Top Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian Students 2025

With over 120,000 students, the number of Indian students in New Zealand has increased manifold in the last five years. In fact, Indians are the fastest-growing source of international students in the country. If you are planning to pursue your education in New Zealand, it always helps to know about the top scholarships in New Zealand. Top scholarships in New Zealand.

Types of scholarships in New Zealand: Typically, there are three types of scholarships in New Zealand: government, private, and university-based. The following table details the popular scholarships in New Zealand 2025–26:

Top 10 scholarships in New Zealand

Documents required for scholarships in New Zealand

• Passport: Valid for a minimum of three months.

• Photo: Recent passport-size photograph.

• Letters for Recommendation: Students must submit LOR, which referred professors.

• English Language Test: International students can prove English proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL and other approved exams.

• Statement of Purpose: Students must submit an SOP explaining the university and program.

• Standardised Test Scores: Undergraduates can submit the SAT or ACT and graduates can submit the GRE or GMAT.

• Bank Statements: Recent and valid bank statements for at least 6 months.

• Educational qualifications: For a bachelor's degree, applicants must show 12th qualifications, and for a master's degree, 60-70 percent in an undergraduate program.

How to apply for scholarships in New Zealand?

Students applying early can have a high chance of getting scholarships. Begin applying online. Here are the steps:

• Once you complete your admission process at New Zealand University, check the eligibility by contacting the organisations.

• Research and select scholarships. Start to apply for many scholarships, according to your course and requirements.

• Prepare documents required for scholarships it may include study plans, academic records, financial proof, referees and certificate copies.

• Review and submit it.

Top Scholarships to study in New Zealand

Here, we bring you a list of top scholarships in New Zealand applicable for Indian students

1. A C Rayner Memorial Scholarship

The A C Rayner Memorial Scholarship was introduced in 1992 to encourage students to explore the field of economics while studying in New Zealand. The scholarship is open to only those students who want to pursue master’s degrees in various areas of economics. Students who plan to pursue both full-time and part-time courses at Lincoln University can apply for this merit-based scholarship.

The scholarship covers the following:

• A scholarship of $1200 for one year
• Aspirants can apply for the scholarship in the subsequent year.
• Only one award is available for aspirants

How to apply: Applications for this scholarship generally close on 30th June every year. Application forms are available from the Lincoln University Scholarships website.

2. The Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship

The Eamon Molloy Memorial Scholarship is available to international students from Asia. The scholarship can only be availed by prospective students of the University of Canterbury. Hence, applicants must have enrolled, or be intending to enroll, full-time at the University of Canterbury in their second, third or fourth year of undergraduate university study in any discipline.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• Winners are selected on the basis of academic merit.
• Only one scholarship is awarded
• The value of the award is $15,000 for one year

How to apply: Applications are available on the scholarships page of the University of Canterbury. Applications are usually closed by February every year.

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3. University of Waikato Excellence Scholarship for Asia

Aimed to encourage excellence in education among Asian countries, the University of Waikato offers the excellence scholarship. The scholarship is available only for select Asian countries, including India and prospective pre-degree (foundation), Undergraduate and postgraduate taught students can apply for it.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• Scholarships of NZ$5,000 will be awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence.
• The highest-achieving applicant from each country will be awarded an Exceptional Merit Award amounting to NZ$10,000.
• One award is presented to students of each country

How to apply: You need to apply for admission to the University of Waikato to be able to apply for the Waikato Excellence Scholarship. The applications usually close in September-October every year.

4. University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship

Students pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Otago can avail of funding under this scholarship scheme. Open to both domestic and international aspirants, candidates for professional doctorates as well as the PhD can apply for it.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• A total of 181 scholarships are offered every year.
• Students can avail NZ$25,000 stipend per annum plus domestic tuition fees waiver
• Winners are selected on the basis of academic merit.

How to apply: Aspirants can apply for the scholarship anytime.

5. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships

Under the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) programme, New Zealand offers the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships to candidates from developing Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study (Master’s and PhD) in New Zealand universities. Funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, the scheme is managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholars can only study at these New Zealand universities:

1. Auckland University of Technology
2. Lincoln University
3. Massey University
4. University of Auckland
5. University of Canterbury
6. University of Otago
7. Victoria University of Wellington
8. University of Waikato

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• Scholarships are offered to support priority development areas.
• The scholarship usually covers 4 areas:

1. Agribusiness
2. Renewable energy
3. Disaster risk management
4. Public sector management

How to Apply: You may contact the nominating agency of each country in order to apply for the scholarship.

6. New Zealand International Undergraduate Fees Scholarship

Under this scheme, the New Zealand government provides financial support to international students seeking admission in full-time undergraduate courses in the country’s universities (3 years). Supported by the Education New Zealand Trust, it is a completely merit-based scholarship for students who have completed their secondary education.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• The awardees of the scholarship can apply to the following institutes:

1. Auckland University of Technology,
2. Lincoln University,
3. Massey University,
4. University of Canterbury,
5. Victoria University of Wellington,
6. University of Waikato and
7. University of Otago.

• The scholarship pays the complete undergraduate tuition fees.

How to Apply: Aspirants can apply for the scholarship through the nominating agencies in their country.

7. New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships (NZIDRS)

Offered by the New Zealand government, the New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships are meant for international students planning to pursue full-time doctoral degree courses in the country. The scholarship is administered by the Education New Zealand Trust and provides a stipend for 36 months.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• NZIDRS provides full tuition fees
• The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel allowance, annual health insurance, monthly living allowance, book and thesis allowance, and one-off establishment allowance.
• The scholarship is merit-based.

How to Apply: Applications are available at the Education New Zealand website. Applications, generally, close around July.

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8. R.H.T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship

The Royal Society of New Zealand offers the R.H.T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship to students interested in pursuing Doctor of Philosophy in the Physical Sciences and Engineering. The scholarship was introduced in memory of Professor Richard Bates and is tenable at any University of New Zealand for 1 year.

The highlights of the scholarship are:

• A single award of $6,000 is offered
• Preference is given to those whose research aims to apply information/image processing to studies in medicine, the physical sciences, astronomy or engineering.

How to Apply: There is no formal application form to complete when applying for the R. H. T. Bates Postgraduate Scholarship.

Applications are usually closed in August-September.

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