Canterbury is New Zealand's second-oldest university. Established in 1873 as a college of the University of New Zealand, Canterbury College became Canterbury University College in 1933 and the University of Canterbury in 1958. Full autonomy was granted at the end of 1961.
At its original site in Central Christchurch, it occupied the classic, stone neo-Gothic buildings designed by Benjamin Mountfort that now house the Arts Centre of Christchurch. In 1949, the decision was made to transfer the University stage by stage to Ilam. The move started in 1960 and was completed in 1975.
