The University of Canterbury is a public research university located in Christchurch, New Zealand. Established in 1873 as Canterbury College, it was the first college to be part of the University of New Zealand and is recognized as the second-oldest university in the country, after the University of Otago, which was founded four years earlier in 1869. Initially based in Christchurch Central City, the university gained independence in 1961 and began moving from its original neo-gothic buildings, which were later transformed into the Christchurch Arts Centre. This relocation was finalized on May 1, 1975, and the university now operates its main campus in the Ilam suburb of Christchurch.
The University of Canterbury offers bachelor’s degrees in a variety of fields, including Arts, Commerce, Education (with a focus on physical education), Fine Arts, Forestry, Health Sciences, Law, Criminal Justice, Music, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, Sports Coaching, and Teaching.