History and chronology

Established in 1873 Canterbury College, as it was then known, was only the second university in Aotearoa New Zealand.

It was set up on the Oxbridge model with one major difference: women students were admitted from the start. An early graduate, Helen Connon, became the first woman in the then British Empire to win honours.

Housed in graceful stone buildings on a central city block, the College was dependent on rents from high country farms with which it had been endowed by the Canterbury Provincial Council.

Ernest Rutherford, Canterbury’s most distinguished graduate, studied at the University in the 1890s. He discovered his scientific ability during a year of postgraduate research before taking up a scholarship to Cambridge. He would go on to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry and in 1917, became the first person to split the atom.

Leader and politican Sir Apirana Ngata (Ngati Porou) was a contemporary of Rutherford and became the first Māori graduate from an Aotearoa New Zealand university. Portraits of the two grace Aotearoa New Zealand’s $100 and $50 bank notes respectively.

Canterbury College was renamed Canterbury University College in 1933 before becoming the University of Canterbury in 1957.

For most of its first 100 years the University was situated in the centre of Ōtautahi Christchurch (now the Arts Centre) but moved to its current location in 1975, a spacious, purpose-built 76 hectare site in the suburb of Ilam. The ‘new’ University campus has a central complex of libraries, lecture theatres, laboratories and student accommodation surrounded by playing fields, woodlands and the renowned Ilam Gardens.

The University of Canterbury has five Colleges:

College of Arts | Te Rāngai Toi Tangata
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha
College of Science | Te Rāngai Pūtaiao
College of Business and Law | Te Rāngai Umanga me te Ture

UC now has a diverse range of study options, offering over 120 qualifications in more than 150 subject areas. Ten local accommodation facilities provide board for more than 2,200 students.

It also has the most extensive network of field stations for student and staff research of any university in Aotearoa New Zealand, including Kaikoura, Cass, Westport, Harihari (South Westland), the sub-Antarctic Snares Islands and Antarctica, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier astronomical research facility at Mount John in Tekapo.

UC is privileged to also operate a field station in Nigeria as part of the Nigerian Montane Forest Project.

Historic Canterbury College rugby team photo

The UC student experience: 1873-1910

See what the University of Canterbury student experience looked like from 1873-1910.

Historic Canterbury College graduates photo

The UC student experience: 1911-40

See what the University of Canterbury student experience looked like from 1911 to 1940.

The UC student experience: 1941-70

See what the University of Canterbury student experience looked like from 1941-1970.

The UC student experience: 1971-99

See what the University of Canterbury student experience looked like from 1971-1999.

The UC student experience: 2000-15

See what the University of Canterbury student experience looked like from 2000-2015.

