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New Zealand Development Scholarships

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The New Zealand Development Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, the New Zealand Government’s overseas aid and development programme. They are managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

The purpose of the scholarships is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas which will assist in the development of their home country. Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society, or private business organisations.

What the scholarship offers

New Zealand has first-rate education institutions that offer world-recognised qualifications. Successful applicants will have access to excellent academic knowledge in quality facilities.

The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares. 

The partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study.

Eligible countries

Applications for New Zealand Development Scholarships are welcome from the following countries. For information specific to your country, including priority sectors, follow the links below to your country’s scholarship information page.

Africa

Algeria I  Angola I  Botswana I  Cameroon I  Djibouti I  Ethiopia I  Egypt I  Gambia I  Ghana I  Kenya I  Lesotho I  Malawi I  Mauritius I  Morocco I  Mozambique I  Namibia I  Nigeria I  Rwanda I  Senegal I  Seychelles I  Sierra Leone I  South Africa I  Swaziland I  Tanzania I Tunisia I Uganda I  Zambia I  Zimbabwe

Asia

China   Mongolia   Nepal

Latin America

Argentina   Barbados  Bolivia   Brazil   Chile  Colombia   Cuba   Ecuador   El Salvador   Guatemala   Guyana   Honduras   Jamaica  Nicaragua   Mexico    Paraguay  Peru  Trinidad & Tobago  Uruguay   Venezuela

 

General eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following New Zealand Development Scholarships eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria, including any region-specific criteria. Applicants are expected to continue residing in their home country during the Scholarship application and selection process.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a citizen of an New Zealand Development Scholarships participating country (permanent residents are not eligible to apply)
  • be residing in your country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application
  • not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia, or another developed country*
  • not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, citizenship or permanent residence of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country
  • be aged 17 or over before the scholarship start date
  • be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for a qualification already in progress in New Zealand or another country†
  • not have completed, or nearly completed, a qualification at a similar level (i.e. applicants must apply for a higher level qualification than any previously attained), unless strong developmental relevance is demonstrated
  • satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand education institution at which the qualification is to be undertaken, including English language criteria
  • have been working in your home country since completing their highest tertiary qualification gained to date, preferably for at least two years prior to application
  • be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the relevant sector in your home country, and to your country’s development in general
  • be able to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered.

* A developed country is defined as a country not included on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee’s list of aid recipients.

† Students will not be funded to continue a qualification they have started outside their home country. The funding of qualifications being studied in the home country by self-sponsored, part-time students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

You are not eligible if you:

  • are studying full-time at post-secondary level
  • are transferring from another tertiary scholarship (either in New Zealand or in another country) to a New Zealand Development Scholarship
  • hold, or have held, a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship in the 24 months preceding  the scholarship start date, or have been terminated from a New Zealand or Australian Government scholarship previously.

If offered a scholarship, you must:

  • be able to satisfy Immigration New Zealand requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (i.e. medical checks, police clearances/character checks, etc.)
  • not hold another scholarship during the period of the New Zealand Development Scholarship
  • agree in writing that you will return to their home country for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s social or economic development.

English language requirements

New Zealand tertiary education institutions set their own admission requirements for English language proficiency. All applicants should check the IELTS (International English Language Testing System, academic stream) or TOEFL (Testing of English as a Foreign Language) score required for admission to their selected New Zealand education institution. As a guide, most New Zealand education institutions require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, for postgraduate level study. Some postgraduate qualifications may require a higher score.

Candidates must provide the original copy of their IELTS or TOEFL exam result as a pre-condition of placement. Results must be no older than 24 months at the time of the scholarship start date.

Candidates who show particularly strong developmental relevance and applicability may be able to receive three months’ English language training in New Zealand prior to starting their main academic qualification. Candidates with IELTS of 6.0 overall, with no band less than 5.5, should therefore still consider applying.

Application process

Application processes and timelines can vary depending on the country. For information about the application process please see the scholarship information page for your home country. 

Terms and conditions

All applicants who are offered a New Zealand Development Scholarships will be required to sign a contract with the New Zealand Government declaring they will comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship.

All awardees are required to return to their home country for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s economic and social development.