The university has put together a package that includes a $5000 accommodation grant, first aid training, a winter road trip, and a free ticket to a Tactix netball or Crusaders rugby game for potential students.
Applicants need a minimum merit grade in NCEA Level 2, and to take up residence in the "Retro" University Hall. They may also be eligible for other UC scholarships; about 40 per cent of this year's intake received funding towards their study.
Dr Carr said the university traditionally took about 200 students from Auckland, but was hoping to increase that. Research had found the main barrier to moving south was financial, prompting the scholarship.
Asked if the plan could be seen as poaching from the Auckland market, Dr Carr said: "We're not stealing as that would imply property rights, and we don't have those over students. It's an opportunity."
Auckland University Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon said it had actively supported the southern university in its recovery from the earthquakes and fully understood why it would want to attract students from Auckland.
"However, having constructed over 1100 beds in our halls of residence over the last four years we are well positioned to accommodate our students and with over $20 million in scholarships annually, we are able to support financially a great many top students," he said.
Universities New Zealand director Chris Whelan said UC wasn't doing anything its competitors hadn't already thought of. "At the same time every other university is actively advertising in the Canterbury region," Mr Whelan said. "Canterbury is doing what it has to do to attract students."
Previously, Otago University had offered free flights for PhD students, and guaranteed access for the dux from each school, while the Southern Institute of Technology had zero fees.
Auckland student loves every minute of uni life in Canterbury
You only get one shot at a real student experience so you may as well get out of Auckland to make the most of it, one University of Canterbury convert says.
Former Takapuna Grammar student Jordan Griffiths, 19, is in his second year of a science degree at the Christchurch campus and is loving it.
"I wanted the full experience - moving out of home and living in the halls, plus I love the South Island, the skiing and the outdoors," he says.
"It's probably easier to stay at home and not have to cook for yourself, but if I was still there I'd just be doing classes and going home to Devonport every day, whereas here I'm immersed in university life."
Jordan, who is planning a career in computer science and has an internship at Google this summer, says while the effects of the earthquakes are still noticeable in Christchurch's centre city - and there are not many bars - the area near the university is relatively unscathed.
"The campus is cool, there's a lot of construction going on but you have everything you need nearby, you don't even need a car," he said.
"The halls are great, you turn up and have 180 other people who are in the same situation, you make new friends that will stay with you for life. I'd highly recommend it."
University of Canterbury
• $5000 accommodation grant towards costs with UCA Student Village
• Summer camping trip with a focus on team building and leadership development
• Winter road trip that includes a three-day, two-night stay at a selected South Island ski field
• Orienteering challenge offering tramping over the varied terrain of the South Island
• One free ticket to a Tactix netball or Crusaders rugby game
