The University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Tī Kōuka Entrance Scholarship for Sustainability Leaders

Information

Established in 2025 this scholarship provides financial support to students with demonstrated leadership in sustainability to undertake undergraduate degree study at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

General eligibility criteria

Application for all Entrance Scholarships are normally open to students who meet the requirements of 1.1 or 1.2, and 2. Those who fit within 3 are ineligible.

1.1. Are New Zealand citizens, New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holders, Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents with domestic fee status;

Or

1.2. International students who have completed Year 12 and/or have completed or are in the process of completing Year 13 at a New Zealand school, or an equivalent foundation level course at a New Zealand tertiary institution.

And

2. Are intending to enrol or have enrolled for the first time for first-year (100-level papers), full-time degree-level, undergraduate study at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.

But

3. Those who have studied more than 0.4 EFTs at any University or tertiary institution at degree-level or higher are not normally* eligible.

* Exceptions to 0.4 EFTS or less are considered when all previous university or tertiary level study has been undertaken whilst concurrently enrolled at secondary school.

Application process

All applications for Entrance Scholarships are done through eVision, the University's student management system. In order to apply for a scholarship, you will be required to go through the first stages of enrolment at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka to access the Entrance Scholarship online application.

Before going through the application process, it is important to ensure that you are adequately prepared to begin the application. What you will need to prepare for your application is listed on the scholarship application preparation webpage.

To be considered for this scholarship, applicants are advised to complete the Leadership and Extra-curricular activity sections of the scholarship application, providing examples of their involvement with sustainability activities.

Selection of recipients

The selection panel, consisting of the members of the Leaders of Tomorrow selection panel, alongside the Head of the Sustainability Office, or their nominees, shall consider the following factors in awarding the scholarship:

• Academic ability (a minimum of NCEA Level 2 awarded with merit, or equivalent, is normally required for consideration).
• Potential and motivation to succeed at university.
• Demonstrated leadership potential.
• Commitment to sustainability.

Scholarship detail

The Scholarship Terms and Conditions can be found here. In addition, the following applies to this Scholarship, subject to the specific provisions of the offer letter for the recipient:

• The standard value of the scholarship is $7,000 with a one-year tenure.
• For those accepting a place in a Residential College as listed at the link below, it will be paid as an accommodation fee waiver for the amount specified in your scholarship offer letter, paid directly to your Residential College (the scholarship is not able to be used for payment or part-payment of Residential College placement, deposit, activity or equivalent fees due prior to studying).
  University of Otago Residential Colleges
• For those living in the local community (boarding, flatting or living at home), it will normally comprise of a payment, firstly towards tuition and student services fees, if applicable. Any remaining balance will be paid to the recipient’s bank account in two lump-sum payments in May and September.
• For exceptional applicants, this scholarship will be awarded at a higher value and a longer tenure.
• Tenure in years two and three normally requires a GPA of 5.0 or better for the previous year, or admission to and successful progression within one of the professional programmes.
• Recipients may request continuation of their scholarship if their GPA is not at the required level by writing to the Manager, Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships (entrance.scholarships@otago.ac.nz) asking that the Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement approve continuation of the scholarship into year two or three. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement will consider the following factors when making their decision (and may consider other things):
  1. A written request received from the student, outlining why they would like some leniency in the GPA requirement. It is recommended that this request is received by 31 January.
  2. Evidence of sport or cultural activity performance and associated commitments, if relevant.
  3. Evidence of medical impairment, if relevant.
• By accepting this scholarship recipients agree to being contacted and provided information about sustainability activities and opportunities relating to them or the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
• Recipients must give consideration to being involved with sustainability opportunities available to them through the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka.
• Please note that, unless an exception is specified, other University of Otago Entrance Scholarships cannot normally be held concurrently with other Entrance Scholarships. The exception to this is the Dux Entrance Scholarship, which may be held concurrently at the value specified in its regulations.