The University of Otago International Excellence Scholarships provide outstanding international students with the opportunity to pursue master’s and doctoral research programmes in New Zealand. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and research potential, helping talented students advance their education at one of New Zealand’s leading universities.
The scholarships support both Master’s by Research and Doctoral studies, offering financial assistance to enable recipients to concentrate on high-quality research while studying at the University of Otago.
About the University of Otago International Excellence Scholarships
The scholarship programme is designed to attract exceptional international students who demonstrate strong academic performance and the potential to make meaningful contributions through research.
For master’s applicants, the scholarship supports thesis-based research degrees, while doctoral scholarships are available for PhD and eligible professional doctorate programmes.
Selection is highly competitive and focuses primarily on academic achievement and research capability.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants may receive:
- Annual living stipend.
- Tuition fee waiver for eligible research programmes.
- Financial support throughout the approved scholarship period.
- Opportunity to study at one of New Zealand’s top research universities.
- Access to world-class academic supervision and research facilities.
The exact value and duration of the scholarship depend on the programme of study.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Master’s Research Scholarship must:
- Be international students.
- Be pursuing their first master’s qualification.
- Be enrolled in a thesis-based master’s programme.
- Demonstrate excellent academic performance and strong research potential.
Applicants for the Doctoral Scholarship must generally:
- Be seeking their first doctoral qualification.
- Apply for an eligible PhD or professional doctoral programme.
- Demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
- Show excellent potential for research.
Both domestic and international students are eligible for the doctoral scholarship.
Selection Criteria
Scholarships are awarded primarily on:
- Academic excellence.
- Research capability.
- Quality of previous academic achievements.
- Potential to undertake successful research at the University of Otago.
Because of the competitive nature of the programme, only the strongest applications are selected.
How to Apply
Applicants must first apply for admission to an eligible programme at the University of Otago.
For Master’s Research Scholarships, eligible applicants will receive an invitation through the University’s eVision portal after applying for admission or before commencing the thesis component of their programme.
Doctoral applicants must submit their scholarship application through the eVision portal together with the required departmental assessment before the relevant assessment round.
Applicants are encouraged to prepare all admission and scholarship documents early to improve their chances of selection.
Application Deadline
Not Specified
Applications are accepted throughout the year and are assessed during quarterly selection rounds.
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University of Otago International Excellence Master’s Scholarship
University of Otago International Excellence Doctoral Scholarship