Ara Institute of Canterbury is a public institute of technology in Christchurch, New Zealand, now part of Te PΕ«kenga's national network. Its city campus offers diplomas, degrees and postgraduate programmes in engineering technology, IT, business, nursing, hospitality and creative industries. Choose it for practical New Zealand training in the South Island's largest city.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Official website: ara.ac.nz
Public institute of technology in New Zealand
Christchurch city centre
Applied, industry-linked programmes
NZ$22,000 β NZ$30,000
International students, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate
NZ$20,000 β NZ$24,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on ara.ac.nz before you apply.
Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology
Postgraduate DiplomaDuration
12 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Master of Applied Management
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Feb, Jul
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 79
Bachelor of Engineering Technology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Feb
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Feb
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 94
Practical programmes linked to Canterbury's employers.
City campus in central Christchurch.
Engineering technology for the region's rebuild and infrastructure sector.
Graduates join Christchurch's engineering, IT, health and hospitality employers.
Eligible graduates can work in New Zealand on a Post Study Work Visa.
Nursing graduates can register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Limited programmes
Postgrad
Rolling
The city campus sits in central Christchurch with modern labs, workshops and student services.
Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, rebuilt after the 2011 earthquake, with parks, beaches and the Southern Alps nearby. Rent is lower than Auckland.
Offer of place from Ara
Proof of NZD 20,000 per year
Tuition fee receipt or evidence
Medical and chest X-ray certificates
Police certificate, if required
Passport valid three months beyond stay
Ara accepts applications on a rolling basis. Apply by December 2026 for February 2027 and by May 2027 for July 2027 to leave time for the student visa.
Most programmes start in February, and postgraduate IT and applied management also start in July.
You need a Fee Paying Student Visa from Immigration New Zealand. Apply with your offer of place, tuition payment and NZD 20,000 a year for living costs, plus medical and police certificates if required.
Postgraduate IT, applied management, engineering technology and nursing are popular. Postgraduate entry needs a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5; nursing needs IELTS 7.0.
Ara offers some international scholarships. Check the institute's website for current awards.
