🌄University of Canterbury

Christchurch, New Zealand

QS World 2026 · #261

New Zealand's leading Engineering university, based in the South Island's largest city.

About Canterbury

Canterbury's College of Engineering is New Zealand's largest and most established, producing more engineering graduates than any other New Zealand university. Christchurch's location gives direct access to the South Island's mountains and outdoor recreation, alongside a rebuilt, modern city centre following the 2011 earthquake.

Why students choose it

  • New Zealand's largest and most established Engineering programme
  • Direct access to the South Island's mountains and outdoor recreation
  • Based in a rebuilt, modern Christchurch

🎓 Free application support for Canterbury

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Canterbury — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 32

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

NZ$35,000–NZ$45,000/yr

high tier for New Zealand — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

English

Campus

campus campus, Christchurch

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Canterbury's financial aid office.

New Zealand universities commonly offer international excellence scholarships tied to entry grades, alongside a small number of government-funded scholarships mostly aimed at postgraduate or partner-country applicants.

  • University international excellence scholarships: Offered by most of the eight universities (e.g. Auckland, Otago) — merit-based, for strong A-Level/IB/IGCSE-pathway results, usually a fixed award rather than a full-ride.
  • New Zealand Scholarships (government): Mostly postgraduate or restricted to specific partner countries under bilateral agreements — check eligibility carefully before assuming it applies.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Civil Engineering

⏱️ Typical duration: Often 4 years rather than the country's standard Bachelor's length, especially where the programme includes an integrated Master's (e.g. UK MEng) or an industry placement year

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics + Physics

Forestry

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for New Zealand — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2)
Typical deadline
Early December for the February intake

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

See where Canterbury ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder to see whether Canterbury is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other New Zealand university that matches.

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More New Zealand universities

Canterbury FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Canterbury as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Canterbury?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Canterbury expects around AAB at A Level or 32 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Canterbury's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Canterbury's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Canterbury cost for international students?

International tuition at Canterbury typically falls in the NZ$35,000–NZ$45,000/yr range (high tier for New Zealand). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Canterbury's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Canterbury?

Canterbury follows New Zealand's typical intake calendar: February (Semester 1), July (Semester 2), with applications generally due early december for the february intake. Always verify the exact date on Canterbury's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Canterbury?

New Zealand universities, including Canterbury, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0). Most universities waive this requirement if you've completed 2+ years of English-medium schooling (e.g. IGCSE / A Level / IB) — always confirm the specific university's waiver policy before booking a test.

What is Canterbury known for?

New Zealand's leading Engineering university, based in the South Island's largest city. Canterbury's College of Engineering is New Zealand's largest and most established, producing more engineering graduates than any other New Zealand university. Christchurch's location gives direct access to the South Island's mountains and outdoor recreation, alongside a rebuilt, modern city centre following the 2011 earthquake.

Can I apply to Canterbury with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Canterbury accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free New Zealand University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Canterbury and every other New Zealand university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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