Student studying online, showcasing the flexibility of earning an online bachelor's degree from the University of Canterbury. Student studying online, showcasing the flexibility of earning an online bachelor's degree from the University of Canterbury. Wananga landing

Online Bachelor's Degrees

08 October 2025

Can't make it on-campus? No problem. The University of Canterbury's interactive courses fit around your life, work, and community, helping you reach your goals, wherever you're based. Study for your bachelor’s anywhere, feel supported everywhere.

HOW TO APPLY

Find your future online with the University of Canterbury

While on-campus study is great, we know it's not the right fit for everyone. That's why we're bringing our renowned UC bachelor's degrees online for you to study anywhere, anytime. Upskill in the areas you're passionate about, gaining new skills without having to leave your whānau or community. 

  • Flexible online study available anywhere
  • Same respected UC qualification, just online
  • Real-world skills to grow your career 
  • Interactive courses & live support

You’re not alone, just online. Earn your bachelor’s with real community. With interactive courses, live online video sessions, and expert support every step of the way, our Tuihono UC | UC Online team is here to help you succeed. 

Find your future

Explore our online bachelor's degrees and gain the skills you need to reach your goals. 

Not sure if you want to study online or on-campus?

Whether you decide to study online or on-campus, our UC team is here to support you every step of the way.

Online bachelor’s degree student receiving dedicated support

Stay updated about online learning

Join our monthly Tuihono UC | UC Online newsletter to stay updated about new online programmes and scholarships.

FAQ

Explore our frequently asked questions to learn more about UC's online bachelor's degrees. Looking for personalised support? Our Enrolment Support Team are here to help.

Bachelor's degrees are the first qualification you can study at university after secondary school. They usually take 3 - 4 years to complete full-time, or 6 years to complete part-time. An undergraduate student is someone who is studying for their first degree, certificate, or diploma after secondary school.

Learn more about starting study with the University of Canterbury.

Yes — the only difference is how you study. You’ll receive the same quality education and resources as on-campus learners, and graduate with the same internationally recognised University of Canterbury degree. Depending on your chosen programme, there may be fewer elective course options available online.

 

At the moment, these are our only online bachelor’s degrees — but our offerings are always growing! Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay updated on new programmes, scholarships, and other news.

UC also offers a range of distance education options. These programmes aren’t specifically designed for online learning but may still suit your needs. 

To study an online bachelor's degree, you require University Entrance, just like any on-campus student. Some bachelor's degrees also have additional requirements, which are listed in full under 'requirements' on each programme page

If you gained your qualification(s) overseas, these will need to be assessed to ensure they are of an equivalent standard. You are also required to meet UC’s English language requirements if English is your additional language.

If you’re unsure, our Enrolment Support Team can check your background and help you understand your options.

You can study either part-time or full-time online with us. This means you can choose the study load that works best for your lifestyle and commitments. Don't worry — if you change your mind along the way, our Learner Support Team are here to help you. 

Many learners combine part-time study with work or whānau responsibilities, while others prefer full-time study to complete their degree more quickly.

For added flexibility, our online bachelor’s degrees are delivered across four terms each year, rather than traditional semesters.

Each term runs for nine weeks (including a one-week study break), followed by a two-week marking and feedback period. You’ll study one course per term if studying part-time, or two per term if studying full-time. This structure means shorter, more focused study periods with regular breaks to balance your whānau, work, and study commitments.

Each online bachelor's degree has its own online application form, where you will fill in details about yourself and upload supporting documents.

As part of our application process, your eligibility will be assessed by the relevant academic team to make sure that your background meets the entry criteria.

Unfortunately our Tuihono UC | UC Online team cannot confirm your eligibility before your application is submitted, beyond referring you to the requirements on each programme webpage. We are happy to help answer any general questions you have about the programme or online learning. You can get in touch with us here

We're here to help you every step of the way. Our online Enrolment Support team can answer questions specifically about online learning, while UC’s Future Students team can provide general guidance on starting undergraduate study at university. 

Yes, each year we offer a range of Tuihono UC | UC Online scholarships. We also encourage learners to check out other University of Canterbury scholarships they may be eligible for.

A range of other organisations also fund scholarships nz, which you can explore:

Yes! If you don’t receive a University of Canterbury scholarship for online learning, you can still apply for a course or programme of your choice. 

There are a range of options you can use to finance your study, which you can explore.

There are a range of options you can use to finance your study, which you can learn more about here.

StudyLink student loans

We know that many of our learners plan to use a StudyLink student loan to finance their study. If you're considering StudyLink, it can take up to a month to process your loan application. Learn more about StudyLink student loans here.

Fees Free

If you're eligible for the Government's Fees Free initiative, this funding can cover tuition fees for your final year of online study. 

If you are first time tertiary learner you may be able to get your fees covered for 1 year's study equivalent to 1 EFTS (120 credits) or $12,000. You can directly check your eligibility using your National Student Number (NSN) here

Employer payments

If your employer is financing your study and wants to pay via invoice, credit card or bank transfer, this can be arranged after your application is approved. Please note that your employer will need to provide a written guarantee of payment so you can start learning from your preferred start date. This must be signed by them and specify:

  • name and address of the company, employer, or sponsor
  • student name and address
  • amount to be paid by the company, employer, or sponsor

For further information, please contact Student Finance. You will only be fully enrolled when your fees are paid. Fees cannot be paid by instalment.

No. To provide the best online learning experience, Tuihono UC | UC Online learners use a platform specifically designed for online study. This gives you access to interactive course materials, live video sessions, and the ability to connect with your learning community anywhere, anytime.

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