Scholarships at Top Universities in New Zealand

Students who are interested in pursuing higher education at the top universities in New Zealand have to consider the financial challenges and parameters that come with it. There are a lot of students from India who choose New Zealand universities for their quality education, multicultural backgrounds, and a strong emphasis on research and innovation. The education sphere in New Zealand is expanding even further in 2025, with over 1.8 million students from India alone so far this year. Admission to the top universities of New Zealand can be a tough financial challenge, and getting a scholarship helps immensely. We will look at some of the top colleges in New Zealand for international students offering scholarships.

Top Universities in New Zealand and their Funded Scholarships for International Students

The top universities in New Zealand are the University of Auckland, Victoria University of Wellington, and more. Here are the top universities and their offered scholarships, which provide financial aid for a comfortable and focused study in New Zealand experience.

University of Auckland

The University of Auckland’s International Student Excellence Scholarships offer a value of up to NZD 10,000 in tuition fees at different levels of degree, both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. 

Victoria University of Wellington

The Victoria University of Wellington is in the league of top universities in New Zealand. It offers the following two scholarships for international students, at different levels of education:

• Tongarewa Scholarships

The Tongarewa Scholarship grants between NZD 5,000 and 10,000 towards tuition costs, available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

• Wellington International Excellence Scholarship

The International Excellence Scholarship provides undergraduate students with financial support of up to NZD 20,000 spread across three years.

Auckland University of Technology (AUT)

Auckland University of Technology (AUT) offers the International Excellence Scholarships for bachelor’s and postgraduate students in different disciplines, providing different aid as per the policies. These scholarships support international students who choose to study abroad in New Zealand, making education at AUT more accessible and affordable.

University of Waikato

One of the top universities in New Zealand, the University of Waikato, offers two scholarships to support the financial needs of students from all over the world:

• International Excellence Scholarship for undergraduate, postgraduate (taught), and PhD programs, covering up to a value of NZD 15,000 for tuition fees.

• The Vice-Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship for India offers up to NZD 15,000 in funding and is exclusively aimed at supporting Indian students.

University of Otago

The University of Otago is among the most prestigious and top universities in New Zealand, with two distinguished scholarships available for international students, which are as follows:

• International Research Master’s Scholarship

Meant mainly for research master’s programs, it can provide a stipend with a total amount of NZD 15,000, with a year of waived tuition fees.

• University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship

Meant for both international and domestic PhD candidates only, it offers a one-year stipend for a total value of NZD 30,696 with a waiver on tuition fees.

University of Canterbury

The University of Canterbury offers three kinds of scholarships, one of which is the UC Orion Master’s Energy Scholarship, with the remaining two scholarships being the following:

• UC International First Year Scholarship

Covers tuition fees for a value of NZD 15,000, 10,000, or 5,000 at the undergraduate level.

• UC College of Engineering International Scholarship

Covers a value of up to NZD 15,000 for the Bachelor of Engineering (honours).

Lincoln University

Lincoln University is among the well-regarded top universities in New Zealand. Here are the available scholarships:

• International Taught Master Merit Scholarships

Cover up to a tuition fee in between NZD 7,000-10,000 for a master’s level degree, and decided through coursework.

• Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship

For an undergraduate degree, this scholarship offers a value of up to NZD 5,000.

Massey University

Massey University is offering two different scholarships at different educational levels, as follows:

• International Student Excellence Scholarship

For undergraduate and postgraduate, it covers up to a value of NZD 10,000.

• Massey University Doctoral Scholarship

For PhD students, it offers a stipend with coverage of the 3-year tuition fee.

Conclusion

Studying at the top universities in New Zealand is a financially rewarding experience, but it also requires students to bear the cost of education and living expenses. It can be challenging for many students to manage their financial obligations while trying to study abroad successfully. In such situations, applying for a scholarship helps greatly in managing the expenses, whether for an undergraduate or postgraduate level. There are a variety of options for scholarships at top universities in New Zealand for masters and doctoral students.

Talk to a professional educational consultant for your higher education in New Zealand. Register with Education Vibes; they will help you plan things well to start your studies.

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