The University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha) is a major research university based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It offers a wide spectrum of study paths: bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programmes across arts, sciences, engineering, business, education, law, health, music and more. UC holds a strong reputation for combining research with teaching, and many programmes include project work, internships or field-based learning. UC is ranked among the top 2% of universities globally.
The university draws students from over one hundred nationalities, and many academic staff are international, which adds diversity in perspectives and networks. UC offers some specialised strengths: for example, the Faculty of Law offers New Zealand’s only standalone criminal justice degree programmes. The campus includes research libraries (such as the Macmillan Brown Library, which houses Pacific and New Zealand collections) and strong archival holdings recognized in UNESCO’s Memory of the World register. Its location in Christchurch gives access to both city facilities and close natural environments, which supports research and student life in earth sciences, ecology, geography and related fields.
| Intakes | July,February |
|---|---|
| All Campuses | Christchurch |
| Website | https://www.canterbury.ac.nz |
| Monthly Living Cost | 1,500–1,800 |
| Funds Requirements for Visa | 20,000–25,000 |
| Application Fees | null |
| Currency | $ |
| Is Lang Mendatory | Yes |
| Part Time Work Details | Allowed under student visa: up to 20 hours per week during term, full-time during scheduled breaks (subject to immigration rules) |
Times Higher Education World University Rankings: University of Canterbury is placed in the 501-600 range in THE 2025 rankings.
QS World University Rankings by Subject: UC has subject rankings including: Geography (top 100) and Linguistics (~85th) among others.
UK University League Table: Not applicable (these ranking systems focus on UK universities)
The Guardian University Rankings: Not listed (Guardian focuses on UK higher education)
Accepted tests include IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and equivalents. UC sets minimum scores per programme; for many undergraduate programmes the IELTS threshold is often 6.0 overall (with minimum band requirements) or higher. Confirm the specific course requirement on UC’s admission pages.
UC offers scholarships, grants and awards for domestic and international students. Some key options include merit-based entrance scholarships, postgraduate research scholarships, and programme-specific grants. Applicants usually must submit academic transcripts, references, and sometimes a scholarship application form by stated deadlines. Check UC’s scholarships and funding pages for current lists, eligibility rules and deadlines.
Tuition depends heavily on programme and level (undergraduate, postgraduate, professional). International student fees for full-time programmes are published in UC’s fee schedules. Additional costs include student services, insurance, fieldwork, materials, and travel. Funding may come via scholarships, part-time work (within visa limits), personal savings or education loans.
Select the programme you wish to apply for and verify its entry requirements (academic, English, prerequisites).
Complete the online application via UC’s international admissions portal.
Submit required documents: certified transcripts, proof of English, identification, references or portfolio (if required).
Wait for offer (conditional or unconditional).
Accept offer, pay deposit/tuition deposit where needed. Then apply for student visa and plan arrival.
Yes.
UC’s international office helps students with visa guidance, orientation, arrival arrangements, housing advice, and ongoing support. The office also assists with immigration document requirements and links students to health, counselling and academic support services.
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Students at This University can apply for various scholarship schemes offered by the university, the UK government, and other organizations.
Here are some of the most popular scholarships at University of Canterbury:
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For students that may prefer a private student accommodation option, the university authority would be able to help them find a suitable place.
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score
Course LevelUndergraduate
Total Course Fee$ 7713
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score Course LevelDiploma
Total Course Fee$ 15057
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score Course LevelUndergraduate
Total Course Fee$ 6743
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score Course LevelDiploma
Total Course Fee$ 6564
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score Course LevelPostgraduate
Total Course Fee$ 4633
CampusChristchurch
Entry Score Course LevelPostgraduate
Total Course Fee$ 3981
New Zealand
