Learning ways to manage the risks from natural hazards is a relevant and fascinating area of study with the Cultural Studies course offered at University of Canterbury.
Career opportunities
The job market for Disaster Risk and Resilience graduates is strong and varied.
Recent graduates have taken up roles in both central and local government and in the private sector, including for example NZ Crown Research Institutes, Ministries for the Environment and for Defence, Civil Defence and Emergency Management groups, local government hazard management, and consultancies (both here and overseas).
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Natural Hazard Risk Assessment
- Disaster Risk and Resilience Applications
- Professional Project in Disaster Risk and Resilience
- Special Topic
- Thesis
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
Duolingo English Test: 120
TOEFL iBT: 90
PTE Academic: 58
IELTS: 6.5
Other requirements
General requirements
- Enrolment in a PhD requires completion of a research-focused honours or master’s degree, at First or Second Class (Division I) Honours or Distinction level (or equivalent qualifications).
- Applicants with qualifications from outside Aotearoa New Zealand must have been granted admission to the University. Our admissions team, in consultation with the host department, look at your qualifications and transcripts to ensure that you have the background required to complete a PhD. It is possible that you may be required to complete preparatory courses prior to or after admission into a PhD programme.
- In exceptional circumstances applicants without the typical academic background, but who can demonstrate the ability to pursue a PhD, may be admitted at the discretion of the Dean of Postgraduate Research.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
International: 7,085 AUD / year (≈ 8,570 NZD / year)
Domestic: 7,085 AUD / year (≈ 8,570 NZD / year)
Additional Details: The ‘Tuition fee total’ is an estimate only. Your total study cost will depend on the courses you choose, and will include additional costs such as student levies, insurance, retakes, and other course-related costs. International and national students: $8,570 - $10,321 (subject-dependent) per 120 points
Living costs
Christchurch, New Zealand: 1,075-1,653 AUD / month
Funding
Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Disaster Risk and Resilience.
- Brian Mason Doctoral Scholarship - 25000 NZD - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- UC Economics and Finance PhD Fees Scholarship - Various benefits - Deadline: Anytime - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- Geospatial Research Institute Toi Hangarau PhD Scholarship - 7000 EUR - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- UC Doctoral Scholarship - 32000 AUD - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- Brownlie Scholarship - 5000 NZD - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- UC Master's Scholarship - 14000 NZD - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- UC Master's Scholarship for Students with Disabilities - 14000 NZD - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - University of Canterbury
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program - Various benefits - Deadline: 07 Oct 2026 - U.S. government
- ServiceScape Scholarship - 1000 USD - Deadline: 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships - 3500 USD - Deadline: 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility - Various benefits - Deadline: Not specified - Merit-based - OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship - 1000 USD - Deadline: 31 Oct 2026 - Merit-based - IvyPanda
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship - 1000 USD - Deadline: 01 Mar 2027 - Voice Talent Online
- The PhD Prep Fellowship - 10000 USD - Deadline: 01 Sep 2026 - Merit-based - Admit Lab
- Dream Chaser Scholarship - 1000 USD - Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 - Merit-based - Salvado Law
- Scholarship for students with disabilities - 3000 USD - Deadline: 31 Dec 2026 - Need-based - Anonymous Hope Fund
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship - 1500 USD - Deadline: Not specified - IELTS from 6 to 9
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme - 12000 USD - Deadline: 11 Jan 2027 - The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme
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