Ara Institute of Canterbury
$8,700
Tuition/yr
14,000
Enrollment
About Ara Institute of Canterbury
Ara Institute of Canterbury is a government-funded polytechnic in Christchurch, offering vocational and applied degrees at Levels 1–9 across 6 South Island campuses.
Ara Institute of Canterbury is a government-funded polytechnic and institute of technology based in Christchurch, New Zealand. It was established in 2016 through a merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) and Aoraki Polytechnic, and on 1 January 2026 it regained full independence after a period under the national Te Pūkenga consortium. The name 'Ara' comes from the Māori word for path or journey.
The institute offers applied tertiary programmes at qualification Levels 1 through 9, spanning business, engineering, architecture, nursing, computing, creative arts, hospitality, and broadcasting. Its Bachelor of Nursing and engineering-technology programmes are among its most recognised offerings. Ara emphasises strong industry partnerships, low student-to-tutor ratios, and practical work placements as central to its teaching model.
Ara operates six campuses across Canterbury and North Otago, three in Christchurch and one each in Ashburton, Timaru, and Oamaru, making it the largest tertiary institute in the South Island. The main Christchurch City Campus at 130 Madras Street is home to the Kahukura building for architecture and engineering students. Approximately 14,000 students enrol annually from over 50 countries.
For Nepali students
- Ara's nursing, engineering technology, and computing programmes align directly with fields where Nepali graduates have strong employment prospects in New Zealand, and the polytechnic's industry-placement model helps build local work experience from the first year.
- International undergraduate tuition fees range from approximately NZD 20,000 to NZD 25,000 per year, placing Ara at the lower end of New Zealand's tertiary cost spectrum compared to research universities. The Ara International Student Academic Scholarship offers seven awards of NZD 5,000 each for Level 7 and above programmes, open to international students including those from Nepal.
- Graduates of bachelor's and postgraduate degrees qualify for New Zealand's Post-Study Work Visa, which grants open work rights for a duration equal to the period of study (up to three years for master's or doctoral qualifications), giving Nepali graduates meaningful time to gain work experience and explore residency pathways in Christchurch.
- Christchurch has a growing South Asian community and is generally more affordable than Auckland or Wellington for accommodation and daily living costs, which is relevant for Nepali students managing tight budgets while studying.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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