New Zealand Scholarships – New Zealand offers high quality education and a lifestyle that has been enticing international students to its shores for years. It has been ranked as the second safest country in the world, which makes it a secure place for international students coming from all around the world. While the world attention has still not shifted significantly to New Zealand as a study abroad destination, 8 of its universities are amongst the top 3% universities of the world. Also, New Zealand has one of the best ranked English-speaking education systems for delivering a future-focussed education, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Educating for the Future Index. What’s more! In August 2019, first-time student visas from India to New Zealand universities showed an increase of 63%. India is among the top four countries along with China, Japan, Korea, from where most foreign students go to study in New Zealand!
Due to such a welcoming attitude of New Zealand towards the students, many scholarship schemes have been implemented over the years. In this article, we will discuss some of the government and university funded scholarship schemes for the students at various levels of education. 
New Zealand Scholarships – List of Government-Funded Scholarships
1. NEW ZEALAND COMMONWEALTH SCHOLARSHIP
Offered by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Department, these scholarships for eligible international students to undertake full time postgraduate study at a New Zealand education institution or a Pacific university. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholars can only study at these New Zealand universities:
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- Victoria University of Wellington
- University of Waikato
Opening/Closing Date – Applications open in early February and closes in late March.
Eligibility – To apply for a New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship, you must meet every eligibility criteria mentioned below:
- Age – Applicant must be 18 years of age or more before commencing the scholarship.
- Visa – All applicants should check if they meet the student visa requirements before applying for a scholarship.
- Courses – Should be accepted for an postgraduate study programme at a New Zealand University.
How to apply – To apply, candidates need to contact the nominating agency in their country to request a paper application form. For India, the nominating agency is the Department of Higher Education
External Scholarships Division. After filling the form, applicants need to send it back to the nominating agency before the application closing date. The nominating agency will then select only two applicants as nominated candidates and these applications will be sent to MFAT by early May for consideration.
Write to nominating agency at –
Director Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Higher Education External Scholarships Division West Block-1, 2nd Floor, Wing-6 R K Puram New Delhi 110066 India Tel: +91 11 261 72492 Fax: +91 11 2338 1355 www.mhrd.gov.in
Award – The scholarship offers full tuition fee cover and a fortnightly living allowance and other expenses.
Admission in New Zealand – Courses, Eligibility
2. NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL DOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP (NZIDRS)
This scholarship is offered and funded by the New Zealand Governmentand aims to provide support to aspiring scholars who want to carry research in New Zealand. Selections will be made on the basis of merit.
Opening date/Closing Date – Applications open in early June and closes in late July.
Eligibility – The scholarship is open for scholars who are starting a three-year research program at a New Zealand University. The candidate must hold an ‘A’ average or equivalent in their studies and should meet the requirements for entry into a research-based doctoral degree programme at a New Zealand university.
How to apply – The candidate must complete the application form in English and attach supporting documents as mentioned in the application form.
Awards – The selected scholars will get the following awards –
- New Zealand university tuition fees and associated student levies for 3 years
- An annual living stipend of NZD 25,000 per year for 3 years (NZD 2,083.33 per month for 36 months)
- Up to NZD 600 annual health insurance allowance for 3 years
New Zealand Scholarships – List of University-Specific Scholarships
1. AUT UNIVERSITY MARSDEN PHD SCHOLARSHIP IN STATISTICS, NEW ZEALAND
Offered by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Auckland, New Zealand, this scholarship provides support to the masters degree and honours degree holders in statistics/analysis. It is a Marsden funded scholarship that allows successful applicants to work on a cross-faculty project dealing with identifying inflammation biomarkers for depression in Pacific youth in New Zealand.
Opening/Closing Date – Applicants close in early February.
Eligibility – Applicants must fulfil the following conditions to apply successfully -
- Applicants must have a masters or honours degree in statistics/analytics with first-class honours or equivalent.
- Applicants must demonstrate enthusiasm and an excellent academic record to conduct the doctoral study at AUT, New Zealand.
- Applicants must fulfil all conditions for admission to the Doctoral degree programme at AUT.
- Applicants must be proficient in the English language with an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, 7 in writing and 6.0 or higher in all other bands.
How to apply – Students can apply for this award through its application portal. After creating the account, the applicants need to provide the required details and submit the application. Following documents are to be submitted at the time of application -
- A curriculum vitae of a maximum of 2 pages
- A brief outline of the candidate’s research skills and experience in a maximum of 2 pages
- A one-page summary of the applicant’s motivations behind undertaking a PhD and future goals
- Academic transcripts and certificates of the previous qualification
- Two academic referee statements requested by the applicant
Awards – The successful applicant will receive the scholarship that comprises an annual stipend of NZD 27,500 and PhD fees tenable for up to three years, subject to satisfactory progress of the candidate.
Study abroad New Zealand, UG and PG admission
2. A.C. RAYNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
A.C. Rayner Memorial Scholarship was introduced in 1992 to encourage students to explore the field of economics while studying in New Zealand. The scholarship is open to only those students who want to pursue a masters degree in various areas of economics. Students who plan to pursue both full time and part-time courses at Lincoln University can apply for this merit-based scholarship.
