Ara institute
Ara Institute of Canterbury

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Ara institute
Ara Institute of Canterbury

Enquire

About

Ara Institute of Canterburywas formed in 2016 through a merger of two well-established tertiary providers: Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) (in Christchurch) and Aoraki Polytechnic (in South Canterbury). Each of those predecessor institutions had roots going back a century: for example, Aoraki began teaching in Timaru in 1901 as the Timaru Technical School.

Today Ara positions itself as “Many pathways, many opportunities” (its Māori motto: Ara rau, taumata rau) and focuses on applied, vocational and professional education across a broad range of fields.

Ara offers more than 150 programmes from foundation level up to postgraduate level, across a wide spectrum of subject areas. Some of the key subject/interest areas include:

  • Business, Accounting, Management
  • Digital Technologies & Computing
  • Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management
  • Health: Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Imaging
  • Art & Design, Music, Media & Broadcasting (including the New Zealand Broadcasting School)
  • Hospitality, Tourism, Food & Beverage
  • Trades, Outdoor and Sustainability Education
  • Foundation and pathway programmes to ease into more advanced study.

The emphasis is on “work-integrated learning” — meaning many courses include industry placement, apprenticeships, projects with real employers, so that graduates are ready for employment.

Rankings and reputation

One of the major strengths of Ara is the close link between study and employment. Because many programmes include placements, work experience, industry-connected projects, graduates are often ready to transition into the workforce. Here are some specifics of how employment pathways are supported:

  • The “Ara Advantage” slogan emphasises courses taught by mentors in real-life learning environments, ensuring students are work-ready when they graduate.
  • Student support services: career advice and planning are integrated into campus life (e.g., at the City campus).
  • For younger learners (rangatahi) or those outside mainstream education, Ara offers targeted programmes like the “Ara Rangatahi Pathways to Employment” which is a free 12-week training programme (followed by mentoring) for young people aged 15-25 to help them enter employment across sectors.
  • Because the institute spans vocational and professional training, graduates may move directly into roles (e.g., in hospitality, trades, health) or continue into further study – thereby opening both employment and progression options.
Campuses

Ara has a presence across the South Island of New Zealand, offering students access to multiple campus locations.

Key campuses include:

  • City Campus (Christchurch, 130 Madras Street) – the largest campus, centrally located in Christchurch’s city centre, with extensive student services, facilities, cafés, recreation and more.
  • Manawa Campus (Christchurch, 276 Antigua Street) – focused on health-education: nursing, midwifery, medical imaging, built in the health-precinct next to Christchurch Hospital with simulation rooms and integrated industry links.
  • Other campuses: Woolston (Christchurch), Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru.

This network allows students to study in both urban and regional settings; the infrastructure supports applied learning, student support services, and connection to local industries.

https://ara.ac.nz/

Courses offered by this provider

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Graduate Diploma in Quantity Surveying
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Architecture and Building, Building
Study level
Level 7
Study quantity surveying to strengthen your capabilities in the field for an evolving professional landscape.
Graduate Diploma in Construction Management
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Architecture and Building, Building
Study level
Level 7
Refine your expertise and capabilities to prepare for senior positions in the construction industry by studying Construction Management.
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Quantity Surveying)
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Architecture and Building, Building
Study level
Level 6
Study quantity surveying and prepare for a rewarding career in the construction industry.
New Zealand Diploma in Construction (Construction Management)
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Architecture and Building, Building
Study level
Level 6
Gain the professional knowledge and skills needed for a career by studying construction management.
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Electronic)
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies
Study level
Level 6
Develop your hands-on engineering expertise and prepare for a rewarding career as an electronics engineering technician.
Graduate Diploma in Information and Communication Technologies
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology
Study level
Level 7
Enhance your qualifications and study Information and Communications Technologies to open doors to exciting opportunities in innovative technology environments.
Graduate Diploma in Operations and Production Management
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
Acquire the tools and techniques to optimise operations and production efficiency.
Graduate Diploma in Applied Management
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Accountancy, Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
Enhance your degree and progress your management career through a graduate qualification designed to suit your needs.
Graduate Diploma in Business Transformation and Change
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
Study Business Transformation and Change to learn methods for effectively steering companies through change and transformation.
Graduate Diploma in Event Management
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
Hone your event management expertise and cultivate your skills for a rewarding career in a vibrant industry.
Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
Study Human Resource Management to learn about strategies to build strong employee-employer connections and ensure a satisfied, high-performing workforce.
Graduate Diploma in Business Information Systems
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce, Information Systems
Study level
Level 7
Gain the skills and knowledge to stay ahead with the latest business innovations and technological advancements.
Graduate Diploma in Marketing and Sales
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce, Sales and Marketing
Study level
Level 7
Learn how to equip businesses and yourself with the skills to stand out from the competition by studying Marketing and Sales
Graduate Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce
Study level
Level 7
By studying Supply Chain learn how to make sound decisions and tackle issues within supply chain logistics.
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) (Electrical)
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies
Study level
Level 6
Build your hands-on engineering expertise and prepare for a successful career as an electrical engineering technician by studying Electrical Engineering Diploma
New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Civil)
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Civil Engineering, Engineering and Related Technologies
Study level
Level 6
Develop your hands-on engineering expertise and prepare for a career as a civil engineering technician.
New Zealand Diploma in Enrolled Nursing
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Health, Nursing
Study level
Level 5
Develop the skills and knowledge required to address New Zealand’s increasing demand for nurses.
Master of Sustainable Practice
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce, Mixed Field Programmes, Tourism
Study level
Level 9
The Master of Sustainable Practice prepares individuals to drive innovative approaches and lead in sustainable practice.
Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainable Practice
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Business and Management, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce, Mixed Field Programmes, Society, Culture, Law, Economics, Tourism
Study level
Level 8
Study Sustainable Practice and develop the knowledge and abilities to lead transformative initiatives in sustainability.
Graduate Diploma in Sustainability and Outdoor Education
Ara Institute of Canterbury
Christchurch
Subject
Architecture and Building, Business, Accounting, Management, and Commerce, Mixed Field Programmes, Society, Culture, Law, Economics, Tourism
Study level
Level 7
The program blends theory and practice to provide advanced professional development for experienced teachers, outdoor educators, instructors, or graduates seeking career retraining.
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