This collection of centrally-funded 'UC Doctoral Scholarships' (UCDS), are grouped into three categories:
- Core
- Prestige
- Recognition - do not include additional monetary value.
These scholarships are a mix of awards, which recognise success within certain categories (academic, women, Māori, Pacific students, etc.).
Download a copy of the 'UC Doctoral Scholarships' Regulations.
Students can make an application for the Core Doctoral scholarships within one of two application rounds:
- May - for students planning to start before 1 June 2027; opens 20 March, closes 15 May .
- October - for students planning to start in 2027 after 1st July 2027; opens August 2026, closes 20 October 2026
With the exception of the UCDS for Students with Disabilities, students can apply for all core UC Doctoral Scholarships on the single application form. Please check out our 'How to Apply' website for more details on how to make an application for a UC scholarship. A reminder that you must have also submitted your application to enrol in your research doctoral degree programme at UC before the closing date for scholarship applications (see point 2.1 of the UCDS Regulations page 4).
The Prestige and Recognition scholarships are awarded from the applicants who applied for a Core scholarship in any given academic year. Because of this, Prestige and Recognition scholarships are awarded at the end of each academic year and no separate application is required. If an applicant is awarded a Prestige scholarship, its value is added to the value of the Core Scholarship, so for example, a stipend of $32,650 p.a. is increased to $37,650 p.a.
Please note: These scholarships are subject to funding availability and are reviewed each year. Please search our scholarships database for all scholarships currently available.
