University of Canterbury (est.1873) is one of the oldest universities in New Zealand, with a legacy of over 100 years offering its wide range of services to its 14,000 students from 80 countries worldwide to study in New Zealand. The university has been ranked top 250 in the world by best-ranking agencies like QS, THE, and others. With an acceptance rate of 50%, the University of Canterbury is moderately selective in its admissions. Programs extended by the university are through its five colleges namely, College of Arts, College of Education, Health and Human Development, College of Engineering, College of Science, College of Business and Law.

University of Canterbury is ranked in the top 1% for its teaching and research and holds a 5- star rating from QS. It is home to nearly 14,000 students from 100 countries around the world, UC enrolled in over 150 study areas. The top 150 ranking subjects of UC as per QS 2022, include Civil and Structural Engineering, Linguistics, Geology, Geophysics, Earth, and Marine Sciences. Recognized for its MBA programs in New Zealand, candidates interested candidates need to have a bachelor’s degree, or postgraduate diploma in Business Administration with good grades, along with five years of professional experience.

The University has two intake seasons for February and July. Indian candidates need to have 75% with 60% in English in AISSC, or 80% with a minimum of 65% in English from State Boards or a one-year UG degree. As proof of English language proficiency, an IELTS score of 6.0 and 6.5 is mandatory for UG and PG, respectively. Students who do not meet the specified academic and ELP requirements can enroll through pathway courses or EAP programs. The University also does not ask for any standardized test scores like GMAT/ GRE for admission.

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

Admissions at University of Canterbury is invited for two intake seasons in February and July. The common New Zealand University application deadlines for courses starting in February are in October, November or December of the preceding academic year, whereas the deadlines for second semester starting in July are during March, April or May.

The exact deadlines for few limited entry courses at University of Canterbury are given below:

Course Name	Application Deadline
Bachelor of Engineering	December 1
Master of Engineering	January 10 (Semester 1, 2021) June 15 (Semester 2, 2021)
Master of Engineering in fire engineering	June 1(Semester 1) December 1 (Semester 2)
Master of Antarctic Studies	April 9
Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience	January 12
Master of Applied Psychology Parts I and II	November 30
Master of Geographic Information Science Part I	February 1
Post Graduate diploma in child and family psychology	October 1
Master of Counselling	October 1
Graduate Diploma in Journalism	October 31
Master of Social Work	Special Application required by September 30 (Semester 1) Special Application required by May 31 (Semester 2)

Note:

• Applications received after the mentioned deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis only.
• Some of the above-mentioned courses may require a special application. Students can check the official website to know more about the same.

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 the 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 exams to study in New Zealand
• 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 State Boards or a one-year undergraduate degree program at a recognized university in India
Pakistan	Studied a one-year 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:

• Valid passport
• Complete student application form INZ 1012
• Letter of acceptance from the University of Canterbury
• Medical certificate
• Character certificate/SOP for Visa in new Zealand
• 2 passport size photograph
• Transcripts, degree or diploma from all previously attended institutions.
• IELTS/TOEFL score for proof of English language proficiency
• Financial statements to show sufficient funds for studying in New Zealand.
• Receipt of health insurance

Immigration New Zealand recommends international students scan and submits 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

Undergraduate programs at University of Canterbury covers a vast range of study areas such as business, Engineering, law, data science, environmental science and others. 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 at the University of Canterbury:

• Official high school/ college transcripts
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Financial statement
• Proof of citizenship and residency
• Intended qualification of study and date
• Statement of Purpose discussing reason for admission

University of Canterbury Graduate Admissions

University of Canterbury offers postgraduate diplomas, master’s degree and PhD degrees in disciplines such as engineering, arts, fine arts, education, law, commerce etc. Applicants for all graduate programs must possess a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with competitive grades to secure admission.

Where to Apply: myUC Portal
Application Fee: No application fee
Admission Requirements: The following documents must be submitted along with an application for admission to graduate programs:

• Official transcripts of the bachelor’s degree
• TOEFL/IELTS score as proof English language proficiency
• Work experience
• Copy of passport as proof of residency
• Financial statements
• Complete application form with a declaration
• Identification proof

Details for some popular postgraduate programs at University of Canterbury 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

Established in 1873, UC is among the top 400 Universities of the World as per rankings published by US News and QS Global World Ranking 2021. its Engineering and Science programs are top programs and popular worldwide. The University of Canterbury 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 offer of place via Email which will also contain details regarding payment of tuition fees.

