collageOriginally starting out as a teacher training college in the 1960s, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) now offers a diverse range of courses and has a very strong record for health-related courses and teacher education.
There are four academic faculties:
- Arts and Humanities
- Education
- Health and Wellbeing
- Social and Applied Sciences
Christ Church’s main campus is situated in the world-famous city of Canterbury and is one of only a handful of universities with a campus in a World Heritage Site.
Canterbury is less than an hour from London by high-speed train and the Continent is easily accessible. The University also has a campus in Medway and a centre in Tunbridge Wells. There are around 16,000 students, of which 70% study full-time.
The University has ambitious and exciting plans for the future with a £150 million campus development, which includes a new centre for engineering and technology, and a stunning, new arts building which opened in January 2019. Further investment in STEM includes the creation of Kent and Medway’s first-ever medical school, in partnership with the University of Kent which launches in 2020.
A strong emphasis is placed on sport, with scholarships available for those that have a talent for it. A wide range of sports clubs are available for students, including badminton, basketball, rugby and volleyball.
Christ Church is in the top 20 in the UK for qualified teaching staff with 79% of academic staff holding teaching qualifications in addition to their academic and professional qualifications. The university was awarded silver in the 2017 Teaching Excellence Framework.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Everything has been really good so far. So much support and help”
“Great uni, campus, love my course.”
“Staff and lecturers are very friendly and helpful. University is clean and aesthetically pleasing.”
“Enjoying what I’m learning and meeting new people.”
Job Prospects
Many of Canterbury Christ Church’s courses are vocational and offer a lot of practical training towards finding a job or career. All courses have work-related experience and many offer placement years helping to build useful industry contacts.
And this starts from the first year of study, as many student reviews commented how they’d had great career help since they were freshers. Employers contribute to the design of courses and simulation provides realistic experience of work environments including clinical simulation suites in health, real-time news desks for multimedia journalism students, a trading floor for Business students and forensic crime scene settings.
93% of Canterbury Christ Church’s undergraduate students were employed or in further study six months after completing their studies, and it seems like our student reviewers have taken full advantage of the support available to them – and found it really beneficial.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Provided us support through lectures and workshops. Also, our course requires us to do a placement.”
“There is an academic employability fair on Mondays.”
“Work placements are very beneficial.”
Course and lecturers
From Accounting and Finance to Software Engineering and Commercial Music, there is a wealth of undergraduate courses on offer at CCCU – and our student reviewers seem very happy with the lecturers that lead them, with many praising their enthusiasm and passion, and willingness to offer help to students when needed.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Lessons are structured really well, staff are helpful.”
“In my lectures they try to give us as much information as possible which is good.”
“Really good lecturers, interesting range.”
Students’ Union
Canterbury Christ Church University’s Students’ Union is run independently from the university, and has a mixture of full time sabbatical officers, staff and a Board of Trustees. It offers advice, representation, training, skills development, student activities, volunteering opportunities and employment.
There are nearly 90 clubs and societies on offer and the Union was awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating as part of the NUS’s Green Impact initiative because of their commitment to sustainability.
Our student reviewers seem to enjoy the facilities provided by the Union, and a number mentioned the events it organises as a positive.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Good facilities available and very convenient for access.”
“Excellent.”
“Maintains a good communication between staff and students.”
Accommodation
There are lots of different options for accommodation if you study at Canterbury Christ Church, with several different locations in Canterbury and Liberty Quays in Medway.
In Canterbury, student residences are single study bedrooms grouped in either houses or flats with a choice of en-suite or shared facilities. Many feature communal living and dining areas.
Petros Court in Canterbury is the University’s newest accommodation building. It features 418 single en-suite bedrooms, with 12 specially adapted for students with special requirements. Alcohol free flats are available (subject to demand). There’s free internet, bike storage, and all utility bills are included in the cost of the rent. The rent for Canterbury accommodation ranges from £118 to £167 per week.
In Medway, the accommodation is shared with the University of Kent. Rent for a standard en-suite works out at £154 per week.
All first year undergraduates who firmly accept an offer to study at Christ Church are guaranteed a place in university accommodation.
Our student reviewers were particularly pleased with how safe and secure they felt in the university-provided accommodation.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Petros court – clean and central.”
“Lanfranc house – good experience and facilities.”
“Good value for money. Lanfranc House, in centre of Canterbury.” Living costs
£3,307
per annum
Facilities
There’s a large range of different facilities across the three different university campuses.
