University of Canterbury
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
New Zealand's second-oldest university, Rutherford's alma mater, with an engineering-strong campus in Christchurch.
- Students
- 27,121
- Tuition
- NZ$36,410
- From · 2027
- Founded
- 1873
- QS World Ranking
- #257
- 2027 edition
About UC
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury was founded in 1873 as Canterbury College, the second university institution in New Zealand, and Ernest Rutherford studied there from 1890 to 1894. Between 1961 and 1974 it moved from its neo-Gothic buildings in central Christchurch, now the Christchurch Arts Centre, to a large, park-like campus in the suburb of Ilam. In 2025 it enrolled 27,121 students (19,396 full-time equivalents), and describes itself as one of the fastest-growing universities in Aotearoa.
UC teaches through faculties of Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Law and Science, all based at Ilam. It is best known for engineering: the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours starts with a flexible first year before students compete for places in one of eight disciplines, and includes 800 hours of work placement. It also calls itself a bicultural university and places the Māori values manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and tiakitanga at the centre of campus life.
Admission to most bachelor's degrees is by University Entrance, so there is no competitive cutoff for most first-year places, but some programmes such as Engineering's second year, Speech and Language Pathology and Fine Arts are limited entry. UC suits students who want a spacious campus, strong science and engineering, and life in the South Island's largest city.
Ergo tua rura manebunt
“Therefore the lands shall remain yours” — university motto
Why students choose UC
The Engineering first year keeps several disciplines open, and most students who pass it gain entry to their first or second choice of eight engineering disciplines.
Admission to most degrees is guaranteed with University Entrance, and you can start in February or July.
UC offers over $20 million in scholarships and prizes each year, including incoming first-year scholarships and UC High Achievers Scholarships for international students.
UC has 60 international partner universities and over 3,000 employer connections for internships and exchange.
Admissions
2027 academic year (Semester One starts February 2027)
Selectivity
As at other New Zealand universities, admission to most bachelor's degrees is open to applicants who achieve University Entrance (or an equivalent), so there is no published acceptance rate. Some qualifications are limited entry, such as second-year Engineering, Speech and Language Pathology, Fine Arts, Social Work and Teaching.
Typical entry requirements
| NCEA University Entrance | NCEA Level 3 with 14 credits in each of three approved subjects, plus literacy (10 Level 2 credits: 5 reading, 5 writing) and numeracy (10 Level 1 credits). Engineering applicants should aim for 14 Level 3 credits each in maths or calculus (including differentiation and integration), physics and chemistry |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | Award of the IB Diploma, with English as the language of instruction in Language A (SL or HL) or Language B (HL); any IB mathematics meets numeracy |
| Cambridge International (CIE/CAIE) | Rank score of at least 120 with a D or better in at least three approved subjects, plus an AS English pass and IGCSE/GCSE maths at D or better. Engineering: maths and physics (and usually chemistry) at A level grade D or AS grade A |
| Discretionary Entrance (domestic) | Exceptional Year 12 students: at least 72 NCEA Level 2 credits, including 60 Merit/Excellence credits, plus UE literacy and numeracy |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 Undergraduate minimum: IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 19 in each skill (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 overall on the new scale; PTE Academic 50 (no skill below 42); Duolingo 105 (no band below 95). Teaching qualifications require IELTS 7.0 in every band. |
Deadlines
- International students, Semester One 2027 Non-binding Next deadline · In 56 days1 December 2026
Recommended closing date; late applications may be considered if space is available but risk visa delays.
- Domestic students, Semester One 2027 Non-binding In ~4 months14 February 2027
Recommended enrolment application closing date; some qualifications close earlier.
- International students, Semester Two 2027 Non-binding In ~7 months1 May 2027
- Domestic students, Semester Two 2027 Non-binding In ~9 months11 July 2027
Dates are UC's recommended enrolment application closing dates for 2027. Late applications may be accepted where there is space but can incur a late enrolment fee. Engineering first-year students apply for second-year disciplines by 1 November.
How to apply
Apply to enrol online through myUC with your citizenship, academic history and intended qualification, then add your courses and accept the Enrolment Agreement. Limited-entry programmes need extra steps such as portfolios (Fine Arts), special application forms (Speech and Language Pathology) or interviews and police vetting (Teaching). International students usually pay the fee estimate on their Offer of Place before applying for a student visa.
What admissions looks for
- University Entrance or an equivalent qualification: for NCEA, 14 Level 3 credits in each of three approved subjects plus literacy and numeracy.
- For Engineering, strong Level 3 maths (including differentiation and integration), physics and, for most disciplines, chemistry.
- For entry to the second year of Engineering, your first-year GPA, since places in each discipline are limited.
- For limited-entry programmes, the extra material requested, such as a portfolio for Fine Arts or interviews and referee reports for Teaching.
Tips for applying to UC
- 1 If you are a few credits short of UE, UC's Diploma in University Studies or summer catch-up credits (up to 8 short) can still get you started in Semester One.
