University of Canterbury#Governance

On 16 June 1873, the university was founded in the centre of Christchurch as Canterbury College, the first constituent college of the University of New Zealand and was funded by the then Canterbury Provincial Council. It became the second institution in New Zealand providing tertiary-level education (following the University of Otago, established in 1869), and the fourth in Australasia.{{Cite web|title=Oldest Universities in New Zealand {{!}} by foundation year|url=https://www.4icu.org/nz/oldest/|access-date=6 July 2021|website=www.4icu.org|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184607/https://www.4icu.org/nz/oldest/|url-status=live}} It was founded on the basis of the Oxbridge college system, but it differed from Oxbridge in that it admitted female students from its foundation. Its foundation professors arrived in 1874, namely, Charles Cook (Mathematics, University of Melbourne, St John's College, Cambridge), Alexander Bickerton (Chemistry and Physics, School of Mining, London), and John Macmillan Brown (University of Glasgow, Balliol College, Oxford).Gardner, W. J., Beardsley, E. T., & Carter, T. E. (1973). Christchurch: University of Canterbury. A year later the first lectures began and in 1875 the first graduations took place. In 1880, Helen Connon was the first woman to graduate from the college, and in 1894, Āpirana Ngata became the first Māori-born student to graduate with a degree.{{Cite web |title=History and chronology |url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about/history/chronology/ |access-date=6 March 2022 |website=The University of Canterbury |language=en-nz}} The School of Art was founded in 1882, followed by the faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce, and Law in 1921, and Mental, Moral, and Social Sciences in 1924. The Students' Union, now known as the University of Canterbury Students Association, was founded in 1929 operating out of the Arts Centre of Christchurch Old Student Union Building, and the first edition of the student magazine Canta was published in 1930. In 1933, the name changed from Canterbury College to Canterbury University College.

{{Multiple image

| direction = horizontal

| image1 = Prof J McMillan Brown.jpg

| caption1 = John Macmillan Brown

| image2 = Alexander William Bickerton c1905.jpg

| caption2 = Alexander Bickerton

| image3 = Charles Henry Herbert Cook.jpg

| caption3 = Charles Cook

| header = Founding Professors of Canterbury College

| total_width = 400

| align = center

}}

College House, a student dormitory that maintains its old tradition by adopting the Oxbridge college system, broke away from Christ's College in 1957 and relocated to the Ilam suburb of Christchurch in 1966 as a hall of residence at the University of Canterbury.{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.collegehouse.org.nz/about |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=College House 2021 |language=en-NZ}} In 1957 the name changed again to the University of Canterbury.{{cite web |title=History at Canterbury |url=http://www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz/history/history.shtml |website=University of Canterbury |access-date=21 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024165212/http://www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz/history/history.shtml |archive-date=24 October 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Until 1961, the university formed part of the University of New Zealand (UNZ), and issued degrees in its name. That year saw the dissolution of the federal system of tertiary education in New Zealand, and the University of Canterbury became an independent University awarding its own degrees. Upon the UNZ's demise, Canterbury Agricultural College became a constituent college of the University of Canterbury, as Lincoln College.{{cite web |url=http://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/why-universities-matter/story |title=The Story of New Zealand Universities |access-date=4 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806011354/http://www.universitiesnz.ac.nz/why-universities-matter/story |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead }} Lincoln College became independent in 1990 as a full university in its own right and is now known as Lincoln University.{{cite web|url=http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/About-Lincoln/Why-Lincoln/History/|title=History Lincoln University|website=Lincoln.ac.nz|access-date=8 June 2018|archive-date=11 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611083455/http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/About-Lincoln/Why-Lincoln/History/|url-status=live}}

{{Multiple image

| image1 = The Christchurch Art Centre. (8588823446).jpg

| image2 = Ivey Hall, Lincoln University, New Zealand.jpg

| direction = horizontal

| total_width = 600

| caption1 = Old University of Canterbury campus, now the Christchurch Arts Centre.

| caption2 = Ivey Hall at Lincoln University formerly a constituent college of the University of Canterbury.

| align = center

| caption_align = center

}}

Relocation to Ilam campus

Over the period from 1961 to 1974, the university campus relocated from the centre of the city to its much larger current site in the suburb of Ilam. 1973 saw the university celebrate its centenary, during which the neo-Gothic buildings of the old campus were gifted to the City of Christchurch, which became the site of the Christchurch Arts Centre, a hub for arts, crafts and entertainment in Christchurch.{{Cite web|title=Our vision » The Arts Centre|url=https://www.artscentre.org.nz/about-us/our-vision/|access-date=26 January 2021|website=www.artscentre.org.nz|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125224553/https://artscentre.org.nz/about-us/our-vision/|url-status=live}} 1974 also marked the opening of the James Hight Library, which at the time, was New Zealand's largest university building. Ilam's three university halls of residence were renamed University Hall in 1974, and the student dormitory was used as the Athletes Village dormitory for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games hosted in Christchurch.{{Cite web |date= |title=1974 – Christchurch |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/5282/1974-christchurch |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=www.insidethegames.biz}}

In 2004, the university underwent restructuring into four Colleges and a School of Law, administering a number of schools and departments (though a number of departments have involvement in cross-teaching in numerous academic faculties). For many years the university worked closely with the Christchurch College of Education, leading to a full merger in 2007, establishing a fifth College.{{cite web|title=2007 Merger|url=http://www.education.canterbury.ac.nz/about/history.shtml|website=Canterbury University|access-date=20 June 2017|archive-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621163910/http://www.education.canterbury.ac.nz/about/history.shtml|url-status=live}}

{{Main|2010 Canterbury earthquake|2011 Christchurch earthquake}}

On 4 September 2010 at 4:35 am local time an earthquake struck the South Island of New Zealand with a moment magnitude of 7.1 several aftershocks followed the main event, the strongest of which was a magnitude 6.3 shock known as the Christchurch earthquake that occurred nearly six months later on 22 February 2011.{{Cite web |date=28 February 2011 |title=Christchurch earthquake – latest news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4711459/Christchurch-earthquake-latest-news |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}} Although there was no serious injuries to staff or students on campus and only minor damage to buildings, the initial quake closed the university for a week, and the library was shut for months while shelves were repaired and half a million books placed back on shelves.{{Cite web |title=NEW ZEALAND: Universities closed by earthquake |url=https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20110223132156108 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=University World News}} The Student Volunteer Army was a group of around 10,000 university students and others who worked over a period of months to help clean up liquefaction.{{Cite web |title=22 February 2011 Canterbury earthquake for kids |url=https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/canterbury-earthquake-2011-for-kids/ |access-date= |website=Christchurch City Council Libraries}}

In the months following the earthquake, the university lost 25 per cent of its first-year students and 8 per cent of continuing students. The number of international students, who pay much higher fees and were a major source of revenue, dropped by 30 per cent.{{cite web | url=http://intsse.com/de/node/1025 | title=New Zealand universities cut staff and courses | access-date=30 September 2011 | archive-date=3 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703140207/http://intsse.com/de/node/1025 | url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5726614/Canterbury-Uni-invites-staff-to-resign |title=Canterbury Uni invites staff to resign |last=Law |first=Tina |date=4 October 2011 |work=The Press |access-date=26 November 2011 |archive-date=6 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206005610/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/5726614/Canterbury-Uni-invites-staff-to-resign |url-status=live }} In October 2011, staff were encouraged to take voluntary redundancies.{{cite news|date=4 October 2011|title=Canterbury crumbles as enrolments decline|work=The Australian|agency=Australian Associated Press|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/canterbury-crumbles-as-enrolments-decline/story-e6frgcjx-1226158056545|access-date=26 November 2011|archive-date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004132940/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/canterbury-crumbles-as-enrolments-decline/story-e6frgcjx-1226158056545|url-status=live}} As well in September 2011, plans were announced to demolish some University buildings that were damaged from an earthquake.{{cite news |last=Law |first=Tina |date=28 September 2011 |title=Two uni buildings for demolition |work=The Press |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5694169/Two-uni-buildings-for-demolition |url-status=live |access-date=26 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130033313/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/5694169/Two-uni-buildings-for-demolition |archive-date=30 November 2011}}

