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Ngā akoranga mō te hapori Community study

Programmes by location A-Z study guide
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About community study 

Our six community hubs bring a range of free and low-cost courses to neighbourhoods across the Canterbury region. Our sites are conveniently located for easy access.

You can gain a formal qualification for employment, learn the fundamentals of computing and business, or equip yourself with useful job hunting skills. We allow you to do all this at your own pace, in a friendly environment with the support of experienced tutors.

Click here to explore the range of courses and programmes available.

Take the next step at Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Locations and opening hours

Our locations are closed on statutory holidays, Easter Tuesday, and from 13 December 2017 to 8 January 2018.

Opening hours and session times vary depending on location, see timetables below:

Christchurch City

Ara City
Oblock, 0102, Madras Street

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
8am - 9amClassEnquiriesClassEnquiries9am Start 
9am - 3pmClassClassClass 
3pm - 5pmEnquiriesEnquiriesEnquiriesEnquiries  
6pm - 8pm      

Bishopdale


Ara Bishopdale

Situated in the centre of Bishopdale Mall

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
 8am-12amClass9am startClass 9am start 9am start 
ClassClassClassClass
9am - 11am
12:30pm-3pmClassClassClassClassClass 
3pm - 5pm Enquiries  
6pm - 8pm Class Class  

We are closed between 12pm and 12:30pm each weekday. On Tuesday and Thursday, we are closed between 5 pm and 6pm before our evening classes.

Hornby

Ara Hornby
1 Brynley Street, Hornby

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
9am - 12pmClassClass ClassClass Class  
 Class
10am start
12:30pm - 3pmClassClassClassClassClass 
3pm - 4pmEnquiriesEnquiriesEnquiriesEnquiries  
6pm - 8pm Class Class  

We are closed between 12pm and 12:30pm each weekday. On Tuesday and Thursday we are closed between 4pm and 6pm before our evening classes.

New Brighton

Ara New Brighton
Cnr of Hawke Street and Shaw Avenue, New Brighton

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
9am - 12amClassClassClassClassClass 
12:30pm - 2:30pmClassClassClassClassClass 
6pm - 8pm Class Class  

We are closed between 12pm and 12:30pm each weekday. On Tuesday and Thursday we are closed between 3pm and 6pm before our evening classes.

Rangiora

Ara Rangiora
14 Ashley Street, Rangiora

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
9am - 12pmClassClassClassClassClass
12:30pm - 2:30pmClassClassClassClassClass
6pm - 8pm Class Class 

We are closed between 12pm and 12:30pm each weekday. On Tuesday and Thursday we are closed between 2:30pm and 6pm before our evening classes.

Timaru

Ara Timaru
G103, Theodosia Street, Timaru

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
9am - 12pmClass10am
Class		9am
Class		10am
Class		9am
Class		 
12:30pm - 3pmClassClassClassClassClass 
3pm-4pm Branch closes at 3pm 
6pm - 8pm Class Class  

We are closed between 12 pm and 12:30 pm each weekday. We are closed between 3 pm and 4 pm.

Oamaru

Ara Oamaru
44, Humber Street

Times and daysMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
10am - 12pmClassClassClassClassClass 
1pm-3pmClassClassClassClassClass 
    
6pm - 8pm Class Class  

We are closed between 12 pm and 12:30 pm each weekday. We are closed between 3 pm and 4 pm.

How to apply

Choose the course or programme you'd like to do, then drop in to your chosen location to enrol and book your first class.

Note: please remember to take your passport or birth certificate with you (also marriage certificate, if your name has changed) so we can enrol you straight away. 

Terms and conditions

Opening hours and class times are subject to change. Students will be notified during class time of any changes in advance.

You must be 16 years or older and a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.

Class numbers are limited so enrolment bookings will be on a first come, first served basis.

Getting started

It's easy. Choose the course you'd like to do, then drop into one of our community hubs to enrol in your first class or phone us on 0800 24 24 76 for more information.