University of Canterbury
About the University of Canterbury
Basic information and contact details for the University of Canterbury
Immersed in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand’s second largest city, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) provides an experience unlike any other university. Nestled between Kā Tiritiri o te Moana, the majestic Southern Alps, and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the abundant Pacific Ocean, UC offers students endless opportunities for education, exploration and recreation, with all the conveniences of a modern city.
Outside traditional learning, we provide students the chance to find themselves, to connect with others and to positively contribute to a changing world. Our students are innovative and caring, and we are proud to support them to grow as individuals alongside the University of Canterbury Students’ Association, nurturing our warm and vibrant community. The global impact of the University’s highly skilled, industry-ready graduates is visible through a whānau (family) of more than 140,000 strong; a cohort of engaged and empowered alumni affecting change around the world.
Our vision for the University of Canterbury is a contemporary university, a place of learning that is grounded in our shared history, values our differences, and aspires towards research and tertiary education that is equitable and accessible to all. We are determined to remain agile, responsive and pioneering, pushing boundaries to meet the evolving needs of our students. Since the Canterbury Collegiate Union was founded with Henry John Tancred’s inaugural address in 1872, the University of Canterbury has stood for the encouragement of talent without barriers. In 2023, we celebrated our 150th anniversary by reflecting on our successes and learning opportunities, setting our aspirations for the next 50 years. We achieved record enrolments in 2024 which is evidence of our status as a future focused, engaging university.
We pride ourselves on delivering a high standard of education and facilitating creative and innovative research for the benefit of both local and global communities. The international networks paved by teaching and research excellence, provide opportunities for partnerships, research collaborations and student exchanges. Our academic leaders are encouraged to be courageous, forward-thinking and generous with their knowledge. They explore their fields of expertise with integrity and vigour, encourage conversations and challenges, and share their learnings with the intent of creating better outcomes for everyone.
People come first at the University of Canterbury, reflecting our intrinsic values: whanaungatanga, manaakitanga and tiakitanga. These values are rooted in trust, care and reciprocity, and were embedded over generations by the presence of the regions iwi (tribe)
In-Confidence
Ngāi Tahu, and hapū (sub-tribe),Ngāi Tūāhuriri. In fact, in 1861 Pita Te Hori, the first Upoko (tribal leader) of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, instructed the founders of Ōtautahi Christchurch: “kia atawhai ki te iwi – be kind to your people.” Today, these words underpin the relationships we foster amongst our students, staff and community. We are proud to open our doors to students and staff throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and the world, welcoming everyone to learn from one another and contribute to our diverse and flourishing community. The University of Canterbury is a place for everyone.
Our relationships with mana whenua (indigenous people of this land) are integral to these aspirations, as we strive to ensure that Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) is the bedrock of the University of Canterbury. As we continue to strengthen our partnership and grow our understanding of mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), we are creating a programme of collaborative knowledge creation that sets the University of Canterbury apart. In doing so, we also acknowledge New Zealand as an integral Pacific nation and embrace the shared whakapapa (genealogical connections) and reciprocal relationships with our Pacific neighbours.
We seek to cultivate a spirit of curiosity that honours those who have gone before us, while contributing to the pool of diverse knowledge that we will in turn pass on to the next generation. In this, we are inspired by the Ngāi Tahu whakataukī (proverb): mō tātou, ā, mō ngā uri ā muri ake nei – for us and our children after us. We know that our students are our future, and we believe in empowering them to overcome the challenges of the changing world, and to create a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive future for us all.
The University of Canterbury provides a learning and research gateway, from the vast expanse of the galaxy to the depths of the Antarctic continent—offering the connection, understanding and opportunities that will enable us to overcome the challenges facing our society.
Our people are powered by resilience and determination, using our combined knowledge and experience to chart a course into the future – aukahatia tō waka, he hekenga tai roa. We stand with our community in times of need, mobilising our networks to provide solutions, resources and simple kindness.
There is a place for you at the University of Canterbury – nau mai, tauti mai – come join us.
