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University of Canterbury Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 29 Jan '25, by Loveleen Sharma (Study Abroad Expert)

UC Admissions
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The applications for the University of Canterbury admissions 2025 are out.

  • The application deadline for the University of Canterbury international students, Semester 2 is May 1, 2025.

University of Canterbury Admissions 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   What are the eligibility requirements for admission to University of Canterbury?

A: 

The minimum programme-wise eligibility criteria that international applicants need to meet before applying to the University of Canterbury are given below:

Undergraduate Eligibility

Basic Education (either of):

  • Grade 12 in relevant discipline with an overall 75% aggregate with a minimum of 60% in English in the All India Senior School Certificate or India School Certificate (ISC)
  • Grade 12 in relevant discipline with an overall 80% aggregate with a minimum of 65% in English from Indian State Board of Higher Education
  • English proficiency

MBA Eligibility

Mandatory Qualification (a combination of):

·         Basic education: A bachelor's degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration with good scores

·         Work experience: A minimum of five years

Q:   Is there any application fee at the University of Canterbury?

A: 

There is no application fee chargeable to international students while applying to the University Canterbury, which means that aspirants can apply to UC free of cost. However, there is a refundable deposit of NZD 500 (INR 24.4 K) that is required at the time of enrolment. This deposit can be refunded in case a student is unable to join the university after being enrolled. International students must provide a valid reason behind the same and request for the refund.

 

Q:   What is the fee structure of courses offered by the University of Canterbury?

A: 

The programme-wise tuition fee chargeable to international students at UC for session 2021–2022 is as follows:

Course Type

Tuition Fee* (in NZD)

Chargeable for (Duration)

Undergraduate diplomas

21,500  to 28,000

Total programme fee

Undergraduate certificates

13,600 to 17,750

Total programme fee

Bachelor degrees

28,000 – 44,000

Annual tuition fee

Honours degrees

29,875 to 36,563

Total programme fee

Graduate diplomas

27,000 to 35,500

Total programme fee

Graduate certificates

14,000

Total programme fee

Master degrees

36,500 to 79,000

Total programme fee

Postgraduate diplomas

26,000 to 86,900

Total programme fee

Postgraduate certificates

13,000 to 24,472

Total programme fee

MBA

51,750

Total programme fee

PhD

36,500

Total programme fee

Source: University of Canterbury

Q:   Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students at UC?

A: 

At the University of Canterbury, international students may apply to an array of scholarships. All students intending to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate degree are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Eligibility

UC offers scholarships to international students, who fall under either of the following categories:

Types of Scholarships

Scholarships are distributed to international students based on the following criteria:

·         Subject or course specialisation

·         Programme level

·         Citizenship

·         Age

·         Gender

·         School/college of study

·         Region

The benefits of scholarships vary with these categories and may require supporting documentation from applicants.

University of Canterbury MS Admissions 2025

20 courses 12 months - 3 years
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icon
19.4L - 36.4L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
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Commonly asked questions
On MS Admissions

Q:   What are the MS admission requirements at the University of Canterbury?

A: 

University of Canterbury MS admissions are open and the students can apply for the same by Jan 29, 2025 for Fall intake 2025. Here are some things to take care of while applying for University of Canterbury MS:

·         Official university transcripts (original and officially-translated in English)

·         Detailed student CV/academic resume

·         Statement of purpose/personal statement

·         References: Professional LOR (only if asked for)

·         Scanned copy of the biographical page of applicant's passport

·         Scanned passport-size photograph

·         Evidence of English proficiency (English proficiency test score)

University of Canterbury MS fees is between INR 19 L - 36 L,  (Note: It is the first year fee not including the living expenses)

University of Canterbury Application Process 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Application Process

Q:   When do admissions start at the University of Canterbury?

A: 

UC follows a semester-based calendar for all its programmes. International students may apply in either of the two intakes:

Refer to the tentative application deadlines:

Admissions Intake

Application Time*

Classes Begin*

Undergraduate Admission Cycle

Spring Intake

October-end

February

Fall Intake

April-end

July

Graduate Admission Cycle

Spring Intake

Early September

February

Fall Intake

Early February

July

*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. The students are encouraged to check the school/department's website for exact deadlines.

Q:   What are the steps involved in the application process at the University of Canterbury?

A: 

The application process at this University is done through the official website which is available for the UG programs and PG programs.  The mode of application is completely online for Indian students. The application fee is not charged by the university from international students.

