Scholarships For International Students in New Zealand: An In-Depth List
Find a New Zealand scholarship for you. Learn more about Manaaki scholarships and program-specific scholarships from top universities.
Scholarships For International Students in New Zealand: An In-Depth List
Dreaming of studying in New Zealand but think you can’t afford it?
If you’re an international student here and you’re thinking of pursuing higher education, but are struggling with course fees, don’t worry.
This guide is for you.
From government-funded to university scholarships, you’ll find one you might be eligible for.
Some scholarships are based on where you’re from. Others are for specific degrees. Many support students facing financial hardship, women in STEM, athletes, learners with disabilities, and more.
There’s likely something out there for you. Let’s find it!
Types of Scholarships Available in New Zealand
If you’re searching for scholarships in New Zealand, here are the three categories you can start from:
Government Scholarships – These are often the most generous, like the fully funded Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, which covers tuition, travel, and living costs.
University Scholarships – Offered by individual institutions to attract global talent. These may be based on academic merit, financial need, or other personal circumstances.
Private or Industry Scholarships – Funded by organisations or companies, these often support students in specific fields like agriculture, engineering, or IT.
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship: Key Facts & Overview
Key Facts:
Scholarship Type: Government-funded
Scholarship Value: Fully funded
Who It's For: Citizens from eligible countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and more.
Study Levels Covered: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and PhD.
Fields of Study: Priority sectors like climate change, food security, renewable energy, disaster resilience, education, and public health.
Selection Criteria: Academic merit, leadership potential, and a commitment to contribute to your home country.
Overview:
The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship is one of the country’s most generous and well-known government scholarships for international students. It’s fully funded, meaning you don’t just get tuition support. You also receive allowances for living, travel, and settling in.
To be eligible for the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, you must be a citizen of one of the supported countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America, or the Caribbean. The scholarship is open to students planning to study at an undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD level in New Zealand.
Selection focuses on your academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to making a positive impact in your home country after graduation.
University-Specific Scholarships in New Zealand
Below, you’ll find an in-depth list of the scholarships offered to international students by different universities in New Zealand.
To make it easier for you to find the best one for your current financial needs and personal background, we will have data on:
Value
Who is it for
Study options
If you want to skip through all the research, you can also ask our friendly counsellors at IDP.
You can tell them your study goals, current educational background and the type of scholarship you are looking for. We will do our best to match you with one. Plus, we will walk you through the application dates and eligibility criteria to make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity you are qualified for.
Let us help you find a scholarship
University of Auckland
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Kiwiplan Scholarship | $7,000 | Final-year students in Computer Science, Information Systems, or Software Engineering | Undergraduate | Supports high-achieving domestic or international students in tech-focused fields |
Faculty of Engineering and Design Student Support Award | Up to $2,500 | Students experiencing financial hardship | Undergraduate or Postgraduate | Open to part-time or full-time students enrolled in Engineering and Design |
Frank and Doreen Jones Scholarship | Up to $10,000 | High-achieving students facing personal hardship or disadvantage | Undergraduate (2nd year onwards) | Helps academically strong students continue their degree despite personal challenges |
Martyn Finlay Memorial Scholarship | Not specified | LLB students in Part III | Undergraduate Law | Supports law students who are academically capable but financially struggling |
University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship Extension | Up to 6 months of additional funding | Doctoral candidates nearing thesis submission | Doctorate | Available to students with 33+ months of enrolment, who are close to submitting their thesis |
DELNA PhD Scholarship | $10,000 | PhD students researching language assessment relevant to DELNA | PhD | Supports students in doctoral research tied to DELNA at the University of Auckland |
University of Auckland ASEAN High Achievers Scholarship | Up to $10,000 | High-achieving international students from ASEAN | Undergraduate, Postgraduate Diploma, Masters | Offers tuition support for new ASEAN students beginning study in NZ |
Pong, Tams and Ko Scholarship | Up to $8,000 | Students with disabilities | Not specified | Provides additional financial support for students with disabilities |
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship | Up to $10,000 | High-achieving new international students | Undergraduate or Postgraduate (1 year or more) | Supports outstanding international students enrolling in degree-level study |
