University of Canterbury
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University of Canterbury: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#339 in World

#5 in New Zealand

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 30 Jun '26

University of Canterbury
What's new?

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  • For University of Canterbury international students, the application deadline for Sem 1 (2027) is Dec 1, 2026

About the University of Canterbury

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Year of establishment
1873
Also known as
UC
University website
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Student website
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No. of campus
1
Accepted exams
UG/PG course ratio
1.64
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   How good is the University of Canterbury?
A: 

Canterbury Uni has been ranked among the Top 300 Universities in the world in 2026. Also, many scientists, journalists, prime ministers, etc. have studied at the Uni of Canterbury. These famous personalities are Beatrice Tinsley, Rita Angus, Elsie Locke, Karl Popper, etc. Also, this university's students rated the teaching quality at 93% in 2024. 

Q:   What is Canterbury University known for?
A: 

Canterbury Uni ranks among the Top 2% of the universities in the world. Famous for its high-quality courses, state-of-the-art facilities, and research led teaching, Canterbury Uni ranks among the world's Top 300 Universities for 2026. The Uni of Canterbury is the second-the oldest university in New Zealand. 

Q:   How hard is it to get into the University of Canterbury?
A: 

The University of Canterbury acceptance rate is around 50%. This acceptance rate mentions that the Uni of Canterbury is somewhat selective. For UG courses of Canterbury's Uni, students are required to have high school / secondary qualifications. A Bachelor's degree is required for admission to the Uni of Canterbury's Graduate courses. 

University of Canterbury Ranking 2026

#339

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#5

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   What is the University of Canterbury's ranking?
A: 

The University of Canterbury is a top-ranking university in New Zealand as well as on a global level and its world rankings are listed below:

  • #257 in World University Rankings 2027 - QS World University Rankings
  • #601 in World University Rankings 2026 - Times Higher Education (THE)
  • #542 in Best Global Universities 2025-26 - US News and World Report Rankings
Q:   Where does the University of Canterbury ranked in the QS rankings?
A: 

In the 2027 global rankings, the University of Canterbury QS ranking is #257. A few of the QS subject rankings for Canterbury University are Geography are #51-100, Civil and Structural Engineering at #101-150, Law and Legal Studies at #151-200

*QS is yet to publish the subject rankings data for University of Canterbury courses for the year 2027. The above subject rankings are of 2026.

Q:   What rank is the University of Canterbury?
A: 

The University of Canterbury ranking is #257 in the 2027 QS rankings. In the Times Higher Education rankings, this university ranks at #601-800 in 2026. A few of the subject rankings of this university are-

  • Geography: #49
  • Civil and Structural Engineering: #51-100
  • Law and Legal Studies: #151-200
  • Agriculture and Forestry: #151-200

University of Canterbury Admission Process 2026

  • Application fees :No Fees
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNot required
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   Does the University of Canterbury conduct interviews for admissions?
A: 

Yes, the University of Canterbury requires students to attend a formal interview during admissions, before the decisions are taken. Applicants might also be asked to appear for a writing test at UC, for admission into certain courses. The international students applying to the University of Canterbury can attend the interview online, either through Skype or telephone at a pre-arranged time. The deadline for the interview process should be checked too. However, UC does accept late applications. Candidates can expect the interview to be conducted by Early-November.

Q:   How can I apply to the University of Canterbury?
A: 

At the University of Canterbury, students are required to download an application form, fill in the accurate details and submit it in order to apply to the university. While applying to the university, the students do not have to pay any money as UC does not charge any application fee. Listed below are UC's application requirements that students must fulfill while applying:

  • A submission outlining the candidate's career to date, why they wish to be pursue the particular course of choice and the steps taken to investigate it as a career, including samples of work published or broadcast if available;
  • Certified copy of academic records; and
  • Current CV/Resume.

The University of Canterbury also conducts interviews as a part of the application process.

Note: If the candidate wishes to have the material submitted with their application returned, then they must provide a suitably sized, stamped, addressed envelope.

