Studying in New Zealand can become quite an expensive affair, but if you plan well in advance, you can apply to a range of scholarships offered by the Kiwi universities and colleges. Open to meritorious international students to help them fund their studies, these can be partial or fully paid, depending on the criteria, course and the institution.
Many scholarships and bursaries are also offered by the New Zealand government, and various private and public establishments as well. When applying to any of these scholarships, make sure you check the criteria carefully, along with the application closing date.
The most important criterion for most scholarships is a good academic score, however, it also depends on factors such as your chosen destination, subject and level. In some scholarships, factors like extracurricular activities, and volunteering can also be used to advantage. Keep in mind that every scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. While in some, a mere application may suffice, while for others you may have to fulfil several other conditions. For instance, in research centric programs, you may have to submit written assignments. Do not hesitate to contact the university admission centre if you have any doubts.
The amount of money available and the type of award varies between institutions. Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures. You may experience higher competition when you apply for government scholarships in comparison to the university scholarships. So, we suggest you to start with the procedure about 8-12 months before your preferred intake begins.
Here’s an overview of some of the popular scholarships you can apply to as an Srilankan student:
Name of the University
AUT University
University of Auckland
Lincoln University
Massey University
University of Otago
University of Waikato
Victoria University of Wellington
Name of Scholarship | Description |
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS) | Funded by the New Zealand government, this scholarship supports Sri Lankan students pursuing a PhD in New Zealand. It covers university tuition fees, student levies, a living stipend of up to NZ$25,000 (tax-free), and health insurance up to NZ$600 annually for three years. Benefits may vary based on the education provider. |
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships | Available for Sri Lankan students applying for a master’s or PhD program, this scholarship includes full tuition fees, a weekly living allowance of NZ$491, an establishment allowance of NZ$3,000, and coverage for medical, travel, and research costs for postgraduate students. |
NZ-GRADS New Zealand Global Research Alliance Doctoral Scholarship | Supports PhD studies in agricultural emission science. It provides tuition fee coverage up to NZ$10,000 per year, an annual tax-free stipend of NZ$28,000, medical insurance up to NZ$700 per year, a visa application cost up to NZ$1,000, airfare reimbursement up to NZ$6,000, and a research allowance of NZ$1,500 over three years. |
SEG Scholarship | Funded by the Soshi Educational Group, this scholarship supports students in geophysics and related geosciences. It offers: - Scholarship A: NZ$7,000 annually - Scholarship B: NZ$5,000 annually - Scholarship C: NZ$3,000 annually |
Palmerston North City Mayor's Goodwill Ambassador Scholarship | Sponsored by the Palmerston North City Council, this scholarship promotes the city as an international education hub. It provides NZ$1,000 toward the first year’s tuition for students enrolling in career-based, vocational, undergraduate, or postgraduate courses. |
*This is an indicative list, please speak with your experts for details and best available options suited to your profile.
To qualify for these scholarships, students must meet the following requirements:
Tuition Payment:
Applicants must pay for either one year or both years upfront.
Application Process:
Students must apply through an approved UP Education Agent to be considered for this scholarship.
New Student Requirement:
The applicant must be a new student commencing studies between August and November 2019.
Eligible applicants who meet the entry requirements will receive an official offer of place, which will confirm if a Reward Scholarship has been granted. Additionally, they will receive a scholarship acknowledgment letter.
Note: This scholarship is exclusively available through approved UP Education Agents authorized for this specific scholarship offer.
Every scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. In case of some, just an application will help you get hold of the scholarship. For research centric programs, you may have to submit written assignments. So, research well and do not hesitate to contact the university admission centre if you have any doubts. Your IDP experts can also assist you in finding the right scholarship for you.
Certain research programs may provide up to 100% of the tuition fee besides covering a part of your living expenditures.
You may experience higher competition when you apply for government scholarships in comparison to the university scholarships. So, it’s always better to apply in advance to receive a timely response.
Securing a good scholarship can help bring down your cost of studying internationally considerably. If you wish to explore university wise options, speak with your IDP Counsellor for free for specific details.
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