Find the funding to help support your future
Apply for a scholarship and gain the financial support you need to complete your undergraduate degree. The University of Otago has a range of scholarships, fellowships, bursaries, and grants for undergraduate students who are committed to academic excellence.
Alexander Leith Bagpipe and Drum Scholarship
Scholarship funding to support students who, in the year following the closing date, will be in their first year of study and enrolling in a music performance paper in Scottish piping or drumming.
Āwhina Scholarship
$5,000 to support a female Māori or Pacific Student enrolled in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) undergraduate medical qualification at the University of Otago.
The Barbara Heslop Memorial Scholarship
$8,500 and tuition fees to assist students to undertake one year research degrees - BMedSc(Hons) for medical students, BSc(Hons) or BBiomedSc(Hons) - in the disciplines of Pathology or Immunology.
The Brian Hardy Memorial Scholarship
$8,000 to assist students in the BMedSc(Hons) programme studying in a Paediatric discipline.
Bee Nilson Award
Funds to support final year honours or paper year masters students studying human nutrition and food science.
Campbell-White Scholarship
$3,000 for a student studying full-time towards a degree of Bachelor of Surveying, Bachelor of Applied Science, or Bachelor of Science majoring in Geology, Surveying, or Applied Geology.
Chris Burks Memorial Bursary
$3,000 for a second year resident of Carrington College, who has contributed towards the welfare of others.
David A Grant Memorial Scholarships in Scottish Piping and Scottish Drumming
To assist students who have demonstrated outstanding ability in either Scottish piping or Scottish drumming
Donald Scott Memorial Scholarship in Freshwater Ecology
Supports a Postgraduate 4th-Year or Honours student with a focus on New Zealand waterways/ river ecology that can inform best practice and sustainability for the freshwater Angling and Sports Fishing communities.
Dr E. C. Grant and Mrs H. M. Grant Memorial Medical Scholarship
$8,000 per annum for four yeats to support MB ChB students from the second year onwards.
Dr Emily Hancock Siedeberg Scholarship
$1,250 for a female student in the fourth year of an MB ChB.
Dr Judith Johnston Scholarship for Women
$5,000 to support female students disadvantaged in the pursuit of their studies by their financial or personal circumstances.
Dr Judith Johnston Scholarship in Geography
$5,000 to support female undergraduate students undertaking a major or minor in geography.
Dr Nancy Butt Memorial Scholarship
Assistance for students entering the second year of the course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with clear ability but who, without adequate financial means, would otherwise find it to complete their studies.
Dunedin Symphony Scholarship for Orchestral Performance
$5,000 to foster the performance careers of exceptionally talented musicians who have demonstrated a strong and clear commitment to an orchestral career.
E. Rewa Begg Scholarship
$2,000 towards the second year of study in the field of commerce.
The Elizabeth Jean Trotter Undergraduate (300-level) Scholarship in Biomedical Sciences
Funding to support students who are undertaking a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Otago.
The Elizabeth Jean Trotter 400-level Scholarship in Biomedical Sciences
Funding to support students who are enrolled in a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences Honours programme at the University of Otago.
Energy Education Trust NZ Undergraduate/Honours Scholarship
$5,000 for students with a specific interest in energy issues.
Freemasons Scholarships
$6,000 scholarship funding ( three usually offered) to support students who contribute to their community and have good academic achievement. A $10,000 postgraduate scholarship is also offered.
James Henry Scholarship
Open to candidates enrolled in an Arts, Science, Medicine, or Law programme, and whose homes are in the Southland District. Awards are made on the basis of the academic results from a student's Year 13 of secondary school.
The James Hodge and Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust Scholarships in Medical and Health Sciences
Annual Scholarships to support a year of research for non-MBChB students. Up to three awards may be made in any one year. The current value of the award is $7,500 per student.
Jolene Patuawa-Tuilave Māori Leadership in Law Scholarship
Funds to support a Māori student studying full-time towards the final year of a double degree, which includes a Bachelor of Laws.
June Rita Medical Scholarship
$5,000 to support a female or female-identifying gender diverse student commencing the second year of a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree at Otago Medical School.
Kraft Heinz Food Science Scholarship
Created to encourage school leavers to pursue study leading to a career in Food Science. Valued at $3,000 over 3 years.
Laura Fergusson Brain Injury Trust Mana Tangata Scholarship
$6,000 to support two final-year Physiotherapy students of Māori or Pacific ancestry with a genuine interest in neurorehabilitation.
Lumino - Bachelor of Oral Health Scholarship
The Lumino – Bachelor of Oral Health Scholarship is awarded to a student about to commence the final year of the Bachelor of Oral Health Programme.
Mai Chen Legal Innovation Award
$5,000 for a law student who has completed an original piece of legal writing which challenges or expands the boundaries of established understanding and thinking about the Law.
