New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships 2020

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are available to citizens of these countries in the Commonwealth:

Eligible Commonwealth countries:

Levels of study available:

You can study these qualifications at one of eleven New Zealand universities and education institutions:

• Postgraduate Certificate (6 months)
• Postgraduate Diploma (1 year)
• Master’s Degree (1-2 years)
• PhD (up to 3.5 years)

We only accept applications from eligible countries

To apply for a New Zealand Scholarship, you must meet all of the eligibility criteria. You can complete the online questionnaire below to confirm whether you can apply.

 The Eligibility questionnaire will check in detail if you meet all of the eligibility criteria. The Eligibility questionnaire will check things such as:

• Which country you hold citizenship in
• How long you have been living in your home country
• How much work experience you have
• Whether we provide scholarships to your country

 You must complete the eligibility questionnaire before you can apply for a Scholarship.

Online Questionnaire

Please ensure that you record your eligibility results. You will be asked for this during your application.

TAKE ONLINE ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONNAIRE (EXTERNAL LINK)

If you are applying for a NZ Commonwealth Scholarship, you will not need to do the online eligibility questionnaire; this will be included in the application form.

• Age requirements for New Zealand ScholarsTo apply for a full New Zealand Scholarship, you must be 18 years old or older when you start your scholarship. This means if you are 17 years of age when you apply, you must have your 18^th birthday before you start your scholarship in semester one.Exception for Samoa: Applicants applying for the Samoa Foundation intake can be 17 years of age when they commence their scholarship.There is no upper age limit for applicants. This means if you are 18 and over, you can apply. However, we do prefer applicants who are under 40 years of age for New Zealand Scholarships for university or tertiary students.
• Immigration and visa requirements for New Zealand ScholarsOnly people who successfully get a New Zealand Scholarship need to apply for a student visa. But all applicants should check if they are likely to meet the student visa requirements before applying for a scholarship.Check visa requirements before you apply for a scholarshipYou only need to apply for a student visa, if we offer you a New Zealand Scholarship and you accept that offer. But before you apply for a New Zealand Scholarship, we strongly recommend that you check the student visa requirements on the relevant immigration website, listed below. This is because you can only study abroad on scholarship, if you successfully get a student visa.When and how to apply for a student visaAs soon as a scholar accepts a New Zealand Scholarship, they must apply for a student visa on the relevant immigration website below. Once you accept the New Zealand Scholarship we recommend you start your visa application immediately. The visa application process can take two to three months and it involves medical tests.If a scholarship recipient does not get a student visa, we will have to withdraw the scholarship.Student visa requirements and visa applications for study in New ZealandIf your scholarship application is for study in New Zealand, then you must meet these visa requirements:Student visa requirements and application form for New Zealand (external link)Scholars can bring their family to New Zealand, but we do not cover the costs. Each family member will need to apply for the relevant New Zealand visa:Bringing family with you to New ZealandStudent visa requirements and visa applications for study at a Pacific universityEligible citizens from Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu can apply for a scholarship to study at one of four universities in Fiji, Papua New Guinea or Vanuatu.In most cases, your Study Visa/Permit will be lodged on arrival in the Study Country but we recommend you check the visa requirements on the immigration website of your preferred destination.
  • Fiji immigration website: student visa requirements and application form (external link)
  • Papua New Guinea immigration website: student visa requirements and application form (external link)
  • Vanuatu immigration website: student visa requirements and application form (external link)
  Scholars can bring their family to their study location in the Pacific. We do help with some costs for family members:Bringing family with you to the PacificWe reimburse some visa and medical costsMost scholars have to pay for the cost of a visa application and any medical tests before they come to New Zealand. When you arrive in New Zealand, your chosen university or education institution will pay you back for the cost of a visa and any medical tests. Please keep all payment receipts, as you will need to show these to your university or education institution to get your money back.Exception for some Pacific countries:In some Pacific countries, your local New Zealand High Commission will pay for the cost of your visa application and any medical tests.Visa costs we will reimburse (if you show your payment receipts)CostPaid by High Commission or reimbursed by institution in New Zealand Visa application fee and immigration levyYesImmigration medical check fee (maximum of one)YesTravel to location where medical check occursNoTravel to location where visa interview occursNoPolice clearance feeNoCourier fee for visa applicationNoPassport application feeNoPassport renewal feeNoCosts of fees for dependent’s visasNo  
• Academic and English requirements for New Zealand ScholarsSuccessful scholarship applicants must meet both the academic entry requirements and the English language requirements determined by each education institution.Check you meet academic entry requirements and English language requirementsAs part of the New Zealand Scholarships application process, you need to choose your preferred education institution and preferred courses. Scholarship applicants don’t need to apply for admission to their preferred education institution and courses.But scholarship applicants do need to check that they are likely to meet the minimum academic requirements and the minimum level of English required for their courses.Course entry requirements are set by your chosen education institution so you must check minimum entry requirements on their website before you apply for a New Zealand Scholarship.PhD applicants should look for a supervisor as soon as possibleFrom an early stage, PhD scholarship applicants should look for and email suitable PhD supervisors at New Zealand universities. PhD scholarship applicants who make it to the interview stage will need to provide evidence at the interview that they have either secured a supervisor or are in active discussions with a potential supervisor.Only shortlisted applicants need English language test scoresYou do not need to sit an English language test or provide English language test scores when you apply for a New Zealand Scholarship.If we select you for the applicant short list during our scholarship selection process, then you will need to provide your English language test scores.We accept test scores from these four English competency testing systems:
