Prestigious Scholarships at UC

Discover prestigious scholarship programmes that offer a range of awards and scholarships for New Zealand graduate students, academics, researchers and professionals who wish to pursue their postgraduate studies. These scholarship programmes enable promising students to undertake postgraduate study or research in any field in either NZ, the UK or the US.
Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards
BACKGROUND
Fulbright New Zealand General Graduate Awards are for promising New Zealand graduate students to undertake postgraduate study or research at US institutions in any field.
Approximately eight awards are granted annually, valued at up to US$40,000 (plus NZ$4,000 travel funding) for up to one year of study or research in the US. Students undertaking multi-year Masters or PhD degrees have the opportunity to apply for additional funding of up to US$30,000 towards their second year of study.
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
- have achieved 480 points, which must include a completed undergraduate degree.
- have the strong support of their tertiary institution (from a Dean or member of senior management); and
- have a conditional offer from a US institution;
- not yet hold a doctoral degree;
- plan to undertake full-time postgraduate study or research at a US institution for a period of at least six months; and
- meet the citizenship requirements for this award:
- must be a New Zealand citizen;
- and are not a permanent resident or citizen of the US;
- and are not currently living in the US.
Fulbright New Zealand will also accept applications from candidates who were granted direct entry into the second year of a degree programme, therefore completing a 480-point degree with 360 points.
In exceptional circumstances, Fulbright New Zealand may consider the application of a student with a 360-point degree provided they have both:
- the strong support of their tertiary institution (from a Dean or member of senior management);
- a conditional offer from a US institution;
Preference for Fulbright graduate awards is given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright graduate award, or had extensive recent experience in the US (ie. have not studied, taught, researched or worked in the US for a period aggregating more than nine months/one academic year during the past five years).
Candidates may not pursue study or research activities that involve direct clinical patient contact. This can extend to the fields of Medical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Psychological Counselling or any other field that requires direct clinical patient contact and/or prescribing or administering medication. Candidates with medical degrees may receive awards for advanced academic study, but not for internships or residencies. Awards shall not authorise activity for which a license to practice medicine or nursing is required.
SELECTION
You must complete and submit an online application AND all required supporting documents by the application deadline. Interviews will be held in Wellington. Fulbright New Zealand will pay the costs of travel to Wellington only for applicants residing in New Zealand. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by early October.
APPLICATIONS
Application forms are available only on the Fulbright New Zealand website. The online application process requires written statements and supplemental documents to be uploaded, and the names and email addresses of three referees to be registered. Candidates are also required to arrange for verified official transcripts to be sent to Fulbright NZ either in hard copy or via the e-Qual system.
Applications close 1 August 2021
Rhodes Scholarship
BACKGROUND
The Rhodes Scholarship programme is the oldest (established 1903) international scholarship programme in the world, and one of the most prestigious. Administered by the Rhodes Trust in Oxford, the programme offers 100 fully-funded Scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom - one of the world’s leading universities. Rhodes Scholarships are for young leaders of outstanding intellect and character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others and show promise of becoming value-driven, principled leaders for the world’s future.
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
- Nationality/citizenship: On 1 August in the year of application you must hold New Zealand citizenship or hold a New Zealand Permanent Resident Visa.
- Education/residency: By 1 August in the year of application you must have spent at least five of the previous ten years in New Zealand.
- Age: Upon 1 October in the year in which you are applying, you must meet either of the below criteria:
- You must be at least 18 and have not reached your 24th birthday (i.e. you must have been born after 1 October 1996 and on or before 1 October 2002).
- OR (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual)
- You must have not reached your 27th birthday (i.e. have been born after 1 October 1993) and
- You met the requirements for completion of your first degree on or after 1 October 2019.
SELECTION
You must complete and submit an online application AND all required supporting documents by the application deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a social engagement (a drinks reception the evening before the interviews) and a final interview. You must be available to attend both, in person, as no accommodations can be made on date and time, or mode, of these events. Interviews will be held in Wellington, in early November. No candidate will be selected without an interview. Reasonable travel expenses incurred within New Zealand will be reimbursed by Universities NZ. If you are overseas, travel to New Zealand for the interview in person will be at your own expense.
APPLICATIONS
Application forms are available only on the Rhodes Trust website. The online application process requires written statements and supplemental documents to be uploaded, and the names and email addresses of six referees to be registered. Please read the Information for Candidates document provided as it details information about referees and what other documents you will need to provide.
Applications close 23:50 New Zealand Standard Time, 1 August 2021.
Freemasons University Scholarships
BACKGROUND
The Freemasons Scholarships are to assist able students who are active in their community, to complete their university education in their chosen field. This year eight Postgraduate Scholarships of $10,000 each and 20 University Scholarships of $6,000 each will be offered to students attending these universities: Auckland, AUT, Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago.
Successful scholars are expected to use their scholarship to defray expenses related to their attendance at University.
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
a) Have a good academic record; and
b) Be a New Zealand citizen or hold Permanent New Zealand residency; and
c) Demonstrate good citizenship; and
d) Show leadership potential; and
e) Have proven community commitment.
The Scholarships will be awarded without regard to gender, ethnic background, creed or age. Family association with Freemasonry is not a criterion for the award of a scholarship. However, Freemasons have a tradition of caring for their community and will assist those who contribute back to the community.
SELECTION
A Selection Committee is appointed in each university district. The Committee invites short-listed candidates for an interview in February or March. If selected you must attend. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by 31 March 2022. The Committee will have regard not only to the academic ability of the candidates and to referees' reports, but also to their character and citizenship, and will look for evidence of involvement in the cultural and/or sporting life of the community or campus.