Candidates planning to study abroad need to confirm their offer of a place either by paying a deposit fee of 1,500 NZD or the tuition fees in full at University of Canterbury. However, all international students have to enrol for their courses in person on campus which takes place one week before the lectures begin. Therefore, they must plan their arrival to New Zealand accordingly.

university of canterbury application

Admissions at the university take place through the myUC admission portal which is entirely online. University of Canterbury has two intake sessions, Semester 1 and Semester 2. Applicants can now apply for Semester 1 till October 31. The tuition fee of the top programs of the University of Canterbury ranges from 21,000 NZD – 61,600 NZD. There is a wide range of scholarships offering up to 15,000 NZD that students can apply namely Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship, University of Canterbury Alumni Scholarship, Alison MacGibbon Fund, and others.

University Of Canterbury Courses For International Students

Transition programmes

If you left school with few or no qualifications, or if you lack the English language requirements to qualify for admission, UC has transition programmes to help you take the first step towards a degree level qualification.

STAR

If you are a secondary school student anywhere in Aotearoa New Zealand, you can become a STAR student and enrol in first-year degree-level courses while you are in Year 12 or 13. Courses are offered both on campus where you will study alongside UC students, and by distance study.

UC transition to study programme for first year students

UC Pathways combines learning and life skills to help first year students transition to university study. You will develop the essential skills you need to succeed at University while enjoying an enhanced student experience. This can be studied concurrently with your usual programme of study.

Bachelor’s degrees

UC’s Bachelor’s degrees equip you to solve the problems of the future. Whether you already have your career path mapped out, or are open to new possibilities, you will be able to find an undergraduate degree to suit your interests and goals.

Undergraduate certificates and diplomas

If you aren’t sure if you want to commit to a degree, but have a specific interest you want to learn more about, then Undergraduate certificates and diplomas could be a great option for you. 

Graduate certificates and diplomas

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree Graduate certificates and diplomas may be for you. Graduate degrees can serve to increase the value of your undergraduate degree in the job market or be a first step to a new career.

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas

Postgraduate certificates and diplomas are often undertaken by practitioners looking for professional development. The short period of study allows you to gain additional skills and a recognised qualification without a long term commitment.

Honours degrees

If you’re passionate about a particular subject, completing Honours degrees brings you the opportunity to go deeper with a personalised study programme. Most honours programmes comprise courses in one subject, though most programmes give you the option of including one to two courses from another subject.

Master’s degrees

Master’s degrees are a way of advancing your understanding and skill in your undergraduate major, or, in some cases, a new area of study. A master’s degree builds on the general skills acquired in an undergraduate degree.

PhDs and Doctoral degrees

Perhaps you have a burning intellectual curiosity about something, want to advance your career or even change career direction and increase your employability and earning capacity. Find out more about PhDs and Doctoral degrees.

Certificate of Proficiency

If you want to complete an individual course or courses but not a full qualification, you may apply for a Certificate of Proficiency.

university of canterbury acceptance rate

With an acceptance rate of 50%, the University of Canterbury is moderately selective in its admissions.

university of canterbury qs ranking

Our International Rankings. University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha is a prestigious destination that is ranked 258th in the QS World University Rankings, 2022.

university of canterbury fees for international students

A student must pay tuition fees on the basis of each and every course they enrol in, except when enrolling in a Special Fees Programme where an overall fee is levied. Courses are assigned to fee bands by subject area as shown in the tables below. All international students must pay tuition fees at the international rate except those on an approved reciprocal exchange programme (covered by a formal exchange agreement) and those enrolled as a PhD student and residing in Aotearoa New Zealand. Banded FeesSpecial (Set) Fees

Banded Fees

Courses are assigned to fee bands based on subject area unless they are part of a Special (Set) Fees Programme. Banded fees are used for domestic and international undergraduate students, and domestic postgraduate (research and taught) students. Postgraduate courses for international students generally have special set fees instead of banded fees. 

