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University of Canterbury — Christchurch, New Zealand

 Location / “The Scene”

The University of Canterbury is located in Christchurch, which is the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island, in the heart of the province of Canterbury. Known as the Garden City for its beautiful gardens and parklands, Christchurch offers plentiful recreation opportunities, a thriving artistic and cultural scene and a vibrant nightlife. The city's location on the East Coast makes it a perfect environment for recreation. Beautiful sandy beaches are close by, and skiing and snowboarding can be found at five ski fields within 90 minutes of the city. If you're interested in visiting some of New Zealand's most stunning places, Christchurch is a great base from which to do so - South Island attractions such as alpine and thermal resorts, white-water rafting, whale-watching, sailing, surfing, hiking, kayakig, bungee-jumping and world class wineries are all easily accessible from Christchurch.

The University of Canterbury is a 10-minute drive from the Christchurch city center and is easily accessible by bike or public transportation. Retailers and eateries are within short walking distance of campus. The numerous cafés and meeting spaces on campus create a friendly and relaxed learning environment. The university’s tranquil parkland setting reflects the easy-going attitude of the South Island. The student population of 16,000 is diverse and provides a lively and cosmopolitan university community.

 Campus Activities

The University of Canterbury offers more than 100 student organizations on campus including academic, athletic, cultural, religious, political and artistic clubs. One of the more popular clubs is the UC Tramping (hiking) Club, which runs hiking trips in the South Island throughout the year.

The International Student Support Office organizes social activities and weekend trips to destinations on the South Island throughout the academic year.

 Housing

Students are accommodated with other international and local students in fully furnished on-campus apartments within a short commute of the city.

 Academics

• The University of Canterbury has an international reputation for academic excellence in teaching and research. The university’s teaching is research-based, so you can expect to be taught by lecturers who are at the forefront of knowledge in their discipline. Canterbury also has a special endowment, the Erskine Fellowship, which makes it possible for staff from prestigious universities overseas to visit and teach at Canterbury. The university has about 70 such visitors a year, further enriching its teaching programs. 
• The University of Canterbury offers courses in Humanities & Social Sciences, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Forestry, Law, Music, Fine Arts and Science.
• Highlights include courses in Antarctic Studies, Maori Language & Culture and a wide range of courses in New Zealand History, Literature and Politics, as well as courses in Biological and Geological Sciences. The University of Canterbury is also the only university in New Zealand where students can earn degrees in Astronomy and Forestry.
• Christchurch is the supply base for the United States and New Zealand Antarctic Research Programs. As a result, Canterbury students can take unique courses in Antarctic Studies led by faculty who are conducting research on this desolate and frozen continent.
• For a listing of all subject areas offered, visit What You Can Study.

 Specialty Programs

• Some science courses include field trips to one of Canterbury’s five research stations on the South Island.
• The International Student Mentoring Program pairs international students with current University of Canterbury students to help them settle into their new surroundings, answer questions, and have a friend when they first arrive on campus.

 University Facts

• The University of Canterbury was founded in 1873 by scholars from Oxford and Cambridge in England and was only the second university in New Zealand.
• The original campus was built in the Christchurch city center but moved to its present location in 1975.
• The original campus is now home to the Arts Center and features a huge range of New Zealand-made arts and crafts, shopping, education and entertainment and a bustling weekend produce market.

 Pre-Semester Trips & Excursions

Our semester participants have enjoyed exclusive organized trips as an optional way to enhance their study abroad experience. Over 50% of our participants joined Study Australia on a pre-semester trip last semester. Past trip destinations and options include:

• South Island, New Zealand
• Learn to Surf
• Great Barrier Reef/Whitsunday Islands
• Auckland
• Wellington
• Manawatu Region
• Christchurch
• Queenstown
• Glacier Country
• Dunedin

For more information visit Trips & Excursions.

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