Q:   What are the English language requirements for admission to Canterbury University?
A: 

International students seeking admission to the University of Canterbury NZ are required to attain the following scores:

Tests

UG

Graduate Diploma & PG Courses

IELTS

Overall 6.0

Overall 6.5

TOEFL

80 overall

90 overall

PTE

50 overall

58 overall

Q:   How can I get into Uni of Canterbury MSc in AI course?
A: 

Students who want to study Canterbury Uni MSc in AI course must have a UG degree in a subject related to Computer Science with a B grade average. Also, Students have to submit an English language proficiency score of TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo, etc. 







University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury Scholarships for Indian Students

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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships
Q:   What are UC International First-Year scholarships?
A: 

The University of Canterbury offers international first-year Undergraduate scholarships to top-achieving international students. These are:

  • First-Year Undergraduate Scholarship: NZD 15,000 (Around INR 7.23 lakh)
  • UC Engineering International Scholarship: NZD 15,000
Q:   What is UC Dean's Award for international students?
A: 

UC Dean's Award is for international students of this university (for all levels). The scholarship remains open throughout. The tenure of this scholarship is 1 year. It is available for UG, PG, Master's courses. Students must be enrolled in the first year of the course at this university. 

University of Canterbury Popular Courses

MS
MBA/PGDM
MEng
PG Diploma
More

₹28.92 LGet Fee Details

₹33.95 LGet Fee Details

₹25.06 LGet Fee Details

₹23.25 LGet Fee Details

₹33.05 LGet Fee Details

View AllMS Courses

University of Canterbury
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.3/5
Verified Icon10 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 80% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Friendly
Academically oriented
Fun loving
Multi-dimensional
Internships4
Part time work4.1
Post study jobs3.6
Quality of faculty4.6
Student Life4.6
Value for money4.1
Public transportation4.4
Safety5
Indian Food4.2
Permanent Immigration4.2
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.
Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 2500
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryNZD 70000
Reviewed on 23 Jan 2025Read more
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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.
Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 2200
Prepping time for classes50 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryNZD
Reviewed on 19 Nov 2024Read 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.
Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 1000
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryNZD 70000
Reviewed on 16 Oct 2024Read more
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D
Danish Khursheed Jahangir Verified Icon
- Batch of 2023
3.6
A pretty good university with very limited opportunities due to recession.
Tips: There is quite a bit of adjustment when comparing the education system from back in India. In India, as long as we get good marks at the end of the year exams, we get a good overall mark on our report cards. However, here you have to work hard and get good grades in each and every assignment because the amount of weight they carry in your final grades is a lot.
Likes (Safety): The city is pretty safe as I haven't heard much violence against anyone. There is little racism, if any at all, against other ethnicities. There is not any bad experience in particular that I have in the city that I could share. The people here are quite friendly as well which is also good. However, from what I have heard from friends, there is a bit of exploitation done when someone is sponsoring your residence visa if they are your workplace as well. However, the owners in those cases are also mostly Indians.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Not many companies offer sponsor visas as far as I know. The main reason for my rating of 2 is that the current job market is not very good. The country is in recession and there is an acute shortage of jobs available in a lot of the fields. Quite a lot of the students need to move to cities or even countries to find a good job. The wages/cost of living ratio is also not great for it to be considered a good option to work.
Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 8500
Prepping time for classes40 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryNZD
Reviewed on 21 Jun 2024Read more
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S
Safee Bin Saimon Verified Icon
- Batch of 2021
5.0
I feel this is the best University to upskill career.
Tips: I recommend students to start the process of application early so that they will get the acceptance offer soon from this University. And I also suggest to take the advantage of campus accommodation which is somewhat cheap and you will not face any hassle when you eventually come here.
Total Monthly ExpenseNZD 851
Prepping time for classes17 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryNZD
Reviewed on 13 Dec 2022Read more
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University of Canterbury Job Outcomes

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   Can I work while studying in the University of Canterbury?
A: 

The Uni of Canterbury allows all international studnents with a visa to work while studying in the university. Students are allowed to work no more than 20 hours a week as per the time part-time work regulations in New Zealand. However, students are allowed to work for longer hours during holidays and summer breaks.

