Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students 2026-2027

  • 18scholarships listed
  • 13different hosts and funders
  • 1with a deadline still ahead
  • 14for Master study
  • 6for Bachelor study
  • 5for PhD study

New Zealand's 18 listed scholarships are mostly university money: 13 hosts, with Victoria University of Wellington, Lincoln, Canterbury and Otago each running two awards. Master's dominates with 14 entries, against 6 Bachelor's and 5 PhD. Only one listed deadline is still ahead, so most dates here are past and need rechecking with the provider.

Next deadlines in New Zealand

DeadlineScholarshipLevel
4 Nov 2026University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship (New Zealand)Bachelors/PG Diploma/Masters Degree

All 18 scholarships in New Zealand

University awards: partial fee credits tied to one campus

Most awards reduce tuition rather than pay a stipend. VUW Undergraduate and Postgraduate International Scholarships apply a partial credit to fees for one year. University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship covers 25% of one year's tuition. University of Waikato International Excellence Scholarship is worth $2,500 to $15,000 over 1 to 3 years, but only for citizens of the listed countries. UC International First Year Undergraduate Scholarships pay $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 for one year.

Stipends and full packages: where the money exceeds fees

Three awards pay living costs. Wellington Master's by Thesis Scholarship gives a $15,000 tax-free stipend plus domestic fees for 120 points; international students outside Australia pay the difference. University of Otago International Research Master's Scholarship pays NZ$18,204 per annum plus a tuition waiver capped at NZ$35,000, thesis component only. At PhD level, University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships give NZ$25,000 per annum plus a domestic fee waiver. NZIDRS covers fees, a NZ$25,000 stipend and insurance for three years.

NZAID and nationality-limited schemes

Two awards come from NZAID and restrict who may apply. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships pay full tuition, NZ$615 per week living allowance, NZ$3,000 establishment allowance, insurance and travel; applicants must be citizens of selected Pacific and Asian countries, at least 18, with under-40s preferred. New Zealand-ASEAN Scholar Awards cover the same package for ten ASEAN countries and require two years back home afterwards. ADB-Japan Scholarship Program is open to ADB borrowing member nationals only.

The calendar, and awards that no longer run

Only one deadline is ahead: the Gilman Scholarship closes 1 October 2026 at 11:59PM PT, for US citizens only. The Manaaki deadline of 31 March 2026 and Auckland's 4 November 2026 sit in the data but are not counted as ahead. Several dates are years old, including AUT's 5 July 2020 and NZIDRS's 15 July 2018, so confirm with the provider. ADB Scholarships at University of Auckland are marked no longer offered from 2024.

Questions about studying on a scholarship in New Zealand

How many New Zealand scholarships are listed for 2026-2027?

18 in total, across 13 hosts. 14 are Master's, 6 Bachelor's, 5 PhD and 1 short course, and only 1 has a deadline still ahead.

Which New Zealand scholarships pay living costs, not just fees?

The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships pay a living allowance of NZ$615 per week plus a NZ$3,000 establishment allowance. Otago awards pay NZ$18,204 or NZ$25,000 per annum, and the Wellington Master's by Thesis Scholarship pays a $15,000 tax-free stipend.

Do international students pay full fees under these awards?

Often yes. The Wellington Master's by Thesis Scholarship covers domestic fees only, so non-Australian international students pay the difference. The Otago Research Master's waiver is capped at NZ$35,000.

Can I apply without a university offer?

Usually no. Auckland invites only students holding an offer by 20 October 2026, VUW requires an offer of place, and the Owen Browning Scholarships require an application to an eligible programme first.

Start with the awards that pay living costs, then check each past deadline with the provider before you plan.

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Updated listing of international scholarships open to students from all countries, especially developing countries.