Tuition fees for domestic postgraduate research (thesis-based) students are based on one academic year of study (120 points) so the prices listed below are for one year of study (120 points), not a total set programme fee. This means if your qualification takes longer than one year, you will be invoiced for each additional quarter, and your tuition fees will be subject to price increases in subsequent year(s).

All fees listed are inclusive of NZ GST, or any equivalent overseas tax, unless otherwise stated. In addition to tuition fees, there are also non-tuition fees. 

 Domestic Undergraduate Fee Bands

BAND	SUBJECT AREAS	2021 PER 120 POINTS	2021 PER 15 POINTS	2022 PER 120 POINTS	2022 PER 15 POINTS
1	Arts, Social Science, Education	$6,281	$785	$6,388	$799
2	Business, Accountancy, Law	$6,648	$831	$6,761	$845
3	Non-Bench Science, Fine Arts, Music, Computer Science, Theatre & Film, Computational Maths	$7,015	$877	$7,134	$892
4	Bench Science, Antarctic Studies, Health Science	$7,281	$910	$7,405	$926
5	Engineering, Forestry	$7,884	$986	$8,018	$1,002
6	Information Systems	$6,880	$860	$6,997	$875
7	Communication Disorders	$7,828	$979	$7,961	$995
8	Ecology	$7,562	$945	$7,691	$961
9	Mathematics, Statistics, Art Curatorship	$6,306	$788	$6,413	$802

Domestic Postgraduate Fee Bands – TAUGHT

BAND	SUBJECT AREAS	2021 PER 120 POINTS	2021 PER 15 POINTS	2022 PER 120 POINTS	2022 PER 15 POINTS
1	Arts, Social Science, Education	$7,618	$952	$7, 748	$969
2	Business, Accountancy, Law	$7,938	$992	$8,073	$1,099
3	Non-Bench Science, Fine Arts, Music, Computer Science, Theatre & Film, Computational Maths	$8,264	$1,033	$8,404	$1,051
4	Bench Science, Antarctic Studies, Health Science	$8,525	$1,066	$8,670	$1,084
5	Engineering, Forestry	$8,911	$1,114	$9,062	$1,133
6	Information Systems	$8,044	$1,006	$8,181	$1,023
7	Communication Disorders	$8,867	$1,108	$9,018	$1,127
8	Ecology	$8,635	$1,079	$8,782	$1,098
9	Mathematics, Statistics, Art Curatorship	$7,996	$1,000	$8,132	$1,017

Domestic Postgraduate Fee Bands – RESEARCH

BAND	SUBJECT AREAS	2021 PER 120 POINTS	2022 PER 120 POINTS
1	Arts, Social Science, Education	$7,099	$7,220
2	Business, Accountancy, Law	$7,432	$7,558
3	Non-Bench Science, Fine Arts, Music, Computer Science, Theatre & Film, Computational Maths	$7,768	$7,900
4	Bench Science, Antarctic Studies, Health Science	$8,035	$8,172
5	Engineering, Forestry	$8,552	$8,697
6	Information Systems	$7,641	$7,771
7	Communication Disorders	$8,503	$8,648
8	Ecology	$8,262	$8,402
9	Mathematics, Statistics, Art Curatorship	$7,429	$7,555

 International Undergraduate Fee Bands

BAND	SUBJECT AREAS	2021 PER 120 POINTS	2021 PER 15 POINTS	2022 PER 120 POINTS	2022 PER 15 POINTS
1	Arts and Social Sciences	$28,000	$3,500	$28,800	$3,600
2	Business and Accountancy	$31,000	$3,875	$31,800	$3,975
3	Fine Arts and Law	$33,600	$4,200	$34,500	$4,313
4	Science (including non-bench and Health Sciences)	$35,500	$4,450	$36,500	$4,563
5	Engineering	$44,000	$5,500	$45,000	$5,625
7	Communication Disorders and Forestry	$39,500	$4,950	$40,500	$5,063

Examples of Banded Tuition Fee calculations

Example 1

An undergraduate domestic student in their first year of a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) might pay the following tuition fees in 2021:

Example 2 

An undergraduate international student taking the same courses will pay the following tuition fees in 2021:

Example 3

A domestic student studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Science (PGDipSci) with a major in Environmental Science might pay the following tuition fees in 2021:

University Of Canterbury Postgraduate Courses

UC offers three types of master’s degrees:

• research master’s
• coursework master’s
• a combination of both.

