Many of the students at the Chemistry programme at University of Canterbury get to travel to undertake collaborative research in other laboratories worldwide, providing a broad exposure to innovative research methods and techniques. Visit the programme website for more information
Career opportunities
Aotearoa New Zealand's unique mix of primary and secondary industries provides a wide choice of careers in chemistry. Expanding industries in Aotearoa, for example those related to new sources of energy and to the development of forestry and dairy resources, are further increasing the demand for qualified chemists.
Aotearoa needs chemists in teaching, industry, health, and research.
- Chemists are key members of developmental teams in the pharmaceutical industry.
- Industry uses chemists in such areas as research and development of new products, monitoring product composition and quality, and environmental monitoring and regulation.
- Hospitals and other health services employ chemists in areas such as biochemical research, medical analysis, and toxicology.
- A degree in Chemistry is a good start to a teaching career with its emphasis on laboratory work and its relevance to other sciences.
- The majority of chemical research in Aotearoa is done in universities, Crown Research Institutes, and private laboratories. These institutions provide chemical challenges equal to any in the world.
Chemists are well trained in problem solving and skilled at handling information, which leads naturally into a wide diversity of job opportunities, including sales and management.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Research Methods: Research Proposal and Ethics
- Research Methods: Literature Review and Poster Design
- Organic Chemistry
- Toxicology and Methods in Drug Discovery
- Kinetics and Spectroscopy
- Sustainable Chemistry: Catalysis, Energy and Green Materials
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
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
Tuition fees are shown in AUD and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
International
7,146 AUD / year (≈ 8,570 NZD / year)
Domestic
7,146 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
1,084-1,668 AUD / month
Funding
Scholarships
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
- Brian Mason Doctoral Scholarship (Merit-based) – 25,000 NZD
- UC Economics and Finance PhD Fees Scholarship (Merit-based) – Various benefits
- Geospatial Research Institute Toi Hangarau PhD Scholarship (Merit-based) – 7,000 EUR
- UC Doctoral Scholarship (Merit-based) – 32,000 AUD
- Brownlie Scholarship (Merit-based) – 5,000 NZD
- UC Master's Scholarship (Merit-based) – 14,000 NZD
- UC Master's Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (Merit-based) – 14,000 NZD
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Various benefits
- ServiceScape Scholarship – 1,000 USD
- ACES Scholarships – 3,500 USD
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility (Merit-based) – Various benefits
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship (Merit-based) – 1,000 USD
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship – 1,000 USD
- Women Scholarship for International Students (Merit-based) – 5,000 USD
- The PhD Prep Fellowship (Merit-based) – 10,000 USD
- Dream Chaser Scholarship (Merit-based) – 1,000 USD
- Scholarship for students with disabilities (Need-based) – 3,000 USD
- BOC Sciences Chemistry Scholarship Program (Merit-based) – 1,000 USD
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria (Need-based) – Various benefits
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship – 1,500 USD
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme – 12,000 USD
Visit programme website