Medical Scholarships
A range of Scholarships available for medical students at the University of Otago.
The Miles and Jillian Hursthouse Scholarship
The Miles and Jillian Hursthouse Scholarship supports students studying medicine who show aptitude and exhibit financial need during their studies at the University of Otago.
N. G. Stewart Scholarship
The N. G. Stewart Scholarship is awarded to a student of the University who has a disability that makes attending university a challenge.
New Zealand Medical Women's Association Elective Scholarship
Up to the value of $500 for female medical students in the final year of their MB ChB.
New Zealand Superannuation Fund Sustainable Finance Scholarship
Up to $8,000 of tuition fees to support an undergraduate student enrolled in either FINC320 Sustainable Investing or the Sustainable Finance minor.
The Newick and Springford Scholarship
$10,000 for a student in their third, fourth, or fifth year of study towards a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) or a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS).
Northland Pharmacist Pathway Scholarship
$3,000 for accommodation and travel allowances to bring four third year pharmacy students to the Bay of Islands for placements in rural community pharmacy practices.
Philip Ashton Smithells Memorial Scholarship
$3,000 awarded biennially for a student progressing to the third year of study for an undergraduate bachelor's degree programme within the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
Philip Neill Memorial Prize in Music
Awarded annually for excellence in original composition to a past or present student of a university of New Zealand.
Philippa Sweetman Scholarship
$850 for a student going into or in their third or final year of a University of Otago Bachelors degree majoring in one of the principal disciplines of the former Home Science/Consumer and Applied Science Programme i.e: Clothing and Textile Sciences, Social Work, Food Science, or Human Nutrition.
The Professor John Steele Honours Scholarship in Musicology
$3,000 to support students of musicology and academic research in preparation for the writing of a MUSI490 dissertation.
Reese McKinnon and Avenal McKinnon Award
$3,000 to support a female or female-identifying gender diverse student enrolling in 200- or 300-level papers towards a Sciences major in which female numbers are lower than male numbers.
The Russell Church Memorial Prize
Awarded to a full-time undergraduate student (enrolled predominantly at 200-Level or higher), who is an OURFC team member, has demonstrated academic excellence throughout his or her study at the University of Otago, shown commitment to the OURFC, has promoted the ethos of the Club and the University, and has displayed excellence in other fields.
The Salvation Army Marie Fitness Endowment Scholarship
The main purpose of the Scholarship is to support young people with demonstrated financial hardship and who are from an under-privileged background to study Dentistry, Medicine or Pharmacy at the University of Otago.
The Sir Murray F. Brennan Scholarship in Rowing
$16,000 over 2 years for a member of, or an intended member of, the Otago University Rowing Club in the first year of an undergraduate programme at the time of application (or have recently completed the first year of an undergraduate programme).
Six60 Scholarship
The Six60 Scholarship offers students with an interest in music and performing arts a rent rebate to flat at 660 Castle Street, the iconic home of Six60. In addition, the scholarship provides recipients with access to a University of Otago recording studio and interaction and mentoring opportunities from the members of Six60.
The Sophia Michelle McMillan Crestani Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2020 in memory of Sophia Michelle McMillan Crestani, this Scholarship provides $4,500 (usually towards living costs) for female students studying 2nd year Mathematics.
The Sophia McMillan Crestani Memorial University Scholarship
Established in 2020 in memory of Sophia Michelle McMillan Crestani, this Scholarship provides $4,500 (usually towards living costs) for a second-year female student studying any discipline.
Total Surveying Solutions (TSS) Leadership Scholarship
$6,000 Scholarship that supports students who have shown leadership and initiative in their study and who wish to undertake SURV499 work experience at Total Surveying Solutions (TSS) in Sydney, Australia.
Trimble Karahipi Hangarau/Technology Scholarship
$7,000 to support an undergraduate student in the School of Surveying, School of Computing, School of Geography, or Department of Geology.
University of Otago General Staff Association Award
The Award is avaible for application by the son or daughter of a member of General Staff at the University of Otago, who has been enrolled at a secondary school in New Zealand in the preceding year, and who has enrolled for a full-time course of study at the University of Otago.
University of Otago Study Grants for Māori and Pacific Island Students
Valued at $3,000 University of Otago Study Grants for Māori and Pacific Island Students are intended to encourage the progression of students of Māori or indigenous Pacific Island origin towards the completion of undergraduate study, and study at postgraduate level, at the University of Otago.
Westpac Southland Scholarships
Open to students who have attended a secondary school in Southland throughout the two years immediately preceding the award. Awards are made on the basis of the academic results from a student's Year 13 of secondary school.
Find out more about scholarships at Otago
Freephone 0800 80 80 98 (from within New Zealand only)
Email scholarships@otago.ac.nz