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University of Canterbury, New Zealand

  • Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Rank

    256

  • Established

    1873

  • Programs

    -+

Overview

The University of Canterbury, New Zealand, is a public research university located in Christchurch. It was founded in 1873 as Canterbury College, the first constituent college of the University of New Zealand. In 1961, the college became an independent university, and it is now one of the country's leading institutions of higher education, consistently ranking among the top three universities in New Zealand.

UC is internationally recognised for its research excellence and has world-class facilities and research centres that support research in areas such as science, engineering, and social sciences. Notably, the university is a member of the International Alliance of Research Universities and the Association of Pacific Rim Universities, establishing partnerships with several top institutions around the world.

 

Why Choose the University of Canterbury?

The University of Canterbury is an excellent choice for students who want to receive a world-class education, engage in cutting-edge research, be part of a vibrant community, and live in one of the most beautiful and exciting regions in New Zealand.

Here are some reasons why you might choose the University of Canterbury (UC):

  1. Academic excellence: The University of Canterbury has a reputation for academic excellence and is consistently ranked as one of the top three universities in New Zealand. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines, including arts, engineering, law, sciences, education, health sciences, and more.

  2. World-class facilities: The university is renowned for its state-of-the-art, modern facilities, including a world-class library, a fitness centre, lecture theatres, labs, accommodation options, and more, housed within a beautiful campus spread across 76 hectares of park-like grounds.

  3. Research Excellence: The university is committed to research excellence and is home to a range of world-class research centres, including the Centre for Evaluation and Monitoring, the Biomolecular Interaction Centre, and many more centres of excellence in fields such as science, engineering, and social sciences.

  4. Sustainability and community engagement: The University of Canterbury is committed to sustainability, ensuring that its operations, teaching, and research are conducted in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Furthermore, the university is deeply ingrained in its local community, providing opportunities for students to engage in community outreach and volunteer programmes.

  5. Internationalisation: The university has a strong commitment to internationalisation and is home to a vibrant international student community. The university offers a range of exchange programmes, study abroad opportunities, and innovative dual-degree programmes that enable students to study in different parts of the world.

  6. Location: The University of Canterbury is located in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. Christchurch is a rapidly growing, vibrant city with a booming economy, rich cultural offerings, and access to beautiful beaches and mountains, making it an ideal location for students who enjoy outdoor activities, culture, and adventure.

 

Key Features

The University of Canterbury is a world-class institution with a commitment to academic excellence, innovation, research, community engagement, and the provision of a supportive and inspiring learning environment.

Some of the key features of the University of Canterbury include:

  1. Strong Academic Programmes: The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in various fields, including arts, engineering, law, sciences, education, health sciences, and many others. All programmes are designed to provide students with globally relevant education and a strong foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  2. Innovative Teaching and Learning: At the University of Canterbury, innovative teaching and learning methods are used to engage and inspire students. The university offers a student-centred approach to learning and teaching using blended learning models, flipped classrooms, and experiential learning techniques that empower students to take an active role in their learning.

  3. Research Excellence: The University is committed to research excellence in areas such as water management, climate change, and engineering. The university has a range of world-class research centres across various fields of study.

  4. Internationally Recognised: University of Canterbury ranks highly in international rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, making it a popular destination for international students.

  5. Community Engagement: University of Canterbury is highly engaged with the wider community through partnerships with industry, government, and not-for-profit organizations. UC is highly involved in community outreach programmes, volunteering initiatives, and partnerships with local businesses and industries.

  6. Strong Support Services: The university provides students with a range of support services, including counselling, academic advice, career development, financial support, accommodation services, and more, to ensure their student experience is rewarding and successful.

  7. Beautiful Campus: The campus of the university is spread across 76 hectares of park-like grounds, located on the banks of the picturesque Avon River. It is a peaceful and beautiful environment that fosters learning, innovation, and a healthy lifestyle.

University of Canterbury Courses & Fees

University of Canterbury Courses

The University of Canterbury is known for its well-regarded academic programmes, research excellence, and strong commitment to sustainability. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, in disciplines including below:

University of Canterbury Tuition Fees & Cost of Living

1. University of Canterbury Tuition Fees:

The tuition fee for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes for international students at the University of Canterbury is:

University of Canterbury Tuition Fees (Undergraduate):

  • Arts and Humanities: NZD 21,000–NZD 28,000

  • Business and Commerce: NZD 24,000–NZD 30,000

  • Education: NZD 24,000–NZD 27,000

  • Engineering: NZD 30,000–NZD 36,000

  • Law: NZD 30,000–NZD 36,000

  • Sciences: NZD 25,000–NZD 33,000

  • Health Sciences: 37,000 - 42,000 NZD (Year 1)

University of Canterbury Tuition Fees (Postgraduate):

  • Arts and Humanities: NZD 25,000–NZD 30,000

  • Business and Commerce: NZD 26,000–NZD 30,000

  • Education: NZD 25,000–NZD 30,000

  • Engineering: NZD 28,000–NZD 36,000

  • Law: NZD 28,000–NZD 36,000

  • Sciences: NZD 26,000–NZD 32,000

  • Health Sciences: NZD 37,000–NZD 42,000

2. University of Canterbury Cost of Living:

On average, the cost of living for an international student at the University of Canterbury is around NZD 20,000–30,000 per year, excluding tuition fees.

