University of Canterbury Overview
The University of Canterbury (UC), established in 1873, is the second-oldest university in New Zealand. UC hosts approximately 18,000 students each year, including more than 2,000 international students from over 100 different countries.
The University of Canterbury is renowned for its strong focus on research, operating over 35 research centers and institutions. It is ranked 3rd in New Zealand for research intensity among academic staff. The university is also known for its career support for students. It collaborates with over 3,000 employers/organisations to provide its students with hands-on experience and industry connections. UC students can also book consultations to discover their future career opportunities after graduation.
The university boasts four beautiful campuses located in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. Christchurch is known for its distinctly British characteristics, offering international students a rich experience of Western scenes and design.
Study Area
- Arts
- Business
- Digital Screen
- Education
- Engineering
- Health
- Law
- Science
Entry Requirements
English Language Proficiency Requirement:
- For undergraduate programs, you are required to have at least an IELTS overall score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no band score under 5.5.
- For postgraduate programs, you are required to have at least an IELTS overall score of 6.5 (or equivalent) with no band score under 6.0.
Academic Requirement:
- To enrol in Bachelor programs, you are required to have completed High School qualifications in New Zealand or your home country. The minimum grade required will depend on each study program.
- To enrol in Taught Maters programs, you need to have completed a bachelor degree or postgraduate diploma from New Zealand or an acceptable equivalent oversea qualification.
- To enrol in Research Maters programs, you must have completed a bachelor honours degree or postgraduate diploma from New Zealand or an acceptable equivalent overseas qualification.
Tuition Fee for International Students
The tuition fees vary, depending on the courses and the level of study that you are applying for.
- Undergraduate fees for 2025 intakes: range from NZ$32,800 – NZ$49,900 per year
- Postgraduate fees for 2025 intakes: range from NZ$36,800 – NZ$49,900 per year
Contact us at 07 3003 1899 or [email protected] for more information about the tuition fees of the cost that you wish to apply.
Scholarships for International Students
Ah Nua Scholarship
Ah Nua Scholarship has a value of up to NZ$5,000, used to support Asian and Pacific students who are studying at Canterbury University NZ and are facing financial hardship. To eligible for this scholarship, you must be citizens of Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China, Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam or Rapa Nui.
Dr John Innes Scholarship (Incoming First-Year Scholarship)
Dr John Innes Scholarships (Incoming First-Year Scholarship) are designed to support new students who have graduated from Marlborough Girls’ College or Marlborough Boys’ College and enroll full-time in a bachelor’s degree at Canterbury University. Each scholarship will have a value of up to NZ$5,000 per year and will be considered based on academic records and school/community activities of the applicants.
Helen Macmillan Brown Bursary
University of Waikato International Entrance Scholarship for School Leavers
Helen Macmillan Brown Bursary is to support female students who stay in a hall or village that are affiliated with UC. Each scholarship will have a value of NZ$2,500 and there will be up to 10 scholarships being offered each year. The selection process will be based on the academic records.
Outstanding Impact Scholarship
Outstanding Impact Scholarship, valued up to NZ$7,500, is to recognise high-achieving students who have enrolled as a full-time student at UC. There will be 90 seats allocated for this scheme each year. You must have completed your secondary level in Aotearoa New Zealand to be considered for this scholarship.
Tan Sri Datuk Oh Siew Nam P.S.M, P.J.N. Malaysian Scholarship
This scholarship is to recognise and support international students from Malaysia who have strong academic achievement and enroll fulltime in an undergraduate program at UC. There will be one scholarship with the value of up to NZ$20,000 granted each year. However, if there are two candidates of equal merits, then two scholarships (NZ$10,000 each) will be awarded.
The selection committee will rely on the following criteria to choose the most suitable awardees: (1) academic records in the most recent year, (2) leadership or personal qualities that indicate the potential success in the future, and (3) circumstances that shows the financial hardship for study.
UC International First Year Scholarship (NZ School-Leaver Incoming First-Year Scholarship)
This scholarship is to attract top-achieving international students who are currently studying or have completed a secondary school in Aotearoa New Zealand. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must enroll full-time in an undergraduate program at UC. Each year, there will be 10 scholarships allocated for this scheme and each scholarship has a value of up to NZ$15,000.
UC International Prospective Students Scholarships (October Application Round)
UC International Prospective Students Scholarships are to attract top-achieving international students who have completed secondary level at an overseas institution or at UC international college. International students who have completed their study at one of secondary schools in New Zealand are not qualified for this scholarship.
There will be 7 scholarships allocated for this scheme per year, and each scholarship has a value of up to NZ$15,000.
UC Kaitoko Māori Scholarship (Incoming First-Year Scholarship)
This scholarship, valued at NZ$7,500, is to recognise international students who have completed the secondary education in New Zealand and demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential and involvement in community/cultural activities. There will be up to 40 scholarships allocated for this scheme each year.
UC Kaitoko Pacific Scholarship (Incoming First-Year Scholarship)
UC Kaitoko Pacific Scholarship is to support Pacific students who have completed the secondary education in New Zealand and demonstrate high academic achievement, leadership potential and involvement in Pacific community/cultural activities. There will be up to 20 scholarships allocated for this scheme each year and each scholarship will have a value of up to NZ$7,500.