The University is located in Christchurch which is the largest city in the South Island (population approximately 360,000).

Christchurch is located on the coastal edge of the Canterbury Plains close to both the mountains and the sea. The city is mostly flat and has wide streets with many bicycle lanes, and extensive public transport. The University is a 20-minute drive from the city centre and a 10-minute drive from Christchurch International airport. It is easy to travel from Christchurch to the lakes and

the mountains and to well-known tourist centres. There are a number of excellent ski-fields close by.

New Zealand is a modern and technologically advanced country, but it is also a relaxing and safe place to live. There are few class distinctions, and attitudes and manners are friendly and informal.

Christchurch city centre is currently in a phase of renewal and rebuilding after the earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. The University is actively engaged in this process and provides the opportunity for students to become involved in a number of community projects.

The University of Canterbury was established in 1873 by scholars from Oxford and Cambridge universities. We have a strong international reputation for our high-quality degrees, excellent teaching and cutting-edge research.

A great place to studyUC is set in a spacious tree-filled suburban campus. Lecture theatres, research centres, libraries, laboratories, studios, computer workrooms, cafs and restaurants, a health centre and pharmacy, recreation facilities, childcare centres, bank machines and an art gallery are all located on site.

A wide range of stores, shopping malls, movie theatres, restaurants and places to relax are just minutes from the campus.

UC LibraryThe UC Library has a research collection of more than 1.9 million items, has access to more than 45,000 periodicals in paper or electronic format and is accessible 24/7 online. Electronic (eg, books, journals and reference sources) and print resources can be located using the Library MultiSearch discovery tool on the library home page, which can also be accessed on mobile devices.

The Library runs a number of skills training sessions for PhD students to manage references and offers current awareness alerts to keep postgraduates up-to-date with new research as it is published.

UC Research The University of Canterbury is a

top-ranked research university (ranked in top 225 in QS World University Rankings, 2012/2013).

UC hosts two research institutes the Biomolecular Interaction Centre (BIC) and the New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain and Behaviour (NZILBB) as well as over 25 research centres (see www.research.canterbury.ac.nz/rescentres.shtml for more information).

The University operates a number of field stations including the countrys leading astronomical research facility at Mt John, Lake Tekapo, which is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. UC also has a presence at New Zealands Scott Base in Antarctica.

UC is a Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) project partner and operates a field station in Nigeria as part of the Nigerian Montane Forest project.

UC hosts the first IBM Supercomputer (Blue Gene) in the southern hemisphere and NZi3, an applied research institute, offers the best of New Zealands ICT academic expertise with industry-driven research and partners such as Microsoft, IBM, HP and JADE.

Experimental cages in ponds near the Cass field station. Photographer: Hamish Greig.

University of Canterbury Christchurch

More informationFor more information about PhD study at the University of Canterbury go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/postgrad/ or contact:

Postgraduate Office postgraduate-office@canterbury.ac.nz

2014 PhD programmePostgraduate Office

Investigate.

UC was a great environment to work in and the Department of Geological Sciences has some great people and an excellent international reputation.

Scott BarnardPhD in Hazard and Disaster Management Engineering Geologist, URS, Christchurch

Cover image: Amy McLeod, studying towards a PhD in

Mechanical Engineering.

This image: Former PhD student Rueben Mendelsberg uses a pulsed

laser deposition device to grow thin films of material about one micron thick.

The writing, presenting and teaching that you need to do as part of doctoral study is now paying dividends in my work.

Hannah FarrNgti Raukawa

PhD in Bioengineering Scientific Writer, ADInstruments, Dunedin

The University of Canterbury invites applications from students to undertake PhD research.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is normally the highest academic qualification available. It is a mark of intellectual ability and independence, critical thinking, self-discipline and commitment. The PhD prepares students for a number of careers, including as an academic.

Benefits of doing a PhD at UC PhD research is carried out under expert

supervision and can be undertaken in over 80 subjects at UC . For a full list see www.canterbury.ac.nz/courses/ grad_postgrad/phd.shtml

At UC we believe in providing you with the skills necessary for a successful career after completing your PhD. We therefore offer a wide range of skills workshops for PhD students, including topics on communicating your research, networking, career planning, database skills and statistical analysis.

