Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students 2024 – Scholarship Vibes

New Zealand is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for international students due to its high-quality education system, safe and welcoming environment, and beautiful natural landscape. The country offers a wide range of scholarships for international students to help make studying in New Zealand more affordable. These scholarships are provided by the New Zealand government, individual universities, and certain external organizations or foundations.

In this article, we will look at some of the major scholarships available for international students looking to study in New Zealand in 2024. The scholarships covered range from prestigious fully-funded scholarships to partial tuition awards, across different levels of study from undergraduate to postgraduate and PhD. 

1. University of Auckland Scholarships

The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s highest-ranked university and offers a number of scholarships for international students. These include:

• University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship – Covers up to NZ$15,000 towards the first year of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Selection is based on academic merit.
• University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship – Fully funds PhD study at the university for 3 years. High academic achievement required. 
• University of Auckland International PhD Scholarship – Covers full tuition fees and living costs for a 3-year PhD. For high-achieving international PhD students.

School: University of Auckland

Degree: Bachelor’s / Master’s / Postgraduate Diploma

Step-by-Step Application Process

2. Victoria University of Wellington Scholarships

Wellington-based Victoria University provides several scholarship options for international students such as:

• Victoria International Excellence Scholarship – Up to NZ$5,000 awarded to high-achieving international students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate study. 
• Victoria Doctoral Scholarship – Covers full tuition fees and provides a stipend for living costs for PhD study.
• Victoria Master’s by Thesis Scholarship – Full tuition fee scholarship for international students undertaking a master’s by thesis degree.

School: Victoria University of Wellington

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters

Step-by-Step Application Process

3. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships 

The New Zealand government offers the Manaaki New Zealand scholarships to help international students pursue postgraduate study in specific subject areas. These scholarships cover full tuition fees, insurance, travel costs, and a living stipend. They are awarded to high-achieving students from selected developing countries.

• School: New Zealand Universities
• Degree: Undergraduate / Masters
• Step-by-Step Application Process

4. University of Canterbury Scholarships

The University of Canterbury provides several international student scholarships, including:

• University of Canterbury International First Year Scholarship – NZ$10,000 scholarship for first-year international undergraduate students with an excellent academic record.
• University of Canterbury International Student Excellence Scholarship – A NZ$5,000 – $10,000 scholarship based on academic achievement for undergraduate/postgraduate international students. 
• University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship – Covers full tuition fees and provides a tax-free stipend for living costs for 3 years of PhD study.

School: University of Canterbury

Degree: Undergraduate

Step-by-Step Application Process

5. University of Otago Scholarships

The University of Otago, located in picturesque Dunedin, offers: 

• University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship – Fully funds 3 years of PhD tuition and living costs for outstanding international PhD applicants.
• University of Otago New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship – Pays tuition fees, insurance, and a stipend for living costs for PhD study.
• University of Otago Business School International Student Scholarship – Merit-based scholarships for international students pursuing a business degree at undergraduate, postgraduate or doctoral level. 

School: Lincoln University

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters

Step-by-Step Application Process

6. University of Waikato Scholarships 

The University of Waikato provides a range of scholarships for international students including:

• University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship – Covers full tuition fees for a PhD plus provides a tax-free stipend toward living expenses.
• University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship – Up to NZ$10,000 awarded to high-achieving undergraduate international students.
• University of Waikato International Master’s Scholarship – A NZ$5,000 scholarship for new international students enrolling in a master’s degree.

School: University of Otago

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters / Ph.D.

Step-by-Step Application Process

7. Scholarship Program for Graduates, Co-sponsored by Japan and the World Bank

This scholarship offered by the World Bank funds one to two years of postgraduate study for mid-career professionals from World Bank member countries. It covers full tuition, travel, insurance, and living stipend.

School: University of Waikato

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters

Step-by-Step Application Process

8. Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

The McNamara Fellowships provide support for research-based doctoral studies in development for citizens of eligible developing countries. The fellowship covers costs for fieldwork research over 1-2 years.

School: University of Auckland/ US Universities

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters

Step-by-Step Application Process

9. IMU Breakout Graduate Fellowship Program 

This fellowship by the International Medieval University supports graduate research projects focused on medieval studies for up to 10 months. It covers travel costs, living expenses, tuition fees, and research funds.

School: IMU Breakout Graduate

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters

Step-by-Step Application Process

10. Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

These fellowships are awarded to women from developing countries to pursue PhD or Postdoctoral research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields at leading universities worldwide. The fellowship provides financial support for 3-5 years.

School: Schlumberger Foundation Faculty

Degree: Undergraduate / Masters /PhD

Step-by-Step Application Process

11. Aga Khan Foundation Scholarships

The Aga Khan Foundation provides need-based scholarships to promising students from select developing countries seeking postgraduate study abroad. The scholarships take care of tuition, living costs, travel expenses, and insurance.

School: Any highly reputable university except universities in UK, Germany, Sweden, Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Italy, Norway and Ireland

Degree: Masters / PhD

Step-by-Step Application Process

12. Human Frontier Science Program Postdoctoral Fellowships 

These fellowships support international research collaborations for early career postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences. Research has to be conducted at leading laboratories outside the researcher’s home country. The fellowship provides a stipend, travel costs, insurance, and family allowance.

13. IIE-SRF Fellowship 

The Institute of International Education administers this fellowship program funded by the U.S. Department of State. It supports graduate study related to STEM fields in the U.S. for students from Sub-Saharan Africa. The program covers tuition, healthcare, monthly stipend, and other allowances for 1-2 years.

14. Facebook PhD Fellowship

This fellowship supports PhD students undertaking research in areas related to computer science and engineering at accredited universities globally. It covers tuition fees, stipend and conference travel allowance for up to 4 years.

15. Microsoft Research Ph.D. Scholarship

Microsoft Research sponsors postgraduate students pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science or related STEM fields internationally, covering their stipend and tuition and travel expenses for 3 years.

Step-by-Step Application Process

16. Google PhD Fellowship

Google provides this fellowship to outstanding PhD students across computing, engineering, and related fields internationally, covering tuition, stipend, and conference travel costs for the duration of the PhD program.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Conclusion

New Zealand offers abundant scholarship opportunities for international students from prestigious universities and external funding bodies. The scholarships highlighted in this article cover varied levels of study from undergraduate to doctoral levels across multiple subject areas. International students should thoroughly research and apply for relevant scholarships well in advance to fund their education in New Zealand.