UC International College (UCIC)

New Zealand is a progressive, forward-thinking country and has perhaps demonstrated the most successful response to Covid-19 in the world, recently becoming virus-free for the second time.

UCIC delivers all programmes both face to face for those students who are in New Zealand, and online for those students offshore waiting for borders to open. University facilities are open as usual, with no need for social distancing in virus-free New Zealand. Clear and concise information about many aspects of the response plan is available online through the university's website, with daily updates and support contact information provided. The university and its staff aim to be as responsive to their students' needs as possible.

Demonstrating this mentality in a wider context, UC runs a number of studies and initiatives which assess the impact which New Zealand is having on its immediate environment, and the world. The university's College of Science has recently published several articles which examine the role which New Zealand plays in contributing toward climate change, in terms of its policy on sustainable ocean management, and the future of human habitation.

UCIC Programmes will allow students to progress to the first or second year of their UC undergraduate degree. Students will study eight carefully selected modules, completed over the course of two or three semesters. The UCIC programmes include a combination of core and elective courses, which will depend on the student's intended program of study at the university. There are five academic departments at UC:

• College of Arts
• College of Business and Law
• College of Education, Health and Human Development
• College of Engineering
• College of Science

Each college has developed its own approach towards study and research, and there are study programmes provided at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels, as well as short courses designed to engage with the university's network of alumni and professional contacts.

UCIC students will also develop their English language skills and study methods, to prepare for entry to one of over 150 courses available at UC. Students also develop a number of transferable skills that will benefit them at university and throughout their career, such as communication, leadership, presentation skills and project management.

Tuition fees for all UCIC Programmes for the 2020/21 academic year are available on the website, which covers the full programme fees. There is an annual student services levy of NZD 870, and students must organise their own medical and travel insurance. To secure a student visa, tuition fees must be paid to UCIC in full, before the programme of study begins. Online students only pay for the courses they wish to undertake in any given semester. The UCIC support services team can help and advise prospective students.

Each year, UC provides over NZD 20 million in scholarships, prizes and bursaries to help fund student education. There are many grounds for eligibility, including merit-based factors like academic excellence or sporting achievement, as well as other scholarships with an emphasis on social inclusion and equality, which are awarded on the basis of financial hardship. There is also a Navitas family bursary programme to support students with family commitments.

UCIC students are eligible to apply for many of the UC scholarships, and a full list of options and eligibility criteria is available on the university website. Applications are submitted online.

With a heritage as an educational provider for more than 140 years, UC offers a unique learning environment for its population of over 15,000 students. UCIC is located on the University of Canterbury's beautiful Ilam campus, one of the largest campuses in New Zealand in terms of land size.

It is a residential campus with over 2,000 students living in the UC Halls of Residence, Ilam Apartments. These secure and well-designed apartments are situated in a beautifully landscaped corner of the university, and offer a range of accommodation options to suit the 800 residents. The rooms are self-catered and have high speed internet throughout, and shared kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities. Just a five-minute walk from lecture halls and other campus amenities, the Ilam Apartments host a diverse and welcoming community of students from all backgrounds and from all over the world.

UCIC students benefit from sharing all the same resources and facilities as their UC counterparts. These include social amenities such as bars, music venues and food and drinks vendors as well as the university's state-of-the-art sports and fitness facilities. UC has a modern and fully equipped library with thousands of books, journals and digital resources available to all students. UCIC students may also join any of the 140 student clubs and societies, enabling them to immerse fully in the UC student community and get the most out of their university experience.

Exceptional support and pastoral care is available at UCIC to assist students throughout their academic journey. This ranges from course related support to personal care. Services include:

• Academic support – help is offered in areas such as time management, essay writing, research skills, critical thinking and referencing.
• Disability support – specialist assistance is available to provide equal treatment and to help all students get the most out of their education.
• Health and Wellbeing service – counsellors and mental health advisers support students with any personal issues or concerns.
• English language support – international students can receive extra help with their language abilities.
• Medical centre – there is an on-campus clinic, available during term times.
• Financial support – students can access help and advice with managing their money and funding, including applying for grants and bursaries.

UCIC has a dedicated international student support team, who run orientation programmes helping students to socialise, settle into their surroundings and feel part of the UC community. The team remains on hand to support students throughout their studies, providing personal consultation sessions and help with language support and social inclusion.

Students who successfully complete their UCIC programme are guaranteed entry to a huge selection of degree programs at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch. UC is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide, and is recognised as a world class educational provider. UCIC students enjoy access to UC's extensive career support service. This includes their dedicated online careers portal, a mentoring scheme, CV writing support, organised careers workshops and events.

During the UCIC programmes and subsequent degree courses, students enhance their employability. They build skillsets and gain critical experience that will help them while looking for graduate employment. Skills learned include presentation, planning, leadership and teamwork experience, and problem-solving skills. A UC degree is an internationally recognised qualification, allowing graduates to work both domestically and abroad, and is a huge asset in finding internships, work experience and employment opportunities.