University of Canterbury for International Students: Fees, Entry and Intakes
TL;DR: The University of Canterbury for international students is a Christchurch university ranked 261st in the QS World University Rankings 2026, known for engineering, with intakes in February and July. International applications for the February intake close on 1 December 2026. Most undergraduate courses need IELTS 6.0, and master's courses need 6.5. Prosper can apply to the University of Canterbury for you.
If you want a New Zealand degree in a city that costs less than Auckland, the University of Canterbury (UC) belongs on your shortlist. The February deadline is close, so check your eligibility with Prosper now rather than in late November.
Is the University of Canterbury good for international students?
Yes. The University of Canterbury teaches on the Ilam campus in Christchurch, a purpose-built 76-hectare site. In 2025 it enrolled 27,121 students, of whom 1,502 were international, so you get a large university without being lost in a crowd of other international students.
- Rankings: 261st in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and 257th in the 2027 edition, with a five-star QS rating.
- Subject strengths: Civil and Structural Engineering is in the QS top 100 and Geography in the top 50 by subject.
- Faculties: Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Health, Law and Science. UC Business School holds "Triple Crown" accreditation.
- Cost of living: UC's 2027 prospectus says Christchurch rents are about 12% cheaper than Auckland.
University of Canterbury entry requirements
- Undergraduate: UC assesses international school qualifications country by country through its online checker. If your results are below direct entry, the UC International College (UCIC) offers a foundation certificate and a Diploma in University Studies that counts as Year 1 and leads into Year 2 of a UC bachelor's.
- Postgraduate: master's entry depends on your bachelor's grades. The Master of Applied Data Science, for example, needs a B grade point average in final-year bachelor's courses. UC says some master's programmes now accept a B-, and students with a C+ may be considered for a postgraduate certificate pathway.
- Pre-master's: UCIC also runs one- and two-semester pre-master's programmes for graduates who need extra preparation.
For how New Zealand universities read overseas grades in general, see our guide to New Zealand university entry requirements.
English language requirements at UC
| Test | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50 overall, no skill below 42 | 58 overall |
| Duolingo English Test | UCIC programmes only (95, no part below 80) | Not listed |
Duolingo is accepted only for UCIC foundation and diploma study, so plan on IELTS or PTE for direct entry to UC.
University of Canterbury tuition fees
UC publishes international fees in New Zealand dollars, per 120 points (one full-time year) for bachelor's degrees and as a fixed fee for many master's degrees.
| Programme | 2026 fee | 2027 fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Commerce (per year) | NZ$37,920 | NZ$39,590 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, Year 1 | NZ$47,450 | NZ$49,540 |
| Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, Years 2 to 4 (per year) | NZ$51,900 | NZ$54,180 |
| Master of Applied Data Science, Master of Engineering Management or Master of Business Information Systems (whole programme, 180 points) | NZ$56,850 | NZ$59,400 |
These fees exclude the Student Services Levy and insurance. For a comparison across New Zealand, read our New Zealand tuition fees guide, and if engineering is your field, see our Master of Engineering in New Zealand guide.
Scholarships at the University of Canterbury
- UC Deans Award: NZ$4,000 for undergraduate and NZ$8,000 for postgraduate students. You are assessed automatically with your offer and must accept within two weeks.
- UC International First Year Scholarship: NZ$15,000 for one year, with seven awards a year. Rounds close on 15 April and 31 October, and you must have applied for admission by the closing date. The October round has closed, so the next chance is the April round.
Intakes and deadlines
| Intake | Lectures start | International applications close |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (February) | 22 February 2027 | 1 December 2026 |
| Semester 2 (July) | 19 July 2027 | 1 May 2027 |
Some programmes close earlier, so check your course page. After you accept an offer, you will apply for a Fee Paying Student Visa. Immigration New Zealand asks you to show NZ$20,000 a year for living costs, and student visa holders can work up to 25 hours a week during study and full time in scheduled holidays. Our New Zealand student visa requirements guide lists the documents.
After you graduate
A master's degree from UC can lead to a three-year Post Study Work Visa, and a postgraduate diploma to a one-year visa. From 16 November 2026, Level 7 graduate diplomas also qualify for a one-year visa if you already hold a bachelor's degree and studied full time in New Zealand. Each qualification needs at least 30 weeks of full-time study, and you can hold only one Post Study Work Visa. The details are in our New Zealand post-study work visa guide.
