Support and wellbeing
UC has a range of measures in place to keep our environment safe and healthy for everyone. These include 24/7 security and specialised support for our students. Check out the UC Wellbeing Hub for support with your studies, mental wellbeing, health, and fitness. And please get in touch if you need someone to talk to or if there's an emergency.
Support services
University is an exciting, challenging time and it takes a while to get the hang of how things work. We have a wide range of support services available to help you stay well and achieve your goals.
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Student Services Hub
Te Pātaka
24 July 2026
Te Pātaka is the first place to visit if you’ve got a question or need help with something while you’re studying at UC. Check out our Student Services Hub.
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Student Services Hub
Te Pātaka
Te Pātaka is the first place to visit if you’ve got a question or need help with something while you’re studying at UC. Check out our Student Services Hub.
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Student Services Hub
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Student Services Hub
Te Pātaka
Te Pātaka is the first place to visit if you’ve got a question or need help with something while you’re studying at UC. Check out our Student Services Hub.
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Student Care
Atawhai Ākonga
17 September 2026
Need to talk? Falling behind in your studies? Feeling like it's all a bit of a struggle? Student Care Advisors are your support team. The service is free to access and available to all students at the University of Canterbury, including off campus (distance) students.
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Student Care
Atawhai Ākonga
Need to talk? Falling behind in your studies? Feeling like it's all a bit of a struggle? Student Care Advisors are your support team. The service is free to access and available to all students at the University of Canterbury, including off campus (distance) students.
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Student Care
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Student Care
Atawhai Ākonga
Need to talk? Falling behind in your studies? Feeling like it's all a bit of a struggle? Student Care Advisors are your support team. The service is free to access and available to all students at the University of Canterbury, including off campus (distance) students.
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University of Canterbury Health Centre
Te Whare Hauora
24 July 2026
Quality, affordable and inclusive healthcare on campus providing comprehensive general practice services
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University of Canterbury Health Centre
Te Whare Hauora
Quality, affordable and inclusive healthcare on campus providing comprehensive general practice services
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University of Canterbury Health Centre
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University of Canterbury Health Centre
Te Whare Hauora
Quality, affordable and inclusive healthcare on campus providing comprehensive general practice services
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Student Accessibility Service
Te Ratonga Whaikaha
29 September 2026
Lots of UC students are living with an accessibility challenge. Te Ratonga Whaikaha | Student Accessibility Service is here to support you and help you achieve your academic goals. We provide practical study support and can make special arrangements for your tests and exams.
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Student Accessibility Service
Te Ratonga Whaikaha
Lots of UC students are living with an accessibility challenge. Te Ratonga Whaikaha | Student Accessibility Service is here to support you and help you achieve your academic goals. We provide practical study support and can make special arrangements for your tests and exams.
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Student Accessibility Service
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Student Accessibility Service
Te Ratonga Whaikaha
Lots of UC students are living with an accessibility challenge. Te Ratonga Whaikaha | Student Accessibility Service is here to support you and help you achieve your academic goals. We provide practical study support and can make special arrangements for your tests and exams.
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UC Chaplaincy
Kāhui Wairua
17 September 2026
Need someone to talk to? UC Chaplaincy offers pastoral and practical support regardless of your background or beliefs. We see ourselves as ‘The Department of Spiritual Engineering’ on campus. We exist to nurture spirituality, offer pastoral care, and facilitate dialogue with the students and staff at UC. The Chaplain's office is located in Forestry 115, with a Prayer and Reflection Space in Forestry 116.
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UC Chaplaincy
Kāhui Wairua
Need someone to talk to? UC Chaplaincy offers pastoral and practical support regardless of your background or beliefs. We see ourselves as ‘The Department of Spiritual Engineering’ on campus. We exist to nurture spirituality, offer pastoral care, and facilitate dialogue with the students and staff at UC. The Chaplain's office is located in Forestry 115, with a Prayer and Reflection Space in Forestry 116.
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UC Chaplaincy
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UC Chaplaincy
Kāhui Wairua
Need someone to talk to? UC Chaplaincy offers pastoral and practical support regardless of your background or beliefs. We see ourselves as ‘The Department of Spiritual Engineering’ on campus. We exist to nurture spirituality, offer pastoral care, and facilitate dialogue with the students and staff at UC. The Chaplain's office is located in Forestry 115, with a Prayer and Reflection Space in Forestry 116.
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Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Te Ratonga Hākinakina
14 March 2024
There are so many fun ways to balance your brain work by moving your body while you're at UC. Have a look at all the sports and recreation going on and get involved!
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Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Te Ratonga Hākinakina
There are so many fun ways to balance your brain work by moving your body while you're at UC. Have a look at all the sports and recreation going on and get involved!
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Sport, Fitness and Recreation
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Sport, Fitness and Recreation
Te Ratonga Hākinakina
There are so many fun ways to balance your brain work by moving your body while you're at UC. Have a look at all the sports and recreation going on and get involved!