Here are the steps to complete you online application process:

Step 1: Sign up to the university's application portal at myuc.canterbury.ac.nz/login

Step 2: Verify the email address via email sent by the university and click 'Continue'

Step 3: Sign in to the university website

Step 4: Click on 'Start New Application'

Step 5: Choose 'New Student'

Step 6: Select the year of enrolment

Step 7: Start the application by providing identification details

Step 8: Input academic details

Step 9: Select qualification as 'Undergraduate and graduate' or 'Postgraduate'

Step 10: Read the 'Student Declaration' carefully

Step 11: Complete all the steps in Section 1 and move to Sections 2 and 3 to upload supporting documents

Step 12: Submit the application

Q:   When will I hear from the university after I submit my application at UC?

A: 

Once submitted, an application goes through the following stages at the University of Canterbury:

Steps of Application Decision

Estimated Time*

Application received through myUC

1-4 working days

Preliminary assessment

3-10 working days

Assessment by the admissions officer

NA

Sent to department/college for further assessment

1-3 weeks

Sent to Dean of Postgraduate Research for final decision

NA

Admissions notified of the final decision and UCSMS updated

NA

Notification of decision sent to student or agent

1-2 working days

*Deadlines vary depending on the course and can change frequently. We encourage you to check the school/department's website for exact deadlines.

Hence, the overall time required by UC for admission decision ranges between 10 to 30 working days. All the admission-related notifications are shared via email.