File:Ernest Rutherford (9615659875).jpg

By 2013, the university had lost 22 per cent of its students.{{cite news|date=11 May 2013|title=Canterbury University a 'ghost-town'|work=The Press|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8659942/Canterbury-University-a-ghost-town|access-date=6 October 2013|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306191050/http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8659942/Canterbury-University-a-ghost-town|url-status=live}} However, a record number of 886 PhD students were enrolled at the University of Canterbury as of 2013.{{cite web|last=Brook|first=Kip|date=13 May 2013|title=Record number of PhD students enrolled at UC|url=http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/rss/news/?feed=news&articleId=832|access-date=6 October 2013|publisher=University of Canterbury|archive-date=6 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306202130/http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/rss/news/?feed=news&articleId=832|url-status=live}} Other New Zealand universities, apparently defying an informal agreement, launched billboard and print advertising campaigns in the earthquake-ravaged city to recruit University of Canterbury students who were finding it difficult to study there.{{cite news|date=16 September 2011|title=NZ unis warned not to poach from Chch|work=Television New Zealand|agency=NZN|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-unis-warned-not-poach-chch-4404893|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610202021/http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/nz-unis-warned-not-poach-chch-4404893|archive-date=10 June 2015}} In 2013 the New Zealand Government also agreed to provide $260m to support the university's rebuild programme.{{Cite web|title=Govt to provide $260m to University of Canterbury rebuild|url=https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-provide-260m-university-canterbury-rebuild|access-date=1 June 2017|website=The Beehive|language=en-nz|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826071339/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-provide-260m-university-canterbury-rebuild|url-status=live}}

Student numbers were steadily on the rise, with a 4.5% increase in students enrolled from 2013 to 2016. International numbers also increased, nearing pre-earthquake figures at 1,134 enrolled in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/governance/plans-policies-and-regulations/annual-reports/|title=Annual reports {{!}} Leadership and Governance {{!}} University of Canterbury|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505140958/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/governance/plans-policies-and-regulations/annual-reports/|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=dead}}

In March 2016, Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr said in The Press newspaper: "In 2014, [students] wanted to leave Christchurch and went to Wellington, Otago and into the workforce. Now we're retaining Christchurch school leavers and we're getting our fair share of provincial students, as well as attracting greater numbers from the Auckland region." "Living on or near the UC campus, and having a lifestyle that can take you from lectures to skifields in 90 minutes or the beach in 20 minutes, is much more appealing and affordable than living in Auckland."{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/77460872/canterbury-universities-begin-bounce-back-after-earthquakes|title=Canterbury universities begin bounce back after earthquakes|website=Stuff |date=2 March 2016|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826071542/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/77460872/canterbury-universities-begin-bounce-back-after-earthquakes|url-status=live}}

In January 2017, the University of Canterbury released its campus master plan – 50 building and landscape projects proposed over three stages by 2045, the cost could exceed $2bn.{{Cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/88685692/university-of-canterburys-30year-plan-to-create-little-city-inside-a-larger-city|title=University of Canterbury's 30-year plan to create 'little city inside a larger city'|website=Stuff |date=23 January 2017|access-date=1 June 2017|archive-date=26 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826043431/http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/88685692/university-of-canterburys-30year-plan-to-create-little-city-inside-a-larger-city|url-status=live}} In a comment to The Press, Rod Carr said that the plans were proof the university was moving away from the falling enrolments post-earthquake.

File:ErnestRutherfordBuildingOpening_gobeirne.jpg Jacinda Ardern opened the Ernest Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre at the University of Canterbury on 15 February 2018, home of the College of Science.]]

The University of Canterbury celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023.{{Cite web |last=CANTERBURY |first=ADVERTISEMENT BY THE UNIVERSITY OF |date=18 March 2023 |title=The University of Canterbury turns 150 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/131418569/the-university-of-canterbury-turns-150 |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}} In the same year the university experienced a surge in enrolments, reaching a record high of 21,361 students by late March, compared to 20,223 at the same period in the previous year. Among these figures, UC counted 19,975 domestic students, witnessing a substantial increase from the preceding year's count. Concurrently, the international student body also expanded to 1,393, marking a rise from 1,098 in the prior year. This growth in enrolment stands in contrast to a decline in domestic student numbers across all five North Island universities during this period.{{Cite web |last=Kenny |first=Lee |date=31 March 2023 |title=Enrolments fall at all five North Island universities, record numbers at Canterbury |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/131653951/enrolments-fall-at-all-five-north-island-universities-record-numbers-at-canterbury |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}} According to a spokesperson for the university, in 2023 every affiliated hall was "at 100% occupancy" and "may be a record-breaker for highest number of enrolments".{{Cite web |last=Kenny |first=Lee |date=21 February 2023 |title=Student accommodation at capacity as Christchurch becomes 'the cool place to be' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/131279487/student-accommodation-at-capacity-as-christchurch-becomes-the-cool-place-to-be |access-date=3 December 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}}

The University of Canterbury has three campuses spread throughout the city of Christchurch:

• Ilam Campus: The university has a main campus of {{convert|76|ha}} at Ilam, a suburb of Christchurch about {{convert|5|km}} from the centre of the city. The Ilam campus maintains three libraries with the Central Library ({{langx|mi|Te Puna Mātauraka o Waitaha}}) housed in the tallest building on campus, the 11-storey Puaka–James Hight Building. The Ilam campus is where the Faculties of Education, Health, Science, Engineering, Business, Law and Arts are based. The University of Canterbury Students' Association is based there in the Haere roa building. The Ilam Campus is home to cafes and restaurants as well as a pharmacy, bookshop, the UC rec centre and the UC Health centre.File:University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, 12 June 2008 (cropped).jpg
• Dovedale Campus: The Dovedale Campus is {{convert|11|ha|acre|abbr=off}} and became a part of the University of Canterbury when the Christchurch College of Education (a specialist teacher training institution) merged on 1 January 2007.{{Cite web|title=Mergers of Colleges of Education approved|url=http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/mergers-colleges-education-approved|access-date=25 July 2021|website=The Beehive|language=en|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726012750/https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/mergers-colleges-education-approved|url-status=live}} The Dovedale campus is located adjacent to the Ilam campus and is off Dovedale avenue. The campus consists of the old Henry Field Library, The Christchurch College of English, Ilam early Learning Centre and Hayashi and Sonoda student residences. The Faculty of Education also maintains a presence here.
• City Campus: The Christchurch City Campus is made up of the Christchurch Arts Centre and the Manawa building which is a part of the Faculty of Health. Music and Classics are again taught from the Christchurch Arts Centre in the old chemistry building,{{cite web|title=Student life returns to Christchurch's Arts Centre|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2017/student-life-returns-to-christchurchs-arts-centre.html|access-date=26 July 2020|website=University of Canterbury|archive-date=7 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807045126/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2017/student-life-returns-to-christchurchs-arts-centre.html|url-status=live}} and within the new Manawa building in Christchurch city health and education are taught.{{cite web|title='To better serve the community': Health precinct buildings officially open|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/110282246/to-better-serve-the-community-health-precinct-buildings-officially-open|access-date=26 July 2020|website=Stuff |date=31 January 2019|archive-date=1 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801195427/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/110282246/to-better-serve-the-community-health-precinct-buildings-officially-open|url-status=live}} The city campus also includes the Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities – home of the James Logie Memorial Collection.

The university also maintains additional small campuses in Nelson, Tauranga and Timaru, and teaching centres in Greymouth, New Plymouth, Rotorua and Timaru. The university has staff in regional information offices in Nelson, Timaru, and Auckland.

