New Zealand Scholarships (Manaaki)
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Masters
- Full tuition fees
- Living allowance
- Establishment allowance
Deadline: February–March
🇳🇿
Oceania
Scholarships in New Zealand for International Students
1 verified scholarships · 1 fully funded · Including New Zealand Scholarships (Manaaki)
New Zealand is a top study destination renowned for its exceptional quality of life, globally recognized institutions, and stunning natural environments. We've compiled 1 scholarship opportunities — including 1 fully funded programs — to help international students fund their education in New Zealand in 2026.
1
Total Scholarships
1
Fully Funded
1
Degree Levels
0
Open to All Nations
All Scholarships in New Zealand
Why Study in New Zealand?
New Zealand hosts roughly 80,000 international students and runs the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships programme — fully funded scholarships for citizens of eligible Pacific, African, Asian, and Latin American countries covering full tuition, living allowance, return airfare, and health insurance. The country has eight universities, all ranked in the global top 500, with particular strength in environmental sciences, agriculture, marine biology, and design. New Zealand's post-study work rights are generous (up to 3 years), and the country's small size makes academic and industry networks especially tight-knit.
Top Universities in New Zealand for International Students
These universities anchor the country's scholarship pipeline and are routinely the destination institutions for the funded programmes listed above.
University of Auckland
Auckland
Engineering, business, medicine (NZ's largest)
University of Otago
Dunedin
Medicine, dentistry, geology (oldest NZ university)
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington
Public policy, law, design
University of Canterbury
Christchurch
Engineering, antarctic studies, forestry
Massey University
Palmerston North
Agriculture, veterinary science, aviation
University of Waikato
Hamilton
Maori studies, computer science, education
Lincoln University
Lincoln
Agriculture, land management, viticulture
Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
Auckland
Communications, design, hospitality
Tuition and Cost of Living in New Zealand
Fully funded scholarships normally cover both tuition and a monthly living allowance, but knowing the underlying costs helps you choose between full and partial funding offers.
Annual Tuition (Self-Funded Rate)
- Undergraduate
- NZ$22,000–NZ$40,000 per year
- Master's
- NZ$25,000–NZ$45,000 per year
- PhD
- NZ$6,500–NZ$9,500 per year (international PhD students pay domestic-equivalent rates)
PhD students in New Zealand uniquely pay the same tuition as domestic students — a major financial advantage versus other English-speaking destinations.
Monthly Living Budget (NZ$1,500–NZ$2,400)
- Rent
- NZ$650–NZ$1,400 (shared accommodation; Auckland and Wellington highest)
- Food
- NZ$400–NZ$550
- Transport
- NZ$100–NZ$180 (student transit passes)
Auckland is the most expensive city, followed by Wellington and Christchurch. Dunedin and Hamilton are 25–30% cheaper for housing.
Student Visa, Work Rights, and Post-Study Pathway
Visa rules and post-graduation work rights vary dramatically between destinations — for many applicants they matter as much as the scholarship itself.
Student Visa (Pathway Student or Fee-Paying Student)
- Visa Fee
- NZ$375 (online) or NZ$500 (paper)
- Processing Time
- 3–8 weeks
- Financial Proof Required
- NZ$20,000/year for living expenses plus full tuition for first year
- Health Insurance
- Mandatory; ~NZ$700/year through university-affiliated providers
- Work While Studying
- 20 hours/week during term, full-time during scheduled breaks; PhD students can work unlimited hours
Post-Study Work Rights
Post-study Work Visa for up to 3 years depending on degree level and location. Master's and PhD graduates get the full 3 years; Bachelor's graduates 2 years. The Skilled Migrant Category points-based system gives extra points for New Zealand qualifications and post-study work.
English Language Requirements
IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 with no band below 5.5–6.0 is standard. Programmes in law, medicine, teaching, and nursing typically want IELTS 7.0+. TOEFL iBT 80–100, PTE Academic 50–65, and Cambridge B/C are accepted.
Application Timeline for New Zealand Scholarships
Most scholarship deadlines are 8–14 months before the programme start date. Backwards-plan from your target intake to avoid missing key dates.
- 1
12–15 months before
Check Manaaki Scholarship eligibility list (changes yearly); shortlist programmes.
- 2
10–12 months before
Take IELTS; secure transcripts and references.
- 3
8–10 months before
Apply for Manaaki Scholarship via NZ High Commission/Embassy in your country (deadline February–March).
- 4
6–8 months before
Submit university applications (rolling admissions; Semester 1 starts late February, Semester 2 mid-July).
- 5
3–5 months before
Receive offer of place, apply for student visa, book accommodation.
How to Win a Scholarship in New Zealand
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and applications go through New Zealand diplomatic missions in eligible countries. Eligible-country lists rotate periodically and prioritise the Pacific, ASEAN, Africa, and Latin America. Applications emphasise development impact and a clear post-study return commitment — Manaaki scholars must return to their home country for two years after completing their study. Universities also offer their own substantial international scholarships (University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship, Otago International Doctoral Scholarship) with full or partial tuition coverage. New Zealand's unique PhD pricing model (international students pay domestic rates) makes doctoral study unusually affordable.
New Zealand Scholarships at a Glance
- International PhD students in NZ pay domestic-equivalent tuition (~NZ$6,500/year).
- Manaaki covers full tuition, NZ$30,000+ annual stipend, return airfare, and health insurance.
- All 8 NZ universities rank in the global top 500.
- Post-study work visa duration up to 3 years for Master's and PhD graduates.
Scholarships in New Zealand by Student Nationality
Find scholarships in New Zealand tailored to students from your home country. Select your nationality to see specific opportunities and eligibility requirements.
🇵🇰 Pakistani Students 🇮🇳 Indian Students 🇳🇬 Nigerian Students 🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Students 🇰🇪 Kenyan Students 🇬🇭 Ghanaian Students 🇵🇭 Filipino Students 🇪🇬 Egyptian Students 🇪🇹 Ethiopian Students 🇳🇵 Nepali Students 🇻🇳 Vietnamese Students 🇮🇩 Indonesian Students 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Students 🇹🇿 Tanzanian Students 🇺🇬 Ugandan Students
Explore Other Study Destinations
Considering other countries? Browse scholarships in these popular study destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Scholarships in New Zealand
Yes, New Zealand offers several fully funded scholarships that cover tuition fees, living expenses, health insurance, and sometimes even travel costs. Government-sponsored programs and university-specific awards provide comprehensive funding for international students at all degree levels.
Competition varies by program. Prestigious government scholarships tend to be highly competitive with acceptance rates under 5%, while university-specific funding and partial scholarships are more accessible. Starting your application early and maintaining strong academic credentials significantly improves your chances.
Most English-taught programs require IELTS (6.0–7.0) or TOEFL (80–100) scores. Some programs offer pre-sessional language courses to help you meet the requirements.
Start researching and preparing at least 12–18 months before your intended start date. Most scholarship deadlines fall between October and March for programs starting the following September. Early preparation gives you time to gather recommendation letters, write strong personal statements, and take standardized tests.
Most student visa categories in New Zealand allow part-time work during term time (typically 15–20 hours per week) and full-time work during holidays. However, many fully funded scholarships provide sufficient living allowances, allowing you to focus entirely on your studies.
TheScholarSphere currently lists 1 scholarship programs in New Zealand for the 2026 academic year, ranging from fully funded government scholarships to partial university grants. New opportunities are added regularly, so subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
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