University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Major areas of study

Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences), Commerce, Science, Engineering, Education (Teaching) Fine Arts, Forestry Science, Law, Music, Social Work, Speech and Language Therapy, and Sport Coaching.

Orientation meetings

Orientation programme is held in the week prior to the start of the academic programme.

Total number of students: 17,000

Number of International students: 2,000

Percentage of International students: 15%

International to domestic ratio: 15%

Main countries of origin: China, USA, France, Germany, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand & UK

Scholarship

University of Canterbury Scholarships
University of Canterbury Masters and Doctoral Scholarships
These scholarships are offered twice a year for study towards a PhD degree (Doctoral) or for the thesis year of a Masters degree (Masters Part II).

Competition is very high: applicants must have gained a first class honours degree or the equivalent.

UC International Doctoral Scholarship
This covers the domestic tuition fee plus a living allowance of NZ$25,000 per annum, paid monthly, and an economy class airfare at the start and end of the tenure.

There is one round one per year. Applications close on 15 October. Up to five scholarships may be offered in each year. These scholarships are only available to international students. Students must enrol in a doctoral programme by 1 October in the year following application.

New Zealand Government Scholarships
New Zealand Development Scholarships (Open):
These scholarships are offered by the NZ Government through NZAID to prospective to students from selected developing countries.
http://www.nzaid.govt.nz/scholarships/nzds.html

New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit to international students wishing to undertake PhD degrees by research at New Zealand universities. http://www.newzealandeducated.com/scholarships/

Commonwealth Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available to graduates of Commonwealth countries under the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan.Applications must be made in the first instance to the Commonwealth Scholarship agency in the country in which the applicant has his/her permanent home.

Accommodation

Off - campus Students are directed to http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/accom/other.shtml to book temporary accommodation.

Homestay (If host homes are available)
Fees: Placement fee for homestay $280

There are a number of accommodation options available Students can choose either catered or self catered accommodation on campus, private houses or flats, or homestay.
Students are directed to
http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/accom/ for all accommodation options

International student services

International students are provided with a wide range of services. These include transport from the airport, assistance in finding suitable accommodation, friendship linkages with NZ families, childcare facilities , a mentoring programme , writing and study skill courses and membership of the Student Health Centre and the Students' Association.

Airport pickup

Pick-up (no charge) for first time students

Opportunities to study abroad

Study Abroad students come to the University for a semester or a year and take their credits back to their home university. The Study Abroad programme allows students to choose subjects across faculties and put together a package of courses that best meets their study needs and interests. Some Study Abroad students take key courses in their major which they can transfer for credit as part of their degree back home. Other students look for a cross-cultural experience in their course choices at Canterbury. Such courses might include Antarctic Studies, Maori Studies, and courses in the literature, history and politics of New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific. Courses in the Field Sciences and Astronomy can include field trips to some of our field stations or to our observatory in the central South Island high country. Biological science courses will often feature studies of New Zealand's unique flora and fauna.

University of Canterbury students have the opportunity to apply for a student exchange programme which permits them to study for one semester or two semesters at one of our exchange partner universities. We have over 40 partner universities in Australia ,Asia, Canada, Europe, UK and the US.

International students: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/international.shtml