| Location | Christchurch, New Zealand | Funding Type | Public |
|---|---|---|---|
| No of Students | 17299 | Establishment | University |
| Founded In | 1873 | Estimated Cost of Living | 20000 NZD |
| Address | 20 Kirkwood Avenue, Upper Riccarton, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand |
Established in 1873 Canterbury College, as it was then known, was only the second university in Aotearoa New Zealand.
It was set up on the Oxbridge model with one major difference: women students were admitted from the start. An early graduate, Helen Connon, became the first woman in the then British Empire to win honours.
Housed in graceful stone buildings on a central city block, the College was dependent on rents from high country farms with which it had been endowed by the Canterbury Provincial Council.
Ernest Rutherford, Canterbury’s most distinguished graduate, studied at the university in the 1890s. He discovered his scientific ability during a year of postgraduate research before taking up a scholarship to Cambridge. He would go on to win the Nobel Prize in chemistry and in 1917, became the first person to split the atom.
Leader and politician Sir Apirana Ngata (Ngati Porou) was a contemporary of Rutherford and became the first M?ori graduate from an Aotearoa New Zealand university. Portraits of the two grace Aotearoa New Zealand’s $100 and $50 banknotes respectively.
Canterbury College was renamed Canterbury University College in 1933 before becoming the University of Canterbury in 1957.
For most of its first 100 years, the University was situated in the centre of ?tautahi Christchurch (now the Arts Centre) but moved to its current location in 1975, a spacious, purpose-built 76-hectare site in the suburb of Ilam. The ‘new’ University campus has a central complex of libraries, lecture theatres, laboratories and student accommodation surrounded by playing fields, woodlands and the renowned Ilam Gardens.
The University of Canterbury has five Colleges:
UC now has a diverse range of study options, offering over 120 qualifications in more than 150 subject areas. Ten local accommodation facilities provide a board for more than 2,200 students.
It also has the most extensive network of field stations for student and staff research of any university in Aotearoa New Zealand, including Kaikoura, Cass, Westport, Harihari (South Westland), the sub-Antarctic Snares Islands and Antarctica, and Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier astronomical research facility at Mount John in Tekapo.
The University of Canterbury is a truly holistic place of learning, made up of 7 outstanding dimensions that will prepare you to change the world.
UC Academic - Learn from world leaders and groundbreaking experts. UC is in the world’s top 1% of universities and has a strong reputation for high-quality degrees, research-active teaching staff, and world-class facilities.
At UC you have the opportunity to turn theory into practice. Apply and build your skills in research, analysis, writing, and presentation in real-world contexts with an internship or placement. Internships and placements are offered in many subjects including Arts, Education, Engineering, and Commerce.
UC Enterprise - Go beyond the classroom and make your ideas happen. Got a good idea for a start-up venture? We have the resources to help you go for it. Want to make a difference and help others? We offer opportunities, both academic and social, for you to achieve this.
With internships, start up incubator programmes, and global study opportunities, there is something for everyone.
UC Community - You can make a difference by getting involved. Over the last few years, UC students have earned an international reputation for their community involvement.
UC Global - Experience different cultures on campus or on a study exchange overseas. Our campus is a culturally diverse community with over 100 nationalities represented. We also offer exchanges with 60 different partners around the world.
UC Support - Tap into a dedicated support network, tools, and resources. UC is committed to helping you thrive and succeed by providing a wide range of support services from the moment you arrive on campus.
UC Bicultural - Gain bicultural experiences and perspectives to feel confident and competent in a multicultural world. At Te Whare W?nanga o Waitaha, we are committed to biculturalism. As part of this commitment, we work with Ng?i Tahu, the tangata whenua in our region.
UC Active - With clubs, events, and outdoor adventure, you can have a unique student experience. From the sea to the mountains, UC is on the doorstep of a massive outdoor ‘playground’. Grab your board, bike, or shoes and give it a go.
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