New Zealand is a highly attractive study destination for international students, offering a wide range of fully and partially funded scholarships that support advanced academic and research opportunities. Leading institutions such as the University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, and the University of Canterbury provide competitive doctoral funding opportunities designed to attract high-achieving students from around the world.
These scholarships typically cover full or partial tuition fees and provide living stipends, enabling international students to focus on their research without financial stress. Awarded on the basis of academic excellence and research potential, these funding opportunities span a wide range of disciplines and are open through multiple application rounds each year.
Together, they reflect New Zealand’s strong commitment to supporting international students through accessible, merit-based scholarship funding that fosters world-class research and innovation.

Fully Funded and Partially Funded Scholarships in New Zealand
The University of Otago doctoral scholarship is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to support international students pursuing advanced research degrees in New Zealand. The scholarship is available for students pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and selected professional doctorate programs, providing comprehensive financial support through a living stipend and tuition fee waiver, helping students focus fully on their academic and research goals.
It’s awarded to high-achieving candidates with strong academic potential enabling international students to access world-class research training and contribute to innovative research across diverse fields of study. With multiple application rounds held throughout the year, this scholarship offers flexible opportunities for students seeking postgraduate research funding in New Zealand.
Covers:
- Full tuition
- Annual stipend
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2. Victoria University of Wellington Doctoral Scholarship
The Victoria University of Wellington Doctoral Scholarship is a highly competitive funding opportunity designed to support both domestic and international students undertaking doctoral research across a wide range of disciplines, including architecture, business and government, design, education, engineering, health, humanities and social sciences, law, music, technology, and science.
This prestigious scholarship provides comprehensive financial support through a living stipend and full tuition fee coverage, enabling international students to focus on advanced research without financial barriers. Offered on a competitive basis, the approximately, 110 scholarships are awarded annually with multiple application rounds each year to attract high-achieving candidates seeking to pursue world-class doctoral studies in New Zealand.
Covers:
- Full tuition
- Living stipend
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3. University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Canterbury UC Doctoral Scholarship is a competitive funding opportunity designed to support both domestic and international students pursuing a research doctoral degree in New Zealand. This scholarship provides valuable financial assistance through a stipend and tuition fee coverage at the domestic rate, enabling international students to focus on advanced research without financial pressure.
The scholarship is open to candidates engaged in doctoral-level study across disciplines and is awarded based on academic merit and research potential rather than citizenship or residency status. With multiple application rounds each year, the UC Doctoral Scholarship offers flexible entry points for students seeking high-quality doctoral training and funding support at the University of Canterbury.
Covers:
- Tuition coverage
- Stipend support
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