The UC Library was first established at Canterbury College in 1879. Today there are three libraries on campus each covering different subject areas.[http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/services/locations.php Library Locations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090621/http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/services/locations.php |date=7 April 2014 }} University of Canterbury. Retrieved on 21 February 2018

Central library

{{Further|Puaka–James Hight Building}}

File:James Hight Building 003.JPG

The Central Library ({{langx|mi|Te Puna Mātauraka o Waitaha}}) – is housed in the Puaka–James Hight Building that is designed in the brutalist style architecture. In 1974, the old city campus library moved to the Ilam campus and was housed in the newly constructed James Hight building, originally named after former Canterbury professor James Hight.[http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/irm/ce_james_hight_library.shtml James Hight Library & Arts Tower] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407091047/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/irm/ce_james_hight_library.shtml |date=7 April 2014 }} University of Canterbury. Retrieved on 6 April 2014 The building was renamed Puaka-James Hight in 2014, after the brightest star in the cluster Matariki, to reflect the growing strength of UC's relationship with Ngāi Tahu and the mana of Te Ao Māori at the heart of the university's campus.[https://blogs.canterbury.ac.nz/insiders/2014/08/26/james-hight-now-puaka-james-hight/ James Hight is now Puaka-James Hight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116170250/https://blogs.canterbury.ac.nz/insiders/2014/08/26/james-hight-now-puaka-james-hight/ |date=16 January 2017 }} UC student blog. Retrieved on 14 January 2016 The University of Canterbury Central Library is the largest university library in New Zealand.{{Cite web|title=James Hight Library – Information and Records Management – University of Canterbury – New Zealand|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/irm/ce_james_hight_library.shtml|access-date=20 June 2021|website=www.canterbury.ac.nz|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506152609/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/irm/ce_james_hight_library.shtml|url-status=live}} The Central Library has collections of over 2 million physical items including books, archives, journals and a miscellany of other items that support research and teaching in Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Commerce, Music, Fine Arts and Antarctic Studies.{{Cite web|title=History of the UC library {{!}} About the library {{!}} Libraries {{!}} UC Library|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/library/libraries/about-the-library/history/|access-date=20 June 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202206/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/library/libraries/about-the-library/history/|url-status=live}}

• The Henry Field Library (named for the New Zealand Educationalist Henry Edward Field) on the old Christchurch College of Education site joined the fold when the university and Christchurch College of Education merged. However, the Education collection was incorporated into the collections within the Puaka–James Hight Building, and Henry Field is now a library store at the campus off Dovedale Avenue.{{Cite web|title=History of the UC library {{!}} About the library {{!}} Libraries {{!}} UC Library|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/library/libraries/about-the-library/history/|access-date=6 July 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202206/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/library/libraries/about-the-library/history/|url-status=live}}
• A separate Law library was established within the James Hight building, it was then relocated to the new Law building (Mere Mere). However, after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake it returned to the Puaka–James Hight Building and integrated into the Central Library collection. The Mere Mere Building still operates as the Law and Business Building however it is no longer home to the law library.

File:UC_CentralLibrary04_gobeirne.jpg

EPS library

The EPS Library (Engineering and Physical Sciences Library, {{langx|mi|Kā Puna Pūkahataka me te Pūtaiao}}) supports research and teaching in Engineering, Forestry and Sciences. With the move to the Ilam campus, the Library was split. First the Engineering Library, and later the Physical Sciences Library, moving to the new campus however the old Physical Sciences Library closed and its collections moved to the Engineering Library now called the EPS Library.

Macmillian Brown library

The Macmillan Brown Library ({{langx|mi|Te Puna Rakahau o Macmillan Brown}}) is a research library, archive, and art gallery that specialises in collecting items related to New Zealand and Pacific Islands history.[http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/mb/mbhist.shtml History of the Macmillan Brown Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090618/http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/mb/mbhist.shtml |date=7 April 2014 }} University of Canterbury. Retrieved on 6 April 2014[http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/home/archives.shtml Heritage Collections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407090749/http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/home/archives.shtml |date=7 April 2014 }} University of Canterbury. Retrieved on 6 April 2014 It holds over 100,000 published items including books, audio-visual recordings, and various manuscripts, photographs, works of art, architectural drawings and ephemera. The Macmillan Brown Library's art collection also has over 5,000 works, making it one of the largest collections in the Canterbury Region.{{Cite web |url= http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/about/macmillan_brown_library08.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505061203/http://library.canterbury.ac.nz/about/macmillan_brown_library08.pdf|url-status=dead|title=The Macmillan Brown Library document|archive-date=5 May 2013}} Some notable items in its collections include copies of Māori Land Court Records, official and government documents from various Pacific Islands states, trade union records, and the personal papers of various Members of Parliament and government ministers. The library is named after John Macmillan Brown, a prominent Canterbury academic who helped found the library, allocated a large proportion of his fortune to the Macmillan Brown Library.

File:Ilam Apartments in 2019.jpg

The university has ten student residences throughout its Ilam and Dovedale campuses: five fully-catered halls of residence exclusively for first-year undergraduate students: Arcady, College House, Rochester and Rutherford, Tupuānuku and University Hall; and five other self-catered student accommodation houses which are home to both undergraduate and postgraduate students: Sonoda Christchurch Campus, Hayashi, Kirkwood Avenue, Waimairi Village and Ilam Apartments. The largest, Ilam Apartments, houses 831 students during the academic year.{{Cite web|title=Ilam Apartments|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/life/accommodation/halls/ilam-apartments/|access-date=13 October 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816102314/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/life/accommodation/halls/ilam-apartments/|url-status=live}} Some of the halls at UC have storied histories; Tupuānuku is named for the star of the same name that is connected to food grown in the ground in the cluster Matariki in Māori Mythology;{{Cite web|title=Tupuanuku & Tupuarangi|url=https://www.inmotion.org.nz/tupuanuku-and-tupuarangi|access-date=13 October 2021|website=InMotion Matariki Parade|language=en-NZ|archive-date=7 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207065519/https://www.inmotion.org.nz/tupuanuku-and-tupuarangi|url-status=live}} Rochester and Rutherford is named for former alumni Ernest Rutherford and John Fisher Bishop of Rochester; while Arcady, previously Bishop Julius Hall, was founded by the first Archbishop of New Zealand, Churchill Julius;{{Cite web|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|title=Julius, Churchill|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2j8/julius-churchill|access-date=13 October 2021|website=Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand |language=en|archive-date=7 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307001524/https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2j8/julius-churchill|url-status=live}} additionally, College House is the oldest residential college in New Zealand.{{Cite web|url=http://www.collegehouse.org.nz/History/tabid/425/Default.aspx|title=College House History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010212128/http://www.collegehouse.org.nz/History/tabid/425/Default.aspx|access-date=25 July 2021|archive-date=10 October 2007}}{{Cite web|url=https://brockport.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10084|title=New Zealand: University of Canterbury (Outgoing Program)|access-date=25 July 2021|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725082747/https://brockport.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10084|url-status=live}}File:Sonoda Hall Grounds, University of Canterbury.jpg

The University of Canterbury has the most field stations of any New Zealand university.{{Cite web|url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/capitalworks/current/rsic/fieldsites.shtml|title=Other Projects – Learning Resources – University of Canterbury – New Zealand|website=Canterbury.ac.nz|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826025907/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/capitalworks/current/rsic/fieldsites.shtml|archive-date=26 August 2017|url-status=dead}} The Field Facilities Centre{{cite web |url=http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/ |title=Field Facilities Centre – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Ffc.canterbury.ac.nz |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=19 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119105753/http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/ |url-status=dead }} administers four of these field stations:

• Cass Field Station{{cite web |url=http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/cass |title=Cass Field Station – Field Facilities Centre – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Ffc.canterbury.ac.nz |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317061414/http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/cass/ |url-status=dead }} – Established in 1914 to give students and researchs access to montane grasslands, scrub, riverbed, scree, beech forest, swamp, bog, lake, stream and alpine habitats.
• Harihari Field Station{{cite web |url=http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/harihari |title=Harihari Field Station – Field Facilities Centre – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Ffc.canterbury.ac.nz |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317061327/http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/harihari/ |url-status=dead }} – Access to native forests, streams.
• Westport Field Station{{cite web |url=http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/westport |title=Westport Field Station – Field Facilities Centre – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Ffc.canterbury.ac.nz |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=17 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317061437/http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/westport/ |url-status=dead }} – for study of the West Coast of New Zealand, particularly mining.
• Kaikōura Field Station{{Cite web|url=http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/kaikoura/|title=Kaikoura Field Station – Field Facilities Centre – University of Canterbury – New Zealand|website=Ffc.canterbury.ac.nz|access-date=12 May 2017|archive-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406155402/http://www.ffc.canterbury.ac.nz/kaikoura/|url-status=live}} – Kaikōura represents an important transition zone for flora and fauna, particularly in the marine environment, with Kowhai bush and associated rich bird life close by.

File:Mount John University Observatory (9618676129).jpg

The university and its project partners also operate an additional field station in the Nigerian Montane Forests Project;{{cite web |url=http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/NMF_project/index.shtml |title=Nigerian Montane Forest Project – Biological Sciences – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Biol.canterbury.ac.nz |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=12 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121212163557/http://www.biol.canterbury.ac.nz/NMF_project/index.shtml |url-status=dead }} this field station stands on the Ngel Nyaki forest edge in Nigeria.

The Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences runs its own field laboratories:

• Mount John University Observatory at Lake Tekapo for optical astronomical research[http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/mt_john/ Mt John – Physics and Astronomy – University of Canterbury – New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110517052235/http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/mt_john/ |date=17 May 2011 }}. Phys.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013.
• Birdlings Flat radar facility[http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/birdlings.shtml Birdlings Flat – Physics and Astronomy – University of Canterbury – New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029013615/http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/birdlings.shtml |date=29 October 2017 }}. Phys.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013.
• Scott Base radar facility[http://www2.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/~physatmo/field_stations1.html#Scott_Base Atmospheric Physics Group Field Stations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317043156/http://www2.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/~physatmo/field_stations1.html#Scott_Base |date=17 March 2013 }}. .phys.canterbury.ac.nz (22 August 2008). Retrieved on 17 August 2013.
• Cracroft Caverns ring laser facility{{cite web|title = Ring Laser Project Webpage|url = http://www.ringlaser.org.nz/content/cashmere_cavern_laboratory.php|date = 3 July 2014|access-date = 18 June 2015|archive-date=3 July 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140703113247/http://www.ringlaser.org.nz/content/cashmere_cavern_laboratory.php|url-status = dead}}

File:Scott Base, Antarctica, Jan 2006.jpg

The Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences also has involvement in the Southern African Large Telescope[http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/astronomy/salt.shtml SALT – Physics and Astronomy – University of Canterbury – New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501053508/http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/astronomy/salt.shtml |date=1 May 2013 }}. Phys.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013. and is a member of the IceCube collaboration which is installing a neutrino telescope at the South Pole.[http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/index.shtml Research – Physics and Astronomy – University of Canterbury – New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826002801/http://www.phys.canterbury.ac.nz/research/index.shtml |date=26 August 2013 }}. Phys.canterbury.ac.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013.[http://icecube.wisc.edu/ IceCube Neutrino Observatory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112021807/https://icecube.wisc.edu/ |date=12 January 2015 }}. Icecube.wisc.edu. Retrieved on 17 August 2013.

File:Central Art Gallery in Christchurch 09.jpg

The University of Canterbury Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities opened in May 2017, and showcases the James Logie Memorial Collection, a collection of Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Near Eastern artefacts in New Zealand.{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=7 November 2021 |title=The low-profile museum in a Gothic courtyard full of ancient wonders |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/nz/canterbury/126908415/the-lowprofile-museum-in-a-gothic-courtyard-full-of-ancient-wonders |access-date=11 April 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}} The Teece Museum is run as a part of the faculty of Arts. The museum is named for University of Canterbury Alumni Professor David Teece and his wife Leigh Teece, who donated a substantial amount of money to the city for earthquake recovery. The money was used by the university to install the classics and music school in the Old Chemistry building at the Christchurch Arts Centre.{{Cite news |last=Redmond |first=Adele |date=16 May 2017 |title=40-year homecoming as University of Canterbury returns music and classics students to Arts Centre |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/92525792/30year-homecoming-as-university-of-canterbury-returns-music-and-classics-students-to-arts-centre |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=Stuff |language=en}}

The James Logie Memorial Collection was established in 1957 as a result of Miss Marion Steven, a Classics faculty member, donating Greek pottery to Canterbury University College. Steven established the James Logie Memorial Collection to honour her husband, who served as registrar of the college from 1950 until his death in 1956.{{Cite journal |last=Wiltshire |first=Roswyn |date=30 June 2021 |title=Marion Steven and the Logie Collection |url=https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/jnzs/article/view/6866 |journal=The Journal of New Zealand Studies |language=en |issue=NS32 |doi=10.26686/jnzs.iNS32.6866 |s2cid=237762690 |issn=2324-3740|doi-access=free }}

The Logie Collection includes a wide range of pottery, beginning with the Bronze Age cultures of Cyprus, Crete and Mycenae it also includes vases that come from Corinth and Athens, the islands in the Aegean, East Greece and the Greek colonies in South Italy and Sicily.{{Cite book |last=Green |first=J.R. |title=Greek and Roman Treasures in Christchurch |publisher=Canterbury University Press |year=2007}}

{{Category see also|Chancellors of the University of Canterbury|Vice-chancellors of the University of Canterbury}}

The university was first governed by a board of governors (1873–1933), then by a college council (1933–1957), and since 1957 by a university council.{{sfn|Gardner et al|1973|p=451}} The council is chaired by a chancellor.{{cite web |title=The University Council – Overview |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/council/index.shtml |publisher=University of Canterbury |access-date=7 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103021520/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/council/index.shtml |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }} The Council includes representatives from the faculties, students and general staff, as well as local industry, employer and trade union representatives.{{cite web |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/documents/uc_charter.pdf |title=University of Canterbury Charter 2003–2010 |date=24 December 2003 |access-date=7 October 2013 |page=14 |archive-date=3 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103020812/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/documents/uc_charter.pdf |url-status=live }}

The original composition of the board of governors was defined in the Canterbury College Ordinance 1873,{{cite web |title=The Canterbury College Ordinance, 1873 |url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Stout50-t12-body-d6.html |publisher=Victoria University of Wellington Library |access-date=6 October 2013 |location=Wellington |archive-date=6 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306201828/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Stout50-t12-body-d6.html |url-status=live }} which was passed by the Canterbury Provincial Council and named 23 members who might serve for life. Initially, the board was given power to fill their own vacancies, and this power transferred to graduates once their number exceeded 30.{{sfn|Gardner et al|1973|pp=38–39}} At the time, there were discussions about the abolition of provincial government (which did happen in 1876), and the governance structure was set up to give board members "prestige, power and permanence", and "provincial authority and its membership and resources were safely perpetuated, beyond the reach of grasping hands in Wellington."{{sfn|Gardner et al|1973|p=39}}File:Matariki_Building,_University_of_Canterbury.jpgOriginal members of the Board of Governors were:{{sfn|Gardner et al|1973|p=452}} Charles Bowen, Rev James Buller,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|p=118}}{{cite news |title=Obituary |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP18841203.2.12 |access-date=6 October 2013 |work=The Press |date=3 December 1884 |volume=XL |issue=5998 |page=3 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329035530/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=CHP18841203.2.12 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |title=The Cyclopedia of New Zealand : Canterbury Provincial District |year=1902 |chapter-url=http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc02Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d45-d15.html |publisher=The Cyclopedia of New Zealand |author=Cyclopedia Company Limited |access-date=6 October 2013 |location=Christchurch |chapter=The Rev. James Buller |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210301/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc02Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d45-d15.html |url-status=live }} William Patten Cowlishaw,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|p=179}} John Enys,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|pp=231f}} Charles Fraser, George Gould Sr,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|pp=311f}} Henry Barnes Gresson,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|pp=322f}} William Habens, John Hall, Henry Harper, John Inglis,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|p=426}} Walter Kennaway,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940a|p=459}} Arthur C. Knight,{{cite news |title=Mr A. C. Knight |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19051216.2.68.1 |access-date=6 October 2013 |work=The Press |date=16 December 1905 |volume=LXII |issue=12377 |page=12 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329035513/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=CHP19051216.2.68.1 |url-status=live }} Thomas William Maude,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940b|pp=74f}} William Montgomery, Thomas Potts, William Rolleston, John Studholme, Henry Tancred, James Somerville Turnbull,{{sfn|Scholefield|1940b|p=404}} Henry Richard Webb, Joshua Williams, and Rev William Wellington Willock.{{cite news |title=Obituary |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TS18820601.2.30 |access-date=6 October 2013 |work=The Star |date=1 June 1882 |issue=4400 |page=4 |archive-date=29 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329035522/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TS18820601.2.30 |url-status=live }}

