university of canterbury
Direct-Enroll Program
Program Description
Immersed in the heart of Ōtautahi – the second largest city in New Zealand – Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury provides an experience unlike any other university. We offer students endless opportunities for education, exploration and recreation, with all the conveniences of a modern city. Learn more about UC's story.
Nestled between Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, the majestic Southern Alps, and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the abundant Pacific Ocean, the University of Canterbury offers students endless opportunities for education, exploration and recreation, with all the conveniences of a modern city.
| Program Dates and Deadlines: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | Nomination Deadline | Application Deadline | |
| Fall, Spring, or Academic Year *Please note that their academic calendar is different than FAU* | April 1 for Fall; October 15 for Spring | April 15 for Fall; November 15 for Spring | |
Information Sheet |
|
|---|---|
| Open to | All academic disciplines |
| Language of Instruction | English |
| Level of Study | Undergraduate |
| Credit Offered | Transfer credits |
ACADEMICS:
University of Canterbury offers curriculum within Arts, Engineering, Health, Science, and Business. Students can view Canterbury course offerings .
Please note that course offerings are subject to change based on term and year. Education Abroad cannot guarantee that the courses shown will be available for the term/year you study abroad.
Students participating on a direct-enroll program will be taking courses at the host university. Students need to work with Education Abroad and their academic advisor to see if courses abroad are equivalent to FAU courses and how those FAU equivalencies are degree applicable. Education Abroad has created a blanket equivalency database for courses offered at Canterbury and their FAU equivalencies .
Program Eligibility & Requirements
- Must have a 2.8 overall GPA for undergraduate students at the time of application
- Must be in good academic standing at the time of application
- Only open to degree-seeking FAU students
- See Policies & Procedures page for more information
|
Education Abroad Advisor: |
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Brendan Richardson, Associate Director Schedule an appointment: |
Travel Documentation
Important notice! Passport processing times have changed. Review up-to-date details .
Routine processing times can take 10-13 weeks, and expedited applications in 7-9 weeks. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
A valid passport is required for all international travel. If you are traveling anywhere abroad, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.
If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit
Location
From an enviable outdoor lifestyle to local events and job prospects, find out about life in Christchurch as a UC student. Ranked in the top 100 QS Best Student Cities 2025, Christchurch offers students an exciting, vibrant lifestyle anchored in the beauty and serenity of the surrounding natural environment. Living in Christchurch is also more affordable than other New Zealand cities, so students have more budget to put towards enjoying all the opportunities the Canterbury region has to offer. Situated only a short distance from Christchurch’s city centre, UC’s lush campus provides a connected student community, with halls of residence only a few minutes’ walk from labs and lecture halls. With easy access from campus to the heart of the city, students can enjoy a wide range of leisure activities, including an array of restaurants, bars, cafés, festivals, concerts, museums, galleries, and markets. Those seeking an escape into nature will find bountiful outdoor activities on UC’s doorstep, including hiking, mountain biking, surfing, skiing and snowboarding, parks, wineries, and more – bolstered by Christchurch’s unique location between the mountains and the ocean.
Students have a few accommodations available to them: , (5 Bed Townhouses), (Hinau 3-5 Bed Apartments), and (5 Bed Apartments). Housing is guaranteed providing your application is received by the appropriate deadlines.
Funding opportunities
Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
- Students participating on may use eligible financial aid
- Please reach out to Jolla Molinar, jmolinar@fau.edu, for assistance with financial aid
- Program participants are eligible to apply for the FAU Education Abroad Scholarship amongst other nationally recognized scholarships
- See additional scholarship and funding information here.
- Note that financial aid will not be disbursed to your student account until 2-3 weeks after the FAU drop/add period of the semester you are studying abroad
budgetary items
These are items to consider to budget for your study abroad program:
Tuition at Canterbury:
Tuition fees for one semester of undergraduate courses for 2025 are NZ$12,950 (flat fee).
In 2024, the Student Services Levy will be depending on your course load as follows:
45 points per semester: NZ$412.65 per semester
60 points per semester: NZ$550.20 per semester
75 points per semester: NZ$687.75 per semester
The Student Services Levy fee for 2025 will be avaialble in Septembe
Canterbury Housing:
It can vary depending on which accommodation you choose. Please see costs for the 2024 academic year:
Out of pocket expenses ():
- $200 administrative fee due at time of application
- International flight
- Personal spending
- Visa expenses
- International health insurance
Health, Safety and Travel Documentation
All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad awill provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and virtual link the semester before your program.
1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips.
International Health and Travel Insurance
All FAU students participating on an exchange program will need to register in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. You can view the policy here.
Resources
- U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory – Country Information:
- CDC:
- FAU SHS: FAU - Health Advisory
- WHO:
- Access to vaccine: FAU - COVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Benefits of being fully vaccinated prior to departure for your study abroad program:
- Reduced risk of denied entry if a country requires vaccination for entry
- Reduced risk of having to get vaccinated abroad if it becomes mandatory in the country of study
- Reduced risk of denied acceptance to one of our foreign universities
- Reduced risk of denied acceptance into campus housing or host accommodations abroad
- Reduced risk of spreading COVID-19 and its variants to other parts of the world, including the communities where we have programs
- Reduced risk of contracting COVID-19 while abroad, which could lead to missed classes and excursions,mandatory quarantine or isolation, and other disruptions to the program
- Increases student access to local events, services, and travel while abroad
- Provides more flexibility in planning study abroad extracurricular activities, including excursions
- The WHO and U.S. CDC agree that the vaccine helps reduce the risk of serious illness and helps prevent the spread of COVID-19
- Alongside our other prevention measures, the vaccine significantly increases protection for FAU faculty, staff, students, and international partners
Regarding increased access because of being vaccinated, please be aware that businesses and services may legally restrict access to exclude unvaccinated individuals. Local ordinances may allow the same. In such cases, FAU won’t be able to intervene or advocate on your behalf.