A research master’s degree advances your knowledge in the area of your previous studies, and enables you to conduct a significant piece of independent research (with supervision).

A coursework master’s (or taught master’s) degree provides a structured programme of taught courses at an advanced level. In some cases, a taught master’s can allow you to undertake study in a different professional area from that of your first degree (and so can facilitate a change of career focus). As well as the course component, many offer applied learning opportunities, such as an independent project or industry placement.

A number of UC’s master’s degrees allow for a combination of both courses and research.

Regardless of form, gaining a master’s degree is evidence of high academic attainment, specialist understanding and advanced critical evaluation, research, interpretation, and communication skills.

Entry requirements

Admission to a master’s degree is based on your previous studies in a relevant bachelor’s degree, or a qualification or combination of qualifications considered to be equivalent. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to make sure they are of an equivalent standard.

The primary basis for selection is on your Grade Point Average in your undergraduate degree and your ability to complete postgraduate study, however consideration may also be given to other factors, such as relevant work experience. A good indication of your readiness for postgraduate-level study is the achievement of B grades or better in your final-year undergraduate courses.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC’s English language requirements to gain entry.

Admission to master’s degrees can be competitive, and some departments and schools may have additional requirements. Refer to the specific master’s programme you are interested in for detailed entry requirements.

Finding a research supervisor

If you are intending to conduct research, you should investigate potential supervisors before applying for postgraduate study at UC – see the UC Research Profile for a searchable database. Your supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all administrative and administrative requirements are met. They will also assess your suitability as a master’s candidate based on your academic performance (often requiring supporting evidence), the matching between your research interests and theirs, and their availability and funding.

Qualification options

Some of the master’s programmes offer a choice of structure. You should consider your options and what you plan to do with your degree. If you are considering a professional services career, coursework may work best for you. If you are looking for careers in research or academia, a research master’s is likely required.

Your research is presented in the form of a thesis, a research project or other output type, depending on the nature of the degree eg, fine arts and music.

The following master’s degrees are available at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury:

• Master of Antarctic Studies
• Master of Applied Data Science
• Master of Applied Finance and Economics
• Master of Applied Translation and Interpreting
• Master of Architectural Engineering
• Master of Arts
• Master of Arts (Thesis)
• Master of Audiology
• Master of Business
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Information Systems
• Master of Civil Engineering
• Master of Commerce
• Master of Computer-Assisted Language Learning
• Master of Counselling
• Master of Criminal Justice
• Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
• Master of Education
• Master of Engineering
• Master of Engineering in Fire Engineering
• Master of Engineering Management
• Master of Engineering Studies
• Master of Engineering in Transportation
• Master of European Union Studies
• Master of Financial Engineering
• Master of Fine Arts
• Master of Forestry Science
• Master of Health Sciences
• Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice
• Master of Human Interface Technology
• Master of International Relations and Diplomacy
• Master of Laws
• Master of Laws (International Law and Politics)
• Master of Linguistics
• Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership
• Master of Mathematical Sciences
• Master of Music
• Master of Policy and Governance
• Master of Product Design
• Master of Product Innovation
• Master of Professional Accounting
• Master of Science
• Master of Social Work
• Master of Social Work (Applied)
• Master of Spatial Analysis for Public Health
• Master of Specialist Teaching
• Master of Speech and Language Pathology
• Master of Sport Science
• Master of Strategic Communication
• Master of Systems Change
• Master of Teaching and Learning
• Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Master of Te Reo Māori
• Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
• Master of Water Resource Management
• Master of Writing
• Professional Master of Computer Science
• Professional Master of Engineering Geology
• Professional Master of Geospatial Science and Technology

Duration

A number of master’s degrees allow for a combination of individual research and coursework. Master’s degrees at UC take between one and two years to complete (longer if part-time) depending on your earlier qualifications and the particular degree.

Part-time study because of employment, family, health or other reasons may be possible, but is not automatic.

Further study

It is possible to transfer to a PhD (or other doctoral degree) from a master’s degree. You will need to demonstrate that your thesis research is progressing well and that your thesis would benefit from an extended period of research. You will also need the support of your school or department to apply for a transfer.

university of canterbury notable alumni

UC is proud of the great diversity that has always existed at the University and of how UC graduates have excelled in a multitude of areas through a wide range of achievements.

