Information for Parents and Families

Deciding which university your child will study at will be one of the hardest decisions you will have to make. And as a parent, you’re charged with the responsibility of providing the advice and reassurance necessary to help them make this life changing decision.

We understand that this may be a confusing and challenging time for you, so we have provided answers to some of the most common questions we get from the parents of our international students.

1. How much time will my child spend in lecturers each week?

There are 4 hours of class per unit each week. Most students do 3-4 units per trimester so will have between 12-16 hours of classes.

2. How much more support will my child get at UCIC in comparison to University of Canterbury?

The UCIC model has been designed to give students more support than they would otherwise get in the first year of university studies.

• All lectures are conducted with a small class size to ensure the students have direct access to their lecturers.
• Free academic advice is available to all students. Students can come to UCIC to discuss their academic issues with a trained academic adviser.
• Academic workshops, one-on-one tuition and study skills classes are provided on a regular basis for all students.

3. Will my child have access to all the university facilities?

Yes. UCIC students have access to all university services and facilities including the library, sports facilities, Canterbury Career Service, and clubs and associations.

4. Will my child be able to use the University of Canterbury student accommodation?

Yes, there are a number of accommodation options which your son/daughter will be able to access. They range from dormitory style, fully catered accommodation to shared, homestays, townhouse style. 

5. Will I get regular reports on my child’s academic progress at UCIC ?

If your child is under 18 you can contact UCIC any time to receive information about your child’s progress. However, if your child is over 18 they must give consent before we can relay any information to you.

6. Is my child guaranteed entry to a University of Canterbury degree after completing an UCIC University Transfer Programme (UTP)?

Your son/daughter will be guaranteed entry on the basis that they complete all 8 UTP units and achieve the necessary ‘weighted average mean’ (WAM) for transfer into their chosen degree. Required WAMs differ according to the Canterbury course that your child is going into.

7. How do I help my child accept the Offer Letter we received from UCIC?

Simple. Just visit this page to learn how to. If you are in contact with an official UCIC representative in your country, your representative will also be able to help you accept your child’s UCIC Offer Letter.

8. How do I pay the fees for my child’s tuition?

There are a number of ways to pay your child’s tuition fees:

• Bank Cheque
• Telegraphic Funds Transfer

You can also find detailed instructions on how to pay your child’s tuition fees in the Letter of Offer we sent you.

If your child’s application is successful they will receive a Letter of Offer for UCIC and University of Canterbury explaining the courses they have been offered, the fees payable, and the course commencement date.

Our Admissions Department will send them an email if additional documents are required, before offering them a place at UCIC.

In order to secure your child’s place at UCIC we will need to receive their acceptance form, enrolment fee and tuition fees as outlined in their Letter of Offer. Payment will not be receipted by UCIC until all the conditions on the Letter of Offer have been met and accepted by the Admissions Department.