Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington

Victoria University of Wellington offers the Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship to students starting a full-time, research-based Master’s degree. The award supports postgraduate research at the University.

The recipient must work full time on the research needed to complete the degree, which means at least 35 hours per week. Any leave beyond reasonable annual holidays needs University approval first. That includes time spent overseas for research tied to the approved programme. The Scholar also needs permission to take paid employment during the scholarship. Permission is usually given only for work as a teaching or research assistant in an area directly related to the Scholar’s research, and for no more than 600 hours in any 1 calendar year.

• Host: Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
• Level: Master’s by research in any subject
• Value: $15,000 tax-free stipend plus tuition fees for 1 year (domestic fees for 120 points only)
• Deadline: 1 November
• Start: Trimester 1 or Trimester 2, 2021
• Number of awards: Varies

Victoria University of Wellington

Masters by research in any subject

Varies

Students enrolling for a Master’s degree by thesis worth 90 points or more.

The scholarship provides a $15,000 tax-free stipend plus tuition fees for 1 year. The fees covered are domestic fees for 120 points only, and the Scholarships Office pays them directly to the University. International students other than those from Australia must pay the difference between the full international student fee and the domestic fee.

The stipend is paid in monthly instalments. The first payment is made as soon as practicable after confirmation of enrolment. A small allowance of up to $200 goes towards the cost of producing the thesis. This allowance lapses if it is not used within 2 years of the enrolment date.

If you want to hold another award alongside this scholarship and the total exceeds $6,000, you need University approval. Holding other awards may reduce the value of the stipend. You may hold a VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship at the same time with no reduction in the value of either scholarship.

You must be eligible at the time you apply, or would become eligible at the start of Trimester 2 the following year, to enrol in a Master’s degree by thesis worth 90 points or more. This will be either a one-year Master’s programme in which you will undertake a thesis worth 90 points or more, or Part 2 of a two-year Master’s degree in which you will take a thesis course worth 90 points or more. The Master’s thesis will usually have the course code 591 or 592. Eligibility includes students who are taking a portfolio course that is worth 90 points or more, and is administered under the University’s Master’s by Thesis regulations (these portfolio courses normally have a course code of 593). Students who are taking a 60 points dissertation course are not eligible.

You would normally be expected to have completed an Honours degree or Master’s degree Part 1 demonstrating academic achievement equivalent to a GPA of at least 7.0 from a New Zealand university. A GPA of 7.0 is a minimum requirement and the University Research Scholarships Committee has discretion to use a higher bar if there are more applications than funding available. Awards are made solely on academic merit.

Applicants must be intending to enrol full time at Victoria University of Wellington. Recipients must accept the scholarship offer within 4 weeks, or the offer lapses. All offers are conditional on the recipient enrolling in a Master’s degree by thesis by the start of Trimester 2 the following year at the latest. If you have already been enrolled in a Master’s by thesis for more than 3 months when the offer is made, the University may reduce the maximum length of the scholarship.

The deadline is 1 November for study starting in Trimester 1, 2021 or Trimester 2, 2021. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered. Applications usually open 1 month before the closing date.

Scholarship-specific documentation required: a personal statement, a one-page research proposal outlining the proposed research topic, a CV, one academic reference (to be requested via the online application), and an academic transcript if previous study has not been completed at Victoria University of Wellington.

All offers will be made in late December of the year of application.

Check the official website (link below) for full details on how to apply.

This scholarship suits students who plan a research-heavy Master’s at Victoria University of Wellington and can commit at least 35 hours a week to it. If you have strong academic results equivalent to a GPA of at least 7.0 and your thesis is worth 90 points or more, you are the intended candidate.

• Who can apply for the Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship? Students enrolling in a Master’s degree by thesis worth 90 points or more, who meet the academic merit requirement and are eligible at application or by the start of Trimester 2 the following year.
• What does the scholarship cover? A $15,000 tax-free stipend, domestic tuition fees for 120 points only for 1 year, and up to $200 towards thesis production costs.
• What is the application deadline? 1 November for study starting in Trimester 1 or Trimester 2, 2021.
• How do I apply? Submit a completed online application with a personal statement, a one-page research proposal, a CV, one academic reference, and an academic transcript (if previous study was not at Victoria University of Wellington) by 4.30 pm on the closing date.
• Can I hold another scholarship at the same time? Yes, but if the total value of other awards exceeds $6,000 you need University approval, and your stipend may be reduced. You may hold a VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship at the same time with no reduction in the value of either scholarship.

• Read the official scholarship guidelines carefully before you start your application.
• Prepare your personal statement, one-page research proposal, CV, and academic reference well before the deadline.
• Check whether your intended Master’s programme meets the 90-point thesis requirement.
• Confirm your English language and admission requirements with the University early.