About University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury (Māori: Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha; postnominal abbreviation Cantuar. or Cant. for Cantuariensis, the Latin name for Canterbury) in Christchurch is New Zealand's second oldest university. It was founded in 1873 as Canterbury College, the first constituent college of the University of New Zealand. Its original campus was in the central city, but in 1961 when it became an independent university it also began moving out of its original neo-gothicbuildings, which were re-purposed as the Christchurch Arts Centre. The move was completed on 1 May 1975 and the university now operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam and offers degrees in Arts, Commerce, Education (physical education), Engineering, Fine Arts, Forestry, Health Sciences, Law, Music, Social Work, Speech and Language Pathology, Science, Sports Coachingand Teaching.

The University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA) operates on campus with its own radio station (RDU) and magazine (Canta). The Association also runs two bars and several cafes around campus.T he popular on-campus bar, "The Foundry", known as "The Common Room" from 2005, has reverted to its former name as promised by 2008 USCA president, Michael Goldstein. Prior to earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, the UCSA also ran the 430-seat Ngaio Marsh Theatre in the now demolished UCSA building.

The University has over 140 academic, sporting, recreational and cultural societies and clubs. The most prominent of these include the Student Volunteer Army, the University of Canterbury Engineering Society (ENSOC), the Law Society (LAWSOC), the Commerce Society (UCom), as well as the largest non-faculty clubs such as Motosoc (Motorsports Society), BYCSOC (Backyard Cricket Society), CUBA (Canterbury University Boardriders' Association), CurrySoc, JSoc, The Gentlemen's Club, and KAOS(Killing As Organised Sport). CUSSC (Canterbury University Snow Sports Club) is the only university club in New Zealand to own a ski field lodge, located at Temple Basin Ski Field. The club runs many events to raise funds for maintenance of their lodge. The University of Canterbury Drama Society (Dramasoc) achieved fame for its 1942–1969 Shakespeare productions under Dame Ngaio Marsh, but regularly performs as an active student- and alumni-run arts fixture in the small Christchurch theatre-scene. The musical theatre society, Musoc, engages in comparable activities.

Why Choose University of Canterbury

Founded in 1873 by scholars from Oxford and Cambridge universities, Canterbury University moved to its current campus in Ilam in the 1970s, from what is now the Christchurch Arts centre precinct of heritage buildings. UC has a proud place in the history of Christchurch, and a vital role in the city’s future. This includes its role educating future leaders, as well as its academic and research activities.

UC is placed among the top universities in New Zealand, and 49th in the world for Civil and Structural Engineering, and has 9 subjects that are ranked in the world’s top 100.

UC is a comprehensive university offering over 100 programmes, from Foundation Studies to doctoral studies, in over 150 disciplines, from Accounting to Zoology.

UC has modern teaching and research facilities and has been awarded a 5-Star QS ranking for internationally-renowned research and teaching.

At UC your education doesn't end at the lecture theatre door. Join a community where you can be who you are and do what you love. You will live and learn among inspiring and talented people from a range of backgrounds.

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