Antarctic Studies
Mātai Te Pou Tonga
© Restricted/Photo courtesy of Marcus Arnold, UC field trip to Antarctica.
Qualifications
Overview
Antarctica is the highest, coldest, and most isolated continent, so vast that it affects climate and ocean currents.
Explore its history, biodiversity, and role in the global climate crisis.
- Wide range of topics like arctic climate, marine ecology, biodiversity, hazards and disaster management.
- Learn how life — microbes, plants, animals, and humans — thrives in these extreme conditions.
- Gateway Antarctica, UC’s on-campus research centre, plays a role in international research, engineering in extreme environments, and connections between Antarctica, Aotearoa, and global nations.
- Include Antarctic Studies courses in any bachelor’s degree at UC to examine critical, contemporary issues around climate change and politics.
While you cannot major or minor in Antarctic Studies as an undergraduate student, you can take courses in the subject as part of any degree.
100-level courses
ANTA101 is offered as a fully online summer school course.
200-level and beyond
ANTA201 is a course which requires at least two 100-level courses completed previously in either Antarctic Studies, Biological Sciences, Geography, or Geology, as it builds on the information from those courses.
It is intended for those with a strong interest in Antarctica and explores links between the Antarctic atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere. This course also considers how Antarctica will respond to global change.
Postgraduate programmes in Antarctic Studies
Those with any undergraduate degree or professional qualification who wish to broaden their understanding of Antarctic-related matters can apply for entry to the Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies, which is offered over summer and includes a community placement programme with an Antarctic host organisation.
The goal of the programme is to engage participants in a critical examination of the contemporary scientific, environmental, social, and policy issues and debates facing Antarctica.
UC also offers:
- Master of Antarctic Studies
- Postgraduate Certificate in Science in Antarctic Studies
- Master of Science in Antarctic Studies
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Antarctic Studies.
By learning about the Antarctic region, you will understand the impact Antarctica has and will continue to have on the world. You will be able to contribute to lots of unique areas like research, tourism, education, conservation and sustainability, engineering, and more.
Some career pathways could include:
- Antarctic science (eg, glaciology, atmospherics, oceanography)
- Engineering and technical support
- Policy and law
- Science communications and education.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
Te Kura Aronukurangi | School of Earth and Environment
Phone +64 3 369 0655
Email earthandenvironment@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
Level 2, Beatrice Tinsley building – see campus maps
Postal address
Te Kaupeka Pūtaiao | Faculty of Science
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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