Faculty of Arts Sub-doctoral Postgraduate Scholarship | Up to $15,000 | International students | Sub-doctoral Postgraduate (e.g., PGDip, Honours) | Tuition support for students studying in the Faculty of Arts |
Know which scholarship applications are currently open
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
AUT International Scholarships – South Asia | $5,000 (UG), $7,000 (PG) tuition fee contribution | High-achieving students from South Asia | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate (excluding doctoral) | Supports top students from South Asia starting their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate study at AUT. |
AUT International Scholarships – Southeast Asia | $5,000 (UG), $7,000 (PG) tuition fee contribution | High-achieving students from Southeast Asia | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate (excluding doctoral) | For academically strong students from Southeast Asia starting their first year of study at AUT. |
AUT International Scholarships – North Asia | $5,000 (UG), $7,000 (PG) tuition fee contribution | High-achieving students from North Asia | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate (excluding doctoral) | Offers support to students from North Asia beginning their study in eligible programmes at AUT. |
University of Waikato
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship | Up to NZD $15,000 towards tuition fees | New international students beginning in-person studies at Waikato | Bachelor’s, Postgraduate | Designed to attract high-achieving international students enrolling at the University of Waikato for the first time. |
International Entrance Scholarship for School Leavers | Up to NZD $15,000 towards tuition fees | International students completing Year 13 (or equivalent) at a NZ high school in 2025 | Undergraduate | Automatically awarded to school leavers enrolling in an undergraduate degree in 2026. No separate application required. Available for all subject areas. |
Massey University
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Amelia Earhart Fellowship | US$10,000 | Women pursuing a PhD in aerospace engineering or space sciences | Doctoral (Global) | Offered by Zonta International, this global fellowship supports women in aerospace-related PhD research at any accredited university. |
Business Excellence Scholarship | NZD $5,000 + mentoring and leadership support | School leavers enrolling in Business or Accountancy | Undergraduate | Supports well-rounded students with strong academics and leadership experience. Includes mentoring, leadership development, and fee support for Years 1 and 2. |
China Scholarship Council (CSC) - Massey University PhD Scholars Programme | Tuition + travel and living allowance | Chinese nationals applying for PhD studies | Doctoral | A joint CSC–Massey scholarship supporting original PhD research by high-achieving Chinese students. Covers full tuition and living expenses. |
Massey Business School Promising Student Assistance Bursary | Up to NZD $2,000 | Undergraduate or postgraduate students with financial need | Undergraduate, Postgraduate (incl. distance learners) | Open to international students, including Māori and Pasifika applicants. Designed to ease financial hardship for students at Massey Business School. |
Massey University Master's Research Scholarship | NZD $15,000 | High-achieving students in eligible master’s research programmes | Master’s (Research) | Supports students enrolling in the research year of a master’s degree at Massey. Open to both domestic and international applicants. |
Know which scholarship applications are currently open
Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Tongarewa International Scholarship | NZ$5,000–$10,000(one-time) | High-achieving new international students | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | Awarded based on academic merit to students entering their first year of study. Provides partial tuition fee support for one year. |
International School-Leaver Excellence Scholarship | NZ$20,000 (over 3 years) | High-achieving international school leavers | Undergraduate | Supports top academic performers entering undergraduate study. Open to international students beginning their studies at Victoria. |
Mātātoa International Sport Scholarship | NZ$10,000 | High-performing international athletes | Undergraduate | Open to athletes from all disciplines entering their first year of undergraduate study. |
Study Abroad Scholarship | Up to NZ$1,000 (one-time) | International students joining the Study Abroad programme | Study Abroad | Supports tuition costs for international students wanting a short-term study experience in New Zealand. |
New Zealand International School-Leaver Grant | NZ$2,000 | International students completing secondary school in New Zealand | Undergraduate | Helps students who are transitioning from NZ secondary school to undergraduate study at Victoria. |
Tangiwai Excellence Scholarship | NZ$5,000 | High-achieving NZ school leavers | Undergraduate | Based on academic and leadership merit. Supports accommodation and living expenses for first-year students. |
Kahotea Outstanding Achievement Scholarship | Up to NZ$35,000 (over 3 years) | Exceptional NZ school leavers | Undergraduate | Fully covers accommodation and includes a stipend. Awarded to a select group of top academic and leadership students. |
Lincoln University
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Undergraduate Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship | NZ$5,000 | High-achieving international students | Bachelor's | Supports and rewards academically excellent international students. |
