University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury is a university located in the suburbs of the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. It offers degrees in Arts, Commerce, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Forestry, Law, Music, and Science.

The university was established in 1873 as Canterbury College, in the centre of Christchurch. It was the second institution in New Zealand providing tertiary level education, following the University of Otago which was established in 1869, and the fourth in Australasia.

In 1933, the university's name was changed from Canterbury College to Canterbury University College. In 1957 its name was changed again to the present University of Canterbury.

Until 1961, the university had been part of the University of New Zealand, and issued degrees in its name. In that year the federal system was dissolved and the University of Canterbury became an independent institution, having its own coat of arms and issuing its own degrees. Upon the UNZ's demise, the Canterbury Agricultural College became a constituent college of the University of Canterbury, becoming Lincoln College, Canterbury. Lincoln College was made independent in 1990, becoming a full university.

Over the period 1961 - 1974, the university campus relocated from the centre of the city to its much larger current site in the suburb of Ilam. The neo-gothic buildings of the old campus are now the site of the Christchurch Arts Centre, a hub for arts, crafts and entertainment in Christchurch.

Famous past graduates and staff of the University of Canterbury include Lord Rutherford of Nelson, Karl Popper, Sir Apirana Ngata and Beatrice Tinsley. Displays on Lord Rutherford can be seen at the Rutherford Birthplace, Nelson, and at the Arts Centre.

There are five Halls of residence: Bishop Julius Hall, College House, Rochester and Rutherford Hall, University Hall, Ilam Village.

See also

• Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
• Lincoln University, New Zealand

External links

• University of Canterbury website

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Other universities named Canterbury:

• University of Kent at Canterbury, England -- website
• Canterbury Christ Church University College also at Canterbury, England -- website