Funding your studies in New Zealand: Scholarships for international students

Funding your studies in New Zealand can be a challenge for international students, but there are many options available to make it a reality.

Scholarships in New Zealand for international students are one of the best options, as they provide financial assistance to help ease the cost of tuition and living expenses.

In this guide, we will discuss the different types of scholarships in New Zealand for international students and how to apply for them.

Funding your studies in New Zealand

As an international student, there are several ways to fund your studies in New Zealand. Here are some options:

1. Scholarships

New Zealand offers various scholarships for international students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, and other criteria. Some popular scholarships for international students in New Zealand include the New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship, the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship, and the New Zealand Excellence Awards.

2. Part-time work

International students in New Zealand are allowed to work part-time up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays. In addition, many universities and colleges have job portals where students can find part-time work.

Also read: 15 high paid jobs in New Zealand you need to consider

3. Student loans

International students can apply for student loans from the New Zealand government, provided they meet certain eligibility criteria. These loans cover tuition fees, course-related costs, and living expenses. However, it's important to note that these loans have to be repaid with interest.

4. Savings

Many students will save money before coming to New Zealand to cover their expenses. This can be a good way to fund your studies if you have the time and resources to do so.

5. Family support

Some international students receive financial support from their families to help with the cost of studying in New Zealand.

Also read: Dos and Don’ts- International students in New Zealand

Popular scholarships in New Zealand for international students

Many scholarship opportunities are available to international students to study in New Zealand, both from universities and external sources. Some of the popular scholarships in New Zealand for international students are:

1. New Zealand Excellence Awards

The New Zealand Excellence Awards are a popular scholarship program for international students who wish to study at one of New Zealand’s top universities. The scholarships are funded by the New Zealand government and administered by Education New Zealand, the government agency responsible for promoting New Zealand as a study destination for international students.

The New Zealand Excellence Awards provide financial support to international students who have achieved excellent academic results and demonstrated potential for further study. The awards provide full or partial tuition fees, accommodation, travel, and living expenses, allowing international students to pursue their studies without worrying about the financial burden.

The New Zealand Excellence Awards are awarded annually, and applications are open until the end of April each year. The awards are based on academic merit, so applicants must demonstrate excellent academic performance, such as a high school diploma or equivalent.

2. New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship

The New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship (NZIDRS) is a prestigious scholarship offered to international students who want to pursue doctoral research in any field at any of New Zealand's eight universities. It is offered by the New Zealand government, and it aims to attract talented international students to study in New Zealand and to contribute to the country's research and innovation.

The NZIDRS provides full tuition fees and a living allowance for up to three years. The living allowance is currently NZ$25,000 per year. In addition, the scholarship includes a return economy airfare, a research allowance, and a contribution to the cost of health insurance. The scholarship is awarded for three years, with the possibility of an additional six months to complete the thesis.

The NZIDRS is a highly competitive scholarship and is awarded on a merit-based system. Successful applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the Ministry of Education.

3. New Zealand Development Scholarships

New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) are scholarships provided by the New Zealand Government to international students who have the potential to make a significant contribution to their home country’s development. It is funded by the New Zealand government and administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

NZDS provides full tuition fees for the duration of the program, a living allowance to cover basic living expenses, including accommodation and food, medical insurance, airfare to and from New Zealand, and travel expenses to attend an orientation course in New Zealand before the start of the program.

The scholarships are provided for the duration of the student’s studies in New Zealand, up to a maximum of 3 years for a degree or diploma. The scholarships are renewable annually, provided the student is making satisfactory progress and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

4. New Zealand International Master’s Scholarships (NZIMS)

The NZIMS is a scholarship program offered by the New Zealand government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to attract high-achieving international students to New Zealand to pursue their Master's degrees in New Zealand.

The NZIMS is a competitive scholarship and is awarded to select international students who demonstrate strong academic and research skills. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs associated with studying in New Zealand. The scholarship provides a living allowance of NZD 15,000 per year and a travel allowance of NZD 3,000.

To be eligible for the NZIMS, applicants must hold a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university and be citizens of a country other than New Zealand. Applications for the NZIMS are usually open from April to August each year.

5. New Zealand International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (NZIPRS)

The New Zealand Government offers the New Zealand International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (NZIPRS) to attract international postgraduate students to undertake research in New Zealand, leading to the award of a doctoral degree.

The NZIPRS provides full tuition fees and a living allowance of NZD 25,000 per year. It also provides an additional allowance of NZD 5000 per year for research expenses such as travel and conference attendance. Successful applicants are also eligible for health insurance and visa support.

The scholarship is open to international students with a good academic record and strong research potential. The applicants must have obtained an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and a minimum GPA of 3.7. They must also have an offer of admission from a New Zealand university.

University-specific scholarships

New Zealand universities offer several scholarships for international students. These scholarships range from merit-based awards to need-based grants and tuition waivers.

Some popular university-specific scholarships in New Zealand for international students are:

1. University of Auckland

The University of Auckland offers several scholarships for international students, such as the University of Auckland International Student Scholarship, the University of Auckland International Postgraduate Scholarship, and the University of Auckland International Doctoral Scholarship.

2. University of Otago

The University of Otago offers a range of scholarships to international students, including the International Master's Scholarship, the International Research Master's Scholarship, the International PhD Scholarship, and the International Postgraduate Scholarship.

3. Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington offers several scholarships for international students, such as the Victoria International Excellence Scholarship, the Victoria International Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship, and the Victoria International Doctoral Scholarship.

4. Auckland University of Technology

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) offers several scholarships for international students, such as the AUT Vice-Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship, the AUT International Postgraduate Excellence Scholarship, and the AUT International Excellence Scholarship.

5. University of Waikato

The University of Waikato offers a range of scholarships to international students, including the International Excellence Scholarship, the International Baccalaureate Scholarship, and the International PhD Scholarship.

6. Massey University

Massey University offers several scholarships for international students, including the International Excellence Scholarship, the International Doctoral Scholarship, and the New Zealand Development Scholarship.

7. Lincoln University

Lincoln University offers several scholarships for international students, including the International Taught Master Merit Scholarship, the International PhD Scholarship, and the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship.

8. University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury in New Zealand offers several scholarships for international students, such as the UC College of Engineering International Scholarship, the UC International Prospective Students Scholarships, and the UC International High Achiever Scholarship.

While studying in New Zealand can be expensive, many scholarships for international students are available from universities, government bodies, and other organizations to cover tuition fees, living costs, and other expenses associated with studying in New Zealand. With the right research and planning, international students can find the financial support they need to pursue their studies in New Zealand.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the different options to fund your studies in New Zealand?

The main options to fund your studies in New Zealand are scholarships, part-time work, student loans, savings, and family support.

2. What are the popular scholarships in New Zealand for international students?

The popular scholarships in New Zealand for international students are New Zealand Excellence Awards, New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarship, New Zealand Development Scholarships, New Zealand International Master’s Scholarships (NZIMS), and New Zealand International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (NZIPRS).

3. What scholarships are offered by the University of Auckland?

The University of Auckland offers several scholarships for international students, such as the University of Auckland International Student Scholarship, the University of Auckland International Postgraduate Scholarship, and the University of Auckland International Doctoral Scholarship.

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