Before you arrive
Moving to a new country is exciting but can feel overwhelming. We're here to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Join our live virtual sessions in January or June to get essential information about studying at UC and tips for settling in before flying to NZ to commence your studies. You鈥檒l have the chance to meet other new international students and ask questions directly to our team.
You鈥檒l receive an invitation to these sessions via email once you鈥檝e accepted your Offer of Place. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at iro@canterbury.ac.nz.听
Our self-paced online course covers everything you need to know before you arrive 鈥 from travel tips to understanding New Zealand鈥檚 culture, academic system, and campus life. You can access it anytime, anywhere.
Here are steps of accessing the course:听
Step 1: Go to 听
Step 2: Click 鈥楥reate new account鈥櫶
Step 3: Log in with your account (note 鈥 you do not need a UC student email address for this)听
Step 4: Find 鈥楿C International: Pre-Departure Online Course鈥 under the orientation section and self-enrol.
The first few weeks after you arrive
We provide a range of activities and programmes to help you settle in, become familiar with campus life, and make connections. We鈥檒l also share invites to join our social media chat groups to stay informed and connected with others in your cohort.听
Kickstart your journey with our International Welcome! 听You'll meet fellow students, key support staff, and discover the many opportunities available to you at UC. Information about the next International Welcome 听and registration information is here.
While we strongly recommend you attend International Welcome, if you cannot make it we also offer orientation sessions for late arrivals. Simply email us at iro@canterbury.ac.nz for more details.
Our two-week Transition Programme run at the start of each new semester provides useful information on topics that matter to you as a new international student. We invite both internal and external speakers to share their insights and experiences. Topics include:
Learning platforms and assistive technology at UC,听
Your rights as a student,听
Academic success tips,
An introduction to Te Reo and Teo Ao M膩ori (New Zealand鈥檚 indigenous language and culture),听
Wellbeing tips and staying safe,听
Career navigation advice,
Social pizza night.听
It鈥檚 also a fantastic opportunity to meet other new students and start building your own community at UC. The Transition Programme timetable will be uploaded onto the Pre-Departure Online Course close to the start of each semester, so you can book the sessions in your calendar.
Need help or have questions? Visit us at the International Desk, located on Level 3 of Puaka-James Hight (the central UC library building). We鈥檙e available for drop-ins anytime between 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. We鈥檙e here to support you 鈥 come and say hi!听
During your studies
While you鈥檙e studying at UC, we offer plenty of opportunities for you to stay informed, make friends, build local experience, explore and understand what makes Aotearoa New Zealand unique. You can find all upcoming events .
We organise a variety of social and cultural events to help you make personal and professional connections and create unforgettable memories.听
Regular activities include weekly 鈥楥ake and Chat鈥 sessions (a great chance to practice conversational English), day trips including a visit to a local marae (traditional M膩ori meeting house), as well as dedicated postgraduate and undergraduate events.
We invite guest speakers to campus to introduce local services and volunteering opportunities in the Christchurch community. You鈥檒l also hear from international alumni who are now working in Christchurch, as they share their personal experience and valuable tips for job hunting and career development.听
This programme brings international and domestic students together to develop their leadership and intercultural competence.听
Participants receive training, one-on-one coaching sessions, and opportunities to lead and serve through student-led initiatives. Applications open in March each year, and the programme runs from April to October. Contact Dr Mengping Cheng to find out more.听
International Student Experience
Te P膩taka
Level 3 - International hub - Puaka James Hight Library
From 9:30 am to 4:45pm (Monday to Friday)
