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The University of Canterbury is a 150-year-old research university located in Christchurch, New Zealand. Over 13,000 undergraduate and 3,000 postgraduate students are enrolled at the University.
The University occupies a 188-acre campus in the Christchurch suburb of Ilam. This location is marked by extensive green natural beauty and modern teaching and research facilities, with 24-hour libraries and fully equipped laboratories, next to the Avon river and University gardens. Fitness, gym, and indoor sports facilities are provided at the centre, and stu...
| Establishment year | 1873 |
| Total Students | 16,237 (as of 2021) |
| International Students | 1,077 |
| QS World University Rankings 2024 | =256 |
| Campus Size | 188 acres |
| Total Number of Campuses | 1 |
| University Website | https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/ |
| No. of Schools and Divisions | 7 Faculties (Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Law, Science) |
| Nobel Prize Winner Alumni | 1 |
| No. of Education Programs | 216 (undergraduate), 98 (postgraduate) |
| Student to Faculty ratio | 18:1 |
The University of Canterbury offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses through 7 Faculties, subdivided into schools and departments.
Entry requirements for undergraduate students from New Zealand seeking admission to the University of Canterbury are based on grades in high school: the three major examinations being NCEA, CIE, and IBDP. The minimum requirements for each of these, and other high school qualifications, are listed on the relevant University webpage.
International UG applicants must first check if their academic records meet the minimum requirements; this online tool maintained by the University is meant for that purpose. All proofs of academic records (e.g., transcripts and pass certificates) must be uploaded as high-quality scans, ideally in colour.
Postgraduate entry requirements for international students vary by course but are fairly simple to understand: each degree programme mandates a minimum undergraduate GPA and a minimum standard of English proficiency. The University maintains a document with details of the minimum qualifications on both these dimensions, along with additional eligibility criteria, for all countries that are represented in the student body at Canterbury.
Applicants for undergraduate degrees from outside New Zealand must fill out and apply through the myUC portal. These overseas students will need to choose the Academic Equivalent Standing option in the application type, so their academic qualifications will be gauged according to the minimum requirement for their country. Based on the course and country of origin, additional English language proficiency proofs and other materials (e.g., of projects done) may be required.
The portal allows all application material to be uploaded, including course-specific content such as a Statement of Purpose, academic transcripts, English proficiency certificates (TOEFL, IELTS, etc.), and other records. If the candidate is applying for the July semester, the deadline for application is 30 April; if applying for the February semester, the deadline is 31 October.
Postgraduate applicants must first check whether they meet the Qualifications for their course of choice. Most courses do not have a specific deadline to apply, but the University recommends that PG course applications are submitted at least six months before the intended start date. Like UG applicants, PG applicants must also submit applications through the myUC portal; the steps in filling out this form are detailed on the Enrolment webpage.
Undergraduate fees at the University of Canterbury depend on whether a student is domestic or international and vary by Faculty. For students from New Zealand, the annual tuition fees range from $6,564 for Arts and Social Science Courses to $8,238 for Engineering and Forestry. The corresponding tuition fees for international UG students are far higher: Arts undergraduates pay $30,000 per year, and Engineering UGs pay $46,000 annually.
The tuition fees for postgraduate courses depend on the same variables as UG courses. Domestic students vary between $7,419 per year (Arts, Communication, Social Sciences) to $8,936 (Engineering and Product Design). International PG students pay up to 400% more than this, with annual tuition fees ranging between $34,000 and $46,000. The MBA course has a special programme fee for domestic and international students of $38,033.
International students must also pay a Student Services Levy (this, in part, funds the free gym and fitness membership and other Students’ Association events) of approximately $1,000 per year (this varies based on the number of academic points enrolled). Every overseas student must also buy insurance upon entry to a programme at the University.
Additional living costs that must be budgeted for by both UG and PG students include accommodation, internet, and food (the University estimates this at $437 per week, and 36 weeks are usually spent on campus) for a total of approximately $15,000 per year, on average. Other one-time costs (books, clothing, administration fee) come up, on average, to $2,500 per year.
The University of Canterbury campus is spread over 188 acres in the suburban area of Ilam. In addition to modern and historic academic buildings, the campus also contains multiple gardens and green open spaces, along with the Avon river flowing through it. Academic facilities include state-of-the-art libraries and computer access terminals, all with 24-hour access. There are also two art galleries, a theatre, and 15 cafes, bars, restaurants, and eateries on the extensive premises. One notable feature of the campus is that it is easy to get everywhere by bicycle: all regions are linked by cycling-friendly walkways.
The University encourages its students to stay physically active so that their mental health is in the right place to support studies and research. Every student of the University has an automatic free membership to the RecCentre: through this, gym, sports, and fitness classes can be accessed. There are only women's gyms, cardio, strength equipment, and group fitness classes, e.g., yoga, pilates, and zumba. Other facilities include indoor climbing walls, indoor sports courts, and exercise consultation and advice.
UC Sport aims to have a club for every major sport played in New Zealand. From basketball to fencing, martial arts to snow sports, and netball to rugby, students can hone their competitive edge and sporting skills. There is even the Amateur Sports Society, where beginners who want to try out a sport, even though they might not have the requisite skills or experience, are welcome. The University also offers the Bachelor of Sports Coaching degree, the only one in NZ. High-performance athletes at the University use the Sports Academy to get to the next level in Nutrition, Sport Psychology, Recovery, and Strength and Conditioning.
The University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA) conducts frequent social events: from student picnics to international welcome dinners to live music and student living advice. It also operates multiple cafes and bars on campus and owns a share in the University Bookshop. Headed by elected student representatives, it employs over 200 members of staff who coordinate day-to-day activities.
The Careers, Internships & Employment service at the University of Canterbury coordinates all part-time and long-term employment opportunities and training. First, it helps students think through their options and develop an understanding of all the professional options that a UC degree opens up for them. The Online Career Centre portal maintained by this department allows students to browse resources, create and upload resumes and CVs, and explore internships and job opportunities through the online Jobs Board. It also allows students to update extra-curricular activities through the Co-Curricular Record feature, ensuring that all relevant, productive activities on campus are visible to potential employers. It also organises large-scale events like Career Fairs to help students meet many recruiters and seminars and interview training events.
The University of Canterbury offers over $20 million annually in scholarships, awards, and grants to help fund education for deserving and needy students.
Undergraduate students should start their search at the online scholarships database; this has details of all domestic and international scholarships, which range in amount from the $300 Alison MacGibbon Scholarship to ease financial difficulties, to the $15,000 Eamon Molly International Scholarship for most international students. The application process for these scholarships is online via the database; most of them have an application deadline of 31 March.
Postgraduate students can find scholarships options on the same database link; there are also additional scholarships available from the Fulbright Programme, particularly for American Students, and the Graduate Women New Zealand organisation, which funds doctoral and postgraduate study for women through long term fellowships and short term awards worth $5,000.
