Resources / Study info
New Zealand Scholarships for International Students
7 min read
New Zealand scholarships for international students are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level, from the New Zealand government, universities, and private organisations.
The government’s Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships offer full funding to citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries, while most other international students are funded through university merit scholarships.
Which awards you can apply for depends on your nationality, study level, and subject, and many university scholarships are linked to your admission application, so it pays to plan your funding before you apply.
New Zealand Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship | Who It’s For | Study Level | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships | Citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries | Undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD | Full tuition, living allowance, travel, and insurance |
| New Zealand Excellence Awards | Currently Indian students | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Partial tuition |
| University merit scholarships | High-achieving international students | Undergraduate and postgraduate | Partial tuition, sometimes renewable |
| University doctoral scholarships | Strong PhD candidates | PhD | Tuition fees and a living stipend |
Types of Scholarships Available in New Zealand
Scholarships for international students in New Zealand fall into three broad groups:
- Government scholarships: Funded by the New Zealand government and aimed mainly at students from eligible developing countries. These are the most generous and the most competitive.
- University scholarships: Merit-based awards offered by New Zealand universities to attract high-achieving international students, from partial tuition awards to full doctoral funding.
- Private and external scholarships: Offered by foundations, trusts, professional bodies, and some regional councils, often focused on a subject, nationality, or location.
New Zealand Government Scholarships
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are the government’s flagship international scholarship programme, funded through the New Zealand Aid Programme and run with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and Education New Zealand. Full tertiary scholarships support full-time undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral study at New Zealand universities and other approved institutions.
A full scholarship covers tuition fees, a living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical insurance, and travel. Eligibility is limited to citizens of selected Pacific countries and selected Asian countries, including several in Southeast Asia, and applications usually open in March, around a year before study begins.
Manaaki Short-Term Training Scholarships
Manaaki also offers short-term training scholarships, giving working professionals from eligible Pacific and Southeast Asian countries, and Timor-Leste, the chance to complete short skills-based programmes in New Zealand.
University Scholarships in New Zealand
All eight New Zealand universities offer scholarships for international students. Some are awarded automatically when you’re assessed for admission, while others need a separate application with an essay and references. Awards change from year to year, and values, eligible nationalities, and deadlines vary by university and programme.
New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)
The New Zealand Excellence Awards are jointly funded by Education New Zealand and participating New Zealand universities. In current rounds they’re open to Indian citizens taking eligible undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, and provide partial tuition support. Eligibility can change between rounds, so check the latest details before you apply.
University Merit and International Excellence Scholarships
Universities such as the University of Otago and Victoria University of Wellington offer international scholarships for high-achieving undergraduate and postgraduate students, and some faculties offer their own subject-specific awards. Many are assessed on your academic results, which is why applying early with strong grades on file can make a real difference.
Expert View
“For most international students, scholarship funding in New Zealand comes from university merit awards rather than the headline government schemes, and many are decided from your admission application. Applying early, with your strongest results on file, usually matters more than a separate scholarship essay.” – Rajashree Devi, Counsellor, StudyIn.
PhD Funding in New Zealand
New Zealand is one of the more affordable places for international students to take a PhD, as international doctoral students generally pay the same tuition fees as domestic students. On top of this, universities offer doctoral scholarships that can cover tuition fees and provide a living stipend for strong candidates.
Doctoral scholarships are competitive and usually depend on your academic record, research proposal, and the support of a supervisor, so contacting potential supervisors early is an important part of securing funding.
How to Apply for a Scholarship in New Zealand
- Start early: Government scholarships often open around a year before study begins, and many university awards close alongside early admission deadlines for each of the New Zealand intakes.
- Check eligibility carefully: Most scholarships have nationality, study level, or subject requirements, so focus on awards you can actually win.
- Prepare a strong statement: Competitive scholarships often ask for a statement of purpose or essay explaining your background, goals, and why New Zealand.
- Secure strong references: References from academics or employers who know your work well are essential for most competitive awards.
- Apply for more than one: You can usually apply for several scholarships across government and university schemes, though some can’t be held together.
Scholarships are most useful when you know your full budget, so it’s worth reviewing the overall cost of studying in New Zealand as you plan.
Find a Scholarship
The scholarships you can realistically win depend on your nationality, grades, study level, and the universities you apply to, and the best opportunities are often university- or faculty-specific. StudyIn (formerly SI-UK) has over 20 years of experience helping international students apply to universities across multiple destinations.
Our counsellors can help you shortlist New Zealand universities with strong funding for your profile, time your applications around scholarship deadlines, and prepare your supporting documents.
We support you through admissions, your visa, and pre-departure too, and our service is free throughout.
FAQs
Are There Scholarships for International Students in New Zealand?
Yes. International students can apply for government scholarships such as the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, if they’re from an eligible country, as well as university merit scholarships and doctoral funding. Scholarships are available at undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD level.
Can I Get a Fully Funded Scholarship to Study in New Zealand?
Yes, but fully funded awards are competitive. The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships cover tuition, living costs, travel, and insurance for citizens of eligible Pacific and Asian countries. University doctoral scholarships can also cover fees and a living stipend for strong PhD candidates.
How Do I Apply for a New Zealand Government Scholarship?
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are applied for through the official Manaaki website. Applications usually open in March, around a year before study starts, and eligibility depends on your country of citizenship.
Do New Zealand Universities Offer Scholarships to International Students?
Yes. All eight New Zealand universities offer scholarships for international students. Some are assessed automatically with your admission application, while others need a separate application.
When Should I Apply for Scholarships in New Zealand?
As early as possible. Government scholarships usually open around a year before study starts, and university scholarship deadlines often match early admission deadlines, especially for the February intake.
Can I Apply for More Than One New Zealand Scholarship?
Yes. You can usually apply for several scholarships across government and university schemes. Some awards can be held together, but others can’t, so check each scholarship’s terms.
Do I Need to Return Home After My Scholarship Ends?
It depends on the scholarship. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships require recipients to return to their home country after their studies to contribute to its development. University and private scholarships generally don’t have this condition, but always check the terms.
Do International PhD Students Pay Higher Fees in New Zealand?
Generally, no. International doctoral students in New Zealand usually pay the same tuition fees as domestic students, which makes New Zealand an affordable option for PhD study, especially alongside a doctoral scholarship.