline to take action. If Duke receives no timely communication/action from the student, the housing assignment will be automatically canceled.
-DO need a Unique ID to apply. The Duke Unique ID is a unique, 7-digit number assigned to individuals affiliated with Duke University. You should receive it once you are fully admitted to Duke.
-DO need to sign License and Terms for 1 year. By agreeing to the License, you are bound to on-campus housing for the entire length of the License (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027). Release from your License is granted only if you are no longer an active student at Duke.
-DO have access to bus services to and from campus: Campus buses stop at several points near 300 Swift Avenue. Information about campus bus routes can be found at the Parking and Transportation website
-DO have access to 300 Swift's cafe. THRIVE is located on the main floor of 300 Swift apartments. Students are able to purchase food items using food points or card/cash. Be sure to check out THRIVE's operating hours, as they vary.
-DO need a parking permit to park at 300 Swift. Students can purchase a parking permit with the Duke Parking and Transportation Services. This is needed in order to park in the 300 Swift apartment parking garage.
-DO have the opportunity to apply with a preferred roommate on the application.
Before matching the following must happen:
- Both roommates must be enrolled at Duke University.
- Both roommates must have completed a housing application within the same window.
-DO NOT need a meal plan to live at 300 Swift. If you are interested in purchasing a plan, please visit the Duke Dining Website for more information.
-DO NOT need to vacate their living space during Winter Break. Graduate and professional students who are living at 300 Swift for the full academic year will be able to remain in their apartment over Winter Break.
-DO NOT pay for utilities in an individual bill. They are included in the rate.
-DO NOT have the option to live in on-campus housing after 1 year. On-campus housing for graduate students is only offered for one year. There will not be an option to live in on-campus housing beyond June 30, 2027.
What If...
Assignment priority for Lancaster Commons will be given to masters students who demonstrate significant financial need and are applying for an entire year (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027).
Once we have offered all available spaces to students who qualify, any available spaces will then be offered to students who have only requested 1 semester.
Spring Housing: Students who apply for spring housing will be offered any available spaces. This space will only be available until June 30, 2027.
Graduate and Professional Students are not required to select a meal plan while living on campus. Duke Dining does offer several options for apartment students and off-campus students. More information about meal plans can be found on the Duke Dining website.
Family member housing is ONLY available at Lancaster Commons. If you are applying for housing with a family member you will NOT be able to live in 300 Swift.
Students applying with a family members will only be eligible for a 2-bedroom apartment and will be charged for the occupancy of both spaces if assigned with a family member.
A Family Member is defined as a spouse, child, parent, or sibling. All Family Members must be on record with the Lancaster Front Office and the Housing Assignments Office.
Please email housing@duke.edu to request a proof of residency for your current assignment. You will not be able to receive proof of residency until you have officially moved into your assignment.
Once a student accepts a housing assignment, the student may not cancel their assignment. An assignment will only be cancelled when a student becomes ineligible for University housing. Refunds will be calculated based on the dates of occupancy of the assigned space.
If you feel like you need a housing accommodation based on medical, psychological, or disability-related conditions, please review our special housing accommodations process and contact the Student Disability Access Office (SDAO) at sdao@duke.edu or by phone at (919) 668-1329.
Housing and Residence Life staff are available to meet student needs. Our facilities staff maintains all university residences and completes maintenance and housekeeping work year-round.
300 Swift Residents can submit maintenance concerns via the Maintenence request page.
Lancaster Commons Residents can contact the Lancaster Commons Front Office.
The residence life staff promote opportunities for students to connect with others and develop a strong and enduring sense of belonging; and intentionally provide opportunities for students to grow and develop, especially as they wrestle with issues of identity, autonomy, and responsibility.
You can reach out to your Assistant Residence Coordinator with any questions or concerns regarding your living experience. Contact information should be sent to you prior to move in.
300 Swift Packages
Reach out to Duke Duke Campus Mail for information on how to send packages to 300 Swift.
Please note: The mail process is different for undergraduate students than graduate and professional students.
Lancaster Commons Packages
All mail and packages must be made out to YOUR building and apartment number. (The office does not hold packages.). Packages should NOT be sent to apartments before officially moving in.
Apartment address can be written as:
(Building Number -(starts with a 2) W. Bypass (Apartment Number) Durham, NC 27705
Example Address Below
2727 W. Bypass Apt 301, Durham, NC 27705