Rankings
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Sustainability Impact Ratings
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Key Student Statistics
A breakdown of student statistics at the University of Canterbury
- Student gender ratio
- 51 F : 49 M (1)
- International student percentage
- 18% (1)
- Students per staff
- 20.9 (1)
- Student total
- 15706 (1)
Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2027
Jobs at the University of Canterbury
Open positions for academics and staff at the University of Canterbury
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Lecturer - Fine Arts (Painting)
University of Canterbury
New Zealand, Christchurch
University of Canterbury
New Zealand, Christchurch
Mātai Kōwaiwai | Fine Arts Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand Full-time 37.5 hours per week (1.0 FTE) Continuing (permanent) position Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities Kia hiwa rā, kia hiwa rā! He hiahia, he pūkenga nōu ki te mahi a te Pūkenga ? Nāia te pōwhiri nā Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha kia tono mai i te tūranga nei. Āu Mahi | What You Will Do UC's Ilam School of Fine Arts is looking for an experienced academic/artist to be a Lecturer in Painting. In this position, you will deliver high-quality teaching to our painting students, supervise Honours, Masters, and practice-based PhD students, while producing high calibre research outputs and assisting with administrative duties within the school. You will also help ensure that academic programmes remain current, impactful, and responsive to emerging needs in the field. This appointment represents a significant opportunity for an emerging or more established academic to shape the direction of research and education within the school and the wider field. Mōu | Who You Are To be successful in this position, you will be active in research/building your outputs/portfolio, scholarship and creative work. You will also have the following: A PhD in a relevant field is preferred, however applicants with a Master's Degree or equivalent (NZQA Level 9 or above), preferably a Master of Fine Arts would be considered A dynamic understanding of contemporary art practice, with a deep knowledge of contemporary painting practice and its historical antecedents An appreciation of the cultural and artistic contexts of Aotearoa/New Zealand and how these relate to a global arts network/discourse A commitment to inclusive teaching practices and reflective professional development Active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga (protocols and processes), kawa (rules) of cultural practice and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori An ability to discuss, practice and operate across a diverse set of art practices/disciplines. Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With The Ilam School of Fine Arts offers a boutique-style education in both the practical field of fine arts and the wider liberal arts. The ability to specialise in one of five disciplines; design, moving image, painting, photography and sculpture, is unique within New Zealand. Staff are all practicing artists, designers, filmmakers and curators with established reputations. Our recent graduates join a long list of highly regarded alumni who continue to make significant artistic, cultural and social differences in New Zealand and the world beyond Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora -– Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference. We are committed to accessible higher education, service to the community and the encouragement of talent without barriers of distance, wealth, class, gender or ethnicity. The University explicitly aims to produce graduates and support staff who are engaged with their communities, empowered to act for good and determined to make a difference in the world. Mea e tukua nei | What we offer The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment, this includes: relocation support five weeks annual leave and five days university holidays UC Parental Leave (up to 9 weeks paid) + 26 weeks Government paid parental leave and onsite childcare facility widely accessible sabbatical provision generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%) University and Faculty scholarship support for post-graduate students a unique bequest funded endowment (Erskine Fund) that supports an extensive visiting fellowship programme flexible working arrangements supportive working environment professional development and study opportunities living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as the recreation centre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more. For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/ This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Lecturer $94,181 p.a.(2.01) - $106,616p.a. (2.04). The closing date for this position is: 8 November 2026 (midnight NZ time) Please note, applications may be reviewed before the close date. Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply Applications for this position must be submitted online through our careers website and should include: a 'cover letter' including a 2–3-page statement outlining your research history, interests and goals, teaching philosophy, and your thoughts on how the School of Fine Arts can continue to grow and develop over the coming years. a 'resume' which includes a list of relevant research-led and research-based practice. We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz For further information specifically about the role, please contact: Aaron Kreisler, Head of Creative and Digital Arts, aaron.kreisler@canterbury.ac.nz For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand. Please note, this is an onsite position. To apply for this job, please click here or go to our job site and enter the job code 33763HL.