Professor Roy Sharp assumed the position of Vice-Chancellor on 1 March 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2003/03021101.shtml |title=University News – Communications and Development – University of Canterbury |publisher=Comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz |date=11 February 2003 |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209000455/http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2003/03021101.shtml |url-status=dead }} In May 2008 he announced his imminent resignation from the position, following his acceptance of the chief executive position at the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC){{cite web |url=http://www.tec.govt.nz/ |title=Tertiary Education Commission |publisher=Tertiary Education Commission |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=29 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129092805/http://www.tec.govt.nz/ |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |url=http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/chronicle/2008/ChronVol43-7.pdf |journal=Chronicle |title=Sharp named new chief executive of Tertiary Education Commission |volume=43 |issue=7 |page=1 |date=9 May 2008 |editor1-first=Jeanette |editor1-last=Colman |access-date=6 October 2013 |archive-date=9 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209030050/http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/chronicle/2008/ChronVol43-7.pdf |url-status=dead }} which he took up on 4 August 2008.{{cite press release |url=http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/NewsItem.aspx?id=3058 |title=TEC appoints new Chief Executive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213003015/http://www.tec.govt.nz/templates/NewsItem.aspx?id=3058 |archive-date=13 February 2009 |access-date=6 October 2013 |date=2 May 2008 |publisher=Tertiary Education Commission}} The then current Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Town, assumed the role of acting Vice-Chancellor on 1 July 2008. On 15 October 2008 the university announced that Rod Carr, a former banker and the CEO of a local software company, would begin a five-year appointment as Vice-Chancellor on 1 February 2009.{{cite web |url=http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2008/081015b.shtml |title=University News – Communications and Development – University of Canterbury – New Zealand |publisher=Comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz |date=15 October 2008 |access-date=10 September 2010 |archive-date=8 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208073518/http://www.comsdev.canterbury.ac.nz/news/2008/081015b.shtml |url-status=dead }}

Council member and former Pro-Chancellor, Rex Williams, became Chancellor in 2009.{{cite press release |url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1112/S00017/university-of-canterbury-announces-new-chancellor.htm |title=University of Canterbury announces new Chancellor |access-date=7 October 2013 |date=2 December 2011 |publisher=University of Canterbury |archive-date=9 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309075703/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1112/S00017/university-of-canterbury-announces-new-chancellor.htm |url-status=live }} Council member John Wood became the new Pro-Chancellor. On 1 January 2012, Wood became Chancellor after Williams retired from the role. In 2019, a new Vice Chancellor, Cheryl de la Rey, was appointed from the University of Pretoria, and Susan McCormack took over as Chancellor.{{Cite web|date=11 June 2018|title=University of Canterbury appoints Cheryl de la Rey as Vice-Chancellor|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/104631025/university-of-canterbury-appoints-cheryl-de-la-rey-as-vicechancellor|access-date=25 July 2021|website=Stuff |language=en|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725023648/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/104631025/university-of-canterbury-appoints-cheryl-de-la-rey-as-vicechancellor|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Senior partner retires from Christchurch firm to lead top university|url=https://www.thelawyermag.com/nz/news/general/senior-partner-retires-from-christchurch-firm-to-lead-top-university/206913|access-date=25 July 2021|website=www.thelawyermag.com|language=en|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725023650/https://www.thelawyermag.com/nz/news/general/senior-partner-retires-from-christchurch-firm-to-lead-top-university/206913|url-status=live}}

Board of Governors, chair of the College Council, and chancellor

The following table lists those who have held the position of chair of the Board of Governors, chair of the College Council, and chancellor.{{sfn|Gardner et al|1973|pages=451–452}}{{cite web |title=Chronology |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/chronology.shtml |publisher=University of Canterbury |access-date=11 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016082021/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/chronology.shtml |archive-date=16 October 2013 |url-status=dead }}

{{Emblem table|name=the University of Canterbury|image=University_of_Canterbury_Coat_of_Arms.svg|escutcheon=Murrey a fleece argent, in base a plough or, and on a chief wavy or an open book proper bound murrey, edged and clasped or between a pall azure charged with four crosses formy fitchy or and a cross flory azure.|notes=With the dissolution of the University of New Zealand, the newly independent University of Canterbury devised its own coat of arms, blazoned}}

An explanation of the arms appears on the university [http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/historycoa.shtml website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518173114/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/historycoa.shtml |date=18 May 2017 }}, where it is explained that the fleece symbolises the pastoral, and the plough at the base the agricultural background of the province of Canterbury. The bishop's pall and the cross flory represent Canterbury's ecclesiastical connections, and the open book denotes scholarship.{{cite web |title=History of the Coat of Arms |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/historycoa.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518173114/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/backgrnd/historycoa.shtml |archive-date=18 May 2017 |access-date=8 June 2017 |website=University of Canterbury}}

As an institution of learning, the university's coat of arms does not have a helmet, crest or mantling.

The university's unofficial coat of arms was accompanied by the Latin motto:

{{Blockquote|text=Ergo tua rura manebunt (therefore the lands shall remain yours).|author=Roman Poet Virgil|title=Eclogue I|source=line 46}}

Because of the land holdings with which the Provincial Government endowed the early University, this was appropriate. When the coat of arms was redesigned, the motto was removed and now the motto is only used unofficially.

File:7308 Old University Coat of Arms.jpg

The University of Canterbury offers 147 undergraduate majors{{Cite web|title=Subjects|url= https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/subjects/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=11 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811205346/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/subjects/|url-status=live}} and 61 graduate degrees.{{Cite web|title=Master's degrees {{!}} Qualifications and courses|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/qualifications-and-courses/masters-degrees/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=11 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210711074106/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/qualifications-and-courses/masters-degrees/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=PhDs and doctoral degrees {{!}} Qualifications and courses|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/qualifications-and-courses/phds-and-doctoral-degrees/|access-date=19 July 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=10 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710221614/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/qualifications-and-courses/phds-and-doctoral-degrees/|url-status=live}}  For the 2020 academic year, the university granted 2,257 bachelor's degrees, 1,003 graduate degrees, and 384 honours degrees. To graduate with a full-time undergraduate degree in the usual three years, undergraduates normally take four courses per semester. In most majors, an honours degree requires advanced coursework and a thesis – this usually takes an extra year. However, some undergraduate degrees that are also professional degrees, such as the Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) and Bachelor of Forestry Science (BForSc), typically take four years.

File:UoC_graduation_April_2014_21.JPG.]]

According to the UC Annual Report, at 31 December 2019 the university has a total of 18,364 students (14,891 equivalent full-time students). 11,621 of these are undergraduates, and 1,869 are international students. UC has a total of 826 academic faculty staff.

Following the earthquakes, the number of students enrolled at UC fell from 18,783 during 2010 to 14,725 during 2014, though the number of new enrolments increased in 2014. In 2016 enrolled student numbers rose to 15,564. Enrolment as of 2020 has reached pre-earthquake levels with a 18,364 students enrolled at UC.

{{Infobox Australian university ranking|QS_W=261|USNWR_W==542|ARWU_W=401-500|type=University|ARWU_W_year=2024|CWTS_W=927{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_W_year=2024|QS_W_year=2026|QS_W_Employability=301-500|QS_W_Employability_year=2022|THE_W=501–600|THE_W_year=2025|USNWR_W_year=25/26|ARWU_N=2-4|ARWU_N_year=2024|CWTS_N=4{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_N_year=2024|QS_N=5|QS_N_year=2026|THE_N=6-8|THE_N_year=2025|USNWR_N=4|USNWR_N_year=25/26}}

In the 2024 Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities, which measures aggregate performance across the QS, THE and ARWU rankings, the university attained a position of #360 (4th nationally).{{Cite web |title=University Results |url=https://research.unsw.edu.au/artu/artu-results |website=Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities |publisher=University of New South Wales |language=en-AU |publication-place=Sydney, New South Wales}}

In the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2025), the university attained a position of #261 (5th nationally).{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings |website=QS World University Rankings |publisher=Quacquarelli Symonds |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (published 2024), the university attained a position of #501-600 (tied 6-8th nationally).{{cite web |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings |work=Times Higher Education |publisher=Inflexion |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #401-500 (tied 2-4th nationally).{{cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings |website=Academic Ranking of World Universities |publisher=Shanghai Ranking Consultancy |language=en |publication-place=Shanghai, China}}

In the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a tied position of #542 (4th nationally).{{Cite web |title=Best Global Universities Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |website=U.S. News & World Report |language=en-US |publication-place=Washington, D.C., United States}}

In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,{{efn|The CWTS Leiden Ranking is based on P (top 10%).|name=a}} the university attained a position of #927 (4th nationally).{{Cite web |title=CWTS Leiden Ranking |url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2024/list |website=CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies) |publisher=Leiden University |language=en |publication-place=Leiden, Netherlands}}

{{Multiple image

| direction = vertical

| image1 = Haere-roa entrance (Ilam road) (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Haere-roa lawn (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = Haere-roa (the UCSA building)

| total_width = 300

}}

The University of Canterbury Students' Association (UCSA){{cite web|title=The University of Canterbury Students' Association|url=http://www.ucsa.org.nz|access-date=10 September 2010|publisher=UCSA|archive-date=23 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123214332/http://ucsa.org.nz/|url-status=live}} operates out of the student union building named Haere-roa which serves as the main student activity centre. The original UCSA Building was damaged in the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes and was subsequently torn down, it was rebuilt and completed in 2019, it is located on the Ilam Campus. The building is home to two bars, "the Foundry" and "Bentley's". The Association also runs several cafes and restaurants around campus.[http://ucsa.org.nz/shops/ — University of Canterbury Students' Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130513215211/http://ucsa.org.nz/shops/ |date=13 May 2013 }}. Ucsa.org.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013. Located in Haere-roa is the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, named for the former alumnus of the same name. Haere-roa hosts a number of student societies and organisation offices.