Applying from Sri Lanka
- A/L results: the UC International College fact sheet for Sri Lanka says Sri Lankan A/Ls with a minimum grade of C give entry to the Diploma in University Studies, which leads to Year 2 at UC. For direct entry to Year 1, UC assesses your results through its online checker.
- UCIC intakes and fees: UCIC lists intakes on 15 February, 14 June and 11 October, with an entry IELTS of 5.5 (no band below 5.0). Its Sri Lanka sheet gives NZ$28,842 for the foundation certificate and NZ$37,691 to NZ$47,120 for the diploma, depending on the stream.
- Visa documents: depending on the length of your course, a New Zealand student visa may need a police certificate from Sri Lanka. Our guide to the New Zealand student visa police certificate explains how to get one.
- Timing: with the 1 December 2026 deadline, send your application and certified documents in November so UC can issue an offer in time for the visa.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does the University of Canterbury need?
The University of Canterbury asks for IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for undergraduate study, and 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for postgraduate study.
When is the University of Canterbury February intake deadline?
International applications for Semester 1 at the University of Canterbury close on 1 December 2026, and lectures start on 22 February 2027. Some programmes close earlier.
How much are University of Canterbury fees for international students?
University of Canterbury fees for 2027 include NZ$39,590 a year for the Bachelor of Commerce and NZ$59,400 for the whole Master of Applied Data Science. Fees exclude the student services levy and insurance.
Does the University of Canterbury accept the Duolingo English Test?
The University of Canterbury accepts the Duolingo English Test only for UC International College foundation and diploma programmes, with a score of 95 and no part below 80.
Is the University of Canterbury in the UK?
No. The University of Canterbury is in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is a different institution from Canterbury Christ Church University in England.
PS: The 1 December 2026 deadline leaves only a few weeks to secure a February start at UC. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will tell you whether direct entry or the UCIC route fits your results.
References
- International prospectus, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/content/dam/uoc-main-site/documents/pdfs/c-brochures/international-prospectus-uc.pdf.coredownload.pdf (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Quick facts, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/why-uc/quick-facts (accessed 05/11/2026)
- UC holds its top 300 spot in QS World Rankings, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news-and-events/news/2025/uc-holds-its-top-300-spot-in-qs-world-rankings- (accessed 05/11/2026)
- QS World University Rankings, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/why-uc/our-rankings/qs-world-university-rankings (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Key university dates, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/study-support-info/dates-and-timetables/key-university-dates (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Enrolment dates, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/study-support-info/dates-and-timetables/enrolment-dates (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Overseas qualifications, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/admission-and-enrolment/admission-pathways/overseas-qualification (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Master of Applied Data Science, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/academic-study/qualifications/master-of-applied-data-science (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Need to know for international students, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/getting-started-for-international-students/agent-toolkit/need-to-know- (accessed 05/11/2026)
- English language requirements, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/admission-and-enrolment/enrolment-topics/english-language-proficiency/english-language-requirements (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International tuition fees: bachelor's, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/study-and-living-costs/study-costs/international-tuition-fees/bachelors (accessed 05/11/2026)
- International tuition fees: master's, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/getting-started/study-and-living-costs/study-costs/international-tuition-fees/masters (accessed 05/11/2026)
- UC International First Year Scholarship regulations, University of Canterbury, https://scholarshipsforms.canterbury.ac.nz/regulations/UC_International_First_Year_Scholarship_(Offshore).pdf (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Pathways for international students, University of Canterbury, https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/other-study-options/transition-programmes/pathways-for-international-students (accessed 05/11/2026)
- UCIC fact sheet for Sri Lanka, UC International College, https://www.ucic.ac.nz/wp-content/uploads/fact-sheets-master-sl.pdf (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Fee Paying Student Visa, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/fee-paying-student-visa/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
- Post-Study Work Visa eligibility extended from 16 November 2026, Immigration New Zealand, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/post-study-work-visa-eligibility-extended-from-16-november-2026/ (accessed 05/11/2026)
