University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury

Enquire

University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury

Enquire

About

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.

Rankings and reputation

The University of Canterbury marked its 150th anniversary in 2023. During this milestone year, the institution witnessed a remarkable increase in enrolments, achieving a record total of 21,361 students by the end of March, compared to 20,223 during the same timeframe the previous year. This total included 19,975 domestic students, reflecting a significant rise from the prior year’s figures.

Additionally, the number of international students grew to 1,393, an increase from 1,098 the year before. This surge in enrolment is notable, especially as domestic student numbers declined across all five universities in the North Island during this period.

A representative from the University stated that in 2023, every affiliated hall reached “100% occupancy” and indicated that this may represent a record for the highest enrolment numbers.

Campuses

The University of Canterbury has three campuses spread throughout the city of Christchurch:

Ilam Campus
Dovedale Campus
City Campus

https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/

Courses offered by this provider

Study in New Zealand