For the second year, a group of education agents – from India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Thailand, Vietnam and Nepal – have come to Ōtautahi Christchurch to see UC in action.
Over five days, the 21 agents toured campuses, met with faculty and students, and immersed themselves in the life and landscapes of Christchurch, getting first-hand experiences of what it’s like to study here.
The conference-style visit highlighted UC’s teaching and research strengths, vibrant student life, and the safe, affordable and welcoming community of Christchurch – recently recognised among the world’s top 100 student cities (QS 2026) for a second time.
The event provided insights beyond marketing materials; the agents walked UC’s paths, engaged with its people, and glimpsed the rhythms of life and culture in Christchurch. As trusted advisors in their home countries, they return with stories, not just facts – sharing a more authentic vision of what studying at UC feels like.
“Agents are trusted partners in the student journey,” says Professor Catherine Moran, UC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic. “By spending time with us, they see what makes UC and Christchurch unique — something no brochure can capture. Visits like this strengthen trust in what they share with students and families back home.”
This year’s visit also connects with the New Zealand Government’s International Education Going for Growth Plan, which aims to double the sector’s economic value to $7.2 billion by 2034, and includes goals for more students and greater international recognition. That vision aligns closely with UC’s own: to grow thoughtfully, welcome more students, and build a community that’s global in reach with firmly rooted local ties.
This approach is working. Since 2022, international enrolments at UC have steadily increased – a sign of growing trust in the University’s community and support for what it offers. The University’s international students frequently speak of feeling safe, respected, and part of a diverse cohort.
They bring enormous value to UC and its wider communities, shaping ideas in classrooms, energising student life, and contributing to the city’s culture and economy, while also connecting Christchurch and Aotearoa New Zealand more deeply to the world.
UC is equally proud of the highly skilled, industry-leading graduates it produces. With a strong focus on real-world learning and career-readiness, our students leave with more than a qualification. That’s why UC is ranked second in New Zealand for employability outcomes – reflecting the University's commitment to preparing students for the realities of a changing workforce, and graduates sought after by employers locally, nationally and internationally.
Christchurch’s strong showing in the QS global rankings underscores its appeal as a thriving hub for international education - combining academic excellence with affordability, accessibility, and a strong community spirit.
For UC, international recruitment is about relationships, experiences and students’ stories. Hosting agents on campus and in the city is one way we turn those relationships into real connections — ones that deepen understanding of life here and support new students to step into this place and thrive.
As UC prepares to welcome future international student cohorts, the message shared with agents this week was clear: we’re not just a place to study, but a place to belong.
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