Asia and Latin America
The Prime Minister's Scholarships
The Prime Minister's Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao to support New Zealanders on learning experiences in Asia and Latin America.
- Scholarship value: NZ$380-$470 per week + flights (NZ–Asia $3,500 or NZ–Latin America $4,500) + travel and medical insurance + contribution to visa fees up to a maximum of $200.
- Open for New Zealand citizens or Permanent Resident who have been a resident in New Zealand for at least 12 of the previous 24 months.
- See current destination countries in Asia and Latin America
- 2025 application dates: from 5 May to 6 June (TBC)
- You can apply apply 20 months in advance!
- Prime Minister's Scholarships – full details and application form
Canada
The Brian Merrilees Canadian Alumni Travel Award
As a result of the generosity of the Alumni of the University of Otago in Canada the Canadian Alumni Travel Awards have been established to provide financial support to a number of students who select a Canadian Partner for their student exchange destination.
- Up to 1 award per semester (2 awards per year) valued at NZ$2,000 each will be granted to students studying at an exchange partner university in Canada.
- Application deadline: 14 April 2025 (for Otago students starting an exchange in semester two 2025).
- Application deadline: 15 September 2025 (for Otago students starting an exchange in semester one 2026).
Detailed application instructions will be emailed to all eligible applicants.
The Otago Global Student Exchange Programme is very grateful to the Alumni of the University of Otago in Canada for their support. This award is reviewed annually.
China
Confucius Institute in Auckland
- NZ-China Government Scholarship – Applicants must be New Zealand citizens, currently studying at a New Zealand tertiary institution or who have completed a tertiary qualification at a New Zealand tertiary institution.
- Confucius Institute Scholarship (CIS) – open to Non-Chinese citizens who aspire to take future careers on the teaching or international promotion of Chinese language.
- Confucius Institute Scholarships
Germany
DAAD
The DAAD is Germany's largest scholarship-awarding organisation and runs several programs with which academic exchange between Germany and all parts of the world is supported. These programs range from short-term exchanges for research or teaching purposes through to doctoral scholarships lasting several years.
DAAD full details and application form
Baden-Württemberg Scholarship
The objective of the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship is to promote the international exchange of highly qualified German and international students. The scholarship is 700 €/month.
Please email Otago's Exchange Adviser for Europe to register your interest. Any further information about applications will then be sent out to you.
Japan
JASSO Scholarship (all universities)
In order to promote increased friendship and understanding between Japan and other countries around the world, the Japan Student Services Organisation (JASSO) offers a limited number of scholarships each year as part of its “Short-term Student Exchange Promotion Program (Inbound)”. Each participating Japanese university has their own requirements and application forms. Relevant information will be forwarded to Otago students applying to go on exchange to Japan.
JASSO will provide the following financial aid to qualified students:
Stipend: ¥80,000 per month (NZ$1,070) for up to 12 months.
Please note that a JASSO scholarship is only available with some, not all, of our partner universities.
United Kingdom
BUTEX Scholarships
Each year BUTEX awards a number of scholarships to students studying abroad for either a semester or for a whole academic year.
The BUTEX Scholarships are open to Otago undergraduate students on exchange to a UK partner university which is BUTEX affiliated. Your exchange placement does not need to have been confirmed by your host university when you apply for BUTEX, but will need to have been formally confirmed at the time of scholarship award.
Application deadline: 31 July each year (for S1, S2 or full year exchange)
BUTEX full details and application form
United States of America
The Alumni of the University of Otago in America Inc Award
As a result of the generosity of the Alumni of the University of Otago in America, the Alumni of the University of Otago in America Inc Awards have been established to provide financial support to a number of students who select a US Partner for their student exchange destination.
- Up to 6 awards per semester (12 awards per year) valued at NZ$3,000 each will be granted to students studying at an exchange partner university in the United States. Ideally a minimum of one award will be available per exchange partner in the USA . To qualify, the study must be part of the Otago Global Student Exchange Programme.
- Application deadline: 14 April 2025 (for Otago students starting an exchange in semester two 2025)
- Application deadline: 15 September 2025 (for Otago students starting an exchange in semester one 2026)
Detailed application instructions will be emailed to all eligible applicants.
The Otago Global Student Exchange Programme is very grateful to the Alumni of the University of Otago in America, Inc. for their support. This award is reviewed annually.