Where you will study
You will study in our Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC), inspired by the Ng膩i Tahu narrative about T膩whaki who ascended the heavens in the pursuit of knowledge. Learning and research spaces in the centre have state-of-the-art equipment, high-tech computing systems and technology, labs, research centres, and informal study and social spaces.
Indigenous knowledge
Kaupapa M膩ori is integrated into our courses, so you can learn about M膩ori values and understand the potential of indigenous knowledge to solve wider issues like climate change, waterways and ecological management, and urban transport design. You can also take up M膩ori and Indigenous studies through many pathways 鈥 find out more from a Kaitoko.
Get hands-on
You can 鈥榙o鈥 science right from the start of your studies in Waitaha Canterbury鈥檚 living laboratory 鈥 with hands-on learning in:
- lectures and labs
- field trips throughout the South Island
- field stations in Takap艒 Tekapo, Cass, and Kawatiri Westport
- work experience opportunities, like PACE, our internship programme.聽
Student life
UC has a close-knit science precinct, and as you become more specialised in your qualification, class sizes become smaller giving you more opportunities to bond with your classmates and lecturers.聽
Our campus is built for exploration 鈥 students can be found testing pH levels in K膩聽Waimaero Ilam Stream waterway, growing specimens in the hydroponic gardens, analysing the geospatial layout of campus, conducting psychological surveys, or admiring the rock and gem聽collection.
With a total of 160+ active clubs on campus, you can pursue whatever interests you. Some science specific clubs include:
- EnviroSoc
- FORSOC (forestry)
- GeogSoc
- ChemSoc
- RockSoc (geology)
- CompSoc
- PSYCSOC.
Sustainability at UC
UC is committed to incorporating the United Nations鈥 17 Sustainable Development Goals in all aspects of campus life, research, teaching and learning, and community engagement.
A unique feature is our edible campus with foods you can forage throughout the year. We also have a community garden that you can get involved with to grow your own food and put sustainability into practice.
We offer a range of innovative and diverse degrees, majors, minors, and courses in sustainability.聽
Learn from the best
Lots of our researchers teach which means you learn from internationally recognised academics in biology, computing, data science, geography, linguistics, maths, and聽more.
We collaborate with a range of research centres like:
- Te Pokap奴 Taunekeneke R膩poi Ngota Biomolecular Interaction Centre
- Gateway Antarctica
- Te Taiwhenua o te Hauora GeoHealth Laboratory
- Toi Hangarau | Geospatial Research Institute
- Waterways Centre
- Wood Technology Research Centre
- Te Hiranga Ahumoana, Hauropi Moana Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture and Marine Ecology.
Exciting careers ahead
Interdisciplinary learning opens up roles in science that are contemporary, relevant, and exciting. Depending on your chosen subject and degree, you could become a toxicologist, food technician, forestry scientist, data scientist, meteorologist, marine biologist, psychologist, policy advisor, M膩ori liaison or iwi development consultant, computer scientist, and science writer.
Wellbeing
We provide support including help with injuries or learning disabilities affecting your studies; degree planning; health, sports, and fitness; mental health, and聽more.聽