Updates for International Students

Find key information and guidance for all UC international students, whether you are studying in New Zealand or overseas.

Onshore students

Offshore students

International Student Arrival Week

Throughout the year, we have the privilege of welcoming new and returning international students into the UC whānau.

Book your appointment for International Enrolment in Person here.
UC offers an International Student Welcome for all international students arriving to study at UC for the first time. This programme will help you get settled to start your semester, introducing you to specific learning-related information at UC here as well as a great opportunity to meet fellow students, services on campus and student leaders.
Each year UC Herea tō waka | Orientation Day (O Day) has a full programme of information sessions and social activities designed to help new students get the best start for day one at UC.
Te Pātaka is UC’s student services hub, it is the first place to visit if you’ve got a question or need help with something while you’re studying at UC. Te Pātaka is located in the centre of Ilam campus on levels 2 and 3 in Puaka-James Hight Central Library. Commonly used services are student enrolment, finance, course planning.

International Student Support

Q: What extra help is available to help me while I study? You can have a look at all of the Student Support available to you and refer to the list of services below.

IRO International support and engagement staff are based in Te Pātaka Hub at the International desk. If you are unsure who to speak with, or where to go, come along to see the team who can assist you or guide you on other specialist student support services.
Kaitoko, First Year Advisors, have a team of specialists with academic knowledge. They can help you with your first year courses, changes, degree planning and study pathways email firstyearadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Student Care Advisors, provide practical and confidential advice for your well being and success as a UC student - you can request to meet with the International Advisor Rika Savage email studentcare@canterbury.ac.nz
Academic Skills Centre / Pokapu Pukenga Ako- free academic advisory service and resource hub to help you improve your writing and study strategies - academicskills@canterbury.ac.nz They run English Language support throughout the year and a variety of workshops to help you understand how the university works email academicskills@canterbury.ac.nz
Te Ratonga Whaikaha|Student Accessibility Service can make sure you have equal access to all that UC offers by partnering with you, including assistive technology. Whatever your needs – UC is here to help you.
Pasifika Student support services. Advisors, academic support, tutors and social events email-
UC supports LGBTQIA+ students with assistance on and off campus and celebrates sexual and gender diversity on campus. For more information on how to arrange use of your preferred names, updates, and events register here.
Faculty Student Advisors - please liaise with your Faculty advisor
Te Kura Tāura|UC Graduate School, for support, email graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz
UCSA Student International Advocates - provide advice on your situation, future options and provide support on navigating the university system help@ucsa.org.nz
There are also numerous resources to help you with your study in LEARN

General Support

Q: Who can I talk to if I have questions about my study and life in New Zealand in general?

Your health and well-being are extremely important. The Student Care Team is available for private consultations in person or virtually. If you would like to talk with someone, please make an appointment using their online booking system. The UC Student Care Team website also has lists of existing online resources that you might find useful. One particular link is to the Mental Health Foundation of NZ webpage – it has a whole section on Apps, e-therapy and guided self-help.

The International Relationships Office – iro@canterbury.ac.nz are here to help you navigate your transition into your new world. We encourage you to go directly to the specialist support services available, however, if you feel a little lost or are keen to get more involved on campus– just reach out and we can help guide you. The internationalisation desks are located at Te Pātaka.

Financial Support

There are many financial hardship support mechanisms provided by UC and the UCSA. This support is design to help with immediate, short-term emergencies/unexpected costs, and they cannot be used for tuition fees. Applicants will need to provide evidence to support their hardship applications. In general, one needs to have less than $1000 in the bank to qualify as having hardship.

Please note that all international students are required to provide proof of funds to Immigration New Zealand when applying for a student visa. If you have been granted a student visa for a year and have provided financial documents to Immigration to prove your financial capability, you will need to explain the reasons for seeking hardship support at this point.

Examples of hardship:

You are on a tight budget and have an unexpected dental bill to pay
You rely on regular money transfer from home & unexpected issue disrupted the immediate transfer schedule

What is not regarded as hardship:

Perceived loss of income due to not being able to get a job
Failing courses and having to pay fees to repeat them

If you are unsure about whether your circumstances fit with the description above, please contact the UCSA Welfare & Advocacy Team in the first instance. We appreciate that all international students would feel impacted by COVID-19 in their unique ways. However, it is important to remember that these funds are established to protect and care for the most vulnerable and most affected students.

Q: I’m financially struggling - what can I do?

If you are experiencing financial hardship that will have an impact on your studies, you may be eligible for financial support. Please contact the UCSA Advocacy & Welfare team in the first instance to discuss your situation. UCSA Advocates will assess your circumstances and may make a further referral to Student Care if your situation fits the criteria for International Student Welfare Fund.

The New Zealand Ministry of Education provides information here. Please don’t be too proud to ask for help. These are difficult times and these organisations are here to help you.

Visa Information

Q: I want to drop down a course this semester - will this affect my visa?

In the first instance, please contact the Student Care Team (studentcare@canterbury.ac.nz) to discuss your circumstances.

Immigration New Zealand requires a minimum of three courses (minimum of 45-course points per semester) to qualify for a student visa. At this stage, Immigration has not changed this requirement for student visa holders.

We also suggest you discuss changes to your courses with your course coordinators.

Q: How can I extend my student visa?

From 15 December 2021, you will no longer be able to apply for your student visa through UC (Provider Direct). You must instead apply online with Immigration New Zealand. You are advised to apply as soon as possible.

You are recommended to create a verified RealMe account in preparation for your visa application.

You can request assistance by emailing: student-visa@canterbury.ac.nz

Update on international students' ability to travel to New Zealand

New Zealand is now fully open, and all border restrictions related to Covid-19 have ceased. Immigration New Zealand recommenced the processing of all visa categories, including student visas.

It is our expectation that students currently based offshore (learning online) will be on-campus for the start of semester one - February 2023. This means you need to start making plans to join us in Christchurch, including preparing your New Zealand Student Visa Application.

You can also start to look over our Prepare for your move to NZ section on our webpage. here you will find links for enrolment, arriving in Christchurch, insurance and the UC Checklist. If you have any questions about your arrival and enrolment transitioning to on campus, email Candice Houghton on iro@canterbury.ac.nz.

What if I can't come to New Zealand for semester one 2023?

If you have an exceptional reason for not being able to travel to New Zealand, you will need to reach out to your faculty directly to see what options are available to you to continue your online learning, this will depend on which courses are available to enrol in via distance (D occurrence). Some examples of why you may not be able to travel to New Zealand are:

you only have one semester to complete your degree;
You are not issued a New Zealand student visa.

It is at the discretion of your faculty as to whether you can study from overseas for the rest of your degree.

What if my travel to New Zealand is delayed?

If you are an international student impacted by COVID-19 please contact our International Team iro@canterbury.ac.nz so we can keep you fully informed.