At Canterbury there is an award winning four floor library, the Students’ Union, arts and culture venues and various food courts and cafes.
The university has superb facilities for sport including a large eight-court sports hall and a newly refurbished gym with an excellent range of fitness equipment and a brand new indoor interactive cycling studio. Academic facilities for sport and exercise science include a biomechanics lab, strength and conditioning area, a physiology lab and a brand new altitude chamber.
The new arts facility opened in January 2019, and houses specialist teaching facilities, including space for performance and music, design studios and the latest technology to support new and existing courses.
Over at Medway, there’s a library, a cafe and bar, a simulation suite for health and social care students, two lecture theatres, IT suites, seminar and tutorial rooms. Medway also shares some facilities with the University of Kent and the University of Greenwich.
Students appreciate the investment into facilities at CCCU, with many praising the library in particular.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Canteen is good, impressed with facilities.”
“Sports facilities are modern.”
“Everything we need is here.”
“Good library and computer access.”
“Simulation suite [is] excellent.”
City life
Canterbury is a World Heritage Site with a renowned Cathedral and plenty of historical and cultural interest. According to our student reviewers there are also plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to keep them entertained, as well as galleries and theatres.
With three universities in the city, there’s plenty of student activity. The city can be a little quiet compared to some of the larger cities in the UK, something which our reviewing students have mentioned, but there’s still plenty to keep you entertained. And for when you want a change of scenery, London can be reached in an hour and the coast is only a short drive away.
Our student reviewers enjoy Canterbury’s historical side, but also find that Canterbury isn’t a city stuck in the past and there are lots of social things to enjoy in the city.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Lots of social events, uni wise and within the local community.”
“Canterbury is nice and lively.”
“Amazing, culture and places to eat, especially if you have allergies.”
“Perfect for students moving to a new place.”Cost of a pint
£3.00 – £3.50
per pint
Clubs and Societies
There are nearly 90 different clubs and societies to choose from across a range of different interests, faiths, culture, and hobbies, from the Alternative Music and Film Society to the Zouk Society.
Have a hobby or passion not yet covered by the existing clubs and societies? There’s also support given for those who want to start their own society if they can find nothing suitable, with the Union providing help to set up and run a successful society.
Students who have got involved in societies enjoy them, and particularly mention how friendly and welcoming the members are.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“Enjoy being part of a sports team. Great way of socialising and making friends.”
“Womens rugby is life.”
“Very extensive, near enough something from everyone.”
They’re very welcoming toward international students.”
Student support
Student support was consistently praised in the student reviews. From its accessibility to the actual advice given, students are incredibly happy with it.
Support on offer covers finance, health and wellbeing, careers and jobs, childcare as well as faith and religion. You can get help with budgeting, discover your options in terms of grants and scholarships, use the counselling service, get advice on job hunting, get support with childcare provisions and more. As the university has a Christian foundation, the work of the Chaplaincy is particularly important and there are three chaplains who work across the three campuses to provide support and help.
Reviewers regularly mentioned and praised their personal tutors for the high levels of support provided by them.
Canterbury Christ Church University students on Whatuni say:
“They are really responsive, informative and helpful.”
“Extremely supportive and always happy to help you.”
“Very good. Always available and very responsive.”
Fees
These are published on individual webpages, please check the university’s website for details.
The 2019/20 annual tuition fees for most undergraduate full-time courses is:
UK/EU: £9250
Overseas: £11,900
Foundation Year: £6350
Scholarships/ Bursaries
Sport Scholarship Scheme
The university offers Elite and Performance Sport Scholarships, ranging from £400 to £1,500 a year to individuals who have demonstrated significant sporting talent.
Departmental Funding
Depending on the course, you may be able to apply for funding from the department. Check with the uni to see if your selected course is applicable. For example, there are various funding options for music students.
Funding Support for Health Students
The Pre-Registration Health and Social Care Bursary is an award of up to £1,000 per year of study and will be available to students who come from a household with a combined income of less than £25,000.
CCCU Advantage Package
Students on a range of Pre-registration Health courses can apply for this package (subject to eligibility) which includes:
- Uniforms
- Disclosure & Barring Service check
- Occupational Health costs, including immunisation
Canterbury Christ Church University Grant
A grant is available for up to £600 per academic year which will be allocated to students who meet the eligibility criteria.
Care Leavers Grant
£3,600 (£1,200 per academic year) is available for students under the age of 25 and who have been in care for a specified period of time.
