- New Zealand, through its development scholarships, gives people from targeted countries the opportunity to undertake development-related studies.
- The New Zealand Development Scholarships are excellent, prestigious scholarships suited for people from developing countries who want to study in the New Zealand and the Pacific.
- NZDS are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, and the New Zealand Government’s Overseas Aid and Development Programme. They are managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
Scholarship Overview
- New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) give candidates from selected developing countries an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through study in specific subject areas, which will assist in the development of their home country.
- Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society or private business organizations.
- These scholarships foster and build potential leaders, and equip individuals with skills and knowledge that will benefit their home country.
Host school(s)
- New Zealand universities, and participating Pacific universities, which include:
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- Victoria University of Wellington
- Manukau Institute of Technology
- University of South Pacific
- Fiji National University
- University of Papua New Guinea
- Pacific Adventist University
Fields of Study
- Preference is given to subjects in priority sectors that are relevant to the development needs of your country, as listed below.
- Agricultural development (flagship priority)
- Renewable energy (flagship priority)
- Private sector development
- Health
- Fisheries
- Disaster risk management
- Education
- Engineering and Infrastructure (including construction)
- Scholarships are available for postgraduate certificate courses (6 months), Postgraduate Diploma (9 months), Master’s programs (1-2 years) and PhD programs (3-4 years).
What does the scholarship cover?
These Scholarships provide the following financial support:
- Full tuition fees
- A living allowance of NZ$480 per week
- An establishment allowance of NZ$3000 to help with set up costs in New Zealand, e.g. textbooks, accommodation, and study materials
- Medical and travel insurance
- Travel to and from one’s home country at the start and end of the scholarship
- Home leave or reunion travel for some scholars
- Assistance with research and thesis costs for many postgraduate research students.
Note: Partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study. The recipient’s family also gets access to New Zealand health care, as well as primary and secondary education for the children.
How many scholarships are given?
- Every country is different – check your specific country page.
Which countries are targeted?
- African Commonwealth countries – Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
- Africa – Non-Commonwealth countries -Algeria, Angola, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gambia, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Zimbabwe
- Asia – Bhutan, Jordan, Mongolia, Nepal, Timor-Leste
- Latin America – Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Venezuela
- Caribbean Commonwealth countries – Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
- Caribbean Non-Commonwealth countries – Dominican Republic, Haiti, Suriname
Am I Eligible to Apply?
Applicants from all eligible countries must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a New Zealand Scholarship:
- Be at least 18 years old at the time one starts the scholarship
- Be resident in a country that is on the list of eligible countries
- Be a citizen of the country he/she is living in
- Have lived in this country for at least the last two years (unless one is a member of the diplomatic corps or a dependent of a member of the diplomatic corps)
- Not currently serving in the military
- Wants to study in New Zealand
- Wants to study in the Pacific and is from Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu
- Wants to study at a level that is listed as available for one’s country for the scholarship that one intends to apply for
- Meets immigration requirements for a student visa to New Zealand or the Pacific (i.e. medical checks, etc.).
- Meets the academic entry requirements (including English language ability) to get into one’s preferred program of study
- Have not been previously terminated from a New Zealand Government Scholarship because of poor academic performance or personal conduct
- Demonstrates that the study one wants to do will enable him/her to contribute to the sustainable development of his/her home country and relates to one or more of the country’s priority areas
- Be committed to returning to one’s country for a minimum of two years at the end of the scholarship to contribute to his/her country’s development
- Have at least two years of work experience (part time or full time, paid or voluntary), unless applying straight from school or in one’s first year of tertiary study (for countries offered undergraduate study)
- Not have permanent residence or citizenship of the following countries; Australia, Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Qatar, Japan, New Zealand or any European Union country.
- Demonstrate a strong academic ability and leadership qualities
- Be committed to the development of one’s home country
- Be 39 years or younger when the scholarship starts
How do I Apply – Next Steps
- Application processes and timelines can vary depending on the country.
- For information about the application process, please see the scholarship information page for your home country
For online applications:
- Confirm your eligibility – Take the online eligibility test. If successful, you will receive a number that you will use during registration.
- Create a Real Me Login – you will be given a login name and password to be used throughout the application process.
- Register with New Zealand Development Scholarships online – registration allows you to set up an application account.
- Complete your application – Once applications are formally opened, you can begin the application process. Note that you must fill out and submit the application before the country deadline.
For paper applications:
- Confirm eligibility – Check the scholarship requirements to make sure that you qualify
- Get a copy of an application form from the New Zealand embassy or High Commission in your country
- Complete your application
- Submit your application to the local Embassy or High Commission or directly to MFAT before the deadline.
Attach the following supporting documents to your application
- Verified copies of your:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Official government issued ID
- Relevant academic transcripts
- Relevant completion certificates
2. Contact details of your most recent employer and the 2 most relevant other employers
3. A copy of your IELTS test report form (TRF) or original copy of a TOEFL result form.
Closing Date
- 14 March 2018 (for online applications)
How do I get more information?
- Free Scholarships – http://www.freeundergraduatescholarships.info/
- Top Undergrad Scholarships – http://internationalscholarships.ca/category/level-of-study/undergraduate/
- Top Graduate Scholarships – http://internationalscholarships.ca/category/level-of-study/graduate/
- GOT QUESTIONS – Join the Discussion at our Forum – http://myinternationalscholarships.com/forum
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