An estimate of the approximate cost of living for international students in Christchurch is as follows:

  • Accommodation: Students can choose between on-campus and off-campus accommodation. On-campus accommodation costs around NZD 250–350 per week, which includes meals, utilities, and internet. However, private renting can range from NZD 150–300 per week, excluding utilities and internet.

  • Food: On-campus dining options can cost between NZD 15-20 per meal, or students can cook and eat for around NZD 70-100 per week, depending on their food preferences.

  • Transportation: Public transportation, such as buses, typically costs around NZD 2-3 for a single journey, while a monthly pass costs around NZD 120. Students who prefer to walk or cycle may not have significant transportation expenses.

  • Miscellaneous: Additional expenses may include textbooks, household items, entertainment, and leisure activities, which can vary depending on a student’s lifestyle. Generally, students can expect to spend around NZD 100–150 per week on miscellaneous expenses.

University of Canterbury Rankings & Intakes

University of Canterbury Rankings

Here are some of the most recent University of Canterbury rankings:
 

University of Canterbury Ranking

Ranked By 

Ranking 

QS World University Rankings 

206

US News & World Report - Global Universities 

466

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

601-800

Webometrics -World Ranking Universities

506

 

US News & World Report - Global Universities Rankings 2023 for Courses 

Ranked By

Ranking

Chemistry

622

Civil Engineering

185

Engineering

528

Environment/Ecology

320

Geosciences

278

Physics

412

Plant and Animal Science

331

Social Science and Public Health

201

 

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 for Courses

Ranked By

Ranking

Art & Humanities 

251-300

Life Sciences 

401-500

Business & Economics

126-150

Social Sciences 

201-250

Physical Sciences 

501-600

 

University of Canterbury Intakes

The University of Canterbury intakes are mentioned in the tables below:
 

University of Canterbury Intakes

Intakes 

Month of Intake

Application deadline 

Semester 1 

February

Starting January

Semester 2 

July

Starting June

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the University of Canterbury vary depending on the programme and level of study. The University of Canterbury's acceptance rate is about 50%.

Below are some of the general requirements for admission:

  1. Academic Requirements: Applicants must meet the academic requirements for the programme they are applying to. This usually involves completing secondary or tertiary education and having the required qualifications for entry.

  2. English Language Requirements: International students must meet the English language requirements for the programme they are applying to. This generally requires a minimum score on an English language proficiency test, such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

  3. Application and Documents: Applicants must submit a complete application and all required documents, including transcripts, academic records, references, and relevant certificates.

  4. Admission Tests: Some programmes or faculties may require admission tests, such as the SAT, GRE, or GMAT.

  5. Other Requirements: Some programmes may have additional requirements, such as interviews or portfolios for arts and design programmes.

University of Canterbury Scholarships

The University of Canterbury offers numerous scholarships and awards to its domestic and international students. Below are some University of Canterbury scholarship options:

1. Other Scholarships:
Scholarship Name Other Scholarships
Scholarship amount N/A
Details The University of Canterbury offers numerous other scholarships, such as the UC Pacific Students' Scholarship, the UC M?ori Students' Scholarship, the UC Refugee Scholarship, the UC Foundation Scholarships, and many more.
2. University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship:
Scholarship Name University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship
Scholarship amount NZD $24,000
Details This scholarship is available for domestic and international students who are pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Canterbury. The scholarship value is up to NZD $24,000.
3. University of Canterbury Master’s Scholarship:
Scholarship Name University of Canterbury Master’s Scholarship
Scholarship amount NZD $16,500
Details The scholarship is available for domestic and international students who are pursuing Master's degrees. The scholarship value is up to NZD $16,500.
4. University of Canterbury Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship:
Scholarship Name University of Canterbury Undergraduate Entrance Scholarship
Scholarship amount NZD $6,000
Details This scholarship is available for domestic and international students commencing their first year of undergraduate study at the University of Canterbury. The scholarship value is up to NZD $6,000.
5. University of Canterbury International First Year Scholarship:
Scholarship Name University of Canterbury International First Year Scholarship
Scholarship amount NZD $20,000
Details The scholarship is available for international students who have completed their secondary study overseas and are commencing their first year of undergraduate study at the University of Canterbury. The scholarship value is up to NZD $20,000.

FAQ's

The University of Canterbury offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across faculties such as Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health Sciences, Law, Music, Science, and Social and Political Sciences.

Admission requirements vary by programme, but generally, international students are required to have completed a secondary or tertiary qualification, meet the minimum English language requirements, and fulfil any additional requirements for the chosen programme.

International students must meet the minimum English language requirements, which may be fulfilled through the completion of an English language proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE.

Tuition fees for international students vary by programme and level, but as an example, the average tuition fee for undergraduate courses for international students is NZD $32,000 per year.

Yes, the University of Canterbury does offer accommodation for students, including halls of residence, apartments, and studios.

Yes, the University of Canterbury has a scholarship programme for international students.

Yes, international students can work in New Zealand while studying, but they are limited to 20 hours of work per week during the academic year and full-time during the holidays.

Yes, the University of Canterbury is ranked 231-240 in the QS World University Rankings.

The student-to-faculty ratio at the University of Canterbury is around 16:1.

Yes, the University of Canterbury has exchange programmes with universities in over 50 countries.

Yes, the University of Canterbury offers online courses, including undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

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