Overview

RANKED #188 IN THE TOP 500 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD BY THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION
Since its establishment in 1873 the University of Canterbury has gained an international reputation for academic excellence in teaching and research. Its undergraduate and graduate programs are recognized across the world and aim to foster intellectual independence, critical thinking, and professional excellence in every field. The University’s teaching program is research-based. All staff is expected to be involved in research and publishing in their specialist area. The University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, in from Arts (Humanities and Social Sciences), Commerce, Education (including Teaching) Engineering, Law, Music, Fine Arts, Forestry, Science, Social Work, Speech & Language Therapy, and Sport Coaching.
Location

Christchurch is the largest city in New Zealand’s South Island. It lies on the coastal edge of the Canterbury Plains close to both the sea and the mountains. The University’s modern and well-equipped facilities are spread across a spacious suburban campus, with easy access to the centre of the city and its cultural and recreational facilities. Christchurch international airport is a 10-minute drive from the University campus. Christchurch is known as the "Garden City". It has excellent beaches, plentiful parks, reserves, and golf courses. There are several ski-fields within an hour and a half’s drive from the city. It is easy to travel from Christchurch to lakes and mountains and well-known tourist centers such as Mount Cook and Queenstown.
Academic Highlights
Engineering: Specializations are available in civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical and process engineering, forestry and natural resource
engineering. Forestry Science: The University of Canterbury has the only School of Forestry in the country providing an internationally acclaimed degree. The school enjoys an excellent reputation in all aspects of forestry including forest management, silviculture, forest economics and conservation management. Fine Arts: The school staff comprises a unique, highly qualified, and experienced community of artists, designers, art historians, and art theorists of international standing. Physics and Astronomy: The University of Canterbury has a leadership role in astronomy and manages New Zealand’s largest telescope at one of its field station. University of Canterbury has also taken the initiative to become a partner in the SALT project, which will have a state of the art telescope built in South Africa. Antarctic Studies: Offers students a unique and wide-ranging insight into the importance of Antarctica in today’s international global issues such as climate change, tourism, fisheries, minerals, politics, law, and conservation. University of Canterbury is the only New Zealand university to offer this program. Other outstanding departments are: biological and geological sciences, communication disorders, commerce, law, music, linguistics, and geography.
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*http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/Rankings2009-Top200.html