1873
June 16: Canterbury College (University of New Zealand) foundation day.
Alexander Bickerton appointed first professor (in chemistry).
1874
Teaching begins, with five part-time lecturers until founding professors arrive from England.
John Macmillan Brown appointed first professor of classics, history and English literature; Charles Cook first professor of mathematics and natural philosophy.
1875
First annual examinations.
1876
Julius Von Haast appointed professor of geology and palaeontology.
1877
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) course introduced.
Lyttelton Times, mid-1877: "…after innumerable stoppages and delays the new buildings of
Canterbury College are completed, so far as they go, and are ready for occupation."
1878
James Hay and Frederick Fitchett become the first graduates from Canterbury College.
1879
The College Library established.
1880
Helen Connon becomes the first female to graduate from Canterbury College.
1881
Helen Connon becomes first female honours graduate in the British Empire.
1882
School of Art opens.
1886
Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) courses are introduced.
First annual rugby match against Otago University.
1888
Engineering courses are introduced.
1890
Ernest Rutherford starts at Canterbury College.
1894
Apirana Ngata becomes first Māori scholar to complete a university degree.
1908
Ernest Rutherford awarded Nobel Prize (for chemistry).
1911
Alice Candy graduates with a Masters of Arts with Hons in Political Science.
1914
Ernest Rutherford knighted for his contribution to science.
Henry Stokes Richards becomes Canterbury's first Rhodes Scholar.
1917
Ernest Rutherford splits the atom.
1918
Helen Connon Hall and Rolleston House open, the first hostels for female and male students (respectively).
1921
Four faculties are established: Arts, Science, Commerce & Law and Mental, Moral & Social Sciences.
1924
Music faculty established.
1927
Law and Commerce become separate faculties.
Apirana Ngata knighted for services to the Māori people.
1928
James Hight appointed Rector.
1929
Students' Union opens.
1930
The first edition of student magazine Canta is produced.
1933
Canterbury College becomes Canterbury University College.
1934
University Library adopts Library of Congress classification scheme.
1937
Philosopher Karl Popper arrives at Canterbury University College.
1941
First internal examinations, papers were previously sent to Britain.
17 Rolleston House men fined for their part in penning 50 sheep in College quadrangle overnight and tampering with the clock tower.
1943
Professor Albert Tocker appointed Rector.
1944
For the first time it was not compulsory to study a foreign language.
1947
James Hight knighted for services to Education.
1948
Henry Rainsford Hulme appointed Rector.
University Grants Committee established.
1949
The intention to move to Ilam is officially announced.
1950
James Logie appointed Registrar.
1956
Sir Frederick Llewellyn appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector.
After 1957, he dropped 'rector' from his formal title whenever he could, in effect creating the role of Vice-Chancellor for Canterbury University College.
Miss Marion Steven gifts her collection of classical antiquities to the University following her husband’s death, with the stipulation the ‘James Logie Memorial Collection’ be used primarily for teaching.
1957
Canterbury University College becomes the University of Canterbury.
Donald Bain appointed chancellor.
The move to Ilam begins, with the School of Fine Arts transferring to Okeover.
1959
Carleton Perkins appointed chancellor.
1960
The Erskine Programme established to support teaching staff overseas.
1961
Dr Leslie Pownall appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Beatrice Tinsley - ‘Queen of the Cosmos’ - graduates with MSc in Physics with First Class Honours.
1965
Rt. Rev. Alwyn Warren appointed chancellor.
1966
Ngaio Marsh becomes a Dame for distinguished services in the arts, especially writing and theatre production.
Professor Neville Phillips appointed Vice-Chancellor.
1968
Terence McCombs appointed chancellor.
1970
Jane Soons appointed professor of geomorphology, becoming UC’s first female professor.
1971
The Staff Club opens at Ilam Homestead.
1972
Three new halls of residence open, initially named 'North', 'South' and 'West'.
John Matson appointed Chancellor.
1973
The University celebrates its centenary, during which:
- Buildings at the University’s old town site are gifted to the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch as an arts centre.
- Sir Karl Popper receives Honorary Doctorate.
1974
The James Hight Library opens. At the time, it was Aotearoa New Zealand's largest university building.
Ilam’s three university halls of residence become known, collectively, as University Hall.
Alumnus Bill Rowling is confirmed as Prime Minister of New Zealand, following Norman Kirk’s unexpected death.
1975
Student radio station Radio U to broadcast during enrolment and orientation in 1976.
1977
Professor Albert Brownlie appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Brian Anderson appointed Chancellor.
1979
Jean Herbison becomes the first female Chancellor of an Aotearoa New Zealand university.
School of Fine Arts moves from the Okeover Homestead to its new buildings.