Andrew OhLLB 1992
Partner at Duncan Cotterill Laywers Anna LawrenceBEd 1995
Former Olympian and GM Commercial NZ CricketAnote TongBSc 1976
Former President of KiribatiArihia BennettGradDipSocWork 1988
CEO of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi TahuCraig Nevill-ManningBSc(Hons) 1990
Chief Technology Officer at Sidewalk LabsCraig PriceBE (Hons) 1987
Director & Chair of Beca NZDame Aroha Reriti-CroftsTeachers College Diploma 1983
Former National President of the Maori Women’s Welfare League David JaggarMSc (Hons) 1991
Inventor of the ARM microchip David TeeceMCom 1971
Executive Chairman at Berkeley Research Group, LLCDick FrizzellDipFA 1964
ArtistDonald CouchMA Christchurch Teachers College 1959
Ngāi Tahu Iwi LeaderFraser WhinerayBE (Hons) 1993
Chief Operating Officer at Fonterra Fred ChongMEM 1999
Founder of WebTVAsiaGemma NewMusB (Hons) 2010
Conductor of the St Louis Symphony OrchestraJeff FieldMA (Hons) 1975 Teachers College Diploma (Distinction) 1978 GradDipJ 1984
Former UC Registrar Justice Vui Clarence NelsonLLB 1978
Judge Supreme Court of SamoaJustine RossDipT 1989
Co-founder of 42 Below Vodka Kathryn ToppBSc 1998 GradDipMGT 1999
CEO and Founder of YabbleLexie MathesonChristchurch Teachers College 1964
Activist, Academic, and Performing Artist Lianne DalzielLLB 1985
Mayor of Christchurch Liz CalderBA 1959 LittD 2019
Editor and Publisher Liz Chesterman ONZMBA 1989 GradDipSocWork 1991
Chief Executive at the Cancer Society of NZMark StewartBCom 1984
Honorary Consul for Malaysia Maui SolomonLLB 1984
Barrister and ActivistMichael WolfeLLB 1979
Managing Partner at Lane NeaveMiriama KamoBA 1995
Broadcaster, Journalist and PresenterNick LoosleyBCom 2017
Founder of Everybody EatsNick SwallowBSc 1999 GradDipMGT 2003
Trade Commissioner, UK and Ireland, New Zealand Trade and EnterprisePetra BagustBFA 1995
Television Presenter and MCPhil VealBE (Hons) 1992
Investor and AdvisorRaewyn Lovett ONZMLLB 1983
Director at Sport New ZealandRob FyfeBE (Hons) 1983 DCom 2015
Multi-company DirectorRodney HideBSc 1979
Former Leader of the ACT Political Party. Roy KerrDSc 2015
Mathematician Ruth RichardsonLLB (Hons) 1972 DCom 2011
Former MP and Minister of FinanceSandra ClairPhD 2019
Founder of ArtemisSharon ZollnerBA 1997 MCom 1998
Chief Economist ANZ Sir John KeyBCom 1983
Former Prime Minister of New ZealandStella WardBSLT 1994 BA 1998
Executive Director of Cloud Programme at Department of Internal Affairs (NZ)Thiam Soon TanBE(Hons) 1980
President of Singapore Institute of TechnologyVicki HydeBSc 1985 BA 1986
Science Writer and Editor Warren PohBE (Hons) 2005, MEM 2006
Regional Leader, GHD

university of canterbury scholarships

The University of Canterbury has scholarships available for international students who are:

• currently studying at secondary level in New Zealand
• curently studying at UCIC but intend to enrol at UC the following year
• planning on studying any undergraduate degree at UC but are still overseas
• planning on studying any postgraduate degree at UC but are still overseas

Search for scholarships

To find scholarships you may be eligible for, please search our scholarship database by selecting the relevant option that applies you.

Please note – you need to have created a myUC account prior to access the database.

Applying for a scholarship

Each scholarship has different eligibility criteria (e.g. subject/course, level, citizenship, age, gender, school, region, etc.) and may require different supporting documentation. 

