Australian Students
The University of Canterbury (UC) is the fourth oldest university in Australasia. UC's qualifications are recognised by governments, professional associations and other institutions throughout the world.
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Studying at UC
The university year is broken into two semesters:
- Semester 1 runs from February to June and
- Semester 2 runs from July to November.
Some courses run for one semester and others run for the whole year.
In addition there is a summer programme of preparatory and degree courses which runs between November and February.
Degrees offered at UC
UC offers undergraduate degrees in the following areas:
These degrees lead on to around fifty different qualifications at graduate and postgraduate level, from graduate diplomas through to honours, master's and doctorates.
Entry requirements to UC for Australian students
Entry to most undergraduate courses at UC is open to citizens and permanent residents of Australia who complete Year 12 and achieve the equivalent to the New Zealand University Entrance qualification.
In 2012 the minimum requirements are Year 12 Certificate (HSC) and
one of the following:
- ATAR: 70;
- OP 14 or lower
Please note that the minimum requirements change from year to year, please check the Entry requirements website.
In addition:
- Performance Music requires an audition and applications are due 15 September. Contact the School of Music for more information or if you wish to apply after this date.
- Fine Arts requires a submission of work, due 15 November plus a separate application to the School of Fine Arts. Contact the School of Fine Arts for more information.
- Teaching and Sports Coaching qualifications require a separate application for programme entry. For further information and closing dates contact the College of Education
Applying for admission
(Please note: If you are an International Student please refer to the International Office)
Australian citizens and permanent residents must apply for admission (ad eundem statum) using the application form for New Zealand or Australian students with overseas qualifications.
You should apply as early as possible to give yourself maximum preparation time to complete your accommodation and travel arrangements.
We recommend that you apply before 1 November for Semester One (February) and before 1 May for Semester Two (July).
Accompanying this form must be:
- Certified true copies of your Higher School Certificate, Record of Achievement and the document with your ATAR or OP scores (when you receive them); and
- An application fee of NZ$100.
Once you have applied, the International Office will process your application for admission (ad eundem statum) and will make an offer of a place at UC if the information you have provided meets entry requirements.
On receipt of your application for admission a UC Enrolment Pack will be sent to you - you should apply to enrol in the courses you wish to study (this can be done online).
You will need to bring a certified copy of your birth certificate or passport to enrolment.
Once your official results have been received by the University, we will send you an official letter confirming your place.
Applying for Credit
If you have already completed some study at an Australian University and would like to apply for credit, you will also need to complete the Application for Credit.
Fees
Tuition fees
Australian citizens and permanent resident students pay New Zealand domestic fee rates. In 2011 depending on your courses and level of study these range from NZ$4900 to NZ$6300 for a full-time programme of undergraduate study.
Non-tuition levy
From 2010 the University of Canterbury is introducing a new transparent fee structure that will show students how much they are paying for services not directly related to their education and allow the University to be more responsive to their needs. This is similar to what is already in place at other New Zealand universities.
For 2012 students will pay a $635 Student Services Levy.
Financial assistance
Student loans and student allowances
Information on the eligibility of Australian citizens and permanent residents (including holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas) for New Zealand Student Loans and Allowances is available from Studylink, a service of the NZ Ministry of Social Development.
The NZ Inland Revenue Department has information on loan repayment requirements. In particular, see the section 'Before you get a Student Loan'.
Scholarships
The Scholarships Office lists UC scholarships for undergraduate (including first-year) and postgraduate students which may be available for Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Accommodation
Halls of residence
We have six halls of residence located on campus, four of which provide full board, including three meals a day.
Applications for halls close 1 October each year (except Ilam Village - 1 December).
Flatting
There is a good selection of affordable rental housing close to the University. Depending on the number of rooms in the flat, rent usually costs from $120 upwards per room a week, plus bills and food.
Please check out our UC Accommodation website for more information including costs.
About Christchurch
UC is located in Christchurch, a city with a population of around 350,000 (similar to Canberra or Newcastle) and is one of New Zealand's three main centres.
Christchurch is only a three-hour flight from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with regular flights and airfares which compare favourably to domestic airfares.
Christchurch has all the advantages of a large city without many of the downsides. Christchurch is one of the most affordable cities in Australasia, has excellent public transport and uncongested roads. The city attracts many events, including concerts and international sports events. The city has good beaches and heaps of opportunities for outdoor activities and in winter the snow is just over an hour away.
About New Zealand
New Zealand's land area is slightly larger than the state of Victoria and there is a diverse multi-cultural population of 4 million people (about the same as Queensland or Victoria). The majority of the population are of British descent, New Zealand's indigenous Maori make up around 14 percent of the population and there are significant Pacific and Asian populations.
For a relatively small country, New Zealand is remarkable for the diversity of its landscapes - New Zealand is a paradise for nature lovers. New Zealand's geography includes the spectacular landscapes seen in Lord of the Rings, incorporating the vast mountain chain of the Southern Alps (larger than the French, Austrian and Swiss Alps combined), the volcanic region of the North Island, fiords, glaciers, lakes, rainforests and extensive grassy plains. New Zealand's climate is temperate with no extremes.
New Zealand is a sports lover's paradise, with an emphasis on adventure, with everything from snowboarding and skiing, kayaking, white-water rafting, bungy jumping, bushwalking, rockclimbing, mountainbiking, windsurfing and sailing all being easily accessible from the main centres.
For more information
About study at UC and for course advice and information: liaison@canterbury.ac.nz
Phone +64 3 364 2993 or
Fax +64 3 364 2940