APPLICATIONS
Application forms are available only on the Freemasons website. Freemasons Scholarships are available to students who are enrolled at one of the eight participating universities: Auckland, Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Waikato, Massey, Victoria, Canterbury, Lincoln, and Otago.
PRIVACY PROVISIONS
The information requested in this application form will be used solely for the purposes of assessing your application. However, if you are successful, your personal information will be used by the Freemasons for promotional purposes.
Personal information contained in this application will be made available to members of the Selection Committee.
The Committee will use the following information to assess your application:
1. A certified copy of your university academic record.
2. A CV.
3. An academic reference of 150 words or more written by the applicant and endorsed by a relevant academic.
4. A statement of community involvement of 150 words or more written by the applicant and endorsed by one or more Referees.
5. Or an academic reference supplied by a current member of faculty forwarded (on your request) to the Scholarships Office at your University with your statement of community involvement.
The Committee undertakes to store your application in a secure place in the event that you are successful in gaining an award or are selected as a reserve candidate for an award, and to destroy your application to preserve its confidentiality in the event that you are unsuccessful in gaining an award.
Should you have reason to believe that information held about you in either your application or your academic record is incorrect, you have the right of access to, and to make corrections to that information.
The application must be submitted by 1 October 2021.
Lord Rutherford Memorial Research Fellowship
BACKGROUND
The Lord Rutherford Memorial Research Fellowship was founded by Arthur Sims and Agnes Marion Sims who, in 1941, made provision of a fund of 10,000 pounds to establish a scholarship or scholarships to commemorate the late Baron Rutherford of Nelson, a former graduate of the University of Canterbury.
The scholarship supports graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury with a background in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or any related subject, to undertake further study at an overseas institution.
VALUE
Up to $100,000 per annum (up to three years), comprising the following:
• Tuition fees: Up to $50,000
• Stipend: $35,000
• Expenses: $15,000
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
- Applicants must have been either:
- born in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- or resident in Aotearoa New Zealand for a total of seven or more years on the closing date for applications.
- Applicants must have graduated, or be expecting to become eligible to graduate in the year of application, from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
- Applicants must be intending to enrol in full-time postgraduate study at an overseas instution.
- Applicants must not currently hold, or have previously held, the Lord Rutherford Memorial Scholarship.
SELECTION
In making the recommendation, the selection committee gives equal consideration to:
- academic achievement in Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics, or in some related subject;
- intended overseas institution and programme of study;
- character; and
- potential for leadership, and prospects for contributing to society.
Short-listed candidates may be required to attend an interview with the selection committee.
Applications are now CLOSED.
Tytheridge Travelling Scholarship in Arts
BACKGROUND
The funds for this scholarship are provided by the income from a bequest made in 1960 from the estate of Alan Courtney Tytheridge (d. 1959). Mr Tytheridge was a student of Canterbury College, who graduated in 1912 with an MA with first class honours. He lived in Japan for several decades, and at the time of his death he was a lecturer in English at Tsuda University in Tokyo
The scholarship supports Arts graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury to undertake further study at an overseas institution.
VALUE
Up to $55,000 per annum for up to three years.
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
- Applicants must have been either:
- born in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- or resident in Aotearoa New Zealand for a total of seven or more years on the closing date for applications.
- Applicants must have graduated, or be expecting to become eligible to graduate in the year of application, from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
- Applicants must be intending to enrol in full-time postgraduate study at an overseas instution.
- Applicants must not currently hold, or have previously held, the Tytheridge Travelling Scholarship in Arts.
SELECTION
In making the recommendation, the selection committee gives equal consideration to:
- academic achievement
- intended overseas institution and programme of study;
- character; and
- potential for leadership, and prospects for contributing to society.
Short-listed candidates may be required to attend an interview with the selection committee.
Applications are now CLOSED.
Sims Empire Scholarship
BACKGROUND
The award was founded by Arthur Sims (1877–1969) and Agnes Marian (Nancy) Sims (née Todd) in 1945. Sir Arthur was a student of Canterbury College who graduated with an MA in Chemistry with first class honours and received an honorary LLD through Canterbury University College in 1955. He was a prominent industrialist and cricketer, and with Lady Sims he is also remembered for his philanthropy. In 1993 the estate of Mrs NMG Black contributed to the scholarship’s fund.
The scholarship supports graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury with a background in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or any related subject, or in a medical or other health-related field, to undertake further study in Great Britain.
VALUE
Up to $70,000 per annum (for up to three years), comprising the following:
• Tuition fees: Up to $35,000
• Stipend: $15,000
• Expenses: $20,000
CRITERIA
Applicants for the scholarships must:
- Applicants must have been either:
- born in Aotearoa New Zealand;
- or resident in Aotearoa New Zealand for a total of seven or more years on the closing date for applications.
- Applicants must have graduated, or be expecting to become eligible to graduate in the year of application, from Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.
- Applicants must be intending to enrol in full-time postgraduate study at an instution in Great Britain.
- Applicants must not currently hold, or have previously held, the Sims Empire Scholarship.
SELECTION
In making the recommendation, the selection committee gives equal consideration to:
- academic achievement in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or in some related subject, or in a medical or other health-related field;
- intended overseas institution and programme of study;
- character; and
- potential for leadership, and prospects for contributing to society.
Short-listed candidates may be required to attend an interview with the selection committee.
Amongst any applicants who intend to study in association with a general hospital in London, preference is given to those who intend to study in association with St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London.
Applications are now CLOSED.