International Students Scholarship
An award of £1,500 per academic year, for up to three years of undergraduate study. Once you have been offered a place to study you will be automatically considered for a scholarship, so there is no need to apply.
Academic strengths
Christ Church is recognised historically as a university for teacher training and higher education for the public services including health related courses. It has evolved significantly in recent years and has a wide portfolio in arts and humanities, as well as social and applied sciences.
In 2017 The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) awarded Christ Church Silver because it ‘consistently exceeds rigorous national quality requirements for UK higher education’ and delivers ‘high quality teaching, learning and outcomes for its students’. Christ Church is in the top 20 universities in the UK for qualified teaching staff (HEFCE 2017).
Entry requirements
Currently the university asks for between 88-120 UCAS tariff points with additional requirements for some subjects, which are detailed on the online course pages. However, each application is considered individually and personal statements and references will also be taken into account. There is also a wide range of subjects with foundation years for those who do not have the required points.
University of Canterbury is one of New Zealand’s leading research universities founded in 1873 by scholars of Cambridge and Oxford universities. It is interestingly the second oldest university in New Zealand and fourth-largest in Australia and is known to offer 150+ qualifications across 5 specialized colleges offering programs in Arts, Business and Law, Engineering, Science and Education, Health and Human Development.
It is ranked in the world’s top 1% university and has received a 5-star QS rating for its world-class facilities, high-quality degrees and excellent teaching and research methods. University of Canterbury is home to nearly 14,000 students from 100 countries around the world.
Some points to be kept in mind while applying to the University of Canterbury are as follows:
- The University accepts applications for July and February intakes. Some graduate programs may have separate intake months.
- Applicants who do not meet the academic requirements to apply for an undergraduate program, may apply for a foundation course or university transfer program.
- International applicants are advised to submit their applications 6 months before the program start date so that enough time is left to apply for visa and travel bookings.
- Admission to all programs at the university is on the basis of merit.
- The University does not require any standardized test scores like GMAT/ GRE for admission.
- Students having ELP scores below the minimum requirements can apply for English for Academic Purposes program.
COVID-19 Admission Updates
- Classes will be conducted on-campus as well as online for the remaining year.
- Services such as college student advisors, student care advisors, student advocate, academic skill centre and resources to study online will be available remotely.
- UC student care team is available remotely to assist international students if they have any queries regarding the program and immigration.
Highlights
| Application Portal | Online Application |
| Application Fee | N/A |
| Mode of Payment | Online transaction via credit card |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-based |
| Intake Season | February and July |
| Accepted Language Proficiency Test Scores | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CCEL EAP, CAE, NZCEL, FluentIQ, Language CERT |
| Work Experience | Required for some graduate program |
| Interview | Depends on the program |
| Financial Aid | Scholarships and loans |
University of Canterbury Admission Deadlines
Applicants applying at the University of Canterbury must submit their applications before the deadline. The application deadlines for undergraduate and graduate programs at the university are given in the table below:
| Intake Season | Undergraduate Applications | Graduate Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (starting in February) | October 31 | October 31 |
| Semester 2 (starting in July) | April 30 | April 1 |
Applications received after the mentioned deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
University of Canterbury International Student Admissions
University of Canterbury accepts applications from international students for its undergraduate and graduate programs. For admission, international students are required to fulfill academic qualifications depending on their home country to meet equivalent of New Zealand’s qualifications.
Application Portal: myUC Portal
Application Fee: There is no application fee to apply to any undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Basic Admission Requirements: International students must fulfill the following requirements to secure admission at University of Canterbury:
- Completed application form
- Official transcripts with a copy of high school diploma or degree
- English language proficiency test scores
- Copy of passport
- Financial statements
- Identification proof including details of residency and citizenship
- Completed declaration form
- Admission qualifications equivalent to New Zealand’s qualification depending on the applicant’s country.
Country-specific requirements
| Country | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| India | An overall grade of 75% with a minimum of 60% in English in All-India Senior School Certificate; or An overall grade of 80% with a minimum of 65% in English from Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary Certificate, Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Higher, or Karnataka Pre-University Certificate; or Studied a one-year undergraduate degree program at a recognized university in India |
| Pakistan | Studied one-year of undergraduate degree program at a recognized university in Pakistan. |
| Singapore | Singapore GCE A levels or NUS High School Diploma; or A minimum of three H2 passes at C grade. |
| Nepal | Studied a one-year undergraduate degree program at a recognized university in Nepal. |
| Japan | Studied a one-year undergraduate degree program at a recognized university in Japan; or Completed a junior college diploma. |
Some programs have additional study requirements, applicants must check the eligibility requirement of the program you are applying to.