 

Q:   What is the placement rate for Uni of Canterbury NZ graduates?
A: 

As per the latest 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey, 92% of Uni of Canterbury NZ graduates found jobs. In 20+ countries, the graduates work. The average salary is NZD 50,001 – NZD 70,000 in a year (Around INR 24 L – INR 34.2 L) for half of the university's graduates and 31% earned NZD 70,001 (Around INR 34 lakh) and more. A few of the top recruiters of this university's graduates are EY, Deloitte, Fonterra, ANZ, etc.







University of Canterbury Cost for Indian Students

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(20 courses)
INR 21 L - 48 LGet Fee Details
Duration12 months-3 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 58 - 90, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
MBA/PGDM(5 courses)
INR 19 L - 33 LGet Fee Details
Duration12-18 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 58 - 90, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
MEng(13 courses)
INR 13 L - 36 LGet Fee Details
Duration12-48 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 58 - 90, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
PG Diploma(27 courses)
INR 11 L - 23 LGet Fee Details
Duration10 months-3 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 - 7, TOEFL: 50 - 90, PTE: 58 - 65, Duolingo: 120 & Above
B.A.(30 courses)
INR 16 L - 20 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 50 - 90, PTE: 50 - 58, Duolingo: 105 - 120
MIM(4 courses)
INR 19 L - 31 LGet Fee Details
Duration12-18 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 58 - 90, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
B.Sc.(20 courses)
INR 16 L - 24 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 50 - 80, PTE: 50 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above
B.E. / B.Tech(14 courses)
INR 19 L - 27 LGet Fee Details
Duration3-4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 50 - 80, PTE: 50 & Above, Duolingo: 105 - 120
Others PG(7 courses)
INR 18 L - 27 LGet Fee Details
Duration12-48 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 58 - 98, PTE: 58 - 65, Duolingo: 120 & Above
M.A.(13 courses)
INR 18 L - 36 LGet Fee Details
Duration12 months-2 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 - 7, TOEFL: 58 - 90, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above
Read more
View Course Wise Fees ->
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   How much does it cost to go to the University of Canterbury?
A: 

The annual tuition fee at Canterbury Uni is between INR 11 L - INR 47 L. The weekly cost of living at Canterbury Uni can be around NZD 525. Check the course-wise tuition fees for the Uni of Canterbury from the table given below-

CourseTuitionHostel
MS
INR 20.8 L - 47.1 L
INR 4.9 L - 5.23 L
MBA/PGDM
INR 18.2 L - 32.68 L
INR 4.9 L - 5.23 L
MEng
INR 12.48 L - 35.09 L
INR 4.9 L - 8.31 L
PG Diploma
INR 10.71 L - 21.94 L
INR 4.9 L - 8.31 L
M.A.
INR 17.16 L - 33.55 L
INR 4.9 L - 6.9 L
MIM
INR 18.2 L - 29.48 L
INR 4.9 L - 5.23 L
MEM
INR 18.4 L - 22.8 L
INR 4.9 L - 5.23 L
MEM
INR 18.92 L
INR 6.11 L
Others PG
INR 17.16 L - 26.51 L
INR 5.23 L







University of Canterbury Notable Alumni

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Commonly asked questions
On Alumni
Q:   Which famous people went to the University of Canterbury?
A: 

Famous personalities who have studied at the Uni of Canterbury are:

  • Sam Neill (Actor)
  • Rhys Darby  (Comedian and Actor)
  • Roy Kerr (Mathematician)
  • Michael Cullen (Politician)
  • Alan Gibbs  (Businessman)
  • Megan Woods (Politician)

College comparison

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Compare University of Canterbury with other similar colleges

MS
MBA/PGDM
MEng
PG Diploma
B.A.
MIM
B.Sc.
B.E. / B.Tech
Others PG
M.A.
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 21.29 L - 48.22 L#257 QS, 2027
INR 18.43 L - 38.56 L#241 QS, 2027
INR 19.11 L - 36.67 L#293 QS, 2027
INR 18.4 L - 29.25 L#198 QS, 2027
INR 18.31 L - 34.36 L#431 QS, 2027
INR 17.2 L - 43.44 L#215 QS, 2027
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisons
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University of Canterbury
Studying in New Zealand

