About us

Often referred to as ‘Ara’, Ara Institute of Canterbury is one of the largest tertiary institutes of technology-based in Christchurch, New Zealand, with its six campuses spread across Canterbury and North Otago, educating over 17000 students including 1800 international students. Being one of the largest tertiary training institutes in the South Island, Ara is a government-run foundation offering world-class applied, vocational and professional training and education, adhering to the Education Code of Practice 2016 regulated by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority –NZQA, and in line with industry trends to ensure that students have relevant skills for employment. Several subject choices are offered through 16 courses across 6 disciplines namely Performing Arts, Media and Mass Communication, Hotel Management, Design, Engineering, and Management. To ensure that students have ample hands-on practical learning from their courses, Ara in partnership with several national and international industries and businesses offers a variety of work placements, courses with internships, workplace training jobs, apprenticeships, and study abroad programs. Ara also offers online, distance learning, and part-time global study programs, and it ensures to give full support to its international students by supporting them with learning processes, on and off-campus accommodation assistance, and much more.