Opening/Closing Date – Applications open in early January and close at the end of March.
Eligibility – International students who have secured admission in a masters degree in economics at Lincoln University, are eligible.
How to apply – Applicants need to download the application form (from Lincoln Universitys website) After filling in the details and providing necessary information, the form is to be sent at:
Scholarships Office PO Box 85084 Lincoln University LINCOLN 7647
Awards – The scholarship financial assistance of NZD 1,200 for one year. Aspirants can apply for the scholarship in the subsequent year. Only one award per year is available.
3. UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIP
Offered by the University of Otago, this scholarship aims at providing opportunities to pursue research studies at the University. Students pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Otago can also avail funding under this scholarship scheme.
Opening/Closing Date – Applications are open throughout the year.
Eligibility – This scholarship is open for all the aspirants who want to pursue a doctoral degree from the university of Otago. Open to both domestic and international aspirants, candidates for professional doctorates, as well as the PhD can apply for it.
Awards – A total of 181 scholarships are offered every year. Students can avail NZD 25,000 stipend per annum plus domestic tuition fees waiver. Winners are selected on the basis of academic merit.
How to apply – Scholarship is open throughout the year. Students can apply for this scholarship through the website.
REGISTER TODAY TO MAKE A GREAT CAREER IN NEW ZEALAND!
4. UNIVERSITY OF OTAGO INTERNATIONAL MASTER’S RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP
Offered by the University of Otago, this scholarship aims at providing financial support to international Master’s students studying at the University of Otago. Selection is based predominantly on academic merit and the applicants potential for research.
Opening/Closing Date – The applications for this scholarship are opened throughout the year.
Eligibility – Applicants must be
- obtaining their first master’s qualification
- international students
- undertaking a thesis-based master’s
Awards – NZD 15,000 stipend per annum plus a tuition fee waiver for 1 year, capped at the domestic rate for Master’s study (excludes student services fee and insurance).
5. THE EAMON MOLLOY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship is available to international students from Asia. The scholarship can only be availed by prospective students of the University of Canterbury. Hence, applicants must have enrolled, or be intending to enrol, full time at the University of Canterbury in their second, third or fourth year of undergraduate university study in any discipline.
Opening/Closing Date – Application process starts in January and ends in late February.
Eligibility – Applicants must be
- An enrolled student at the University of Canterbury
- International student from Asia
- Studying in second, third or fourth year of a undergraduate degree in any discipline
Awards – The value of the award is NZD 15,000 for one year. Winners are selected on the basis of academic merit.Only one scholarship is awarded every year.
How to apply: Applications are available in the scholarships page of the University of Canterbury.
6. UNIVERSITY OF WAIKATO EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP FOR ASIA
Aimed to encourage excellence in education among Asian students, the University of Waikato offers the Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship is available only for select Asian countries including India. Prospective pre-degree (foundation), undergraduate and postgraduate students can apply for it.
Opening/Closing Date – Application process starts in September and ends in October.
Eligibility – The applicant must be:
- An enrolled student at the University of Waikato
- An Indian student (and other selected Asian nationals)
- Enrolled in a pre-degree (foundation), undergraduate or postgraduate student
Awards – Selected students will get the following awards:
- Scholarships of NZD 5,000 will be awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence.
- The highest achieving applicant from each country will be awarded an Exceptional Merit Award amounting to NZD10,000.
- One award is presented to students of each Asian country eligible for the scholarship.
How to apply – Applicants need to apply for admission to the University of Waikato to be able to apply for the Waikato Excellence Scholarship. Enrolled students can visit the university website and apply for this university.
Most Popular Reads: Top universities in New Zealand
New Zealand Scholarships – FAQs
Q.What are Government-funded scholarships?
A: Government-funded scholarship programmes are sponsored by the administrative body of a particular country. Usually, there are programmes sponsored by the country of the scholar which aims at sending talented and deserving students to a foreign university to pursue specialised education. Governments of the host countries also sponsor scholarships to invite international students to come and study at their University. Exchange programmes are also offered which are the result of collaboration between the two governments.
Q.What are university-specific scholarships?
A: University-specific scholarships are offered by the university administration, alumni associations, alumnus and/or any other funding body to the students pursuing education in a specific university. The scholarships only cover expenses towards those particular universities.
Q.What is a tertiary scholarship?
A: The tertiary scholarship scheme supports students who have an offer from a tertiary institution or are currently enrolled to complete an educational university degree or diploma. Such scholarships are neither sponsored by the students country government nor by the host country or the educational institution of choice.
Q.How to apply for scholarships aimed at multiple universities?
A: Scholarships like the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship which provide grants to students of multiple universities cant be applied for without securing an admission. Only the students who have secured an admission can apply for the scholarships after completing the admission process.
Q.Am I entitled to public health services in New Zealand?
A: Most international students are not entitled to publicly-funded health services while in New Zealand, so you will need medical insurance to cover the costs of any treatment.
