scholarships new zealand
Don't forget to catch a haka if you win a scholarship to study in New Zealand! Source: AFP/Marty Melville

Do you have a burning desire to study in New Zealand? We don’t blame you! As one of the world’s safest and most beautiful countries, it has become a popular study abroad destination for international students.

Low costs of living, stunning natural settings and outstanding university facilities are just a few reasons that make it so attractive to students.

The New Zealand education system is based on the British education model, and higher education programmes are well-known for high teaching standards and recognised programmes.

The balance of modern city life and gorgeous countryside also make it a great place to live, along with the low crime rates.

If you can’t afford to study there as an international student, or perhaps you’re already there and have excellent grades, you can try applying for a scholarship, available from both the New Zealand government and private universities.

Here are our top picks.

New Zealand International Scholarships

The local government offers full-board tertiary scholarships at eleven New Zealand universities that international students from several countries qualify for.

The scholarships are open to citizens of selected countries in the Pacific, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Carribbean and some Commonwealth countries.

They cover the full cost of tuition fees, living and establishment allowances, medical insurance, travel insurance, and help with research and thesis costs for postgraduate students.

Not only that, but the scholarships also cover travel costs to and from your country at the beginning and end of the scholarship!

international students

Enjoy stunning natural landscapes like the Marahau beach in Golden Bay, New Zealand. Source: AFP/Marty Melville

The purpose of this scholarship is to fund the training of citizens from developing countries so they can make a positive impact on their country’s development when they return.

Recipients are encouraged to choose fields of study that are relevant to their country’s development needs such as renewable energy, agriculture development, disaster risk management and public sector development.

For more information and to apply, please visit the official website.

University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship

A view of the University of Waikato at night. Source: University of Waikato

The University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand, offers scholarships to international students who have demonstrated excellent academic achievements and have the potential to become global ambassadors for the university.

The scholarship covers up to NZ$10,000 in tuition fees and is offered for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

For eligible countries and application requirements, please click here.

UC International First Year Undergraduate Scholarships

The Matariki Building at the University of Canterbury. Source: University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury grants scholarships to top-achieving international students. Each covers tuition fees for the first year, valued at NZ$10,000, NZ$15,000 and NZ$20,000.

Students from all countries can apply, and up to 25 scholarships are up for grabs.

While 2019 admissions are already closed, the deadline for 2020 applications are open until June. For more details, visit the official website.

University of Otago Coursework Master’s Scholarship

A view of the clock tower at the University of Otago. Source: University of Otago

Didn’t get the chance to study abroad for your undergraduate programme? You can still get the international student experience in New Zealand by winning a scholarship for a Master’s degree here.

Both domestic and international students are eligible for the Master’s scholarship at the University of Otago, as long as they’ve demonstrated high grades in their previous academic studies, a high score on the GMAT test, and have already been offered admission at the university.

To apply, please visit the website.

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4 scholarships for international students in 2019