The university's student population operates the main student magazine, Canta, established in 1930. There are 12 issues per year, which are distributed around the UC campus every second Monday during the academic year.{{Cite web |date=30 March 2017 |title=About |url=https://canta.co.nz/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520033429/http://canta.co.nz/about/ |archive-date=20 May 2021 |access-date=13 October 2021 |website=CANTA |language=en-NZ}} The newspaper's offices are in the Haere-roa building. Canterbury's student population runs a radio station which began to broadcast and operate as RDU in 1976;{{Cite web|date=13 April 2017|title=HISTORY OF 'U' 1975 RDU|url=http://www.rdu.org.nz/archives/1683|access-date=13 October 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170413170751/http://www.rdu.org.nz/archives/1683 |archive-date=13 April 2017}} it began FM frequency broadcasting in 1986. RDU acquired its present frequency of 98.5 in 2003.

File:Ensoc.jpg

The university has over 140 academic, sporting, recreational and cultural societies and clubs.[http://ucsa.org.nz/clubs/ Clubs — University of Canterbury Students' Association] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515182938/http://ucsa.org.nz/clubs/ |date=15 May 2013 }}. Ucsa.org.nz. Retrieved on 17 August 2013. The most prominent of these include the Student Volunteer Army, the University of Canterbury Engineering Society (ENSOC), the University of Canterbury Law Society (LAWSOC), the University of Canterbury Commerce Society (UCOM) as well as the largest non-faculty clubs such as PongSoc (University of Canterbury Pong Society), Motosoc (Motorsports Society), Lads without Labels, CUBA (Canterbury University Boardriders' Association), CUTC (Tramping Club), UC Bike, Opsoc, The Gentlemen's Club. CUSSC (Canterbury University Snow Sports Club, formerly the CU Ski Club prior to 1997) is the only university club in New Zealand to own a ski field lodge, located at Temple Basin Ski Field.{{Cite web|title=History – Temple Basin Ski Area|url=https://templebasin.co.nz/about-temple/history/|access-date=11 November 2021|language=en-US}} The club runs many events to raise funds for maintenance of their lodge. The University of Canterbury Drama Society (Dramasoc) achieved fame for its 1942–1969 Shakespeare productions under Dame Ngaio Marsh, but regularly performs as an active student- and alumni-run arts fixture in the small Christchurch theatre-scene.

In 2011 the SVA was established in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes. A student at the University of Canterbury, Sam Johnson, rallied fellow students to help support the clean-up from the devastation. The club has grown and today is the largest club at the University of Canterbury.{{cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://sva.org.nz/our-story/ |website=Student Volunteer Army |access-date=26 July 2020 |archive-date=27 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727075942/https://sva.org.nz/our-story/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SVA supported the vulnerable with their shopping during the lockdown.{{cite news |title=Coronavirus: Student Volunteer Army rallies help with childcare and shopping |url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120583110/coronavirus-student-volunteer-army-rallies-help-with-childcare-and-shopping |access-date=29 March 2020 |agency=Stuff |archive-date=29 March 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200329180057/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/120583110/coronavirus-student-volunteer-army-rallies-help-with-childcare-and-shopping |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ōtautahi Christchurch Leading the Way in Helping Elderly and Vulnerable |url= https://www.christchurchnz.com/news/otautahi-christchurch-leading-the-way-in-helping-elderly-and-vulnerable |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=26 July 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200726221113/https://www.christchurchnz.com/news/otautahi-christchurch-leading-the-way-in-helping-elderly-and-vulnerable |url-status=live }}

Lads without Labels is a not-for-profit charity dedicated to improving men's mental health in and around campus. On 5–8 October 2021 Lads without labels started the Project 72 fundraiser, a 72-hour relay on the University of Canterbury campus, which raised $12,000 for men's mental health; as well in 2021 Lads without labels organised a 24-hour backyard cricket marathon raising $45,000.{{Cite news |date=27 October 2021|title=The fundraising fanatic who never fails to find 'stuff' to do|url= https://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/300434709/the-fundraising-fanatic-who-never-fails-to-find-stuff-to-do|access-date=11 November 2021|work=Stuff |language=en}}

File:Undie500Noah.jpg car decorated as Noah's Ark]]

One major student tradition, the Undie 500, involved an annual car-rally from Christchurch to Dunedin run by ENSOC. The rules required only the use of a road-legal car costing under $500 with a sober driver.{{Cite web|title=Undie 500|url=https://www.odt.co.nz/tag/undie-500|access-date=11 November 2021|website=Otago Daily Times |language=en}} The 2007 event gained international news coverage (including on CNN and BBC World) when it ended in rioting in the student quarter of Dunedin and in North East Valley. ENSOC cancelled the planned 2008 event. The Undie 500 was replaced by the Roundie 500 in 2011. This event has the same principles but follows a route through rural Canterbury, returning to Christchurch the same day.{{Cite news |last=Fitzgerald|first=Chelle|date=1 March 2020|title=Students, start your engines: A short history of the Undie 500|url= https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/01-03-2020/students-start-your-engines-a-short-history-of-the-undie-500/|access-date=11 November 2021|work=The Spinoff }}

{{main category|University of Canterbury alumni}}Since it was founded, University of Canterbury alumni have made significant and creative contributions to society, the arts and sciences, business, national New Zealand, and international affairs.{{Cite web|title=Our alumni|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/|access-date=15 October 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514123921/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/|url-status=live}}

{{Multiple images

| image1 = Christopher Luxon 2023 cropped full body (cropped).jpg

| caption1 = Christopher Luxon

| image2 = John Key February 2015.jpg

| caption2 = John Key

| image3 = Jenny Shipley, September 1999 (cropped).jpg

| caption3 = Jenny Shipley

| image4 = Bill rowling-1981.jpg

| caption4 = Bill Rowling

| total_width = 400

| header = New Zealand Prime Ministers that attended Canterbury

}}

Four New Zealand Prime Ministers have attended Canterbury, including Christopher Luxon, John Key, Bill Rowling, and Jenny Shipley, the latter attended Christchurch Teachers College, now merged with the university.{{Cite web |last=New Zealand Parliament |date=17 December 2018 |title=Prime Ministers of New Zealand since 1856 |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/visit-and-learn/mps-and-parliaments-1854-onwards/prime-ministers-of-new-zealand-since-1856/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}}{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=Jennifer Shipley {{!}} Biography & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jennifer-Shipley |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} International leaders educated at Canterbury include Feleti Sevele Prime Minister of Tonga, Feleti Teo Prime Minister of Tuvalu and Anote Tong President of Kiribati.

{{Multiple image

| total_width = 350

| image1 = Apirana Ngata.jpg

| caption1 = Āpirana Ngata

| image2 = Ruth Richardson (crop).tif

| caption2 = Ruth Richardson

| image3 =

| caption3 =

| image4 = Feleti Sevele with Obamas (crop2).jpg

| caption4 = Feleti Sevele

| header = Politicians who attended Canterbury

}}

Notable politicians who studied at Canterbury include: Ruth Richardson Minister of Finance for the "mother of all budgets" which formed the catalyst of her economic reforms known in the media as "Ruthanasia".{{Cite web |date=2023-07-24 |title=Ruth Richardson {{!}} Doctor of Commerce {{!}} University of Canterbury |url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about-uc/why-uc/our-alumni/honorary-doctorates/ruth-richardson |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.canterbury.ac.nz |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1991: The 'mother of all budgets'

|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/124978983/1991-the-mother-of-all-budgets |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}} Nicola Willis, the current Minister for Finance, also attended Canterbury, as did other former Ministers of Finance Michael Cullen and David Caygill. Former Leaders of the Opposition Judith Collins (though she did not complete her degree) and Don Brash, the latter whom is infamous for his Orewa Speech.{{Cite web |last=New Zealand Parliament |date=6 Feb 2007 |title=Dr Don Brash |url=https://www.parliament.nz/en/mps-and-electorates/former-members-of-parliament/brash-don/ |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=New Zealand Parliament}}{{Cite web |date=2024-06-22 |title=Collins: Things you might not know |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/seven-things-you-might-not-know-about-judith-collins/W3VH7C3JGNCBWM6QSGFVZXILVA/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}{{Cite web |title=How Don Brash's Orewa speech changed the way governments talk about Treaty of Waitangi|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/105849114/how-don-brashs-orewa-speech-changed-the-way-governments-talk-about-the-treaty-of-waitangi |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.stuff.co.nz}} Other significant figures include Nick Smith, Rodney Hide, Stuart Nash, Peter Dunne, Marian Hobbs, and Catherine Isaac. Mayors of Christchurch include: Lianne Dalziel, Bob Parker, Vicki Buck and George Manning.{{Cite web |title=Past chairs and mayors |url=https://ccc.govt.nz/the-council/how-the-council-works/council-history/past-chairs-and-mayors |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Christchurch City Council |language=en-GB}}

