Ara institute of Canterbury

Ara Institute of Canterbury is a government-funded higher education provider with five campuses in New Zealand. The provider is one of the largest institutes of technology in New Zealand and it offers over 150 qualifications for students. These include graduate diplomas and degrees.

Today, around 17,000 students attend Ara each year. The institution also has nearly 2,000 international students from 50 different nationalities. Recently, the institute was named one of the highest-ranking higher education facilities by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) report.

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Overview

Across the five campuses, the Ara Institute of Canterbury has a range of academic and leisure facilities. The institute has libraries on four separate campuses. Students can find ebooks, books, video resources, databases, study areas and private study rooms at the libraries. Also, at the Christchurch campus, there is a 24-hour computer suite with fast internet.

In addition, the institute has many leisure facilities and areas for students to enjoy. The Christchurch and Timaru campuses have gym memberships available. This provides students with gym access, fitness classes, social sports and a purpose-built climbing wall. Students can also find various small cafes or larger restaurants on campus to socialise outside of classes.

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Campus Life

Ara has a vibrant and inclusive environment on all of its campuses. The institution has low student-to-tutor numbers and students receive the best individual support possible.

Also, students have opportunities to participate in extracurricular and social activities year-round. Many non-academic activities are arranged by students. Among them are orientation experiences, exhibitions, fashion shows, concerts, plays, musicals and cultural performances.

In addition, the student services run a range of sports, social, cultural, religious and academic clubs. Students can also contact the student services team to set up their own club or organisation at Ara.

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Accommodation

Students have a variety of housing options when applying to Ara. If students are heading to the Christchurch campus, they can apply for apartment-style accommodation at Ōtautahi House. Here, students can live with fellow coursemates and access modern facilities like wifi and basic furnishings, including a bed, desk, wardrobe and shared kitchen space.

However, at the institute’s other locations, students can find housing with a host family or in shared or private accommodation. Homestay options are more popular as students can stay with local residents and receive support from their host families and the university.

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Employability

Ara has a reputation for providing relevant courses and training through its courses. Real-life learning opportunities are provided to give students industry-relevant knowledge, skills and experience. Ara offers workplace training opportunities, internships, apprenticeships and partnerships to give students hands-on learning opportunities. It also has a dedicated careers centre to help students find their preferred profession upon graduation.

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City life

Most of the Ara Institute of Canterbury campuses are in Canterbury. The city is culturally diverse and has a thriving sports, entertainment and leisure scene. Each weekend, local produce and craft markets take place, where students can sample local cuisines. In addition, there are many outdoor and sports activities to enjoy. Students can play or watch rugby, cricket, netball, surfing, skiing and snowboarding.

Christchurch also hosts various cultural festivals throughout the year. The Caroline Bay Carnival has been running in the city for over 100 years. But there are also a variety of festivals to attend. These include the Timaru Festival of Roses, Geraldine Arts & Plants Festival, Waimate Strawberry Fare and motor sport racing at the Timaru International Motor Raceway.