University of Canterbury
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
University Info
Fast Facts
- UC offers a comprehensive range of courses, including several you are unlikely to come across in your home country, such as Maori language and culture, Antarctic Studies and Forestry. UC is the only university in New Zealand offering a School of Forestry.
- Study outside the classroom - UC has the highest number of field stations off campus, many Science courses include field trips and often feature New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna, geology, biodiversity, and marine life.
- Community service learning: CHCH 101: Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation* is a for-credit course incorporating service learning. Building on the community spirit of the famous Student Volunteer Army, you will conduct up to 20 hours of community service related to social innovation and volunteerism in Christchurch.
- Canterbury Engineering The Future - 142 million dollar project for establishing state-of-the-art laboratories and teaching facilities comparable to top Engineering schools worldwide. UC is on the doorstep of a living laboratory with the 60 billion dollar rebuild project in the downtown of Christchurch providing the opportunity for hands-on learning.
- You can ski and surf on the same day - Christchurch is on the doorstep of a huge outdoor ‘playground’ — with nine ski fields within a two-hour drive and beautiful beaches nearby.
- The University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) runs more than 140 clubs and societies covering almost every interest such as the Snow Sports Club, Tramping (Hiking) Club, and ENSOC (Engineering). Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC) has its lodge at Temple Basin Ski Area.
Introduction
Established in 1873 by scholars of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and ranked in the world’s top 1% of universities (QS World University Rankings 2017) and was the first New Zealand university to receive the prestigious QS 5-star ranking for overall excellence. UC offers world-recognized programmes and facilities, including the most extensive network of field stations of any New Zealand university. UC has the highest proportion of academics conducting teaching and research of any New Zealand university (The latest TEC Performance-Based Research Fund Assessment, 2012). There is a range of facilities to support your study at UC: from modern lecture theatres to innovative learning hubs, from well-resourced libraries to computer suites and an Academic Skills Centre
Innovative programmes
Over 100 programmes are offered across 5 Colleges (Arts, Business and Law, Education, Engineering, Science). Whatever your academic interests, UC has a broad selection of courses. UC offers a comprehensive range of courses, including several you’re unlikely to come across in your home country, such as Maori language and culture, Antarctic Studies and courses in Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific literature, history and politics. Whichever courses you choose, you’ll study alongside Kiwi students. Community service learning opportunity provides the opportunity to get involved in our community. CHCH 101: Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation* is a for-credit course incorporating service learning. Building on the community spirit of the famous Student Volunteer Army, you will conduct up to 20 hours of community service related to social innovation and volunteerism in Christchurch.
Vibrant student community
Students on campus have a choice of modern accommodation and access to all the amenities of a fully equipped student village. UC features a thriving student association plus over 140 student-led clubs.
See how our Study Abroad and Exchange students have experienced New Zealand with their photos and videos in our YouTube gallery.
Study Level
- Undergraduate students: Accepted
- Computer Science majors: Accepted
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must have completed at least one year of university study at a recognized university or college.
- Students should have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher (on a scale of 4.0), or a B average or higher
English Proficiency Requirements
Undergraduate studies
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 80, with a minimum score of 19 in writing
- Minimum IELTS Academic score – 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5
More information on language requirements can be found on the admissions website.
Study Period
Fall or Spring
Academic Calendar | Semester Dates (including exam period)
- Fall: mid-July to mid-November
- Spring: mid to late February to late June
Academic Information
Disciplines Available
Restricted Disciplines and Courses
Some courses may not be available to Study Abroad students. These include Fine Arts (studio art) courses, some teacher education courses, 200-level LAWS courses, distance courses, courses in MBA and other Executive Development Programmes, and clinical practice courses. Some Physical Education and Sport Coaching courses may require police checks. If you need to know in advance whether you can take a particular course, please include a course list in your study abroad application.
Students wishing to study Civil and Natural Resource Engineering should provide a list of intended courses with their application.
If you are applying to other engineering courses, you should also provide a list of courses with your application.
If you meet the general admission requirements you will be granted admission to the University first as per usual and your courses will then be sent to the relevant Engineering department for a decision as to whether you can take your selected courses. The International Relationships Office will then advise you which courses have been approved.
Course Contents
Course Descriptions
Timetable Planner: This is a searchable course timetable (click on the web link under "Timetable Planner.") It allows anyone to enter combinations of courses and preview how they would fit into a timetable before they enroll at UC.
In Arts, Science, and Commerce, the undergraduate (Bachelor) degree is a 3-year degree at Canterbury. This means 300-level courses are the most advanced undergraduate courses in these areas. 400-level courses in these disciplines are graduate courses and undergraduate study abroad students are not eligible to take 400-level courses unless students have been granted admission to a Postgraduate Certificate of Proficiency.
Note, however, that some professional degrees such as Forestry, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work, and Engineering are 4-year degrees, and 400-level courses in these areas are therefore classed as undergraduate courses. Study abroad students may be permitted to take 400-level courses in these disciplines if they have the necessary prerequisites and the approval of the relevant department.
Enrollment Requirements
Study abroad students are allowed to take courses across various departments, provided the courses are open to study abroad students, they meet the pre-requisite requirements of the courses and places are available.
Workload per Semester
A normal workload for one semester is 60 points (or 120 points for one year). The minimum course load is 45 points per semester (90 points per year) and the maximum load is 75 points per semester (150 points per year).
Housing
Most Study Abroad students stay at Ilam Apartments on campus, which offers an accommodation package for Study Abroad students.
Find out more about our accommodation package for study abroad students.?
Contact
Office Responsible for Incoming Study Abroad Students
International Relationships Office | Anna Foster, Study Abroad and Exchange Manager
City Info
The gateway to the South Island, located in Canterbury, Christchurch, is a recreational hot spot within easy reach of all the offers. With a population of around 476,900, greater Christchurch is the largest city and economic center of the South Island.
Vibrant entertainment options
Christchurch has a busy calendar of events — from art exhibitions and cultural celebrations to sporting events and music festivals. There are over 900 restaurants, cafés, and bars to sample, many close to UC. Christchurch is also home to theatres, shopping malls, and over 700 city parks.
Unbeatable outdoor lifestyle
Christchurch’s location on the coast makes it perfect for water sports, with six swimming beaches within a 30-minute drive from UC. Several rivers and lakes exist for other water sports, including the picturesque Avon River that runs through the city. The city’s Port Hills are popular for mountain biking, walking, and rock climbing. There are over 22 mountain bike tracks and Hagley Park, in the city center, has 165 hectares of park-like grounds.
The Canterbury region
A temperate climate with lots of sunshine and spectacular seasons, Canterbury is an ideal place to explore throughout the year. With nine ski fields, the area is a winter playground. The province is home to the historic French town of Akaroa, the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs, and the seaside town of Kaikoura — all a few hours’ drive from campus.