PhD study is regarded as a full-time occupation throughout the calendar year. The minimum period of enrolment is two years and students should normally complete the degree within four years. There is provision to apply for part-time study, in which case the minimum period is three years and the maximum is seven years.

How to applyEnrolment in a PhD requires prior completion of a research-focused honours or masters degree. To apply you must complete the Application for Enrolment form, available at www.canterbury.ac.nz/postgrad

There are three key questions that we consider when deciding whether to accept an applicant:

1. Is there a suitable supervisor available for the applicants planned area of research? A potential supervisor must be identified. Over 600 academics at UC have expertise in a large variety of topics. To identify experts in your area, look at the research interests of academic staff on the UC Spark website (www.canterbury.ac.nz/spark).

Contact potential supervisors directly to discuss your potential research topic and whether they are available as supervisors.

2. Does the applicant have the suitable background for PhD study? Applicants must have (or be completing) a New Zealand honours degree (including a research project) or a research masters degree, with good grades (typically first-class honours or second-class honours division one). A student with a qualifying degree from outside New Zealand must have been granted Ad Eundem Statum admission to the University, which indicates that the international qualifications are considered comparable to those completed in New Zealand. Our International Office, in consultation with the host department, looks at the applicants qualifications and transcripts to ensure that they have the background required to complete a PhD. It is possible that a student may be required to complete preparatory courses prior to admission into a PhD programme. In exceptional circumstances applicants without the typical academic background but who can demonstrate the ability to pursue a PhD may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.

3. Does the applicant meet the English language competency requirements? Prospective international students who have not completed their tertiary qualifications in the English language are required to provide evidence of their English language proficiency by means of an English language test result that is no more than two years old. We accept the IELTS test with an overall score of 6.5 or higher and no section lower than 6.0 and the TOEFL Internet test with a score of 90 or higher, and a minimum score of 20 for Writing. Other tests may be accepted on application. See www.canterbury.ac.nz/admissions/international/english.shtml for further information.

For full details of the PhD Regulations and Guidelines go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/postgrad

International studentsWe encourage applications from international students to join the diverse student body at UC; currently there are PhD students from over 60 nations.

Completing a PhD in New Zealand offers a number of benefits for international students and their families:

you are eligible to pay PhD tuition fees at the domestic rate, provided that you reside in New Zealand on a student visa

your spouse or partner is eligible to apply for an open work permit valid for the duration of your course of study

your dependent children are exempt from paying international tuition fees to attend school (except for a yearly school donation).

International students are provided with a wide range of services. These include transport from the airport on arrival, assistance with finding suitable accommodation, an orientation programme for new students, use of the on-campus health centre, a mentoring programme, friendship linkages with New Zealand families and assistance with English language.

ScholarshipsThere are a number of scholarships available to support PhD students at the University of Canterbury. The UC Doctoral Scholarships are awarded twice each year, with applications due in May and October. In addition to PhD scholarships there are a number of scholarships/grants available to PhD students to assist with specific research costs and with travel either to conduct research or to attend International conferences. For more information go to www.canterbury.ac.nz/scholarships

Many PhD students are also able to obtain some Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA) work within their host department.

Support servicesUC offers a range of excellent support services to assist PhD students. These include academic orientation, study skills courses, career guidance and specialist services for Mori, Pacific and international students and for students with disabilities.

A mentoring scheme is available to help new students adjust to university life, with senior PhD students acting as mentors, offering helpful and friendly advice about all aspects of the PhD experience at UC.

Childcare, healthcare, and recreation facilities are available on campus. UC has six halls of residence that offer a supportive living environment just a few minutes walk from the campus. All hall accommodation offers fully-furnished single rooms, computer facilities with University network and internet access, social and recreation facilities, and study rooms. UC can also assist with finding other forms of accommodation (eg, homestay; private rental). For more information see www.canterbury.ac.nz/accom

The University of Canterbury Students Association (UCSA) supports a wide range of clubs and organises regular festivals and campus entertainment. It also provides advocacy and support on academic and welfare issues. The Postgraduate Students Association (PGSA) works closely with the Postgraduate Office to enhance the experience of postgraduate students and organises events for them. We encourage postgraduate students to become involved in these activities and to meet other students from across campus.

PhD programme