Applications now open for Spring 2026
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Frontiers Abroad - Next Steps
1. Let us know you are joining us in Aotearoa New Zealand
Please email Max and let him know you will be joining us in New Zealand. You will also have to let the University of Canterbury know you are joining us. See below instructions - #5
Frontiers Abroad - Next Steps
2. Apply for VISA
Applying for a Visa to Study in New Zealand
To study in New Zealand, you must obtain a visa that grants you study rights. Please note that, legally, neither Frontiers Abroad nor the University of Canterbury is permitted to provide visa application advice. According to the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) website, there are two visa types that allow for study in New Zealand:
- Student Visa
- Working Holiday Visa
You must apply for and be granted a visa with study rights before travelling to New Zealand.
1. Student Visa
The Student Visa is the most common visa for study abroad students. Detailed information is available at the official INZ website:
👉 Student Visa Information
When submitting your application, you will be required to upload your Letter of Offer from the University of Canterbury. Please note that acceptance into the University does not guarantee the issuance of a visa by Immigration New Zealand.
Comprehensive information on visa requirements and regulations can be found at:
👉 Immigration New Zealand
Important Notes for Student Visa Applicants:
- To begin your application, visit:
👉 Apply for a Visa
Then select the following options:
1. Study → 2. Less than 6 Months → 3. Fee-Paying Student Visa
Click Apply Now, and you will be prompted to create a RealMe account to start your application.
- You are classified as a full fee-paying international student, not an exchange student (see your Letter of Offer for clarification).
- You will be enrolled in 60 points, not 120.
- The qualification or program you are applying for is a Certificate of Proficiency (see Letter of Offer).
- You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself while in New Zealand.
- If you hold the funds yourself, provide supporting documentation such as bank statements.
- If someone else (e.g., a parent or guardian) is providing financial support, they must complete and submit Form INZ1014 – Financial Undertaking for a Student.
- Your Letter of Offer from the University of Canterbury is a required document and must be uploaded with your application.
- If you intend to arrive in New Zealand prior to the program start date, you must indicate your intended arrival date on the visa application.
- Frontiers Abroad provides Student Safe Insurance as part of the program.
- You may use the following contact information in your application:
Address: 3 Harbour View Terrace, Cass Bay, Christchurch
Phone Number: +63 027 303 7076
2. Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa also permits study for up to six months and includes the right to work in New Zealand for up to one year. If you plan to remain in New Zealand beyond the academic semester and intend to work, this visa may be a suitable option.
Please note that you are eligible for only one Working Holiday Visa in your lifetime. Further details, including country-specific eligibility and limitations, can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website.
👉 Working Holiday Visa Information
This type of visa typically involves a straightforward application process, but be sure to review all requirements carefully.
3. Purchase Tickets to Christchurch
Geology of NZ Jan 20 - June 21; NZ Earth Systems Jan 21 - June 21; REDNZ - Feb 6 - June 21
- Geology of New Zealand - Arrive in Christchurch : Please arrive on Jan 20 - the program starts on Jan 21st If you plan to arrive early please indicate your arrival date on your visa application. Your entry date is a condition on your VISA. In addition, if you arrive early then please let us know. Your semester housing contract begins on the 19 Jan. If you arrive early you will have to find accomodation.
- New Zealand Earth Systems- Arrive in Christchurch : Please arrive on Jan 21 - the program starts on Jan 22nd If you plan to arrive early please indicate your arrival date on your visa application. Your entry date is a condition on your VISA. In addition, if you arrive early then please let us know. Your semester housing contract begins on the 19 Jan. If you arrive early you will have to find accomodation.
- Rediscovering New Zealand- Arrive in Christchurch: Please arrive by Feb 6- the program starts on Feb 7th. If you plan to arrive early please indicate your arrival date on your visa application. Your entry date is a condition on your VISA. In addition, if you arrive early then please let us know. Your semester housing contract begins on the 19th of Jan.
- Depart from NZ: Any day on or after the 21st of June. You are allowed to just buy a ticket to New Zealand and then purchase your return ticket when you know your final schedule. However, you will need to prove you have the funds to buy the return ticket per VISA requirements.
4. Health and Diet Form
Please fill out our health and diet form so we can get prepared
We are planning for field camp and need to make sure all are safe, happy and well fed! Please fill out the following form so we can prepare. If there are any conditions or medical issues we will be in touch to make sure we have a plan to set you up for success!!!
https://frontiersabroad.formstack.com/forms/health_form
Contact max@frontiersabroad.com if you have any requests.
4. Semester Housing
Housing Preference
During your time at the University of Canterbury you will be staying at Ilam Apartments or Sonoda Apartments. Ilam apartments is managed by UniLodge (not Frontiers Abroad) More information about the apartments are available on our website. You will have a private room in a 3-5 person apartment with 1-2 bathrooms.
You need to fill out the individual housing application/questionnaire for UNILODGE (they manage your apartments). Your spot is guaranteed at Ilam Apartments (as long as you apply by May 1), however, they want some additional information and this is now a requirement. If you can fill this out this week - it should only take 10 minutes.
The individual housing application/questionnaire is an online application and can be found in the Star Rez system here.
https://accommodation.canterbury.ac.nz/StarRezPortalX/BC114585/1/1/Home-Home?UrlToken=DD41F626
*** important notes: Most of the questions are not important. What is important is
- Selecting the Study Abroad and Exchange accommodation package. This is under Accommodation Choice
- Selecting on Frontiers Abroad as the program. This guarantees the best apartments.
- Filling out your personal, contact, emergency medical and room preferences
- For Term - select Semester 1
- For Level of Study put 3rd year (Junior) or 4th year (Senior)
5. Enrolling at UC - Selecting classes
Enrolling at UC and choosing your courses
In order to study at the University of Canterbury you need to enrol. This is a two step process - (1) enrolling online (application to enrol) and selecting courses and (2) enrolling in person when you arrive in New Zealand (we do this as a group later).
In order to enrol you need your "offer of place" document sent to you upon acceptance in Frontiers Abroad (attached). It has instructions on how. to enrol. In addition, steps are outlined below.
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Completing your application to enrol is the next step towards enrolment (registration). You need to complete your application to enrol before you come to the University of Canterbury.
How to complete your application to enrol ?
Completing your application to enrol requires you to log in to myUC to confirm your details and the specific courses you intend to take. Information about courses can be found at https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/courseinfo/AdvancedSearch.aspx.
Option 1 : Online in myUC. You need to register with myUC.
- Select https://myuc.canterbury.ac.nz/login to go to the login page.
- Select Create an account on the top left of the login page.
- Enter your name.
- Enter the email address. This was the email you provided to Max for the application and is on your offer of place from the University of Canterbury
- Create a password.
- Read the privacy statement and confirm you agree.
- Select the Create an Account button.
- We'll send an email for you to validate your email address.
Once you have accessed your myUC account, complete the application to enrol and add the courses you intend to take at UC. You can search for courses here. Remember you are studying for Semester 1(S1)
Please note: After you select a course, it will automatically come back with you do not meet the pre-reqs. This is a default for all study abroad students. Someone from UC just needs to click a button to approve you. But this usually happens in December. Our students are rarely denied from taking classes they want.
7. LEarning Accomodations
If you receive/require learning accomodations while at the University of Canterbury you need to submit an application prior to the start of the semeseter. Frontiers Abroad is not in charge nor has any influence on this process. Furthermore, we are not allowed to apply for you as you will need to provide potentially private information. To learn more bout this process and to apply please visit: https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/examinations/students-with-disabilities/