Photo: Wikimedia Commons
About the university
Rebuilt and reinvested in after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, Canterbury's Ilam campus is now one of the newest and best-equipped in the country, with a particular strength in engineering and geospatial science.
Country
🇳🇿 New Zealand
City
Christchurch
Founded
1873
Study levels
Foundation, Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Intakes
February, July
Approx. tuition
NZD 28k–42k/yr
Popular courses
What people actually study here.
Entry requirements & approximate costs
What it takes to get in, and to fund it.
Academic entry
Completed GCE A/Levels (or equivalent), meeting NZQA's University Entrance standard or the university's own equivalent assessment.
English proficiency
IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is typical for undergraduate entry, with higher requirements for some postgraduate and professional courses.
Approximate tuition
Roughly NZD 28,000–42,000 a year for most undergraduate and master's programmes. Figures vary by course and change over time, confirm current fees on the university's site.
These figures apply broadly across New Zealand's higher-education system, not just University of Canterbury, always confirm your specific course's exact requirements and fees on the university's own site.
Scholarships
Ways to lower the cost.
UC International First Year and excellence scholarships are available for overseas students.
The vibe
What it actually feels like.
- A modern, rebuilt campus — Christchurch's post-earthquake recovery gave Canterbury some of NZ's newest facilities.
- Close to the Southern Alps, so weekend ski trips are a normal part of the semester calendar.
- A tight-knit engineering culture, reflected in Canterbury's outsized reputation in that field.
For Sri Lankan applicants
Why Sri Lankan students consider it.
Canterbury's rebuilt, modern campus and strength in engineering suit Sri Lankan students who want newer facilities and a smaller South Island city over Auckland's scale.
Fun things to do
Life outside the lecture hall.
Day-trip to Arthur's Pass or Craigieburn for skiing and hiking, both under two hours away.
Punt on the Avon River through central Christchurch's Botanic Gardens.
Explore the Christchurch Arts Centre, a Gothic-revival precinct that was once part of the original campus.
Opportunities for international students
What's on offer if you're coming from abroad.
Application guidance
From application to visa-ready file.
- 1
Choose your course and confirm entry requirements
- 2
Apply directly to the university with certified transcripts and English test results
- 3
Receive your Offer of Place and confirm tuition arrangements
- 4
Begin your student visa financial documentation
Once you have an offer, the documentation process covers exactly what identification, academic and financial evidence your visa file will need next.
Related guides
Documentation, explained.
Student Visa Document Checklist for Sri Lankan Students
The short version. For the full explanation of each item, see our complete documentation process guide.
Student Visa Proof of Funds Explained
The single most common reason a student visa file stalls, explained in plain English.
Common Student Visa Documentation Mistakes
Most refused or delayed files aren't refused for one big reason. They're delayed by three or four small, avoidable ones.
Also in New Zealand
Other top New Zealand universities.
References & sources
Where this page comes from.
- University of Canterbury · official websiteVisit ↗
- International admissions pageVisit ↗
- Hero photograph · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- Inside the central library · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
- The Erskine Building · Wikimedia CommonsSource ↗
Course lists, scholarships and admissions details summarised here are illustrative. Always confirm the current, exact terms on the university's own official website before applying. Photography is freely licensed via Wikimedia Commons, not sourced from the university's own site.
Aiming for University of Canterbury? Let's make the money story match.
Campus photography & crest via Wikimedia Commons contributors. Course, admissions and scholarship details change. Always confirm current terms on the official site above before applying.