It also includes Āpirana Ngata the first Māori to receive a degree, and described as the foremost Māori politician. He was known for his work in promoting and protecting Māori culture and language.{{Cite web |last=Sorrenson |first=M. P. K. |date=1996 |title=Ngata, Apirana Turupa |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3n5/ngata-apirana-turupa |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}} He also features on the New Zealand fifty-dollar note.

{{See also|Category:University of Canterbury Faculty of Law alumni|label 1=University of Canterbury Faculty of Law alumni}}{{Multiple images

| total_width = 250

| image1 = William Young 2020 (cropped).jpg

| caption1 = William Young

| image2 =

| caption2 = Ivor Richardson

| image3 = Michael Myers, New Zealand.jpg

| caption3 = Michael Myers

| header = Judges who attended Canterbury

}}

Canterbury has produced a large number of distinguished jurists, judges and lawyers around the world. Among its alumni are Supreme Court Justices Andrew Tipping, New Zealand's longest-serving judge, who spent 25 years on the bench, and William Young, also former President of the Court of Appeal.{{Cite web |title=Former Supreme Court Judges |url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/the-courts/supreme-court/former-supreme-court-judges/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Courts of New Zealand |language=en-GB}} Ivor Richardson, also a former President of the Court of Appeal, is credited with significantly influencing the development of New Zealand tax law and policy.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-22 |title=Top NZ judge dies aged 84 |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/top-nz-judge-sir-ivor-richardson-dies-aged-84/FKILJNSTTUOB4OGHEHH32F7I3U/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}}

Furthermore, Canterbury has educated six current High Court Judges, including former Chief High Court Judge Geoffrey Venning.{{Cite web |title=Judges |url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/the-courts/high-court/judges/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Courts of New Zealand |language=en-GB}} Other notable Lawyers include: Matthew Palmer Justice of the Court of Appeal (though he only completed his B.A. at Canterbury);{{Cite web |title=Judges |url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/the-courts/court-of-appeal/judges/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Courts of New Zealand |language=en-GB}} Graham Panckhurst Justice of the High Court and chair of the Royal Commission into the Pike River Mine disaster; and Michael Myers sixth Chief Justice of New Zealand.{{Cite web |title=Former Chief Justices |url=https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/about-the-judiciary/role-judges/former-chief-justices/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Courts of New Zealand |language=en-GB}} The New Zealand Government's Attorneys General have included: Judith Collins and Michael Cullen.

{{Multiple image

| total_width = 350

| image1 = Ernest Rutherford LOC.jpg

| caption1 = Ernest Rutherford

| image2 = Roy Kerr CNZM (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = Roy Kerr

| image3 = Don Brash 2011 - edited.png

| caption3 = Don Brash

| header = Mathematicians, scientists and economists who attended Canterbury

}}

One of the most notable Canterbury alumni is Ernest Rutherford a physicist described as "the father of nuclear physics", and who features on the New Zealand one hundred-dollar note. In 1908 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for his investigations into the disintegration of the elements, and the chemistry of radioactive substances". In 1917 Rutherford "split the atom".{{Cite web |title=Ernest Rutherford {{!}} NZ History |url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/people/ernest-rutherford |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=nzhistory.govt.nz}} Roy Kerr, was also educated at Canterbury, he discovered the Kerr Solution, an exact solution to the Einstein field equation of general relativity.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-22 |title=Roy Kerr turns 90: Inside the beautiful mind of a Kiwi genius |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/roy-kerr-turns-90-inside-the-beautiful-mind-of-a-kiwi-genius/PM426RYTR5AYFKPOFVTZWYJJDU/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ}} Beatrice Tinsley an astronomer and cosmologist who through her research in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, proved that the universe was infinite and would expand forever.{{Cite web |last=Priestley |first=Rebecca |date=2018 |title=Tinsley, Beatrice Muriel |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/6t5/tinsley-beatrice-muriel |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}} Richard Barrer was a 'founding father' of zeolite science and its applications he gave his name to the zeolite Barrerite, and the barrer, a unit of gas permeability.{{Cite journal |last=Rees |first=Lovat V. C. |date=1 November 1998 |title=Richard Maling Barrer. 16 June 1910 – 12 September 1996 |url= https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbm.1998.0003 |journal=Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society |language=en |volume=44 |pages=37–49 |doi=10.1098/rsbm.1998.0003 |issn=0080-4606|url-access=subscription }} Other notable scientists include: Ian Axford, Toby Hendy, Ian Foster, Craig Nevill-Manning and Michelle Rogan-Finnemore.

Notable engineers include: John Britten, a mechanical engineer, who designed the Britten motorcycle that won races and set numerous speed records on international circuits;{{Cite web |title=The Making of John Britten |url=https://britten.co.nz/pages/john-britten |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Britten Motorcycle Company}} and Bill Pickering, an aerospace engineer, who headed Pasadena, California's Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 22 years.{{Cite web |title=William Pickering (1910–2004) {{!}} Engineering New Zealand |url=https://www.engineeringnz.org/programmes/heritage/engineering-hall-fame/william-pickering-1910-2004/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.engineeringnz.org |language=en}} Other notable engineers include Nigel Priestley, Thomas Paulay and David Beauchamp.

Economists Rex Bergstrom, Brian Easton, Ken Henry, Graham Scott and John McMillan attended Canterbury. Don Brash, who received a B.A. and M.A. in economics, also served as Governor of the Reserve Bank. He presided over the reforms of central-bank autonomy and accountability under the Public Finance Act 1989 which were described as "genuine innovations".{{Cite web |last=Singleton |first=John |date=20 June 2012 |title=Reserve Bank – Central bank independence |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/reserve-bank/page-3 |archive-date= |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}

