Coursework Masters students get scholarship support

New scholarships available only to high calibre students who are pursuing coursework rather than thesis-based Masters degrees underline the importance of these degrees as a postgraduate option.

The new scholarships are for $10,000 per annum and are open to both domestic and international students intending to enrol full-time in the first year of a coursework masters' degree. Up to 20 are offered each year based on applicants' merit, and interest is already high, with 70 applications received in 2010 for the 2011 calendar year.

Professor Robert Patman, who convenes the Master of International Studies programme (MIntS), and Dr Lachy Paterson, who coordinators the Master of Indigenous Studies programme (MIndS) at Te Tumu, both applaud the initiative, which is understood to be a first for New Zealand universities.

“The new scholarship offers students contemplating courses such as the Masters of Indigenous Studies access to scholarship funds that previously they weren't eligible for,” says Dr Paterson. “In the past few years, MIndS has become increasingly popular, and this new scholarship will ensure that high quality applicants continue to seek out this degree.”

Professor Patman is similarly “delighted” the University is offering support for students undertaking Masters degrees by coursework, and is pleased MIntS number among successful applicants in 2011.