University of Canterbury
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
University Info | College of Engineering Info | Exchange Student Info
NOT ACCEPTING SPRING 2024 APPLICATION
Fast Facts
- Chemical & Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering are all ranked top in New Zealand for research. UC is ranked in top 100 in the world in Civil and Structural Engineering.
- UC offers a comprehensive range of courses, including several that you’re unlikely to come across in your home country, such as Maori language and culture, Antarctic Studies and Forestry. UC is the only university in New Zealand that has a School of Forestry.
- Study outside the classroom - UC has the highest number of field stations off campus and many Science courses include field trips and often feature New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna, geology, biodiversity and marine life.
- Community service learning: CHCH 101: Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation* is a for-credit course incorporating service learning. Building on the community spirit of the famous Student Volunteer Army, you will conduct up to 20 hours of community service related to social innovation and volunteerism in Christchurch.
- Canterbury Engineering The Future - $142 million dollar project for establishing state of art laboratories and teaching facilities comparable to top Engineering schools around the world. UC is on the doorstep of a living laboratory with the $60 billion dollar rebuild project in downtown of Christchurch which provides the opportunity of hands on learning.
- You can ski and surf in the same day - Christchurch is on the doorstep of a huge outdoor ‘playground’ — with nine ski fields within a two-hour drive and beautiful beaches close by.
- The University of Canterbury Students’ Association (UCSA) runs more than 140 clubs and societies covering almost every interest such as Snow Sports Club, Tramping (Hiking) Club and ENSOC (Engineering). Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC) has their own lodge at Temple Basin Ski Area.
Introduction
Established in 1873 by scholars of Oxford and Cambridge Universities and ranked in the world’s top top 1% of universities (QS World University Rankings 2017) and was the first New Zealand university to receive the prestigious QS 5-star ranking for overall excellence. UC offers world recognised programmes and facilities, including the most extensive network of field stations of any New Zealand university. UC has the highest proportion of academics conducting both teaching and research of any New Zealand university (The latest TEC Performance Based Research Fund Assessment, 2012). There is a range of facilities to support your study at UC: from modern lecture theatres to innovative learning hubs, from well-resourced libraries to computer suites and an Academic Skills Centre
Innovative programmes
Over 100 different programmes are offered across 5 Colleges (Arts, Business and Law, Education, Engineering and Science). Whatever your academic interests, UC has a broad selection of courses to choose from. UC offers a comprehensive range of courses, including several that you’re unlikely to come across in your home country, such as Maori language and culture, Antarctic Studies and courses in Aotearoa New Zealand and Pacific literature, history and politics. Whichever courses you choose, you’ll study alongside Kiwi students. Community service learning opportunity provides the opportunity to get involved in our community. CHCH 101: Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation* is a for-credit course incorporating service learning. Building on the community spirit of the famous Student Volunteer Army, you will conduct up to 20 hours of community service related to social innovation and volunteerism in Christchurch.
Vibrant student community
Students on campus have a choice of modern accommodation and access to all the amenities of a fully equipped student village. UC features a thriving student association plus over 140 student led clubs catering to a huge range of interests.
See how our Study Abroad and Exchange students have experienced New Zealand with their own photos and videos in our Youtube gallery.
Information for incoming exchange students such as selection of courses, costs, insurance, accommodation, etc. is available on the Incoming Exchange Programme website.
Terms of Exchange
Study Level
- Undergraduate students: Accepted
- Graduate students: Accepted
- Computer Science majors: Accepted
Note: Undergraduate students are preferred. Postgraduate students must provide a list of courses they wish to take with their application. Admission to UC may depend on entry to courses.
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must have completed at least one year of university study at a recognised university or college.
- Students should have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher (on a scale of 4.0), or a B average or higher
English Proficiency Requirements
Undergraduate studies
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 80, with a minimum score of 19 in writing
- Minimum IELTS Academic score – 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5
Postgraduate studies
- Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 90, with a minimum score of 20 in writing
- Minimum IELTS Academic score – 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0
More information on language requirements can be found on the admissions website.
Study Period
Fall, Spring, or Academic Year
University of Canterbury will not be accepting inbound Global E3 exchange students for Spring 2019.
Academic Calendar | Semester Dates (including exam period)
- Fall: mid-July to mid-November
- Spring: mid to late February to late June
UC Semester 1 2018 (February intake)
International Welcome (Orientation): Monday 12 February 2018, students should arrive no later than 11 February 2018.
Enrollment for all international students: in the same week as the International Welcome.