180-credit Taught Master Merit Scholarship | NZ$7,000–$10,000 | High-achieving international students | Taught Master's (180 credits) | Helps cover the cost of a 180-credit master's programme. |
International School Leavers Scholarship | NZ$10,000 | High-achieving school leavers | Bachelor's (first year) | For international students entering their first year of undergraduate study. |
International Pathway Merit Scholarship | NZ$2,500 | Students meeting academic & English requirements | Foundation Certificate or First Year Pathway Diploma | For new students entering Pathway or Foundation programmes. |
International Undergraduate Scholarship | NZ$3,000 | Students meeting academic & English requirements | Bachelor's | For new international students entering undergraduate programmes. |
Undergraduate Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship (duplicate name) | NZ$5,000 | High-achieving international students not receiving other scholarships | Bachelor's | Must meet all entrance requirements and be new to Lincoln University. |
University of Otago
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships for International Students | NZ$10,000 | New full-time international undergraduate students | Bachelor's | Must answer ‘yes’ to the scholarship question during eVision application. |
International Academic Excellence Scholarships | NZ$35,000 (across 3 years) | High-achieving international students studying overseas | Bachelor's | Covers accommodation (Year 1) and tuition (Years 2 & 3); by invitation only. |
International Partnership Scholarship | NZ$10,000 | Students in partner articulation programmes | Bachelor's | Must study at least four semesters and commence in 2026. |
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships | NZ$10,000–$45,000 | NZ-based international & domestic students | Bachelor's | For students from NZ high schools or NZ-based foundation programmes. |
Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarships | NZ$10,000 | International students starting eligible postgrad coursework | Master's or PG Diplomas (excluding MBA, SciComm) | Must be full-time and complete at least two semesters. |
International Master's Research Scholarship | NZ$18,204 + partial tuition | International students | Master's by research | Includes stipend and partial fee waiver (capped at domestic fee rate). |
Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
EzyMigrate Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice Scholarship | NZ$5,000 | Female students (18+), domestic or international | Graduate Diploma in NZ Immigration Advice (Level 7) | Covers full course fees. Applicants must already be accepted into the course. |
UC International College (UCIC) & University of Canterbury
Scholarship Name | Value | Who is it for | Study Options | Scholarship Overview |
UC International First Year Scholarship | NZ$15,000 | Full-fee-paying international school leavers | First year of undergraduate degree | Must not be NZ/Australian citizens or residents. For students starting undergraduate study. |
College of Engineering International Scholarship | NZ$15,000 | Top international students | Undergraduate Engineering degree | Supports high-achieving students entering Engineering at the University of Canterbury. |
Know which scholarship applications are currently open
What are the usual eligibility criteria for scholarships in NZ?
Most scholarships in New Zealand are awarded based on academic merit. But depending on the scholarship, other criteria may apply, such as leadership experience, community involvement, or alignment with specific areas of study.
Many are available to new international students applying for full-time programmes. Some are restricted by country of citizenship, while others are open to students from all regions.
General application requirements
Each scholarship will have its own checklist. But most applications will require:
A completed scholarship application form
Academic transcripts and English test results
A personal statement or motivation letter
References or letters of recommendation
Proof of admission or application to a New Zealand institution
For research scholarships, you may also be asked to submit a research proposal and supervisor confirmation.
When do scholarship applications open?
New Zealand scholarships don’t follow one fixed schedule.
Government scholarships like Manaaki New Zealand open around February to March each year, while universities typically open applications 2–6 months before a new intake (usually February or July).
Always check the university website early. Some scholarships are awarded automatically with admission, while others require a separate, competitive application.
Don’t miss out on new scholarship opportunities
Because we work closely with top universities in New Zealand, our education counsellors hear about new scholarships as soon as they open.
Whether you’re still figuring out which scholarships fit you or if you’re ready to start your application, we’re here to help you:
Find scholarships you’re eligible for
Understand what you need to apply
Keep you updated on all the latest openings and deadlines
Scholarships fill up fast, and we want to make sure you don’t miss out.
Reach out to us today and take your first real step toward securing a scholarship that could make studying in New Zealand easier for your finances.
Sources: University of Auckland, University of Waikato Scholarships, Massey University Scholarships, Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln University, University of Otago, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, UC International College (UCIC)