English Proficiency Test Score for International Students
International students whose primary language is not English must submit one of the following test scores to fulfill English language proficiency requirements for admission:
| Test | Minimum Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants | Minimum Requirements for Graduate Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | An overall score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 5.5 in listening, speaking, reading and writing | An overall score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| TOEFL IBT | A minimum score of 80 with at least 19 in listening, reading and writing | A minimum score of 90 with at least 19 in listening, reading and writing |
| TOEFL PBT | A minimum score of 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5 | A minimum score of 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5 |
| CCEL EAP | Level 2 with a minimum grade of C+ | Level 2 with a minimum grade of B+ |
| CAE or CPE | A minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in listening, speaking, reading and writing | A minimum score of 176 with at least 169 in listening, speaking, reading and writing |
| PTE | An overall score of 50 | An overall score of 58 |
| NZCEL | Level 4 – Academic endorsement | Level 5 |
| FluentIQ | An overall score of 8/10 with no score less than 7 | An overall score of 8/10 with no score less than 7 |
| Language CERT | B2 communicator high pass, with no individual score below pass | C1 Expert with high pass and no less than Pass in each skill or C2 Mastery IESOL below pass |
Visa Process for International Students
International applicants accepted at the University of Canterbury must apply for a student visa once they enroll for a full-time program. Applicants are required to pay an application fee of 330 NZD + Rs. 747 via credit card.
The documents required to apply for a visa to study in New Zealand are as follows:
- Valid passport
- Complete student application form INZ 1012
- Letter of acceptance from the University of Canterbury
- Medical certificate
- Character certificate
- 2 passport size photograph
- Transcripts, degree or diploma from all previously attended institutions.
- English language proficiency test scores
- Financial statements to show sufficient funds for studying in New Zealand.
- Receipt of health insurance
Immigration New Zealand recommends international students to scan and submit their documents online in a PDF format as soon as they receive the required completed documents. The processing time for an online application is 4 weeks and can increase up to 3 months during busy periods. Therefore, students are advised to submit their applications on time.
University of Canterbury Undergraduate Admissions
University of Canterbury offers a range of undergraduate programs. Students have the choice of combining two bachelor’s degrees and graduating at the same time. Admission to undergraduate programs depends on the education system in the applicant’s home country.
Where to Apply: myUC Portal
Application Fee: No application fee.
Admission Requirements: The following documents must be submitted for admission to undergraduate programs:
- Official high school/ college transcripts
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Financial statement
- Proof of citizenship and residency
- Intended qualification of study and date
- Statement discussing reason for admission
University of Canterbury Graduate Admissions
University of Canterbury offers a wide range of graduate programs in various disciplines such as communications, arts, commerce, science and law to name a few. Applicants for all graduate programs must possess a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with good grades.
Where to Apply: myUC Portal
Application Fee: No application fee
Admission Requirements: The following documents must be submitted along with application for admission to graduate programs:
- Official transcripts of the bachelor’s degree
- English language proficiency test scores
- Work experience
- Copy of passport as proof of residency
- Financial statements
- Complete application form with a declaration
- Identification proof
Graduate programs have specific entry requirements. Details for some popular graduate programs are given in the table below:
| Requirements | Master of Education | Master of Commerce | Master of Fine Arts | Master of Business Administration | Master of Civil Engineering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Semester | February, July or November | February or July | Anytime during the year | February (only for undergraduate students), May or September | February or July |
| Transcripts | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Academic Qualifications | Minimum B+ GPA in either a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning with Honours, a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, or equivalent degree. | Completed bachelor’s degree and graduate diploma in relevant fields preferably Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor Arts, Bachelor of Science in Economics, Finance or Computer Science. | Completed bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with Honours, or an equivalent degree with good grades in relevant subjects; or professional teaching experience | Completed bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate diploma in Business Administration with good grades, | Completed a Bachelor’s of Engineering with Honours or a Bachelor of Science with Honours in a relevant subject or the Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering with good grades. |
| Work Experience | Not required | Not required | Recommended | Required, 5 years of work experience | Not required |
University of Canterbury accepts applications for July and February intakes for both undergraduate and graduate programs via myUC. The university considers academic excellence as an important criterion while reviewing applications and has a specific entry for requirements for applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria for direct entry to undergraduate programs. Students accepted at the university will receive their letter of acceptance via email.
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