1 June 1994 Lincoln University

An introduction to Lincoln University for the NZ Education Centre, Taipei, Taiwan.

Introduction

Lincoln is one of two universities located in the regional area of Canterbury in New Zealand's South Island. Although it is the youngest of New Zealand's universities - full university status was granted in 1990 - its history dates back to 1878 when it began life as a "school of agriculture".

Today Lincoln University's specialisations include commerce and management, the study of natural resources including agriculture and horticulture, a range of natural sciences including molecular biology, environmental science and animal science, and social science.

Lincoln is the only university in New Zealand to offer degrees in landscape architecture and parks, recreation and tourism management. It also offers specialist commerce degrees in tourism, hotel and institutional management, transport and forestry.

Lincoln University's 50-hectare campus is situated just over 20 kilometres (about 20 minutes drive) from the city of Christchurch. The village of Lincoln (population 1200) is 1.5 kilometres from the University.

The University has associated with it over 3000 hectares of farm land, both near to the campus and further afield in the South Island. This is used for commercial, teaching and research purposes.

In 1994 the University's roll is 3500. Nearly 15 percent of the students come from outside New Zealand and the University is actively pursuing a policy of "internationalisation". Lincoln has an excellent reputation internationally and over 40 different countries are represented among its students from overseas.

The academic year is divided into two semesters for study and examination purposes and entry to most courses is possible at the beginning of either semester, February and July.

Christchurch City

Christchurch is New Zealand's third largest city with a population of 307,000 in 1991. Christchurch is known as New Zealand's "Garden City." With a cathedral in the centre of the city Christchurch has the most "English" feel of any New Zealand city. The Southern Alps mountain chain is only one hour's drive away from Christchurch so that skiing and mountaineering are popular recreational pursuits. Lincoln University is also only 15 km from Christchurch International Airport which now has direct flights to Taiwan.

 History

Lincoln was founded in 1878 as a "school of agriculture" and took in its first students in 1880. In 1896 the "school" was elevated to a "college" and became known as Canterbury Agricultural College. In 1927 it became a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. On the dissolution of the University of New Zealand at the start of the 1960s Canterbury Agricultural College was renamed Lincoln College and became a constituent college of the University of Canterbury. By the start of the 1990s the college had grown and broadened itself sufficiently to warrant the granting of autonomous university status and it became Lincoln University from January 1990.

Research

Lincoln has a large and well-resourced research programme which covers dozens of subjects. Research groups on campus include the Centre for Resource Management, the Agribusiness and Economics research Unit, the Plant Protection Research Unit, and Lincoln Ventures Ltd (which embraces Lincoln Environmental, Lincoln Technology, AEI Software and Lincoln Software).

Located close to the Lincoln campus are the Wool Research Organisation of New Zealand, branches of the NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the NZ Institute for Crop and Food Research. Their staff often work closely with Lincoln University staff, making up what is becoming a real "Science Park".

Lincoln University has a large number of postgraduate students working on various research projects, often commissioned by companies and organisations outside the University.

Faculties

Lincoln University has five Boards of Studies: Diploma Studies, Degree Studies in Sciences, Degree Studies in Commerce, Degree Studies in Conservation, Landscape and Recreation, and the Interim Board of Degree Studies for Resource Programmes.

Lincoln offers bachelors' degrees in Commerce and Management (BCM) with majors in Accounting, Applied Computing, Business and Marketing, Economics and Financial management; and Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degrees with majors in Valuation/Property Management, Farm Management, Horticultural Management, Tourism, Transport, Forestry, and Hotel & Institutional Management. Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degrees are offered with majors in Biochemistry, Applied Biology, Conservation & Ecology, and Mathematical Modelling.

Lincoln also offers bachelors' degrees in Agricultural Science and Horticultural Science, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Resource Studies (BRS); a Bachelor of Engineering degree and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree (BLA). A Bachelor of Social Science degree will be offered from 1995. Masterate and doctoral programmes and postgraduate diplomas are available in most of the above areas.

MBA

Not offered. Lincoln offers the degree Master of Commerce and Management (MCM).

Asian languages

Not offered at Lincoln.

Overseas Student Enrolment Policy

TOEFL 550/IELTS 6 (undergraduates); 600/6.5 (postgraduates).

International Centre

Lincoln University's International Centre looks after the administration and welfare of students from overseas. The Director of the Centre is Geoff Ormandy and staff include an International Student Support Officer and two Admissions Officers and a Secretary. If you are thinking of going to Lincoln, and you live overseas, contact the International Centre for the help and guidance you need with enrolment and registration requirements.

English Language and Bridging Course

English language courses are available at the Christchurch College of English Language which is located on the campus of the Christchurch College of Education. Both Lincoln University and the Christchurch College of Education are part owners of the College of English Language. Courses in English for Academic Purposes (12 weeks duration) are run prior to the start of each of Lincoln's two semesters.