Top 6 Fully Funded Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students

Last Updated on January 18, 2021

Have you been looking for scholarship opportunities to study in New Zealand? If so, then search no more. Here, we compiled a list of top 6 fully funded scholarships in New Zealand for international students.

1. University of Canterbury Undergraduate International Scholarships

The University of Canterbury First Year International Scholarships recognizes and supports top-achieving international students commencing an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Canterbury.

Application Deadline: 15th August

Number of Awardees: Up to twenty-five scholarships may be awarded.

Duration of Scholarship: One (1) year

Value of the Program: The scholarship is currently awarded with values of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.

2. University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship

The Scholarship was established to promote educational opportunities, foster internationalization and support talented international students who are enrolling into foundation, undergraduate, or postgraduate programmes for the first time at the University of Waikato.

Application Deadline: 15th September

Eligible African Countries: Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Number of Awardees: Several

Value of Scholarship: $10000

Duration of Scholarship: The Scholarship is tenable only within the year for which it is awarded.

3. F A Hayek Scholarship in Economics/Political Science at University of Canterbury

Each year, a student is offered the F A Hayek scholarship towards an Honors or Master’s degree in Economics or Political Science at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. The general conditions for the scholarship are as for the University of Canterbury Master’s Scholarship. The Scholarship is open for domestic and international students.

Application Deadline: 15th October

Value of the Program: The scholarship recipient will receive $16,500.

Duration of Scholarship: One year

4. New Zealand Development Scholarships for African and Developing Countries’ Students

New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) give candidates from selected developing countries an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through study in specific subject areas which will assist in the development of their home country. Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society or private business organizations.

Application Deadline: 14th March

Eligible African countries: Algeria, Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Fields of study: Preference will be given to candidates who apply to study in academic disciplines relating Agriculture development and Renewable energy

Number of Scholarship: Several

Value of the Program: New Zealand has first-rate education institutions that offer world-recognized qualifications. Successful applicants will have access to excellent academic knowledge in quality facilities. The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares. The partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study.

Duration of Award:

  • Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
  • Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
  • Master’s Degree (1 – 2 years)
  • PhD (3 – 4 years)

5.     New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries. The CSFP was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by education ministers at their triennial meetings – the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition.

Application Deadline: 28th March

Eligible African Countries: Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia.

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Scholarship: The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares. The partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study.

Duration of Scholarship: New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are available for the following postgraduate qualifications:

  • Master’s Degree (1 – 2 years)
  • PhD (up to 3.5 years)

6.     New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)

The New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS) is a Government funded scholarship, administered by Education New Zealand. The scholarship aims to attract and retain the best international researchers to New Zealand. It is awarded based on academic excellence and the benefit of the candidate’s proposed research to New Zealand.

Application Deadline: 30th August

Number of Awardees: Normally 8 awards are made

Value of the Program:

  • New Zealand University annual tuition fees and associated student levies
  • An annual living stipend of NZ$25,000 per year (tax free)
  • Medical insurance coverage up to NZ$600 annually
  • Duration of Scholarship: a total of three years (36 months):

We hope you will find this article helpful.

Want more information on scholarships? If so, be sure to visit that section of our site. There’s tons of valuable information on scholarship opportunities you may find interesting.


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