Advice for Science students

Some departments recommend having studied certain subjects at school. Find out more: Best Preparation for a BSc (pdf 57KB)

If you are unsure whether you want to commit to a 3-year or 4-year degree you can enrol in a Certificate in Science.

If you haven't already studied sciences at Years 12 and 13 you might find it helpful to enrol in the Science Headstart (Summer Preparatory Programme).

Postgraduate students

Postgraduate students should visit our Postgraduate advice and forms page or email the student advisors at sciencedegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz.  Graduate research students (completing a 90-point or more thesis) can contact Te Kura Tāura | UC Graduate School at graduateschool@canterbury.ac.nz

Māori students

Te Whare Wananga o Waitaha offers a welcoming environment for Māori students and provides support and encouragement for Māori to achieve academic excellence.

Learn more

Pasifika students

The University of Canterbury provides a welcoming and supportive environment for students of Pacific heritage. Academic and cultural support services have been designed to ensure that you get the most out of both your studies and your free time.

Learn more

Students accessibility

For advice on support for students with a disability, chronic physical and mental health conditions, specific learning difficulties and temporary impairment. please see the Student Accessibility Service. 

Learn more

Student Support

The Student Support team provides a range of services, support and useful information for students, both domestic and international students.

Learn more
 

Student Care

Student Care is a free and confidential support service for all UC students. 

Learn more about the Student Care team and their services

Career advice and planning

UC Careers and Employment provides advice and resources for job seeking, (including CV development) and information about prospective jobs and employers.

Learn more

Departments and Schools

Departments and Schools can help you with questions regarding their courses and course selection.

Contact your department

Academic support

The Academic Skills Centre is a free service that offers writing and study advice, resources and support for students from first-year through to PhD.

Contact the ASC

To add, drop, or change any of your current courses, or withdraw from study completely, you must follow the correct procedure by submitting a change of enrolment in myUC by the relevant deadline. Your application then goes through an approval process via the department/school and sometimes the student advisors.

Key dates for enrolment changes

Before you make the change, make sure you are aware of the key dates for enrolment and withdrawal from courses. Fee refunds are only applicable for changes submitted by the relevant deadline.

Change of enrolment process

To make changes to your current enrolment:

1. Go to myUC.
2. Log in using your UC "Username" and "Password".
3. Click on "Manage my study" and then 'Change enrolment'.
4. Proceed with your change of enrolment application, following the instructions and make sure you complete the application by clicking on "submit".

More detailed instructions are available here. 

If you have not heard anything about your change of enrolment application within one week, please call 0800 827 748, email info@canterbury.ac.nz, or contact one of the student advisors to find out what the status of your application is.

What happens next?

Approvals are based on meeting the required prerequisites for a course, your workload (number of points enrolled in) and degree requirements. If the change has been approved, you will be sent a notification of change in myUC with details of the changes that have been made to your enrolment. 

If the change is not approved, your application will be declined. You will be sent notification of this. The Student Advisors may contact you to offer advice about your options.

How will my loan, allowance and fees be affected?

Changing or withdrawing from your courses will have implications for your fees. If you have a student allowance and/or loan, these may be affected as well. You should make sure you know exactly what the implications will be for you, BEFORE you submit an application for a change of enrolment.

Academic advice

Before you submit a change to your enrolment, you are recommended to get some academic advice. You can contact the relevant department teaching your courses or contact the Student Advisor.

Other things to consider are listed here. 

Undergraduate degrees

Find out more about the undergraduate degrees offered in the Faculty of Science and how each degree is structured.

Postgraduate degrees

Find out more about the postgraduate study options in the Faculty of Science.