New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships

The New Zealand Aid Programme, managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the New Zealand Government's international aid and development programme. Its mission is to support sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world.

New Zealand Aid Programme Scholarships are for individuals from developing countries who are motivated to make a difference at home. Scholars have the opportunity to study subjects that will help with social, economic or political needs in their own country. The New Zealand Aid Programme is looking for people with strong academic or work skills, and leadership ability or potential.

For more information visit the New Zealand Aid Programme website.

Can I apply?
We offer scholarships to people from the Pacific and some countries in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Check to see if we offer scholarships in your country

Check to see if you are eligible to apply for a scholarship

What can I study?
Scholarships are available at a variety of levels of study from certificate to undergraduate to PhD.  Tailored internships or work placements are also available to applicants from some countries.

Our scholarships are for study in subjects that support sustainable development. This means different things for different countries, but some examples are qualifications in renewable energy, agriculture, fisheries, disaster risk management, natural resource management, health, and education.
Find out the preferred subjects for your country.

Where can I study?
Depending on where you are from and the type of scholarship you receive you may be able to study at one of ten New Zealand universities or institutes of technology, at Pacific Universities, English Language Training Providers in South East Asia, or through a training programme in New Zealand.
Find out where you can study.

What you get with our scholarships
A top quality education at one of New Zealand’s world-class tertiary institutes or a major Pacific regional university.

Fully-funded tuition

Financial support including a fortnightly living allowance, an establishment allowance, medical and travel insurance, travel to and from your home country at the start and end of your scholarship, home leave or reunion travel for some students, and assistance with research and thesis costs for most postgraduate research students.

Personal and academic support. We have international student advisors to help and support you with any issues with your scholarship, study or well-being.

When studying in New Zealand you will also have the assurance of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students which sets minimum standards to ensure international students in New Zealand are well informed, safe, and properly cared for by their education provider.

Bringing your family with you. If you bring family members with you to New Zealand, you will need to pay all their expenses. But you may be eligible for some non-financial help for immediate family members, such as a work visa (subject to Immigration New Zealand requirements), access to New Zealand health care, and access to New Zealand primary and secondary education. 

If you bring family members with you to the Pacific, you may be entitled to an additional dependent allowance for the duration of your scholarship.

Am I eligible for non-financial or financial help for family members?

Help getting prepared. To help you get prepared for studying in New Zealand, you’ll have a pre-departure briefing in your home country, and you’ll get support when you arrive in New Zealand. We also offer a programme in New Zealand to help you prepare for academic studies here.

What we expect from scholarship students
Sharing your knowledge at home
You must return home for at least two years after your scholarship ends, and apply your skills and knowledge so your country can benefit from what you’ve learned.

Academic
Scholarship students must make every effort to complete their qualification on time.  Academic and personal support is available on request. You could lose your scholarship if you don’t meet the academic requirements of your institution or if you do not regularly attend class and submit all compulsory assignments and sit all exams.

New Zealand Scholarship Conditions

Behaviour
We expect a high standard of behaviour from scholarship students. Scholars are representatives of their country and the scholarship programme.  You could lose your scholarship if you don’t follow the scholarship code of student conduct.

New Zealand Scholarship Code of Conduct

Timing
You need to be available to take up the scholarship for the year that it is offered to you.

What you’ll achieve
A scholarship will help you study to gain skills and knowledge you can take home and use for the benefit of your country. Our scholars work in government, business, NGOs and communities in the Pacific, Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and other developing regions.

Studying through a New Zealand Scholarship is a great opportunity for personal and academic growth, unique experiences and career development. You’ll study with students and lecturers from around the world, and build life-long connections to New Zealand and a global network of leaders and high achievers.

Studying in New Zealand and the Pacific
New Zealand is a safe, peaceful and welcoming country, with high global rankings for safety, quality of life and government transparency. We’re relaxed and honest, and we’re open to different lifestyles and opinions. New Zealanders value work-life balance so you’ll have time for play as well as work.

When you come to New Zealand to study, you’ll experience a wide range of cultures, be in an English-language environment, and you’ll have the choice of studying in one of our large urban centres or our smaller cities.

Through a New Zealand Regional Development Scholarships, Pacific Scholars can study in Port Moresby, Port Vila, Suva or Apia.  Pacific institutions offer the opportunity to study in a familiar environment whilst building strong international relationships.

A top quality education
New Zealand’s universities and polytechnics celebrate diversity, new thinking and multi-cultural perspectives. You’ll be encouraged to think critically, challenge ideas, and evaluate information so that you can apply what you’ve learned.

All New Zealand universities are ranked in the top 3 percent of universities worldwide by QS World University Rankings. We are in the top 50 in 19 subjects including Agriculture and Forestry, Accounting and Finance, Civil and Structural Engineering, Education and Law.

For more information about the New Zealand education system visit StudyinNewZealand.com and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Specialist subjects and expertise
New Zealand is known for innovation and expertise when it comes to renewable energy, disaster risk management, agriculture and agribusiness, public sector management, private sector development, environmental management, indigenous knowledge and development, and innovative business.

Our universities and polytechnics offer subjects and specialist qualifications in these and other subject areas, and work closely with the business community to include students in research and development.

For more information about the New Zealand education system visit StudyinNewZealand.com and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Pacific universities offer qualifications and course content that is highly relevant to the needs of Pacific countries.

Many cultures
In New Zealand we value and respect our Māori heritage, we embrace Pacific cultures (Auckland is the world’s largest Polynesian city), and we welcome people from many cultures around the world.

Live and learn in English
English is used throughout New Zealand, and your study will give you the chance to live and learn in an English-language environment.

A choice of cities
New Zealand’s university and polytechnic campuses are spread throughout the country—in both the larger main centres and smaller cities. Wherever you go, you’ll have all the amenities you’d expect in a modern urban environment.

For more information
Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Click here to find out the scholarship application process and closing dates for your country.

For more information about living and studying in New Zealand visit www.studyinnewzealand.com