To apply, first review the criteria and then fill out the appropriate form online.

Please read the regulations for each scholarship before you apply. 

university of canterbury courses

Flexible yet focused, UC’s bachelor’s degree qualifications equip you to solve the problems of the future. Whether you already have your career path mapped out, or are open to new possibilities, you can tailor your studies to suit your interests and goals.

You can focus on a particular career from day one, or follow new and exciting options as you discover them. Some qualifications are specialised, with most of your first-year courses already set into a programme, such as the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or Bachelor of Laws. 

Others allow much more flexibility, and even give you the chance to choose minors from other programmes, such as a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Commerce. This means you can study diverse combinations of subjects and still complete your degree in three years.

As well as bachelor’s degrees, UC also offers a number of undergraduate certificates and diplomas.

Entry requirements

Entry for bachelor’s degrees require University Entrance to gain admission to UC. If you gained your qualifications overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard. 

You are also required to meet UC’s English language requirements if English is your additional language.

Some bachelor’s degrees have additional requirements. Check the details of your selected degree and courses to make sure you meet these.

Qualification options

There are a number of bachelor’s degrees on offer at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Communication
• Bachelor of Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Data Science
• Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
• Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Bachelor of Forestry Science
• Bachelor of Health Sciences
• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Māori Innovation
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Social Work with Honours
• Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
• Bachelor of Sport Coaching
• Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood)
• Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
• Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Commerce
• Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Science
• Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Science
• Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Commerce
• Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Science

Double and conjoint degrees

It is also possible to combine and graduate with two bachelor’s degrees at the same time.

university of canterbury subjects

A bachelor’s degree will allow you to study across a broad range of subjects. A subject is a particular area of study that the University offers courses in eg, English, Management, or Geology.

Browse Subjects to explore your study options so you can get an idea of everything that is on offer.

Major subjects

Studying towards a bachelor’s degree, you’ll develop a deep understanding of a particular study area from first to final year. This core subject area is called your ‘major’. With nearly 100 major subjects to choose from at undergraduate level, you can select a major that fits with your career aspirations and allows you to develop in-depth knowledge. 

For some degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Sport Coaching, you can also choose to do a double major and specialise in two subjects. This will not increase your workload or the length of your degree. Provided you meet the requirements for both majors at the end of the first year, you can decide whether you want to continue and take a double major, or whether you want to focus on one subject and take the other as a ‘minor’. 

Minor subjects

A ‘minor’ offers a similar focus for your degree as your ‘major’ subject, but requires less courses and is an addition to your core degree knowledge. Most students take a minor to complement their major subject or career aspirations, or as a different subject area that they are particularly interested in. Not all bachelor’s degrees at UC offer a minor.

Minor subjects offered within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Sport Coaching, and Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership are shared across these degrees, allowing you to choose your minor from a wide variety of options.

Some bachelor’s degrees have specific course requirements for majors and minors; visit the University Regulations website or contact the relevant College for more details.

Courses

Courses are blocks of work that are usually taught over one semester. When you pass a course, you gain points (usually 15 or 30 points per course). Every course you pass adds points to the total required for your degree. First-year students usually only take 100-level courses, although there are some exceptions. Other universities sometimes refer to courses as ‘papers’.

Course codes

Each course has a code of four letters and three numbers. The letters show the subject and the numbers show the level. For example, MATH 101 is a Mathematics course at 100-level, and ENGL 201 is an English course at 200-level.

Course prerequisites

You usually have to pass certain courses in a subject – called prerequisites – before you can continue on to 200-level courses in your second year.

Duration

Your bachelor’s degree usually takes three or four years of full-time study to complete. Typically, three year degrees require 360 points of study. Four year bachelor’s degrees, such as the Bachelor of Forestry Science, typically require 480 points of study.

Semesters

The year is divided into three semesters — the first from March to July, the second from July to October, and the summer semester from November to February. A course usually takes one semester to complete.

Students may choose to study in the summer semester to complete their qualification in a shorter time frame, to take prerequisite courses to prepare for another course they wish to take during the other semesters, or to catch up on a failed course.

university of canterbury fees for international students postgraduate

International Postgraduate Fees

You will pay postgraduate tuition fees for the following qualifications at UC: 

• Postgraduate certificates and diplomas
• Master’s degrees
• Doctoral degrees

Set Programme Fees

All international postgraduate qualifications have a Set Programme Fee except 240 point Master’s degrees taught over 24 months. Fees for 240 point Master’s degrees are paid annually and are proportional to how many points you take per year (normally 120). 

