Applications are now open for the University of Otago Master’s Research Scholarship and the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship, two of the university’s main funding options for postgraduate research students. Whether you are a domestic student in New Zealand or an international applicant hoping to study in Dunedin, these scholarships can cover a significant part of your tuition fees and provide a living stipend while you complete your thesis.
This guide breaks down the funding amounts, eligibility rules, application timelines, and the many specialised scholarships available under each category, so you can work out exactly which option fits your academic plans. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
Key Details At A Glance:
Before diving into eligibility and application steps, here is a quick summary of what each scholarship offers.
University of Otago International Master’s Research Scholarship
- Stipend of NZ$18,204 per year
- Tuition fee waiver for one year, capped at NZ$35,000 for the thesis component
- Only four scholarships offered annually, normally one per Academic Division
- Reviewed four times a year, on 1 March, 1 June, 1 September, and 1 November
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship
- Stipend of NZ$34,128 per year for a PhD
- Stipend of NZ$34,128 per year for professional doctorates such as DClinDent, DMA, DBA, and EdD
- Domestic tuition fee waiver for up to 36 months
- Up to 153 scholarships offered annually
- Applications reviewed quarterly, in March, June, September, and November
Both figures are subject to annual confirmation by the University Council, and the university has confirmed these rates apply from 2026 onward.
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What These Scholarships Offer:
Master’s Scholarship Benefits
The Master’s Research Scholarship supports the thesis component of a research based Master’s degree for up to one year of full time study. It does not cover preliminary coursework papers taken before the thesis begins. International recipients receive a tuition fee waiver capped at NZ$35,000, and if your programme’s fees exceed that amount, you will be responsible for the remaining balance. It is worth checking current tuition rates with the university’s International Office before you apply.
Doctoral Scholarship Benefits
The Doctoral Scholarship is more substantial, reflecting the three year commitment of a PhD or professional doctorate. It includes a tuition fee waiver at the domestic rate for the full period of study, along with a monthly living allowance. International doctoral candidates who are approved for partial overseas tenure only become eligible for the living allowance once they arrive on campus in New Zealand, and time already spent studying remotely is deducted from the total 36 month entitlement.
An important update for applicants: the University of Otago is currently reviewing its doctoral scholarship scheme to better align funding with research priorities. From 1 January 2026, domestic students seeking an automatic award through their Honours or Master’s grades will need a GPA of 9 in their final year. Quarterly allocation rounds for other applicants will continue, with decisions guided by research aptitude, project quality, and the strength of the supervisory team.
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Eligibility Criteria:
Who Can Apply For The Master’s Scholarship
- You must be seeking your first research based Master’s qualification
- Your degree must be thesis based, not a coursework only Master’s
- International applicants are specifically eligible for the International Master’s Research Scholarship
- Selection is based mainly on academic merit and your potential for research
Given only four scholarships are awarded each year, one per division, competition is intense. Applicants are generally expected to have A or A+ grades in the later years of their degree to be competitive.
Who Can Apply For The Doctoral Scholarship
- You must be seeking your first doctoral qualification
- Both domestic and international students may apply, including for professional doctorates
- Your academic record, research potential, and Head of Department recommendation are all considered
- University of Otago employees pursuing a degree as part of their job are not eligible
For applicants who already hold a Master’s degree by papers and thesis, the university will look closely at the grades from your advanced level papers and your thesis. If your qualification is from a university outside New Zealand or Australia, you may need an academic credential evaluation, which can be arranged through Educational Credential Evaluators Inc.
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Choosing Between Thesis, Coursework, and Mixed Master’s Degrees:
Not every Master’s programme qualifies for the same type of scholarship, so it helps to understand which category your degree falls into before applying.
- Research Master’s degrees include a major thesis and may consist solely of a thesis or include some preliminary coursework first. Examples include MA by Thesis, MBioMedSc, MCom, MSc, and MPharm. Apply for a Research Master’s Scholarship either at admission or once your preliminary coursework is finished.
- Flexible degrees such as MHealSc, MPH, and MPhty let you choose between a thesis or a research report or dissertation. Apply once you have decided which option to pursue.
