Category Archives: Get started at UC

Teaching info pizza lunch – Register now

Thinking about teaching but don’t know where to start? Or are you thinking about next year and didn’t know you can become a teacher with just one more year of UC study?

Tūhuratia te manahau o te ao ako, Discover the joy of teaching.

Join us at our Teaching information Pizza Lunch. Grab a slice and have a kōrero with the team and find out more about our teaching pathways and programmes, the huge range of scholarships available and what you need to know to complete your application.

Teaching is fantastic career choice where you get to make a difference every day! There are teacher shortages and many scholarships available for priority teaching subject areas such as STEM, Te Reo, ECE and bilingual or immersion setting.

Applications are open now for 2025!

When: Tuesday 24th September

Drop-In anytime between 11am – 2pm

Where: Community Engagement Hub, Rehua building

Please register as spaces are limited. 

Nau mai, tauti mai, come join us. We’re looking forward to seeing you there.

Transition sessions for new international students this July

Welcome to UC! Are you a new international student joining us this semester? We’re excited to help you settle into life in New Zealand and at UC!

If you missed our International Welcome on July 14, don’t worry—you can still sign up for our late orientation here.

We’ve got a great line-up of sessions in the Transition Programme to help you get started:

  • Eight fun and informative sessions
  • Two social pizza nights
  • Meet & Greet for Muslim students (here)

Register for our engaging sessions here and discover:

  • UC Digital Literacy
  • Succeeding at UC
  • Interacting with Cultural Diversity
  • Māori Language and Songs
  • Chit-chat with Police Officers
  • Know Your Rights
  • Life in NZ
  • Navigating Your Career in NZ (for postgraduate students)

Plus, attend all the transition sessions, and you’ll receive a special prize from Global Engagement!

If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to email us at iro@canterbury.ac.nz. We’re here to support you!

Make the most of your break!

You’re almost halfway through the first semester! Soon you will be able to reset, recharge, hang out with your whānau and mates, and do a few things you enjoy.

It might feel like the last thing you want to do, but the mid-semester break is also a great time to get ahead on your studies and assignments. Although lectures won’t be running, UC’s support services will still be here to help you catch up on study and plan ahead for the rest of the semester.

Look after yourself
It’s easy to put your health on the backburner when life gets busy with study and work. Over the break, it’s a good idea to book in those appointments you’ve been meaning to get to.

Te Whare Hauora | Health Centre offers a range of services, including check-ups and counselling, all at a low cost – or even for free – depending on your enrolment.

UCSA also offers a subsidised dental scheme for students, with discounted check-ups, hygiene appointments and treatments. You can learn more here>

Feeling burnt out?
It’s normal to feel tired after a busy term, but sometimes it’s more than that. If you need to talk – about feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or anything else that’s bothering you – Atawhai Ākonga | Student Care team are here to help. Learn more & book an appointment>

Get outdoors
Feeling stuck on an assignment? Sometimes all it takes to get your brain moving is a bit of fresh air. Ōtautahi is known as the garden city for good reason, with a huge range of beautiful green spaces to enjoy, including the nearby Riccarton BushBotanic Gardens or Mona Vale. Even a five-minute stroll along UC’s Okeover Stream can do the trick!

If you’re looking to go further afield, ChristchurchNZ have put together a fantastic list of walks to explore>

Talk to someone who’s been through it too
Uni is exciting – but also challenging. If you’re feeling a little lost, it’s great to talk to someone who’s been there and done that – an older UC student. There’s a range of mentorship options available. Learn more and register to get a mentor here>

Take charge with Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako | Academic Skills Centre
With Term 2 workshops soon to be released, the break is the perfect time to book in some classes, whether you’re looking to upskill in notetaking, presenting or essay writing. You can also book in an individual consultation with a Learning Advisor to get help with specific assessments or challenges you’re facing. Learn more about Te Pokapū Pūkenga Ako here>

Not sure about your courses?
Reaching the end of Term 1 can make you reflect on the work you’ve done so far, and what your options are for the rest of the semester. Uni is all about growing and changing, so if you’re thinking about changing courses, UC’s kaitohutohu ākonga | student advisors are incredibly helpful when planning your degree.  

Make time for you 
Over the next few weeks make sure to refresh, recharge, hang out with your whānau and mates, and take some time for yourself too. Ngahau! (Enjoy!)

Have a well-deserved mid-semester break!