Additional Costs

In addition to your tuition fees you will also pay non-tuition fees. If you are studying on-campus as an international student, you will also pay for Insurance and a Student Visa Application Fee (if applying through UC). 

Offshore study and GST

If you are living and studying outside of New Zealand, your fees will be exclusive of NZ GST. The University of Canterbury reserves the right to charge any additional taxes payable in NZ or in the country of study if required by any relevant legislation. 

International Postgraduate Set Programme Fees
By Qualification (GST inclusive and exclusive)

MASTER’S DEGREES	POINTS	2021 TOTAL PROGRAMME FEE GST INCLUSIVE (NZD)	EXCL GST	2022 TOTAL PROGRAMME FEE GST INCLUSIVE (NZD)	EXCL GST
Master of Antarctic Studies (includes ANTA603 – Antarctica Field Trip)	180	$63,572	$55,280	$64,538	$56,120
Master of Applied Data Science	180	$45,375	$39,457	$47,700	$41,478
Master of Applied Finance and Economics	180	$45,375	$39,457	$47,700	$41,478
Master of Applied Translation and Interpreting	180	$40,800	$35,478	$42,300	$36,783
Master of Architectural Engineering	120	$44,000	$38,261	$45,000	$39,130
Master of Arts	180	$48,000	$41,739	$49,500	$43,043
Master of Arts (Thesis)	120	$32,000	$27,826	$33,000	$28,696
Master of Audiology	240 120	$79,000 $39,500	$68,696 $34,348	$80,000 $40,000	$69,565 $34,783
Master of Business	180	$45,375	$39,457	$47,700	$41,478
Master of Business Administration	180	$51,750	$45,000	$54,450	$47,348
Master of Business Information Systems	180	$45,375	$39,457	$47,700	$41,478
Master of Civil Engineering	120	$44,000	$38,261	$45,000	$39,130
Master of Commerce	180	$45,375	$39,457	$47,700	$41,478

University Of Canterbury Masters Fees

You need to pay postgraduate tuition fees if you plan on studying towards any of the following qualifications at UC: 

• Postgraduate certificates and diplomas
• Honours degrees
• Master’s degrees
• PhDs and Doctoral degrees

Fees Estimate

Courses are the building blocks for every programme of study and each course will have a cost associated with it. The total cost of a year’s tuition is the sum of all fees for courses you are enrolled in. The cost of an individual course can be found on the course page. Each course is worth a certain number of points and it is these points that count towards your qualification when you have passed the course. The more work a course requires, the more points it’s worth. Typically, a full time student will study around 120 points each year.

The easiest way to calculate your fees is through the Fees Estimator – you can add the papers you are wanting to enrol in and see what the cost will be, specific to you. 

 NOTE:

• Non-tuition fees will also apply.
• Additional course related costs, such as workshops and field trips may apply.
• All fees are inclusive of NZ GST, or any equivalent overseas tax.
• Your total tuition fees for each year are calculated by the cost of each individual course that makes up your programme of study therefore the prices below are indicative only.

Tuition fees are subject to change and are reviewed annually. The University reserves the right to change these published fees before enrolment to reflect any changes in Government or University Council Policy. See Enrolment and Fees Policies and Regulations for more information. If you are taking courses as part of your qualification in the following academic year, you may be subject to a price increase for those courses.

PHDS	POINTS	2021 FEES ESTIMATE PER INDICATED POINTS	2022 FEES ESTIMATE PER INDICATED POINTS
Doctor of Education	120	$7,099	$7,220
Doctor of Health Sciences	60		$4,335 $8,172
Doctor of Musical Arts	120	$7,768	$7,900
Doctor of Philosophy	120	$7,099 – $8,552	$7,220 – $8,697

MASTER’S	POINTS	2021 FEES ESTIMATE PER INDICATED POINTS	2022 FEES ESTIMATE PER INDICATED POINTS
Master of Antarctic Studies (includes ANTA603 – Antarctica Field Trip)	180	$17,693	$17,994
Master of Applied Data Science	180	$12,396	$12,606
Master of Applied Finance and Economics	180	$11,908	$12,110
Master of Applied Translation and Interpreting	180	$11,427	$11,622
Master of Architectural Engineering	120	$8,911	$9,062
Master of Arts	180	$13,300	$13,527

University Of Canterbury Phd 

PhD

Duration

3–4 years full-time

Entry times

First day of any month

Overview

The UC Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a research-only degree, carried out under expert supervision and using world-class facilities. At UC you can complete a PhD in over 70 subjects, joining over 1,000 students from more than 60 nations.