University of Canterbury Enrollment Statistics 2025

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UC
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.1/5
Verified Icon11 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Vibe of Campus
  • Friendly
  • Academically oriented
  • Fun loving
  • Easy going
Student Views
  • 64% students never faced discrimination in this university
Internships3.7
Part time work3.9
Post study jobs3.5
Quality of faculty4.7
Student Life4.5
Value for money4
Public transportation4.4
Safety4.9
Indian Food3.6
Permanent Immigration4.2
Aarush Bhagwat Verified Icon
BE (Hons) in Mechatronics Engineering - Batch of 2025
3.8
A challenging but fulfilling and rewarding experience.
Tips: It is very important to understand that moving to a new country can be very challenging and overwhelming. The way life works and the processes are different to what you are used to. I think it was really important for me to try and learn the way people live their lives here since you can't change their way of living, so you need to be open to adapting. However, you should never feel like you are alone. Especially if you are moving to Christchurch for University, there is a whole network of people that you can get in contact with, and there are many different clubs to join. Therefore, you mustn't be scared to go out and meet new people. Embrace the new challenges. For me, joining clubs and/or sports teams is the best way to meet new, like-minded people. Furthermore, in terms of scholarships and funding, I managed to get an international student scholarship that allowed me to live in the halls in my first year for free. There are many scholarships that you can apply for, however, you need to make sure that the scholarship applies to international students. In terms of funding, I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to give me a weekly allowance that enabled me to live my day-to-day life. However, since I am studying engineering and playing cricket, I was also able to find jobs that allowed me to make money over the summertime. As long as you work within your visa restrictions, there is a lot of opportunity to find jobs etc. The university experience has been really amazing and I have been able to learn really cool things, both within the university and through daily life. While my course is very challenging, I have learnt some amazing things and could not be more grateful to be learning high-quality, practical knowledge that can be applied in the real world. New Zealand in general is a beautiful place with amazing people and beautiful views, you cannot say too much bad about this country.
Likes (Safety): Christchurch and New Zealand in general is a very safe city and country. The people are very nice and helpful. Although there are crimes like stealing from cars, as I have experienced, it is very easy to navigate through life and I have rarely had trouble trying to fit in within the community. Especially when joining the university, I felt that everyone was extremely supportive and always looking to make new friends. Therefore, the overall UC community is amazing.
Dislikes (Value for money): New Zealand in general is an expensive place to live. And, with international student feels, it makes it extremely expensive. While I have been fortunate enough that my parents can support me through my undergraduate study, a lot of students would not have the same luxury. It seems quite unjustifiable that as an international student, you pay more than 5x the price for the same courses and resources that a local student would get. I had already been in New Zealand for 2 years before joining the university and had a good network of friends already. Therefore, I did not need support as an international student as I am sure international students need.
Reviewed on 19 Nov 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Business Information Systems - Batch of 2025
4.8
Practically oriented in every perspective.
Tips: The enrollment process at the University of Canterbury was easy. For the initial days, it was obvious I felt cultural differences but after getting used to it, it felt like a home away from home. I was awarded a Dean's Award scholarship. I had a good academic score in my Bachelor and previous work experience helped in get the scholarship which was around 5000 NZD. I am fully satisfied with my university, course and the country - New Zealand.
Likes (Public transportation): The public transportation in Christchurch is excellent. It is well connected to the campus, and even towns 40-50 km from Christchurch are connected with good frequency of timings. The bus is the primary mode of transportation, and fares are subsidized for students at a rate of 1 NZD.
Dislikes (Part time work): There are some jobs on campus like Tutor, Research Assistant, and part-time in some cafes around the campus. Talking about Off-campus jobs there are plenty of them but you must have relevant work experience to easily get those. Academics are easily manageable with the job. Most of the jobs pay the minimum wage in New Zealand which is around 23 NZD.
Reviewed on 19 Oct 2024Read more
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S
Sneha Sunil Verified Icon
Master of Engineering (Transportation Engineering) - Batch of 2024
3.1
University of Canterbury has highly knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate faculty.
Tips: The University of Canterbury offers a high standard of education. Students should be aware that the coursework is not easy and requires a high level of independent learning, critical thinking, and practical applications. The education system here is very different from what I experienced in my previous institution. I was awarded the New Zealand Excellence Award Scholarship, which covered my tuition and living expenses. The application process was straightforward which involved submitting an academic record, a statement of purpose, and reference letters and the scholarship provided a stipend of NZD 10,000. I am very satisfied with my choice of university, and I would highly recommend it to any student who is seeking a world-class education in a safe and beautiful country. It is safe, scenic, and offers a good quality of life.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The faculty at the University of Canterbury are highly knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about their areas of expertise. They are very accessible and approachable and maintain open-door policies during office hours. They are also very responsive to emails. In terms of teaching methodology, they emphasize real-world case studies and group projects, and there is a strong focus on advanced software tools. The teaching faculty is also diverse in terms of nationality.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Authentic food options from my country of origin are quite limited here. Most restaurants close by 7 or 8 pm, and there are only a few fast food restaurants like KFC and McDonalds that are open after 8 pm. Casual dining restaurants range from NZD 15 to 25 per meal, while fine dining options can go upwards of NZD 40 to 50. I prefer to cook for myself, as it's more economical and allows me to prepare meals closer to my taste preference. It's also a healthier and more fulfilling option compared to eating out regularly. However, I occasionally enjoy dining out to explore different cuisines or socialize with friends.
Reviewed on 23 Jan 2025Read more
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S
Shivam kumar Verified Icon
Master of Business - Batch of 2025
4.5
Learning with fun, and interaction with different communities and people.
Tips: Don't think! Just come to the University of Canterbury. It's the best university. The university provides everything here. All the faculty are here to guide us from scratch. The university has different departments for students to help. The university is very active in terms of hosting events and helping students.
Likes (Indian Food): Hygiene is followed. Quality of food is delivered. Here maximum options are non-vegetarian, but I am a vegetarian. So, I don't eat much from the outside restaurants. I am an Indian and close to my accommodation. There is an Indian restaurant where I go to and enjoy my meal fortnightly. The price is not expensive because if one is earning then he/she can afford eating outside. I prefer to cook by myself and enjoy my meal.
Dislikes (Value for money): It's expensive as compared to other universities. But the fees is justified as we can see that the course offers 180 credits towards our degree, which is good. The professors are very supportive. They are always there to help and encourage us to do good. My overall experience has been the best here.
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Applied Data Science - Batch of 2019
4.2
Great university and great exposure to learn and grow.
Tips: I was concerned about the transition from India to New Zealand, but it wasn't that tough. The university and students made me feel very welcome and helped me get into the system. I applied for a scholarship and secured it, which was very helpful. Students should firmly keep an eye on scholarships as they would be reflected in the mark sheet and would be helpful in future job placements.
Likes (Permanent Immigration): I got permanent residency in New Zealand after completing my course and getting a job there. I love the culture and the country. It is peaceful and accepting. If you have the opportunity to settle in New Zealand, you should definitely try it.
Dislikes (Public transportation): I gave public transportation a low rating because bus service can be quite limited, especially late at night and on weekends. However, bus fares are very reasonable, and using a combination of public transportation and bicycles can make travel time faster.
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2024Read more
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V
Vishnupriya Vayyatt Verified Icon
Master of Architectural Engineering - Batch of 2024
3.4
University of Canterbury provides many on campus events for students.
Tips: It is hard to get a job in my field because there are not a lot of job opportunities available. Also, there are students from different countries, so there will be some culture shock. There are no scholarships available for my course. The people are kind and welcoming, especially if you respect their culture. The elderly are friendly and open to having warm conversations. Christchurch is a quiet and peaceful place, and the people enjoy that kind of life. I feel safe on and off campus, and most of the campus is open to students so they can study whenever they want. Overall, I am satisfied with the campus, the country, and the university.
Dislikes (Internships): Unfortunately, internships are not part of the curriculum here like they are in India. This makes it challenging to gain hands-on experience, especially since most employers require knowledge of New Zealand laws and standards. In India, internships are available at any firm, but here most internships are through agencies and students have to pay for them.
Reviewed on 23 Jan 2025Read more
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University of Canterbury Admission FAQs

