Ara Institute of Canterbury

New Zealand

 Ara Institute of Canterbury

Ara Institute of Canterbury is a technology research centre in Canterbury New Zealand. It was formed by the merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Aoraki Polytechnic in 2016. Ara is famous for its tertiary training. Ara Institute of Canterbury is the biggest of all vocational training institute in the South Island of New Zealand.

Ara Institute of Canterbury, History 

Ara institute of Canterbury was established in 2016. It was formed by the merger of Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and Aoraki Polytechnic. Aoraki Polytechnic started its teaching courses at its Timaru Campus in 1901. It all started with a room where they provided evening classes and catering for about 250 students in 15 subjects. Christchurch started in 1902 which offered technical courses for high school students in arithmetic, geography and drawing. Post World War II, public education expanded and daytime classes started in the institute from 1948. 

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Courses and Schools

 Ara Institute offers 16 courses in 6 streams that are Design, Performing Arts, Engineering, Management, Media and Mass Communication. Some of the famous courses are -

• Graduate Diploma in Project Management 
• Graduate Diploma in Applied Management 
• Diploma in Business 
• Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing 
• Graduate Diploma in Construction Management 
• BBA 
• B.Tech
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology 
• New Zealand Diploma in Engineering 
• Bachelor of Design
• Bachelor of Applied Management
• Graduate Diploma in Health
• Graduate Diploma in Event Management 
• Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition
• Graduate Diploma in Accounting

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Achievements and Ranking

• Ara Institute of Canterbury ranked 258 in the QS World University also received 5-star QS rating for its research and training method.
• The University ranked 9th in its Civil Engineering program in the Academic ranking of World Universities.
• It has been awarded a ‘Highly Confident’ ranking for both its educational performance and self assessment. 

Ara Institute of Canterbury, USP

It is an internationally recognized university. Ara Institute is among the top 1% universities of the world. Every year around 21,000 students study at Ara Institute in which 1800 are international students. Ara Institute is the largest vocational training institute in New Zealand.

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Alumni

The notable Alumni of Ara Institute are –

• Miranda Easten – country music singer and songwriter
• Jennie Bailey – Jazz singer and university music teacher
• Ben Boyce – Television personality
• Corin Dann – Broadcaster
• Amelia Gain – Entrepreneur
• Sinead Boucher – Journalist a
• Sam Harrison – Artist
• Miriama Kamo – Journalist

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Campus

Ara has six campuses in the South Island – 

• City campus, Christchurch – It is the largest campus which is located in central Christchurch, the biggest city in the South Island. It provides a wide range of services and facilities like food and beverages options, gym, sports court, library, child care centre, student accommodation, disability support services and student advocacy. The campus also has a theatre.
• Manawa campus, Christchurch – It is located apposite Christchurch Hospital. It has high-tech environment and facilities. Manawa can be reached by several bus routes. Services at Manawa includes – 
• international enrolments and International student help
• learning services 
• library support 
• student group activities
• Woolston campus, Christchurch – This campus is dedicated to trades training. It has facilities for construction, automotive and engineering related trades.
• Ashburton campus – It is located west of the town centre. Ashburton is a great place having lakes and reserves within easy reach.
• Oomaru campus 
• Timaru campus 

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Library

Ara has libraries at City, Timaru, Woolston and Manawa campuses. The library offers a wide range of services and resources to support teaching, learning and research. All of the resources of libraries are available through Primo library Search. Libraries can also be accessed through phone, e-mail, live chat or zoom. For more information you can visit at the official library site of the institute that is [email protected]

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Accommodation

Ara has campuses in Christchurch, Ashburton, Timaru and Oomaru and each campus offers many accommodation options like flatting, private board, home stay. In Christchurch, Otautahi House offers apartment style accommodation with other students in a flat share. 

International student accommodation 

Ara provides home-stay services that includes –

• Full inspection of all homes and interviews with host families.
• Airport pick-up 
• Police vetting of all host families 
• A ‘welcome pack’ on arrival
• Banking assistance on your first day
• Translator to assist communication 
• Follow up meetings with home stay families

Top Landmarks

• Christchurch Botanic Garden 
• TranzAlpine Train
• Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway 
• Lake Tekapo
• Ohau Point Seal Colony
• The Giants House 
• Mount John University Observatory 
• Conical Hill
• Canterbury Hill
• Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Ara Institute of Canterbury, Student support

Health and wellbeing 

Ara offers many health services at cost-effective prices in its city campus. These includes consultations with nurses, doctor and counselors. Students can access three free counselling sessions a year. If you are a New Zealand resident enrolled at health centre, you can receive cheaper doctor visits and reduced costs for prescription medicines.

Sports and Fitness

Ara provides lots of sporting opportunities. In Christchurch, you can become a member of modern and well-equipped gym, take part in many groups of fitness classes and can participate in social sports. Ara also has Zone Sports Science and Wellness Centre that offers a wide range of customizable services to athletes of all level. You can get more details about the Zone at [email protected] 

Ara institute provides Youth Physical Development Program, Secondary School Fitness Testing Program, Move Well Coaching, Anaerobic Lactate Threshold Testing.

Study Support Services

It provides Library, Learning services, Disability Services, Scholarship and Financial Assistance, ID card, Careers and Employment, Central Academic Record.

Events and Activities

There are many activities happening in the Ara Institute such as surfing, rock climbing, volunteering, sports, festivals and dining out.

 Ara Institute of Canterbury, Study online

Ara Institute offers a range of options that you can study fully online, when and where you want. Their online courses are delivered through eCampus NZ.

Famous Courses

• Graduate Diploma in Project Management 
• Graduate Diploma in Applied Management 
• Diploma in Business 
• Graduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing 
• Graduate Diploma in Construction Management 
• BBA 
• B.Tech
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology 
• New Zealand Diploma in Engineering 
• Bachelor of Design
• Bachelor of Applied Management
• Graduate Diploma in Health
• Graduate Diploma in Event Management 
• Graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition
• Graduate Diploma in Accounting

How to Apply?

Students can apply for the institute by directly visiting to the official website that is [email protected] . Students can choose program at [email protected] 

Two Ways to Apply 

Online or by PDF application form and email it to [email protected] 

Documents required – A certified English translation and certified original of entrance qualifications and academic records 

• A copy of recent IELTS or PTE results sheet or other proof of English proficiency
• Details of relevant work experience
• Personal statement

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Ara provides various types of scholarship according to the courses like

• Equity Scholarship – This supports students facing disadvantages like financial or disability.
• Excellence Scholarship – This is for high achieving learners
• Leadership Scholarship – For those who posses leadership potential
• Maori and Pacific Scholarship – For Maori and Pacific learners
•  Focus Scholarship – These are provided by Industry and Community donors

Fee Structure

If you are eligible for the courses in Ara institute then the first-year fee is free. You can get information about the eligibility requirements at www.feesfree.govt.nz 

Entry Requirements

Academic Score – It requires 2.5 GPA and 27 IB or 60 Percentage

Average Entrance Score – Minimum 6.0 in IELTS and 80 in TOEFL

Ara institute has English Language requirement, if you are not a native speaker of English then you need to proof your English ability by giving a language test.

Crime in Canterbury

A total 21, 459 crimes committed in Christchurch last year that is less than the no of crimes in 2019. The only crime that increases in 2020 is assault.