August 11: Methodist Pilley Institutehas received UC Delegation with warm welcome. The delegation which came from the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, consisted of four delegates, they were Dr Hamish Cochrane, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Ms Leonie Partridge, Stewardship Coordinator, Ms Samantha Dench, Alumni Relations Co-ordinator and Mr James Addington, President of the University of Canterbury Students’ Association.

The visit proceeded with UC study talk given by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Dr Hamish Cochrane. The highlight of the talk was the UC Bachelor of Commerce degree credit transfer programme for students at Methodist Pilley Institute (MPI) studying for the MPI Diploma in Business Management or Diploma in Accounting. Students who have completed an MPI Diploma can be credited with up to 120 points (1 year of study) towards a University of Canterbury (UC) Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree and instead of taking three years to complete a BCom, can complete the degree in only two years. There are 12 subject majors offered under the BCom degree: Accounting, Business Economics, Economics, Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, International Business, Management, Operations & Supply Chain Management, Marketing, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Taxation & Accounting.

UC was the first University in New Zealand to receive the QS “5-Star” ranking and is 211th in the 2015 QS World University Rankings. UC ranks in the world top 100 for Accounting and top 200 for Economics, Business and Management Studies (2016 QS World University Rankings by Subject). The School of Business and Economics is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), placing it in the top five percent of business schools globally. UC is a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) accredited tertiary institution. This means that UC is recognized as a provider of the academic requirements for CA ANZ membership. At UC one can meet the CA ANZ academic requirements to become a/an Chartered Accountant, Associate Chartered Accountant or Accounting Technician. Besides, UC is a recognized provider of academic courses for CPA Australia and ACCA membership.

Christchurch, New Zealand’s second largest city, is a cosmopolitan city situated on the east coast of the South Island. The city has several surf beaches, is only 60 minutes from skifields, vineyards and national parks. It is renowned for its safety and outdoor adventure lifestyle.

The following are the costs per year:

Costs (per year)                        NZ Dollar
Tuition fees                               25,500
Administration Fees                105
Student Services Levy             770
Compulsory medical and
travel insurance                       590
Textbooks and supplies          1,000
PLUS living expenses              300-350/week

There are a number of scholarships available to international students through the University of Canterbury and the New Zealand Government. International students who are enrolled in full-time programmes of 12 months or more can work up to 20 hours per week during the year and full-time over the summer holidays. Students who want to stay and work in New Zealand after they have completed their studies may be eligible for a Graduate Job Search Work Visa. The Visa allows graduates up to 12 months to find permanent work and then, if successful, a further two to three years work under the Study to Work category.