Q:   What are the eligibility requirements for University of Canterbury?

A: 

The minimum programme-wise eligibility criteria that international applicants need to meet before applying to the University of Canterbury are given below:

Undergraduate Eligibility

Basic Education (either of):

  • Grade 12 in relevant discipline with an overall 75% aggregate with a minimum of 60% in English in the All India Senior School Certificate or India School Certificate (ISC)
  • Grade 12 in relevant discipline with an overall 80% aggregate with a minimum of 65% in English from Indian State Board of Higher Education

English Proficiency:

International students from non-English-speaking countries need to provide either of the following scores to prove their suitability to study in an undergraduate programme at UC:

Tests

Minimum Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall 6.0 bands with a minimum band of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

TOEFL iBT

Minimum overall 80 with at least 19 in Reading, Writing, and Listening (TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted by UC)

TOEFL PBT

Minimum 550 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5

CCEL EAP

Level 2 with a minimum of C+ grade

CAE or CPE

Overall 169 with a minimum of 162 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

PTE Academic

Overall 50 with no Communicative skills score below 42

NZCEL

Level 4 – Academic endorsement

FluentIQ

Overall 8/10 with no less than 7 in every category

LanguageCert

B2 Communicator High Pass, with no individual score below Pass

NZAPA

English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 2 (with no skill lower than Level 1)

Graduate Eligibility

Basic Education (programme-based):

  • Taught programme: A bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area (qualification equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade comparable to a B grade (70% aggregate) at UC and in a relevant subject area
  • Research programme: A bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject area (qualification equivalent to a New Zealand university bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade comparable to a B+ grade (75% aggregate)

English Proficiency (either of):

Tests

Minimum Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall 6.5 bands with a minimum band of 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

TOEFL iBT

Minimum overall 90 with at least 19 in Reading, Writing, and Listening (TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted by UC)

TOEFL PBT

Minimum 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5

CCEL EAP

Level 2 with a minimum of B+ grade

CAE or CPE

Overall 176 with a minimum of 169 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

PTE Academic

Overall 58 with no Communicative skills score below 50

NZCEL

Level 5

FluentIQ

Overall 8/10 with no less than 7 in every category

LanguageCert

C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with High Pass and no less than Pass in each skill or C2 Mastery IESOL (LRWS) with Pass and no less than Pass in each skill

NZAPA

English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2)

MBA Eligibility

Mandatory Qualification (a combination of):

  • Basic education: A bachelor's degree or Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration with good scores
  • Work experience: A minimum of five years

English Proficiency (either of):

Tests

Minimum Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall score of 7.0 bands with a minimum band of 6.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

TOEFL iBT

Minimum overall 100, with at least 23 in Reading, Writing, and Listening (TOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted by UC)

TOEFL PBT

Minimum 575 and TWE with a minimum score of 4.5

CCEL EAP

Level 2 with a minimum of A grade

CAE or CPE

Overall 176 with a minimum of 169 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

PTE Academic

Overall 65 with no Communicative skills score below 58

PhD Eligibility

Basic Education (a combination of):

  • A qualification equivalent to a New Zealand university
  • Bachelors and master’s programme in the same discipline
  • Awarded in First or Second Class (division one) Honours
  • Strong research focus in the form of a t
qna

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About the author

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Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen is a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for Shiksha. When he is not writing and helping students, he can be found at the movies, reading fiction, and learning a new language.
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UC
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University CityChristchurch, Other - New Zealand, New Zealand
Size of cityMedium
Population of City3,81,500

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Address

Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140

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