UC was first formed as the Canterbury Collegiate Union in 1872 and became the Canterbury College in 1873. As the first constituent college of the University of New Zealand, it was also the second institution in New Zealand to provide tertiary-level education. In 1961, the federated University of New Zealand was split and the University of Canterbury was created as an independent university.
In his inaugural address, the first Chancellor of the University Henry John Tancred said: “It is of the greatest importance to the wellbeing of the whole that this influence should be felt in every part and among all classes, that high as well as low, rich as well as poor, should have every opportunity afforded to them of cultivating and developing the higher faculties in such a manner as will fit them for occupying worthily the highest position in the State.”
Discover what makes UC special, how we have been guided by our past, and how we are moving into an exciting future.