1980
Department of Extension Studies establishes New Start programme for adult students.
1983
Sixteen year old David Tan completes a BSc (Hons) degree in mathematics.
1984
Charles Caldwell appointed chancellor.
1985
Botany department becomes P.A.M.S. (Plant and Microbial Sciences).
1986
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree introduced.
John Densem's musical Bicky premieres at the Court Theatre, featuring A.W. Bickerton, the only professor ever to be sacked by the University.
1987
Richard Bowron appointed Chancellor.
Elsie Locke receives an Honorary Doctorate for her remarkable contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand society.
1988
UC announces Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, named for Professor John Macmillan Brown, chief creator of Canterbury College’s academic traditions.
1991
Women graduates outnumber men for the first time in the University's 118 years.
Faces of two UC alumni appear on new Aotearoa New Zealand bank notes; Sir Apirana Ngata on the $50 note and Ernest Rutherford on the $100 note.
1992
Ian Leggat appointed Chancellor.
Seven year old Michael Tan becomes the youngest New Zealander to attend university.
Linguistics becomes a department.
1993
Pro-chancellor, Reverend Dr Phyllis Guthardt becomes a Dame.
Alumna Margaret Mahy is appointed to the Order of New Zealand for her lasting contribution to children’s literature.
1994
Alumni Association officially launched and Canterbury's oldest known student, 100 year old Roland Denton, signs on as a member.
The feminist studies programme receives departmental status.
1995
Alumnus Ian Axford named New Zealander of the Year
1996
Ian Axford knighted for services to science.
1998
Daryl Le Grew appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Dame Phyllis Guthardt appointed Chancellor.
1999
Fine Arts alumnus Vincent Ward's film What Dreams May Come wins an Academy Award (Oscar) for best visual effects.
2000
College House celebrates 150th anniversary and reunion.
2002
Professor Daryl Le Grew resigns as Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Bob Kirk appointed acting Vice-Chancellor.
2003
Professor Roy Sharp appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Dr Robin Mann appointed Chancellor.
Alumnus Anote Tong elected President of Kiribati.
2004
New structure introduces four colleges: Arts, Business and Economics, Engineering and Science in addition to a School of Law.
First Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) results released.
2006
Platform, the inaugural University of Canterbury Arts Festival, was held.
2007
1 January: the Christchurch College of Education merges with the University of Canterbury.
2008
Professor Roy Sharp resigns as Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Ian Town appointed acting Vice-Chancellor.
2009
Dr Rod Carr appointed Vice-Chancellor.
Rex Williams appointed Chancellor.
2010
New Zealand Geographic Board names a mountain in honour of UC alumna, Beatrice Tinsley.
Mount Tinsley stands in the Kepler Mountains of Fiordland, 15kms west of Te Anau.
2012
Dr John Wood appointed Chancellor.
2013
Dr Rod Carr reappointed Vice-Chancellor for an unprecedented second term and continues leading the University’s earthquake recovery.
Alumnus Justice Vui Clarence Nelson becomes the first Pacific Islander to be elected to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, based in Geneva.
2014
Dr John Wood re-elected Chancellor | Tumu Kaunihera.
2018
Ernest Rutherford building opened by Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern with Professor Mary Fowler, great-granddaughter of Lord Rutherford, in attendance
2019
For the first time, the University is led by two women:
- Sue McCormack is appointed Chancellor | Tumu Kaunihera effective 1 January 2019.
- Professor Cheryl de la Rey appointed Vice-Chancellor | Tumu Whakarae effective 1 February 2019.
Canterbury Distinguished Professor Roy Kerr appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) for his exceptional contributions to science, placing him among the world’s most eminent scientists.
25 June: Rehua building officially opened by Education Minister, Hon Chris Hipkins.
2 August: Haere-roa, new home of UC’s Students Association (UCSA) was officially opened.
1 October: Beatrice Tinsley building officially opens, with her family in attendance.
2020
Joint postgraduate school focusing on food sustainability launched with Lincoln University, Plant & Food Research, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research & AgResearch.
Digital Screen Campus publicly launched. Dovedale Campus identified as the new home for this ground-breaking development.
2021
Distinguished Professor Ratuva is the first Pacific person ever to be promoted to the highest professorial status of Distinguished Professor.
UC joins the Race to Zero campaign in an effort to reduce emissions.
2022
Hon. Amy Adams is appointed Chancellor | Tumu Kaunihera effective March 2022.
2023
The University of Canterbury reaches the milestone of 150 years of accessible education.
January: Twelve Local Heroes Trail opens on campus.
February: Celebrations are launched with Mana Whenua, Nelson School of Education Campus turns 25 years old, Te Kakau a Māui Scholarships cohort starts.
March: Team UC participates in the City2Surf.
