Where you will study

You will study in our Rutherford Regional Science and Innovation Centre (RRSIC), inspired by the Ngāi Tahu narrative about Tāwhaki 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 Māori is integrated into our courses, so you can learn about Māori 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 Māori and Indigenous studies through many pathways — find out more from a Kaitoko.

Get hands-on

You can ‘do’ science right from the start of your studies in Waitaha Canterbury’s living laboratory — with hands-on learning in:

• lectures and labs
• field trips throughout the South Island
• field stations in Takapō Tekapo, Cass, and Kawatiri Westport
• work experience opportunities, like PACE, our internship programme. 

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. 

Our campus is built for exploration — students can be found testing pH levels in Kā 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 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’ 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. 

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 more.

We collaborate with a range of research centres like:

• Te Pokapū Taunekeneke Rāpoi 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, Māori 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 more.