Location: New Zealand
Program: Postgraduate – PhD
Eligibility: International Students
Duration: 3 years
Deadline: November 1, 2025
The Wellington Doctoral Scholarship is a prestigious, merit-based funding opportunity at Victoria University of Wellington, open to both domestic and international applicants in any discipline. Awarded three times yearly (with deadlines on March 1, July 1, and November 1), the scholarship provides a generous annual stipend of NZ $30,500, along with covering domestic tuition fees for up to three years of full-time doctoral study Selection is based primarily on academic excellence, research potential, alignment with a supervisor and school, and strategic considerations; roughly 110 scholarships are awarded each year to top-ranked candidates. Scholars may also take on up to 600 hours of paid work annually with proper approval, ensuring they can focus primarily on their PhD research.
Victoria University of Wellington, also known as Te Herenga Waka, is a distinguished public research university founded in 1897 and situated in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. Known for strong programs in law, humanities, and sciences, it consistently ranks among New Zealand’s top universities and performs excellently in national research assessments. The university’s urban campuses—Kelburn, Pipitea, and Te Aro—are strategically placed near key cultural, governmental, and business centers, fostering rich connections and offering doctoral candidates excellent academic resources and networking opportunities. With over 23,000 students and a strong international presence, VUW provides a vibrant and supportive environment for full-time doctoral researchers.
Benefits of The Scholarship
The value of the scholarship is up to$30,500 stipend annually plus tuition fees for a Doctoral programme at Victoria University of Wellington. This fund can also be used by the students to cover:
- Housing
- Health care
- Food
- Books
- Transportation cost
Eligibility Criteria
These scholarships are open to graduates of any university within or outside of New Zealand who intend to enrol full time for a Doctorate (PhD) or who have commenced their doctoral study at Victoria University of Wellington. Please note: It is very important to refer to the website for regulations and further process requirements regarding an application for this scholarship.
Selection Criteria
These scholarships are awarded on academic merit and are open to New Zealand and international students in any discipline.
To be considered for a Wellington Doctoral Scholarship the applicant needs to:
- have a strong academic record and excellent academic references, or
- demonstrated potential for high-quality research, or
- a record of publication in high-quality journals commensurate with experience and education.
How to Apply
CLICK HERE to visit the official webpage and submit your application.