Salary
$94,181 p.a.(2.01) - $106,616 p.a. (2.04)
Posted
23 Oct 2026
Associate Professor/Professor of Community Nursing
University of Canterbury
New Zealand, Christchurch
University of Canterbury
New Zealand, Christchurch
Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health and Nurse Maude Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand Full-time, 37.5 hours per week Continuing (permanent) position Generous annual leave provisions and professional development opportunities Āu Mahi | What You Will Do Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | The University of Canterbury and Nurse Maude invite applications for a continuing joint appointment at the level of Associate Professor or Professor. Nurse Maude and UC are prominent and well-established organisations in Te Wai Pounamu (South Island - New Zealand), and this co-funded partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing nursing as an academic discipline. By combining UC's strengths in research and education with Nurse Maude's longstanding expertise in high-quality community healthcare, this role creates a vital bridge between academic scholarship and clinical practice. This senior academic position has a substantial research focused component offering a unique opportunity to provide strategic research leadership and academic stewardship across two collegial, high-performing, and future-focused organisations. It reflects a joint commitment to advancing community-based healthcare, education, and research excellence in nursing. The Professorial Chair in Community Nursing/Nursing will engage with both UC and Nurse Maude, to lead initiatives that enhance research, education, and clinical practice, positioning both organisations at the forefront of innovation and evidence-informed nursing. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the research profile of both the Faculty and Nurse Maude by driving a clear and ambitious research agenda aligned with local, national, and international priorities. They will bring a sustained record of research excellence, demonstrated through high-quality publications, success in securing external research funding, and the ability to lead high-performing multidisciplinary research teams. Experience translating research into clinical practice and broader impact will be essential. In addition to research leadership, the successful candidate will contribute to teaching and course development and take an active role in academic leadership through participation in Faculty and University committees. The role also involves fostering a collegial and inclusive research environment by mentoring nursing researchers across both organisations and supporting initiatives that strengthen the nursing community. The candidate will build strong relationships within UC, Nurse Maude, and beyond, while developing local, national, and international partnerships. More broadly, you will support strategic objectives by enhancing research reputation, strengthening industry engagement, and securing external funding. This appointment represents a significant opportunity for an accomplished academic leader to shape the future of nursing research, education, and practice and to contribute meaningfully to institutional, national, and global health priorities. Mōu | Who You Are We are seeking an established academic leader with a PhD in Nursing, Health or a related field. As the Nurse Maude Professor of Nursing you will lead a research programme aligned with shared strategic priorities developed in partnership with Nurse Maude and UC. The role includes conducting and publishing high-quality research, securing external research funding, and strengthening research capability through supervision and mentoring of staff across both organisations. The Professor will also actively engage clinical staff, organisational partners, and the wider community in research and its dissemination, supporting continuous learning and the advancement of best practice. You will bring: Recognised expertise in nursing, with a strong commitment to advancing evidence-informed practice and improving health outcomes within community nursing contexts. A distinguished record of leading innovative, impactful research programmes, demonstrated by high-quality publications and sustained success in securing competitive external research funding Proven ability to build, lead, and inspire multidisciplinary research teams, and to mentor academic and clinical colleagues to develop research capability Extensive experience supervising postgraduate research students to completion, with a commitment to developing the next generation of nursing researchers An established national and/or international reputation, evidenced by leadership, collaboration, and influence within your discipline Demonstrated leadership in the design, coordination, and delivery of high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in nursing Strong, well-developed networks across healthcare, industry, government and academic sectors, with the ability to build partnerships that support research translation and impact A commitment to inclusive teaching practices and reflective professional development. A strong track record of engaging with multiple stakeholder groups to advance community nursing practice Active commitment to upholding the values, tikanga (protocols and processes), kawa (rules) of cultural practice and traditions as guided by mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and valuing te reo Māori For more information on our Faculty please visit us here. Nurse Maude is a leading provider of community-based healthcare services in Aotearoa me te Waipounamu, New Zealand, with a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality, person-centred care across Te Wai Pounamu. For more information about Nurse Maude, please visit us here. Within this role, the successful candidate will engage with both Nurse Maude and UC to inform their research programme and enable alignment between the strategic objectives of each organisation. Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC Tangata Tū, Tangata Ora - Engaged, Empowered, Making a Difference. For more information on our Benefits, please visit https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/joinus/benefits/ This role sits within the Academic Staff, Associated Staff and Academic Support Staff Collective Agreement and the following salary scale applies: Associate Professor $155,592 - $167,718 p.a., Professor $178,257 - $224,115 p.a. The closing date for this position is: 22 November 2026 (midnight NZ time) Please note, applications will be reviewed after the close date. Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply Applications for this position must be submitted on our careers website. We do not accept applications by email, however, we are happy to answer any queries at WorkatUC@canterbury.ac.nz For further information specifically about the role, please contact Laurie McLay: laurie.mclay@canterbury.ac.nz For overseas applicants, please visit Immigration New Zealand website, to review the latest health and visa requirements for visiting and working in New Zealand. To apply for this job, please click here or go to our job site and enter the job code 33737HL.
Salary
$155,592 - $224.115 p.a.
Posted
21 Oct 2026
Subjects Taught at the University of Canterbury
See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of Canterbury
Arts and Humanities
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Art, Performing Art and Design
- History, Philosophy and Theology
- Languages, Literature and Linguistics
Business and Economics
- Accounting and Finance
- Business and Management
- Economics and Econometrics
Computer Science
- Computer Science
Education Studies
- Education
Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- General Engineering
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Law
- Law
Life Sciences
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Biological Sciences
- Sport Science
- Veterinary Science
Medical and Health
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Other Health
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry
- Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Physics and Astronomy
Psychology
- Psychology
Social Sciences
- Communication and Media Studies
- Geography
- Politics and International Studies
- Sociology
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