{{Div col}}

• Rita Angus – painter
• Ian Axford – space scientist
• Michael Baigent – author and archaeologist
• Rosemary Banks – ambassador to the United Nations
• David Beauchamp – civil engineer
• Rex Bergstrom – academic and economist
• Don Brash – former Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and former leader of the opposition
• Althea Carbon – lawyer and co-founder of Charity-IT
• Eleanor Catton – writer and Man Booker Prize winner 2013
• Neil Cherry – environmental scientist
• Mark Chignell – academic
• Nathan Cohen – world champion and Olympic champion rower
• Judith Collins – politician and former leader of the National Party
• Michael P. Collins – academic
• Helen Connon – educational pioneer
• Michael Cullen – former deputy prime minister and minister of finance
• Lianne Dalziel – 46th mayor of Christchurch
• Rhys Darby – comedian
• G. F. J. Dart – headmaster of Ballarat Grammar School 1942–1970
• Peter Dunne – politician
• Brian Easton – economist
• Atta Elayyan – futsal player, murdered in the Christchurch mosque shootings{{cite news|author=Day, James|url=https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/former-corvallis-man-killed-in-new-zealand-terror-attacks/article_4d4b8ae8-b132-5412-b268-e5719d19a46a.html|title=Former Corvallis man killed in New Zealand terror attacks|work=Gazette Times|date=16 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|archive-date=17 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317185952/https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/former-corvallis-man-killed-in-new-zealand-terror-attacks/article_4d4b8ae8-b132-5412-b268-e5719d19a46a.html|url-status=live}}
• Stevan Eldred-Grigg – historian and novelist
• Ian Foster – computer scientist
• Rob Fyfe – businessman and former Air New Zealand CEO
• Roy Good – artist and designer
• Edith Searle Grossmann – writer and journalist
• Henry Hargreaves – photographer
• Rhona Haszard – artist
• Joel Hayward – academic
• Toby Hendy – science communicator
• Ken Henry – Secretary to the Treasury (Australia)
• Rodney Hide – politician
• Jock Hobbs – former captain of the All Blacks
• Marian Hobbs – politician
• Nina Oberg Humphries – artist
• Catherine Isaac – politician
• Bruce Jesson – writer
• Jess Johnson – artist
• Roger Kerr – executive director of the New Zealand Business Roundtable
• Roy Kerr – mathematician and physicist, discovered the Kerr geometry
• John Key – 38th prime minister of New Zealand
• Howard Kippenberger – military leader
• Jordan Luck – musician
• Christopher Luxon – 42nd prime minister of New Zealand and former CEO of Air New Zealand
• Euan Macleod – painter
• Margaret Mahy – author of children's and young adult books{{Cite web|title=William Young|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/uc-hon-docs/william-young/|access-date=19 June 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201646/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/uc-hon-docs/william-young/|url-status=live}}
• Ngaio Marsh – crime writer and theatre director
• Julie Maxton – academic administrator
• John McMillan – economist
• Colleen Mills – communications professor
• Trevor Moffitt – painter
• Stuart Nash – politician
• Sam Neill – actor
• Craig Nevill-Manning – engineer
• Sir Āpirana Ngata – lawyer and statesman; first Māori person to complete a degree at a New Zealand university
• William Orange – Anglican churchman and founder of Latimer House
• Matthew Palmer – Justice of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand
• Graham Panckhurst – Justice of the High Court of New Zealand
• Thomas Paulay – earthquake engineer
• Bill Pickering – engineering administrator
• J. G. A. Pocock – historian
• Nigel Priestley – earthquake engineer
• Ivor Richardson – president of the Court of Appeal of New Zealand
• Ruth Richardson – lawyer and former minister of finance
• Michelle Rogan-Finnemore — geologist, legal expert, Antarctic program manager
• Bill Rowling – 30th prime minister of New Zealand
• Theia – musician
• Ernest Rutherford – physicist and Nobel laureate in chemistry{{Cite web|title=Ernest Rutherford|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/uc-legends/ernest-rutherford/|access-date=19 June 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201011/https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/our-alumni/uc-legends/ernest-rutherford/|url-status=live}}
• Graham Cecil Scott – economist, government official, international consultant
• Feleti Vakaʻuta Sevele – 14th prime minister of Tonga
• Jenny Shipley – 36th prime minister of New Zealand{{Cite web|title=Jennifer Shipley {{!}} Biography & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jennifer-Shipley|access-date=19 June 2021|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=6 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606222737/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jennifer-Shipley|url-status=live}}
• Nick Smith – politician
• Kevin Smith – actor
• John Storey – rower
• Mahiriki Tangaroa – painter
• Margaret Thomson – film director
• Beatrice Tinsley – astronomer
• Sir Andrew Tipping – former Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand
• Anote Tong – 4th president of Kiribati
• Vincent Ward – film director and screenwriter
• Ada Wells – feminist
• Murray C. Wells – professor of accounting at the University of Sydney
• Dora Wilcox – poet
• Nicola Willis – finance minister
• Cal Wilson – comedian and television personality
• Glenn Wilson – psychologist
• John Young – professor of composition, De Montfort University, Leicester
• William Young – Justice of the Supreme Court of New Zealand

{{Div col end}}

{{main category|Academic staff of the University of Canterbury}}

{{Div col}}

• Jacob Bercovitch – international relations, conflict mediation
• Alexander Bickerton – chemist
• Anne-Marie Brady – political scientist
• Alice Candy – historian
• Denis Dutton – philosopher
• Jan Evans-Freeman – electrical engineer
• Juliet Gerrard – biochemist
• Clive Granger – Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, Erskine Fellow
• Robert Grubbs – Nobel Memorial Prize in Chemistry, Erskine Fellow
• Jennifer Hay – linguist
• Elizabeth Herriott – botanist and first woman appointed lecturer
• William Keith Jackson – professor emeritus, NZ parliamentary politics
• Susan Krumdieck – energy transition engineering
• Megan McAuliffe – specialist in speech production/impairment
• Sacha McMeeking – law, Māori and indigenous studies
• Henrietta Mondry – specialist in Russian culture
• James Ockey – political scientist and specialist on Thailand and Southeast Asia
• Karl Popper – philosopher
• Arthur Prior – philosopher
• Alexander Tan – political scientist and specialist on Taiwan and Asian politics
• Stephen Todd – Professor of Law, principal author of The Law of Torts in New Zealand; and co-author of The Law of Contract in New Zealand
• Duncan Webb – politician and lawyer

{{Div col end}}

{{main|List of honorary doctors of the University of Canterbury}}

File:Tā Tipene O'Regan in 2020 (further cropped).jpg|Tā Tipene O'Regan, Teacher, academic, Chief Negotiator for Te Kerēme (LittD hc, 1992)

File:Mike Moore.jpg|Mike Moore, 34th Prime Minister of New Zealand (DCom hc, 2005)

File:Sam Neill 2017 (cropped).jpg|Sam Neill, Actor (LittD hc, 2002)

Since 1962, the University of Canterbury has been awarding honorary doctorates. In many years, no awards were made, but in most years, multiple doctorates were awarded. The highest number of honorary doctorates was awarded in 1973, when there were seven recipients.{{cite web |title=Honorary Graduates |url=http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/council/Honorary%20Graduates/Annual_Recipient_List_2014.pdf |publisher=University of Canterbury |access-date=14 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304040618/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/theuni/council/Honorary%20Graduates/Annual_Recipient_List_2014.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2015 |url-status=dead }}

File:Ilam Homestead 6308 Staff Club.jpg, during the 1950s.]]

• Heavenly Creatures (1994) – Based on the Parker–Hulme murder case, Juliet Hulme (later known as Anne Perry) was the daughter of Henry Hulme, the rector of the University of Canterbury, and she and Pauline Parker murdered Honorah Parker, Pauline's mother. During this period Juliet and her family lived on campus in the Ilam homestead (now the University of Canterbury Staff Club), where filming for the movie took place.{{Cite web |last=Gates |first=Charlie |date=17 April 2014 |title=Heavenly Creatures locations 20 years on |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/9951415/Heavenly-Creatures-locations-20-years-on |access-date=13 March 2022 |website=Stuff |language=en}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book|ref={{sfnRef|Gardner et al|1973}}|last1=Gardner|first1=W. Jim|last2=Beardsley|first2=E. T.|last3=Carter|first3=T. E.|editor-first=Neville Crompton|editor-last=Phillips|url=https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/15146|title=A History of the University of Canterbury, 1873–1973|year=1973|publisher=University of Canterbury|location=Christchurch}}
• Hight, J., Candy, A. M. F., & Canterbury College. (1927). A short history of the Canterbury College (University of New Zealand): With a register of graduates and associates of the college. Whitcombe and Tombs.
• {{Cite book

|editor-last = Scholefield

|editor-first = Guy

|editor-link = Guy Scholefield

|title = A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : A–L

|volume = I

|year = 1940a

|publisher = Department of Internal Affairs

|location = Wellington

|url = https://www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v1.pdf

|access-date = 6 October 2013

|archive-date = 9 March 2012

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120309082939/http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v1.pdf

|url-status = dead

}}

• {{Cite book

|editor-last = Scholefield

|editor-first = Guy

|editor-link = Guy Scholefield

|title = A Dictionary of New Zealand Biography : M–Addenda

|volume = II

|year = 1940b

|publisher = Department of Internal Affairs

|location = Wellington

|url = https://www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v2.pdf

|access-date = 27 December 2019

|archive-date = 27 March 2014

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140327073420/https://www.nzhistory.net.nz/files/documents/dnzb-1940/scholefield-dnzb-v2.pdf

|url-status = dead

}}

{{Commons category|University of Canterbury}}

• {{official website|http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/}}
• [http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/spark/ UC Spark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723122124/http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/spark/ |date=23 July 2014 }}
• [http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scholarly/tei-MosIllu-t1-body1-d3-d1.html#n67 Canterbury College and the New Zealand University in Christchurch (1885 article)]

{{University of Canterbury}}

{{New Zealand universities}}

{{Science and Research in New Zealand}}

{{Triple accreditation}}

{{portal bar|New Zealand}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Film schools in New Zealand

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1873

Category:1873 establishments in New Zealand