Why study at UC
A proud tradition of developing tomorrow’s leaders
Since its establishment in 1873 (making UC the second oldest university in
New Zealand and the fourth oldest in Australasia), UC has produced graduates who have gone on to become leaders in their fields. Its distinguished alumni include:
- Nobel Prize winner Ernest Rutherford
- Helen Connon, the first woman to graduate with honours in the British Empire
- Apirana Ngata, the first Maori graduate from any New Zealand university
- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key
and many more graduates who have made a significant impact nationally and internationally.
Today, UC’s graduates go on to high-calibre jobs, are accepted into prestigious university programmes and secure research positions around the world.
Top research ranking
When it comes to research quality, the University of Canterbury is ranked in the top three New Zealand universities and is ranked number one in Engineering and Technology, Foreign Languages and Linguistics, and Other Health Studies (including Rehabilitative Therapies).
Exciting and hands-on research opportunities
UC has the most extensive network of field stations of any
New Zealand university. UC is very strong in field-based sciences and offers a wealth of fieldwork opportunities for postgraduate students.
Scholarships
UC has over a hundred PhD and master’s scholarships available in all subjects and disciplines.
International specialists
We have world experts on our staff and provide access to world-class international specialists via staff exchange programmes. This brings academics from around the world to teach and research at UC.
Students in all areas benefit from international staff exchange programmes, including the unique Erskine Fellowship, which enables around 70 leading overseas academics to visit UC each year for up to three months at a time. Erskine Fellows have included two Nobel Prize winners: Emeritus Professor Clive Granger for Economics in 2003 and Professor Bob Grubbs for Chemistry in 2005.
Internationally recognised qualifications from an established institution
The University of Canterbury offers qualifications recognised worldwide, offering the only postgraduate programmes in the country in a range of areas.
UC graduates are accepted into prestigious university programmes overseas and secure research positions around the world, while others go on to high-calibre jobs.
Wide range of postgraduate and graduate programmes
With over 100 subjects and over 70 qualifications available at graduate and postgraduate level, UC has a programme of study for you. See the Courses, Subjects and Qualifications website for details on the subjects and qualifications offered at UC.
Campus facilities
The University is located in attractively landscaped grounds ten minutes drive from the city centre and an international airport. Lecture theatres, research centres, libraries, laboratories, studios, computer workrooms, halls of residence and a host of other student services and facilities are all located on one site.
Christchurch and Canterbury
The largest city in the South Island, Christchurch offers an exciting and easy lifestyle for students. It is the most affordable major city to live in and the easiest to get around whether you are biking, walking, driving or using the excellent public transport system.