PhD Study Scholarships

Victoria PhD Scholarship: These scholarships have an annual stipend for living costs of NZ$21,000 plus tuition fees for up to three years. Approximately 75 full scholarships are available each year over three rounds. 

Closing dates for PhD funding are 1 March, 1 July and 1 November. From 2010 there will be a single application form for applying for PhD admission and funding. It is essential to check for any changes to the application process on the website before you submit your application. 

Applicants for a Victoria PhD Scholarship may be offered alternative funding in the form of a Victoria Doctoral Assistantship which has an annual stipend of NZ$15,000 plus tuition fees for up to three years and includes an offer of employment as a Research Assistant or Tutor up to the value of $5,000 per annum.

Up to 30 are available each year. Applicants for Victoria PhD Scholarships are considered for both awards.

Scholarships: These targeted PhD scholarships are offered in areas of research that are of strategic importance to the University. There is only one round and topics are available from 1 March each year.

The scholarships have an annual stipend for living costs of NZ$21,000 plus tuition fees for up to three years.

Approximately 10 scholarships are awarded each year in advertised topics only. Applicants must clearly state which of the topics they wish
to apply for.

The PhD thesis is a major piece of original research. It demonstrates the candidate’s ability to carry out independent research and is a significant contribution to the knowledge of a field of study. It requires considerable dedication and tenacity.

Supervision for PhD research is offered in most subject areas taught at Victoria. After a minimum of two years supervised research, the PhD is earned by thesis. PhD theses normally require at least three years for full completion. 

Victoria is one of New Zealand’s most significant research institutions, spending a substantial proportion of its total budget on research. Our researchers have won major grants in a highly competitive environment and publish in leading international journals and with the top academic publishers. 

International PhD students pay domestic tuition fees when they are supervised by leading researchers at a New Zealand university. 

Government policy allows children of a PhD student to attend school without paying international student fees. The spouse/partner of the PhD student will also automatically be granted a work permit for the period in which the PhD student is studying in New Zealand. 

Victoria Doctoral Completion Awar ds: PhD candidates at Victoria University are eligible for additional funding up to NZ$6,000 in the period immediately following submission of their thesis for examination providing the PhD thesis is submitted within 42 months of first registration.

This support is to enable candidates to attend an oral examination if required and to prepare their research for eventual publication. The funding is available only if the candidate remains in New Zealand during the examination period. 

Victoria Master’s (by thesis) Scholarships: These scholarships currently have a stipend for living costs of NZ$15,000 plus domestic tuition fees for one year. Please note: Master’s (by thesis) fees are charged at international fee levels, so students must pay the difference between domestic and international tuition fees.

• Approximately 34 scholarships are offered each year.
• The closing date is 1 November.

Victoria Graduate Awards: These awards are available to Honours students and students working on their Master’s by coursework. This award pays the equivalent of domestic tuition fees, up to $5,000, and is available for one year. 

International students must pay the difference between domestic and international tuition fees. Approximately 100 awards are available annually.