A PhD involves extensive, sustained, and original research in your chosen subject, with the results being presented in a thesis that will contribute to intellectual knowledge of the field. It is a mark of intellectual ability, self-discipline, and commitment. A PhD prepares you for a number of careers, including as an academic.

University Of Canterbury Phd Fees

YEAR	POINTS	INFO	FEES (NZD)
2021	120	Annual fee based on 120 points per year	$7,099 – $8,552
2022	120	Annual fee based on 120 points per year	$7,220 – $8,697

University Of Canterbury Phd Application Deadline

The deadline for applications closes October 31, but late applications may be considered.

University Of Canterbury Phd Scholarships

UC offers a diverse range of scholarships to support students for study towards any research doctoral degree at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. 

Whakamāramatanga | Key Information

The UC Doctoral Scholarship, and other related scholarships, are now considered as part of the application to enrol process. Therefore an application to study a doctoral degree programme at UC will now be regarded as an application for our Doctoral scholarships. Meeting the requirements for enrolment in a doctoral degree is one of the requirements for receiving a UC Doctoral Scholarship and preparing the application will also ensure you have provided all the required information for a scholarship application.

Along with the UC Doctoral Scholarship, applicants are also considered for all the other scholarships listed in the regulations of the UC Doctoral Scholarship. These scholarships are a mix of awards which recognise success within certain demographics (first ranked candidate, female, Māori, Pasifika/Pacific students etc.). 

The scholarships have been grouped into 3 categories to give a better understanding of what they signify. These are:

• Core – Not co-tenable with any other Core scholarship.
• Prestige – Co-tenable with a Core scholarship and includes additional monetary value.
• Recognition – Co-tenable with a Core scholarship and does not include additional monetary value.

To be eligible for the Prestige and Recognition scholarships, applicants must have already been awarded a Core scholarship. Because of this, Prestige and Recognition scholarships are awarded at the end of each academic year. If an applicant is awarded a Prestige scholarship, the additional value is added on to the overall total of the scholarship i.e. a Core scholarship stipend of $28,000 per annum is increased to $33,000 per annum.

CORE SCHOLARSHIPS	PRESTIGE SCHOLARSHIPS	RECOGNITION SCHOLARSHIPS
UC Doctoral Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees from 1 Jan 2022)	Brownlie Scholarship ($5,000 stipend top-up to Core Scholarship)	Ngata Centenary Scholarship (Name only)
UC Doctoral Scholarship for Students with Disabilities ($28,000 stipend + fees from 1 Jan 2022)	Roper Scholarship in Science ($5,000 stipend top-up to Core Scholarship)	Canterbury Scholarship (Name only)
UC Aho Hīnātore | Accelerator Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees)	William and Ina Cartwright Scholarship ($5,000 stipend top-up to Core Scholarship)
Doctoral Graduate Women Canterbury (Inc.) Trust Board Scholarship ($24,500 stipend only)
UC Matariki Doctoral Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees from 1 Jan 2022)
UC Pasifika Doctoral Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees from 1 Jan 2022)
Rātā Foundation Scholarship ($24,500 stipend only)
Research Cluster Scholarships
UC Connect Doctoral Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees from 1 Jan 2022)
Food Transitions 2050 PhD Scholarship ($28,000 stipend + fees)

To start your application for enrolment (and subsequently your UC Doctoral scholarship application) please click here.

Discover other scholarships that may assist in funding your PhD below.

Please note – these scholarships are subject to funding and are reviewed each year. The UC Scholarships Office administer most of these scholarships and the tables do not reflect the departmental scholarships available (please enquire about these with your relevant department). Please search our scholarships database for all scholarships currently available.