- 2 Engineering students with excellent results may qualify for direct second-year entry or a Modified First Year.
- 3 International students should apply by 1 December 2026 for a February start to leave time for a student visa.
- 4 Apply for incoming first-year scholarships alongside your enrolment; UC suggests applying for several.
Costs & financial aid
2027 · figures in NZD
UC offers over $20 million in scholarships and prizes each year, recognising academic and sporting excellence, leadership and community involvement, and financial hardship. Incoming first-year scholarships are open for study in 2027, and international students can apply for UC High Achievers Scholarships (for citizens of several Asian countries) and the UC Business School International School Leavers Scholarship.
- Over $20 million
- Scholarships and prizes per year
- 2026, 2027 and 2028 rates
- International fee estimates published ahead
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters (February and July starts), plus summer school
Bachelor of Engineering with Honours
A flexible common first year, then competitive entry to one of eight disciplines, 800 hours of work placement, and a February or July start.
Geography
Ranked in the world top 50 in the 2026 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Linguistics
Ranked 61st in the world in the 2026 QS subject rankings.
Civil and Structural Engineering
In the world top 100 in the 2026 QS subject rankings.
Bachelor of Data Science
A dedicated data science degree with a final-year project, also reachable for international students through the UCIC Diploma pathway.
Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology with Honours
A limited-entry professional degree with its own application for the first professional year.
Research
- UC reports $75 million in external research revenue and 2,020 Scopus-indexed research outputs in its Quick stats (information correct as of May 2025).
- Research strengths highlighted by UC include Antarctica, nanotechnology and brain research, with field sites across New Zealand.
- Ernest Rutherford, the 1908 Nobel laureate often called the father of nuclear physics, studied at Canterbury College from 1890 to 1894; UC's Ernest Rutherford Building bears his name.
Schools & faculties
- Faculty of Arts
- UC Business School
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Health
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Science
Student life
UC's Ilam campus is spacious and green, with its landmark 11-storey Puaka-James Hight Building housing the central library. Several halls of residence sit on or near campus and combine academic support with social events, and UC says its campus is one of the most spacious and secure in New Zealand. The University of Canterbury Students' Association, established in 1894, runs clubs and events. UC students are also known for the Student Volunteer Army, founded by UC student Sam Johnson to help clean up after the 2010-2011 Christchurch earthquakes.
- The Student Volunteer Army began at UC after the Christchurch earthquakes and mobilised 11,000 students.
- The University of Canterbury Students' Association dates from 1894.
- The 11-storey Puaka-James Hight Building is the tallest on campus and houses the central library.
- Over 140,000 alumni worldwide.
Housing. UC's halls of residence on campus combine academic support, social events and activities, and international students are advised to arrange accommodation before travelling.
Location
Christchurch (Ōtautahi) is the largest city in the South Island, with about 556,000 people in the metropolitan area, near the centre of the island's east coast. The Ilam campus lies in the city's western suburbs, away from the centre, while the original Canterbury College buildings now form the Christchurch Arts Centre. UC is the Canterbury region's second-largest employer and contributes nearly $800 million a year to the local economy.
Nearest airport: Christchurch Airport (CHC)
Notable alumni
- ER Ernest Rutherford1908 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, called the father of nuclear physics; studied at Canterbury College 1890-1894
- JK John KeyPrime Minister of New Zealand 2008-2016; Bachelor of Commerce (1981)
- EC Eleanor CattonBooker Prize-winning novelist (The Luminaries); studied English
- LD Lianne DalzielMayor of Christchurch and former cabinet minister; law degree
- SJ Sam JohnsonFounder of the Student Volunteer Army
- NM Ngaio MarshCrime novelist and theatre director; studied painting at the Canterbury College School of Art
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to get into the University of Canterbury?
For most bachelor's degrees, University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 with 14 credits in each of three approved subjects plus literacy and numeracy, the IB Diploma, or a Cambridge rank score of 120. Some programmes, like Engineering, expect specific subjects.
How much does UC cost for international students?
2027 estimates per full-time year (120 points) range from NZ$36,410 for Arts to NZ$49,540 for first-year Engineering with Honours (NZ$54,180 in Engineering's second to fourth years), for example NZ$39,590 for Commerce and NZ$44,980 for Science.
When should I apply to UC for 2027?
International students should apply by 1 December 2026 for Semester One and 1 May 2027 for Semester Two. The recommended domestic closing dates are 14 February 2027 and 11 July 2027.
What IELTS score does the University of Canterbury require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5 for most undergraduate study, or TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 19 in each section. Teaching qualifications need 7.0.
Is Engineering at UC competitive?
Entry to the first year is open to students with UE and suitable maths and physics, but entry to the eight second-year disciplines is competitive and based on first-year GPA. Most students who pass their first year get their first or second choice.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
Explore nearby in the world top 100
Universities ranked close to UC in the QS World University Rankings 2027.