Undergraduate scholarships
University of Otago Global Scholarships
For new international Bachelor degree students commencing full-time undergraduate study and who hold one of the following passports:
- Bangladesh
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Scholarship value: NZD $15,000. Unlimited offers.
Application: No extra scholarship application required. Automatically assessed for this scholarship during the admission process. Scholarship offers must be actively accepted by the deadline indicated in the scholarship offer letter, in addition to accepting the admission offer.
Details of University of Otago Global Scholarships
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships for International Students
For new international Bachelor degree students commencing full-time undergraduate study.
Scholarship value: NZD$10,000 for tuition fees
Application: No extra scholarship application required. Automatically assessed for this scholarship during the admission process. Scholarship offers must be actively accepted by the deadline indicated in the scholarship offer letter, in addition to accepting the admission offer.
Details of Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships for International Students
University of Otago International Academic Excellence Scholarships
For high achieving international students who have studied overseas and will be commencing a full-time Bachelor degree at Otago.
Scholarship value: NZD~$35,000 (comprising first year accommodation and tuition scholarships in year 2 and year 3).
Application: Invited to apply in eVision, after you have accepted any previous scholarship offer (e.g. Vice Chancellor’s International Scholarship, Global Scholarship). Required to complete additional scholarship application questions and information as requested. This is a competitive selection scholarship.
Details of the University of Otago International Academic Excellence Scholarships
University of Otago International Partnership Scholarship
Applicable to international students applying into a degree programme through an established partner articulation agreement (e.g. 2+2, credit recognition). Must be undertaking a minimum of four semesters of study at Otago.
Scholarship value: NZD $10,000
Application: Must actively respond ‘yes’ to the international scholarship question during eVision admission application steps.
Details of the University of Otago International Partnership Scholarship
University of Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships (New Zealand-based students)
Applicable to international and domestic students studying in New Zealand high schools or in a New Zealand-based foundation programme who will be commencing full-time Bachelor degree studies.
Value: NZD $10,000 to ~$45,000
Application: Can only apply between 1 July-15 August via eVision. Follow the same application process as domestic students.
Note: One single application is made to be considered for a range of awards including:
- Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students
- Leaders of Tomorrow
- Performance Scholarship
- University of Otago Pacific Peoples’ Scholarship
- University of Otago Academic Excellence ~$35,000 (competitive selection alongside domestic students).
Details of University of Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
Postgraduate scholarships
University of Otago Global Master's Scholarship
For international students commencing selected taught Master’s programmes at the University of Otago, studying full-time on campus in 2027 or 2028 and holding one of the below listed passports.
Scholarship value: NZD$15,000 towards tuition fees. Unlimited offers.
Application: No additional scholarship application required. Applicants will be automatically assessed for this scholarship during the admissions process.
Eligible passports:
- Bangladesh
- China
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
Eligible masters' programmes:
- Master of Business – all subjects
- Master of Sustainable Business
- Master of Communications
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Arts (Coursework) – all majors
- Master of Politics
- Master of International Studies
- Master of International Development and Planning
- Master of Planning
- Master of Peace and Conflict Studies – coursework
- Master of Science (Applied) – all subjects
- Master of Science (Coursework) – all subjects
Details of Otago Global Master's Scholarship
Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarships
For international students commencing selected postgraduate programmes (Master coursework degrees or postgraduate coursework diplomas) at the University of Otago, studying full-time, course duration of at least two semesters, either on campus or by distance learning in 2026 (excludes MBA and Science Communication).
Scholarship value: NZD$10,000 for tuition fees
Details of Vice-Chancellor's International Postgraduate Scholarships
University of Otago International Master's Research Scholarship
For international students enrolling in a research Master's programme.
Scholarship value: NZ$18,204 stipend per annum plus a tuition fee waiver for 1 year capped at NZ$35,000 for Master's study.
Details of University of Otago International Master's Research Scholarship
University of Otago Coursework Master's Scholarship
For international and domestic students enrolling in a coursework Master's programme (excludes MBA ).
Scholarship value: NZD$10,000 for tuition fees
Details of University of Otago Coursework Master's Scholarship
Doctoral scholarships
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships
For international and domestic students enrolling in a Doctoral programme.
Scholarship value: NZ$33,624 stipend per annum plus a domestic tuition fees waiver for 36 months.
Details of University of Otago Doctoral scholarships
University of Otago Pathway Scholarships
Diploma students
Applicants for the pathway diplomas (DipArt DipSc DipCom) are automatically considered for the Global Scholarship or Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for International Students.
Scholarship value: NZD $10,000-$15,000.
Application: No extra scholarship application required. Automatically assessed for a scholarship during the admission process. Scholarship offers must be actively accepted by the deadline indicated in the scholarship offer letter, in addition to accepting the admission offer.
Find out more about Pathway Diploma study options
Note: Onshore international students in a New Zealand high school or New Zealand-based foundation provider should have applied for the University of Otago Entrance Scholarships (open 1 July–15 August) to be considered for a scholarship for either Bachelor or Diploma studies (in the case they do not meet university entrance directly).
University of Otago Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships (New Zealand-based students)
Foundation Studies Certificate
Applicants may be considered for the University of Otago Te Huarahi scholarship.
Scholarship value: From NZD $5,000 (minimum value).
Application: To be considered for the scholarship, international students need to complete and submit the PDF Te Huarahi Academic Scholarship application form.
Find out more about Foundation Studies Certificate study options
Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships
The New Zealand Government offers scholarships to eligible citizens from developing countries to study abroad at a New Zealand education institution or university. These include full tertiary scholarships for eligible international students to study full-time undergraduate and postgraduate study at a New Zealand university.
Learn more about Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships at the University of Otago
External scholarships
New Zealand Universities Awards (NZUA) – Vietnam
Exclusive scholarships for Vietnamese students applying for bachelor’s degree programmes at the University of Otago, offered in collaboration with Education New Zealand (ENZ).
It is possible to hold both an NZUA and a University of Otago Global Scholarship and a University of Otago International Academic Excellence Scholarship (i.e. a total value up to NZD$65,000)
University of Otago contact:
Tam Le
Email tam.le@otago.ac.nz
Details of New Zealand Universities Awards (NZUA)
GoOverseas – USA Study Abroad
For Study Abroad students from the USA to study at a New Zealand university. Offered in conjunction with GoOverseas.
Scholarship value: varies
Details of GoOverseas – USA Study Abroad
Scholarships database
The University of Otago offers a range of additional scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate international students each year. Scholarships include opportunities for students new to Otago, as well as current Otago students.
See all scholarships