Year	Key Events
1873	June 16: Canterbury College (University of New Zealand) foundation day. Alexander Bickerton appointed first professor (in chemistry).
1874	Teaching begins, with five part-time lecturers until founding professors arrive from England. John Macmillan Brown appointed first professor of classics, history and English literature; Charles Cook first professor of mathematics and natural philosophy.
1875	First annual examinations.
1876	Julius Von Haast appointed professor of geology and palaeontology.
1877	Bachelor of Laws (LLB) course introduced. Lyttelton Times, mid-1877: "…after innumerable stoppages and delays the new buildings of Canterbury College are completed, so far as they go, and are ready for occupation."
1878	James Hay and Frederick Fitchett become the first graduates from Canterbury College.
1879	The College Library established.
1880	Helen Connon becomes the first female to graduate from Canterbury College.
1881	Helen Connon becomes first female honours graduate in the British Empire.
1882	School of Art opens.
1886	Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) courses are introduced. First annual rugby match against Otago University.
1888	Engineering courses are introduced.
1890	Ernest Rutherford starts at Canterbury College.
1894	Apirana Ngata becomes first Māori scholar to complete a university degree.
1908	Ernest Rutherford awarded Nobel Prize (for chemistry).
1911	Alice Candy graduates with a Masters of Arts with Hons in Political Science.
1914	Ernest Rutherford knighted for his contribution to science. Henry Stokes Richards becomes Canterbury's first Rhodes Scholar.
1917	Ernest Rutherford splits the atom.
1918	Helen Connon Hall and Rolleston House open, the first hostels for female and male students (respectively).
1921	Four faculties are established: Arts, Science, Commerce & Law and Mental, Moral & Social Sciences.
1924	Music faculty established.
1927	Law and Commerce become separate faculties. Apirana Ngata knighted for services to the Māori people.
1928	James Hight appointed Rector.
1929	Students' Union opens.
1930	The first edition of student magazine Canta is produced.
1933	Canterbury College becomes Canterbury University College.
1934	University Library adopts Library of Congress classification scheme.
1937	Philosopher Karl Popper arrives at Canterbury University College.
1941	First internal examinations, papers were previously sent to Britain. 17 Rolleston House men fined for their part in penning 50 sheep in College quadrangle overnight and tampering with the clock tower.
1943	Professor Albert Tocker appointed Rector.
1944	For the first time it was not compulsory to study a foreign language.
1947	James Hight knighted for services to Education.
1948	Henry Rainsford Hulme appointed Rector. University Grants Committee established.
1949	The intention to move to Ilam is officially announced.
1950	James Logie appointed Registrar.
1956	Sir Frederick Llewellyn appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector. After 1957, he dropped 'rector' from his formal title whenever he could, in effect creating the role of Vice-Chancellor for Canterbury University College. Miss Marion Steven gifts her collection of classical antiquities to the University following her husband’s death, with the stipulation the ‘James Logie Memorial Collection’ be used primarily for teaching.
1957	Canterbury University College becomes the University of Canterbury. Donald Bain appointed chancellor. The move to Ilam begins, with the School of Fine Arts transferring to Okeover.
1959	Carleton Perkins appointed chancellor.
1960	The Erskine Programme established to support teaching staff overseas.
1961	Dr Leslie Pownall appointed Vice-Chancellor. Beatrice Tinsley - ‘Queen of the Cosmos’ - graduates with MSc in Physics with First Class Honours.
1965	Rt. Rev. Alwyn Warren appointed chancellor.
1966	Ngaio Marsh becomes a Dame for distinguished services in the arts, especially writing and theatre production. Professor Neville Phillips appointed Vice-Chancellor.
1968	Terence McCombs appointed chancellor.
1970	Jane Soons appointed professor of geomorphology, becoming UC’s first female professor.
1971	The Staff Club opens at Ilam Homestead.
1972	Three new halls of residence open, initially named 'North', 'South' and 'West'. John Matson appointed Chancellor.
1973	The University celebrates it’s centenary, during which: Buildings at the University’s old town site are gifted to the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch as an arts centre. Sir Karl Popper receives Honorary Doctorate.
1974	The James Hight Library opens. At the time, it was Aotearoa New Zealand's largest university building. Ilam’s three university halls of residence become known, collectively, as University Hall. Alumnus Bill Rowling is confirmed as Prime Minister of New Zealand, following Norman Kirk’s unexpected death.
1975	Student radio station Radio U to broadcast during enrolment and orientation in 1976.
1977	Professor Albert Brownlie appointed Vice-Chancellor. Brian Anderson appointed Chancellor.
1979	Jean Herbison becomes the first female Chancellor of an Aotearoa New Zealand university. School of Fine Arts moves from the Okeover Homestead to its new buildings.
1980	Department of Extension Studies establishes New Start programme for adult students.
1983	Sixteen year old David Tan completes a BSc (Hons) degree in mathematics.
1984	Charles Caldwell appointed chancellor.
1985	Botany department becomes P.A.M.S. (Plant and Microbial Sciences).
1986	Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree introduced. John Densem's musical Bicky premieres at the Court Theatre, featuring A.W. Bickerton, the only professor ever to be sacked by the University.
1987	Richard Bowron appointed Chancellor. Elsie Locke receives an Honorary Doctorate for her remarkable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society.
1988	UC announces Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, named for Professor John Macmillan Brown, chief creator of Canterbury College’s academic traditions.
1991	Women graduates outnumber men for the first time in the University's 118 years. Faces of two UC alumni appear on new Aotearoa New Zealand bank notes; Sir Apirana Ngata on the $50 note and Ernest Rutherford on the $100 note.
1992	Ian Leggat appointed Chancellor. Seven year old Michael Tan becomes the youngest New Zealander to attend university. Linguistics becomes a department.
1993	Pro-chancellor, Reverend Dr Phyllis Guthardt becomes a Dame. Alumna Margaret Mahy is appointed to the Order of New Zealand for her lasting contribution to children’s literature.
1994	Alumni Association officially launched and Canterbury's oldest known student, 100 year old Roland Denton, signs on as a member. The feminist studies programme receives departmental status.
1995	Alumnus Ian Axford named New Zealander of the Year
1996	Ian Axford knighted for services to science.
1998	Daryl Le Grew appointed Vice-Chancellor. Dame Phyllis Guthardt appointed Chancellor.
1999	Fine Arts alumnus Vincent Ward's film What Dreams May Come wins an Academy Award (Oscar) for best visual effects.
2000	College House celebrates 150th anniversary and reunion.
2002	Professor Daryl Le Grew resigns as Vice-Chancellor. Professor Bob Kirk appointed acting Vice-Chancellor.
2003	Professor Roy Sharp appointed Vice-Chancellor. Dr Robin Mann appointed Chancellor. Alumnus Anote Tong elected President of Kiribati.
2004	New structure introduces four colleges: Arts, Business and Economics, Engineering and Science in addition to a School of Law. First Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) results released.
2006	Platform, the inaugural University of Canterbury Arts Festival, was held.
2007	1 January: the Christchurch College of Education merges with the University of Canterbury.
2008	Professor Roy Sharp resigns as Vice-Chancellor. Professor Ian Town appointed acting Vice-Chancellor.
2009	Dr Rod Carr appointed Vice-Chancellor. Rex Williams appointed Chancellor.
2010	New Zealand Geographic Board names a mountain in honour of UC alumna, Beatrice Tinsley. Mount Tinsley stands in the Kepler Mountains of Fiordland, 15kms west of Te Anau.
2012	Dr John Wood appointed Chancellor.
2013	Dr Rod Carr reappointed Vice-Chancellor for an unprecedented second term and continues leading the University’s earthquake recovery. Alumnus Justice Vui Clarence Nelson becomes the first Pacific Islander to be elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, based in Geneva.
2014	Dr John Wood re-elected Chancellor \| Tumu Kaunihera.
2018	Ernest Rutherford building opened by Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern with Professor Mary Fowler, great-granddaughter of Lord Rutherford, in attendance
2019	For the first time, the University is led by two women: Sue McCormack is appointed Chancellor \| Tumu Kaunihera effective 1 January 2019. Professor Cheryl de la Rey appointed Vice-Chancellor \| Tumu Whakarae effective 1 February 2019. Canterbury Distinguished Professor Roy Kerr appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) for his exceptional contributions to science, placing him among the world’s most eminent scientists. 25 June: Rehua building officially opened by Education Minister, Hon Chris Hipkins. 2 August: Haere-roa, new home of UC’s Students Association (UCSA) was officially opened. 1 October: Beatrice Tinsley building officially opens, with her family in attendance.

UC Legends: find more about the University’s illustrious alumni here.