Key Facts About New Zealand

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in New Zealand
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71+
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7.3K
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20 Hours per week
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3 Years
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Wellington
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5.25M (2025)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
1%
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English
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July
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Auckland814
Wellington00
Hamilton814
Christchurch111
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University of Canterbury Campus

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Commonly asked questions
On Others
Q:   What is the University of Canterbury's cost of living?
A: 

Spanning 190 acres, the Uni of Canterbury's campus has of 10 residence halls on the campus. Also, there are about 15 bars, eateries and cafes within the campus. Listed below is the breakdown of the Uni of Canterbury's cost of living

ParticularsWeekly Cost in NZDWeekly Cost in INR
Accommodation

$166-$306 (self-catered)

$431-$645 (fully-catered)

INR 13K to 25K

Mobile$5INR 416.14
Food$194INR 16K
Liability Insurance$10INR 832.29
Books & Stationary$750INR 62K

 

Q:   How many campuses does the University of Canterbury have?
A: 

There is one main campus of the University of Canterbury, Illam campus. But the university has campuses at other locations too, Arts Centre, Dovedale Campus, Nelson Campus, and field stations. Ilam campus of this university is spread across 76 hectares. 

  • The RecCentre at the campus is the primary fitness facility of Canterbury University 
  • There are 15 cafes, bars and eateries are there on campus
qna

Comments

qna

University of Canterbury

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 6 days ago

Yes, UC San Diego is quite expensive, although the total annual cost of attendance depends heavily on residency and housing choice

For International UG students, the total costs range between USD 78,000 and USD 80,000 (INR 74.3L and INR 76.24L).

The base UCSD tuition fee is USD 16K to 19K (INR 15.2L

...Read more

B

Bhumika Vimal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

UC Santa Cruz UG Dean's Award is a merit based scholarship. The students are considered automatically for this scholarship. The award amount is USD 12,000 - USD 100,000 paid evenly for 4 years. Holistic review is done for this scholarship, giving priority to the academic record. 

H

Himanshi Shekhar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The alumni network at UC Santa Cruz include 145,000+ graduates worldwide. A few of the people who have studied at UCSC are-

  • Andy Samberg- Comedian, Writer, Famous Actor (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)
  • Maya Rudolph- Actress and Comedian
  • Rebecca Romijn- Actress and Former Model
  • Tom Franco- Actor
  • Bell Hooks- Popular A

...Read more

I

Ishita Singh

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Some of the top recruiters of UC Santa Cruz graduates, as per the details mentioned in First Destination Survey are-

  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Apple
  • Microsoft
  • KPMG
  • General Motors
  • Tesla

N

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

At UC Santa Cruz, 70+ UG majors are available. Whereas, at the PG level, around 66 courses are available. Study areas that are available are-

  • Arts
  • Social Sciences
  • Humanities
  • Sciences
  • Engineering

N

Nishtha Singh

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Akash Gaur

Study Abroad Expert

Akash Gaur, a BTech grad from Ghaziabad, is working as a Content Writer at Shiksha.com. In his role as a Study Abroad expert, Akash takes care of key pages for colleges and universities abroad. He creates, updates, and maintains p... Read Full Bio

University of Canterbury

University of Canterbury Others(1)Building
University of Canterbury Others(2)UC International College
University of Canterbury Others(3)College of Business and Law
University of Canterbury Others(1)
University of Canterbury Others(2)

University of Canterbury
Location

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University CityChristchurch, Other - New Zealand, New Zealand
Size of cityMedium
Population of City3,81,500

University of Canterbury
Campuses

Departments Icon1   Campuses
Ilam campusUp Arrow Icon
Address

Private Bag 4800 Christchurch 8140

Visit official site External Link Icon

University of Canterbury
Contact Information

Address

Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140

Christchurch ( Other - New Zealand)

Go to College Website ->