Lectures commence on: 19 February 2018
Exams end on: 23 June 2018
UC Semester 2 2018 (July intake)
International Welcome (Orientation): TBC
Enrollment for all international students: in the same week as the International Welcome
Lectures commence on: 16 July 2018
Exams end on: 15 November 2018
Academic Information
Disciplines Available
Restricted Disciplines and Courses
There are some courses which may not be available to Exchange students. These include Fine Arts (studio art) courses, some teacher education courses, 200 level LAWS courses, distance courses, courses in MBA and other Executive Development Programmes, and clinical practice courses. Some Physical Education and Sport Coaching courses may require police checks. If you need to know in advance whether you are able to take a particular course, please include a course list in your exchange application.
If you are a postgraduate student, you must provide a complete list of courses you want to study.
Students wishing to study Civil and Natural Resource Engineering should provide a list of intended courses with their application.
If you are applying to other engineering courses, you should also provide a list of courses with your application.
If you meet the general admission requirements you will be granted admission to the University first as per usual and your courses will then be sent to the relevant Engineering department for a decision as to whether you are able to take your selected courses. The International Relationships Office will then advise you as to which courses have been approved.
Course Contents
Course Descriptions
Timetable Planner: This is a searchable course timetable (click on the web link under "Timetable Planner.") It allows anyone to enter combinations of courses and preview how they would fit into a timetable before the enroll at UC.
In Arts, Science and Commerce, the undergraduate (Bachelor) degree is a 3 year degree at Canterbury. This means that 300 level courses are the most advanced undergraduate courses in these areas. 400 level courses in these disciplines are graduate courses and undergraduate exchange students are not eligible to take 400 level courses, unless students have been granted admission to a Postgraduate Certificate of Proficiency.
Note, however, that some professional degrees such as Forestry, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work and Engineering are 4 year degrees and 400 level courses in these areas are therefore classed as undergraduate courses. Exchange students may be permitted to take 400 level courses in these disciplines if they have the necessary pre-requisites and the approval of the relevant department.
Enrollment Requirements
Exchange students are allowed to take courses across various departments, provided the courses are open to exchange students, they meet the pre-requisite requirements of the courses and places are available.
Workload per Semester
A normal workload for one semester is 60 points (or 120 points for one year). Minimum course load is 45 points per semester (90 points per year) and the maximum load is 75 points per semester (150 points per year).
Additional Application Materials
Students nominated by IIE to UC must submit an official transcript, nomination letter from home university, a list of courses they wish to take at UC (including back-up courses) and evidence on English language ability if English is not the student’s first language. Information on the English language requirements is available online.
UC usually notifies students the decision of their applications 4 weeks after the applications are received.
Housing
The usual accommodation for Exchange students is at UC Accommodation Student Village and students can find information on the Study Abroad and Exchange accommodation package website. Students must complete a separate accommodation application online before the application deadline. Detailed information on the package including fees, how to apply, arrival dates, etc. is available at the website above.
Availability at UC Accommodation Student Village is guaranteed for Exchange students provided that they apply for accommodation online by the deadline and return all subsequent contracts by the required deadlines. When making travel plans, it’s very important that students also refer to the above accommodation website for the move-in dates, since if they arrive earlier than the move in dates they would need to find temporary accommodation until the move-in time.
Estimated Cost of Living
Cost of Living
Costs vary but you should budget for approximately $7,500 NZD per semester.
Food/meals
The accommodation facilities are usually self-catered apartments. Students can purchase meal plans and information about this can be found on the Accommodation website.
Housing
We offer accommodation packages to exchange students and information on the cost of the package can be found on the Accommodation package's website.
Local Transportation
Other administrative fees
Late application fee if students are not able to complete International Enrollment by the first day of lectures.
Please note that exchange students are required to pay non-tuition fees such as course related costs for field trips.
Contact
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
International Relationships Office | percy.chan@canterbury.ac.nz
City Info
The gateway to the South Island and located in the province of Canterbury, Christchurch is a recreational hot spot within easy reach of all the fun and adventure the region has to offer. With a population of around 476,900, greater Christchurch is the largest city and economic centre of the South Island.
Vibrant entertainment options
Christchurch has a busy calendar of events — from art exhibitions and cultural celebrations to sporting events and music festivals. There are over 900 restaurants, cafés and bars to sample, many of them close to UC. Christchurch is also home to theatres, shopping malls, and over 700 city parks.
Unbeatable outdoor lifestyle
Christchurch’s location on the coast makes it perfect for water sports, with six swimming beaches within 30 minutes’ drive from UC. There are a number of rivers and lakes for other water sports, including the picturesque Avon River which runs right through the city. The city’s Port Hills are popular for mountain biking, walking and rock climbing. There are over 22 mountain bike tracks and Hagley Park in the centre of the city has 165 hectares of park-like grounds.
The Canterbury region
A temperate climate with lots of sunshine and the full range of spectacular seasons, Canterbury is an ideal place to explore throughout the year. With nine ski fields, the area is a winter playground. The province is home to the historic French town of Akaroa, the thermal resort of Hanmer Springs, and the seaside town of Kaikoura — all a few hours’ drive from campus.