- Coursework Master’s degrees, including MBus, MPols, MPlan, and MSW, may include a research report but no major thesis, so they fall under Coursework Master’s Scholarships rather than the Research scholarships covered in this article. Apply for these at the point of admission.
Specialised Scholarships Within Each Category:
Beyond the two main scholarships, the University of Otago manages a wide range of named scholarships tied to specific subjects, backgrounds, or donor conditions. Some notable examples include the following.
Master’s Level
- University of Otago Māori Master’s Research Scholarship, for Māori thesis candidates
- University of Otago Pacific Islands Master’s Research Scholarship, for candidates of indigenous Pacific Island descent
- Bamforth Postgraduate Scholarship, supporting research into Scottish history, literature, and culture
- John Edmond Postgraduate Scholarship, for Chemistry students
- Fanny Evans Postgraduate Scholarship for Women, encouraging research by women in under represented disciplines
Doctoral Level
- University of Otago Māori Doctoral Scholarship and Pacific Islands Doctoral Scholarship
- University of Otago China Scholarship Council Doctoral Scholarship, for PhD candidates supported through China’s national scholarship programme
- University of Otago City of Literature PhD Scholarship, for doctoral research in literature
- Gilbert M Tothill Scholarship in Psychological Medicine, worth NZ$10,000 per year for three years
- Tassell Cancer Research Scholarship, for PhD candidates undertaking cancer related research
Most of these are automatically considered when you apply through the standard scholarship process, so you generally do not need to submit a separate application for each one.
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How To Apply:
Applications for both scholarships are made online through the university’s eVision portal, and there is no separate paper form to download.
- Apply for admission to your Master’s or doctoral programme first
- Watch for an alert in your eVision portal inviting you to apply for a scholarship
- For Master’s candidates completing preliminary coursework before the thesis, the alert arrives once you enrol in your thesis paper
- For doctoral candidates, the alert arrives after your admission is confirmed
- Submit your scholarship application through the portal once invited
DClinDent applicants follow a slightly different timeline. Invitations are usually sent in October once admission is confirmed, with scholarship decisions made in late November or December of the same year.
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Important Rules To Keep In Mind:
- You can hold only one University of Otago doctoral scholarship at a time
- Full time scholarship recipients may not work more than 500 paid hours over twelve months without prior approval, while part time recipients are capped at 1,000 hours
- Overseas tenure is not normally permitted for Master’s scholarships, and is only granted for doctoral scholarships in limited, approved circumstances
- If your enrolment ends or you withdraw, your scholarship funding stops immediately, and repayment may be required
- Reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt is only possible if you have new material to add, and requires written permission from the Scholarships Office
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much is the University of Otago Master’s Research Scholarship worth?
It provides a stipend of NZ$18,204 per year plus a tuition fee waiver for the thesis component of your degree, capped at NZ$35,000 for international students.
How many University of Otago Doctoral Scholarships are awarded each year?
Up to 153 Doctoral Scholarships are offered annually across all divisions, subject to funding confirmation.
Can international students apply for the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship?
Yes. Both domestic and international students may apply, including for professional doctorates such as DClinDent, DMA, DBA, and EdD.
When can I apply for these scholarships?
You can apply at any time, but applications are reviewed four times a year, in March, June, September, and November.
Does the scholarship cover all my tuition fees?
Not always. The Master’s Scholarship waiver is capped at NZ$35,000 for the thesis component, and any fees above that cap are your responsibility. The Doctoral Scholarship covers tuition at the domestic rate, but international students who become liable for international fees during their studies must pay the difference.
Can I work while holding one of these scholarships?
Yes, within limits. Full time recipients may work up to 500 hours over twelve months without approval, and part time recipients up to 1,000 hours.
What happens if my scholarship application is unsuccessful?
You may reapply only if you have new academic or research material to add since your last application, and you must get written permission from the Scholarships Office before submitting again.
If you are planning a Master’s or doctoral degree at the University of Otago, these scholarships are worth exploring early, since the invitation to apply only appears after your admission application is underway. Start your admission process in good time so you do not miss a scholarship review round.
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