Student communities
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Ākonga Māori
28 August 2026
UC Māori provides support for all ākonga Māori studying at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Whether you need academic or financial support, guidance or social connection, we've got you covered. And once you enrol, a Kaiurungi will check in to make sure you're settling in well and have all the information you need. Check out what's available at UC Māori!
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Ākonga Māori
UC Māori provides support for all ākonga Māori studying at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Whether you need academic or financial support, guidance or social connection, we've got you covered. And once you enrol, a Kaiurungi will check in to make sure you're settling in well and have all the information you need. Check out what's available at UC Māori!
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Ākonga Māori
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Ākonga Māori
UC Māori provides support for all ākonga Māori studying at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha. Whether you need academic or financial support, guidance or social connection, we've got you covered. And once you enrol, a Kaiurungi will check in to make sure you're settling in well and have all the information you need. Check out what's available at UC Māori!
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Pacific students
16 June 2025
We are excited to have you join our diverse academic community, where Pacific students thrive through, and gain a world-class education.
Check out the range of programmes and services available!
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Pacific students
We are excited to have you join our diverse academic community, where Pacific students thrive through, and gain a world-class education.
Check out the range of programmes and services available!
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Pacific students
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Pacific students
We are excited to have you join our diverse academic community, where Pacific students thrive through, and gain a world-class education.
Check out the range of programmes and services available!
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Disabled students
18 March 2026
At UC, we celebrate disabled people as a valued part of our diverse community. We value lived experience of disability and the expertise that it brings. We are committed to improving the experience of students who are disabled by the environment.
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Disabled students
At UC, we celebrate disabled people as a valued part of our diverse community. We value lived experience of disability and the expertise that it brings. We are committed to improving the experience of students who are disabled by the environment.
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Disabled students
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Disabled students
At UC, we celebrate disabled people as a valued part of our diverse community. We value lived experience of disability and the expertise that it brings. We are committed to improving the experience of students who are disabled by the environment.
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Rainbow communities
24 June 2026
UC celebrates and respects our Rainbow ākonga | students and aims to foster an inclusive and affirming environment. Check out our Rainbow support options, student clubs, events and spaces.
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Rainbow communities
UC celebrates and respects our Rainbow ākonga | students and aims to foster an inclusive and affirming environment. Check out our Rainbow support options, student clubs, events and spaces.
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Rainbow communities
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Rainbow communities
UC celebrates and respects our Rainbow ākonga | students and aims to foster an inclusive and affirming environment. Check out our Rainbow support options, student clubs, events and spaces.
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International student support
24 July 2026
UC students and staff are from all over the world! Here's some important information to help you make the most of your time at UC. From language support to student clubs, check out all our international student support options and get in touch straight away if you need some help.
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International student support
UC students and staff are from all over the world! Here's some important information to help you make the most of your time at UC. From language support to student clubs, check out all our international student support options and get in touch straight away if you need some help.
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International student support
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International student support
UC students and staff are from all over the world! Here's some important information to help you make the most of your time at UC. From language support to student clubs, check out all our international student support options and get in touch straight away if you need some help.
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Refugee background students
24 July 2026
Information about support and advice available at UC for students from refugee backgrounds.
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Refugee background students
Information about support and advice available at UC for students from refugee backgrounds.
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Refugee background students
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Refugee background students
Information about support and advice available at UC for students from refugee backgrounds.
Support information
Wellbeing topics
Alcohol, drugs & gaming
UC understands that students might choose to engage in drinking alcohol, smoking, vaping, or recreational drugs during their studies. Without casting judgement, this page provides some key information so our students can make more informed decisions about alcohol, drugs, smoking, vaping, and gaming.
Anxiety and stress
Feelings of anxiety can happen when we're faced with uncertainty or threat. Feelings of stress can occur when we feel threatened or experience an increase in stressors. While both feelings are normal, there are things you can do to help manage anxiety and stress if they start negatively impacting your daily life.
Basic needs
Having your basic needs met is critical for functioning at your best. Check out these tips, resources, and services to help you meet your basic needs.
COVID-19 information
Covid-19 can spread quickly and cause serious illness. Please continue good health practices and check out our COVID-19 information for students.
Depression
Feeling low or sad at times is normal for everyone. If these feelings don’t go away, however, it could be a sign of depression. Depression takes many forms and people experience it differently. Dealing with it can be challenging but there are lots of people, services, and resources to help. Learn more and get support.
Fear of failing
The possibility of failing can be right up there with spiders, clowns, and public speaking in the list of "scary things in life". Learn about how to manage the possibility of failure here.
Free period products
Periods are a normal part of life for many students. Free period products are available in a range of locations across campus to help if you're caught without the products you need. See below for the list of locations.
Grief and loss
Going through grief and loss can be a very hard and painful experience. All of us experience some form of grief or loss in our lives. Losing someone or something you love is tough and we all deal with it differently. You might experience a range of emotions and physical reactions during your grieving process. Learn more about grief and loss.
Managing exam stress
Exam season can be stressful. Everyone experiences stress differently. For some students revising comes naturally, for others it results in sweaty palms and a racing heart. Learn how to manage exam stress.
