University of Canterbury
Christchurch, New Zealand • Founded 1873 • World Rank #1170
Overview
Established in 1873, the University of Canterbury is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the medium city of Christchurch (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants), Canterbury.
Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of New Zealand, University of Canterbury (UC) is a large-sized coeducational New Zealand higher education institution. University of Canterbury (UC) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 151-year-old New Zealand higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
UC also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Mailing address, phone, email, and social channels for University of Canterbury are gathered below for quick reference. Most enquiries route through the admissions team unless noted otherwise.
Academic Details
University of Canterbury's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Degrees
Also Certificate of Proficiency
Bachelor's 65 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Accountancy
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
- Biochemistry
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Cinema and Television
- Classical Languages
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Cultural Studies
- Data Processing
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Engineering
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- French
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Geology
- German
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Information Sciences
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Japanese
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Media Studies
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Russian
- Social Sciences
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Statistics
- Taxation
- Teacher Training
- Welfare and Protective Services
Master's 108 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Aeronautical and Aerospace Engineering
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Art History
- Artificial Intelligence
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
- Behavioural Sciences
- Bilingual and Bicultural Education
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Business and Commerce
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Child Care and Development
- Chinese
- Cinema and Television
- Civil Engineering
- Classical Languages
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Sciences
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Construction Engineering
- Criminal Law
- Cultural Studies
- Data Processing
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Educational and Student Counselling
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies
- European Union Law
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Fire Science
- Foreign Languages Education
- Forestry
- French
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Geological Engineering
- Geology
- German
- Government
- Health Sciences
- Higher Education Teacher Training
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Industrial Design
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Japanese
- Law
- Leadership
- Linguistics
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Museum Studies
- Music
- Pacific Area Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Public Relations
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
- Russian
- Social Work
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Software Engineering
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Sports
- Statistics
- Structural Architecture
- Surveying and Mapping
- Teacher Training
- Translation and Interpretation
- Transport Engineering
- Urban Studies
- Water Management
- Water Science
- Writing
Doctoral 84 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- Accountancy
- Agricultural Engineering
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Physics
- Art History
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Chinese
- Cinema and Television
- Civil Engineering
- Classical Languages
- Computer Science
- Criminal Law
- Cultural Studies
- Data Processing
- Ecology
- Economics
- Education
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- English
- Environmental Studies
- European Studies
- Finance
- Fine Arts
- Fire Science
- Forestry
- French
- Geography
- Geography (Human)
- Geological Engineering
- Geology
- German
- Health Sciences
- Higher Education
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Industrial Design
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Technology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Law
- Linguistics
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Media Studies
- Meteorology
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Music
- Pacific Area Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Protective Services
- Psychology
- Russian
- Science Education
- Social Work
- Social and Community Services
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Speech Therapy and Audiology
- Statistics
- Taxation
- Transport Engineering
- Water Management
- Zoology
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Ministry of Education of New Zealand.
Arts (Faculty) 28 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Austronesian and Oceanic Languages
- Chinese
- Classical Languages
- Cultural Studies
- Education
- English
- Film
- Fine Arts
- French
- Gender Studies
- German
- Health Sciences
- History
- Japanese
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Mass Communication
- Music
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Religious Studies
- Russian
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Theatre
Education (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Education
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Engineering (Faculty) 11 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
- Engineering Management
- Forestry
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Statistics
Common Career Paths
- Engineer
- Project Manager
- Technical Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
Law (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Science (Faculty) 8 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Communication Disorders
- Geography
- Geology
- Physics
- Psychology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Business (School) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Economics
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Management
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Look through University of Canterbury's programmes by level or filter for keywords. Programme-level scholarships exist alongside institution-wide ones; the programme page typically lists them.
Bachelor's Degree
24 programmes
There are 24 programmes to choose from at University of Canterbury for undergraduates. A bachelor's degree builds the broad disciplinary foundation most employers and postgraduate courses expect.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Communication
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Data Science
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Health
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Product Design
Bachelor of Psychological Science
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
Bachelor of Sport
Ako: Bachelor of Teaching and Learning
Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership
Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Commerce
Conjoint Bachelor of Arts and Science
Conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Science
Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Commerce
Conjoint Bachelor of Product Design and Science
Conjoint Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and Arts
Conjoint Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability and Youth and Community Leadership
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
67 programmes
University of Canterbury lists 67 programmes awarding a master's — the tier where graduates build the specialist credentials many senior and technical roles now expect.
Master of Aerospace Engineering
Master of Antarctic Studies
Master of Applied Data Science
Master of Applied Finance and Economics
Master of Applied Translation and Interpreting
Master of Architectural Engineering
Master of Artificial Intelligence
Master of Arts
Master of Arts (Thesis)
Master of Audiology
Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Information Systems
Master of Business Management
Master of Civil Engineering
Master of Commerce
Master of Counselling
Master of Criminal Justice
Master of Disaster Risk and Resilience
Master of Education
Master of Education (Thesis)
Master of Engineering
Master of Engineering in Fire Engineering
Master of Engineering Management
Master of Engineering Studies
Master of European Union Studies
Master of Financial Analysis
Master of Financial Engineering
Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fire Engineering Studies
Master of Forestry Science
Master of Geospatial Data Science
Master of Health Sciences
Master of Health Sciences Professional Practice
Master of Human Interface Technology
Master of Illustration
Master of International Relations and Diplomacy
Master of Laws
Master of Laws (International Law and Politics)
Master of Linguistics
Master of Māori and Indigenous Leadership
Master of Marketing
Master of Mathematical Sciences
Master of Music
Master of Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching
Master of Policy and Governance
Master of Product Design
Master of Product Innovation
Master of Professional Accounting
Master of Public Health
Master of Science
Master of Social Work
Master of Social Work (Applied)
Master of Specialist Teaching
Master of Speech and Language Pathology
Master of Sport Science
Master of Strategic Communication
Master of Teaching and Learning
Master of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Master of Te Reo Māori
Master of Urban Resilience and Renewal
Master of Virtual Production
Master of Water Science and Management
Master of Writing
Master of Advanced Nursing (Nurse Practitioner)
Master of Organisational Psychology
Professional Master of Computer Science
Professional Master of Engineering Geology
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
4 programmes
University of Canterbury lists 4 programmes awarding a doctorate — the apex qualification for those pursuing research leadership or an academic career.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
94 programmes
Alongside its degrees, University of Canterbury provides 94 programmes at associate, certificate, diploma, and foundation level, typically shorter and more applied in focus.
Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Postgraduate Diploma in Te Reo Māori
Postgraduate Diploma in Translation and Interpreting
Postgraduate Diploma in Virtual Production
Postgraduate Diploma in Water Resource Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Leadership
Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
Bachelor of Environmental Science with Honours
Bachelor of Forestry Science
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
Bachelor of Social Work with Honours
Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours
Bachelor of Music with Honours
Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours
Bachelor of Science with Honours
Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Commerce
Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Product Design
Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Arts
Conjoint Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and Social and Environmental Sustainability
Diploma in Advancing University Studies
Diploma in Arts
Diploma in Commerce
Diploma in Health
Diploma in Health Sciences
Diploma in Languages
Diploma in Science
Diploma in Sport
Diploma in University Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts
Graduate Diploma in Commerce
Graduate Diploma in Science
Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning
Graduate Certificate in Health
Graduate Certificate in Laws
Graduate Certificate in Sport Coaching
Postgraduate Certificate in Antarctic Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Architectural Engineering
Postgraduate Certificate in Arts
Postgraduate Certificate in Business
Postgraduate Certificate in Civil Engineering
Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Teaching
Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Studies
Postgraduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
Postgraduate Certificate in Cyber Security
Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Marketing
Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Postgraduate Certificate in Engineering
Postgraduate Certificate in Geospatial Data Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences
Postgraduate Certificate in Illustration
Postgraduate Certificate in Information Systems and Technology
Postgraduate Certificate in International Law and Politics
Postgraduate Certificate in Māori and Indigenous Leadership
Postgraduate Certificate in Palliative Care
Postgraduate Certificate in Policy and Governance in the Pacific
Postgraduate Certificate in Product Design
Postgraduate Certificate in Product Innovation
Postgraduate Certificate in Psychological Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Teaching
Postgraduate Certificate in Sport Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Strategic Leadership
Postgraduate Certificate in Te Reo Māori
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Postgraduate Certificate in Tertiary Teaching
Postgraduate Certificate in Translation and Interpreting
Postgraduate Certificate in Virtual Production
Postgraduate Certificate in Youth and Community Leadership
Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Art Curatorship
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Business
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Information Systems
Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Family Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
Postgraduate Diploma in Criminal Justice
Postgraduate Diploma in Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Engineering Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts
Postgraduate Diploma in Forestry
Postgraduate Diploma in Geospatial Data Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences
Postgraduate Diploma in Hōaka Pounamu | Māori Bilingual and Immersion Teaching
Postgraduate Diploma in Illustration
Postgraduate Diploma in Information Systems and Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Registered Nurse Prescriber)
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to University of Canterbury
The standard application path for University of Canterbury, broken into five practical steps with the documents and channels you will need at each stage.
- 1 Research programmes at University of Canterbury
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Canterbury runs 189 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Review admissions criteria
Before applying to University of Canterbury, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for New Zealand.
- 3 Gather supporting documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Canterbury's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Lodge your application
Lodge your application through the official website (www.canterbury.ac.nz). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Confirm receipt and track progress
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +64 (3) 364 2459. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Canterbury
Short Q&A on the institutional facts that matter most when shortlisting University of Canterbury as a study destination.
When did University of Canterbury open?
University of Canterbury traces its founding to 1873 (approximately 153 years ago).
Where can I find University of Canterbury?
The institution is located in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Is University of Canterbury public or private?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How many students does University of Canterbury have?
The institution has a student body of 15,000-19,999.
How is University of Canterbury ranked?
University of Canterbury holds rank #1170 globally and #6 in New Zealand.
What qualification levels does University of Canterbury offer?
University of Canterbury delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
Who recognises University of Canterbury?
Yes, University of Canterbury is recognised by New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
What is University of Canterbury's official website?
The institution's website is www.canterbury.ac.nz.
Top-Ranked Universities in New Zealand
New Zealand's leading universities appear below, useful for benchmarking University of Canterbury's academic standing. Use this list as the upper-bound reference for academic prestige within New Zealand.
Members of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU)
Fellow Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) members alongside University of Canterbury are gathered below — useful if institutional networks matter to your decision. Networks shape exchange opportunities, joint degrees, and credential recognition across borders.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Below are universities sharing regional libraries and consortia with University of Canterbury. Library reciprocity and shared databases can extend research access beyond what any single institution offers alone.
Universities Often Compared with University of Canterbury
Peer cohort diversity — gender, nationality, socioeconomic background — varies more than rankings might suggest. Diversity affects classroom dynamics and post-grad networks.