  1. IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) OR
  2. TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) OR
  3. PTE Academic (the Pearson Test of English Academic) OR
  4. Cambridge Academic English (advanced).
  If you have passed an IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge Academic English (advanced) test to the required level during the last 12 months, then your university or education institution may accept these test scores.If you do not have IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge Academic English (advanced) test scores from the last 12 months, we will tell applicants on the short list, if and when they need to sit one of these English competency tests.Some applicants may avoid English language testsIf you have already completed some of your previous qualifications in English, your preferred education institution may not require any IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge Academic English (advanced) scores from you. This is the decision of your preferred university or education institution only. You should contact your preferred education institution for a final decision about whether you need to provide English test results.General level of English expected for post-graduate and under-graduate studyEach university or education institution sets the minimum level of English you need for your preferred courses, so check their website.Generally, to study for a postgraduate qualification, you must have at least:
  • an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and no band less than 6.0
  • a TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test with a writing score of 21
  • an overall PTE Academic score of 58 with no communicative skills score less than 50
  • a Cambridge Academic English (advanced) overall score of 176 with no bands less than 169.
  Generally, to study for an undergraduate qualification, you must have at least:
  • an overall IELTS score of 6.0 and no band less than 5.5 
  • a TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test with a writing score of 21
  • an overall PTE Academic score of 50, with no communication skills score less than 42
  • a Cambridge Academic English (advanced) overall score of 169 with no bands less than 162.
  Note: Some courses have higher minimum English level entry requirements than those outlined above. The information above is a guide only. It is your responsibility to check with the relevant New Zealand institution what the minimum English language entry requirements for the course that you want to study.Who organises and pays for the English language tests?English language testing takes place during the final stages of our scholarship selection process. Only applicants on our scholarships short list, need current IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge Academic English (advanced) test scores.In most cases, shortlisted applicants will need to organise and pay for their own IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic tests. Shortlisted applicants will need to book a test with a company who does English language testing close to their location.If you are on our applicants’ short list, you will need to book your IELTS or TOEFL testing as soon as possible. This is because the testing process can take several weeks.You may lose the chance to get a New Zealand Scholarship, if your English language testing application form is late or incomplete or inaccurate.We pay for English language testing for these countriesWe organise and pay for the IELTS test for shortlisted applicants from these countries:
  • Cambodia
  • Fiji
  • Indonesia
  • Kiribati
  • Lao PDR
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Samoa (except Samoa Foundation applicants)
  • Solomon Islands
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu
  IELTS testing for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-LesteShortlisted applicants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Timor-Leste must sit the IELTS test before we conduct selection interviews. We have a representative in each country who organises the IELTS testing. This representative company will contact you to organise an IELTS test for you at an agreed time and location.IELTS testing for IndonesiaShortlisted applicants from Indonesia must sit the IELTS test after selection interviews. We have a representative in Indonesia who organises the IELTS testing. This representative company will contact you to organise an IELTS test for you at an agreed time and location in Indonesia.IELTS testing for PacificShortlisted applicants from Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (except Samoa Foundation applicants), Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu must sit the IELTS test after selection interviews.We contract a company, called Auckland Uniservices, to conduct IELTS testing in the Pacific. Before the IELTS test, Auckland Uniservices will also deliver a course to shortlisted applicants to prepare them for the IELTS test. This course takes place during two or three evenings at a location in your own country.The New Zealand High Commission will contact applicants living on outer Pacific islands about travel to the location of the IELTS test in their country. Applicants living on outer Pacific islands may take this preparatory course online, if you have good internet access.Apply for the IELTS onlineIf you are a shortlisted applicant from the Pacific, you must apply for the IELTS test online. Auckland Uniservices will email the online application form to you. Auckland Uniservices does not accept late IELTS applications. You may lose the chance to get a New Zealand Scholarship, if your IELTS application is late or incomplete or inaccurate.IELTS applicants need valid passportsAll IELTS test applicants must have a valid passport. All IELTS applications must include a digital colour copy of your passport.If you don’t have a valid passport, in some situations the IELTS Regional Australia Office may give you special permission to use another form of official identification.If you have any special needs or questionsPlease email Auckland Uniservices if you have any questions or issues with the IELTS application process or testing process.If you have a disability or any special learning needs (e.g. hearing aids, a visual or learning disability), please email Auckland Uniservices as soon as possible. They may need 6-12 weeks to prepare for any additional requirements.English training for some shortlisted applicants with a test score just under the required levelWe may pay for English language training for some preferred candidates who have a current IELTS test score that is almost at the required level. We will tell you if you are a preferred candidate who can get this English language training.For preferred candidates from these Pacific countriesWe may pay for up to 12 months of English language training for some preferred candidates from these Pacific countries:
  • Fiji
  • Kiribati
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Samoa (except Samoa Foundation applicants)
  • Solomon Islands
  • Timor-Leste
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Vanuatu.
  This English language training is part of your scholarship. It takes place in New Zealand, immediately before you start studying your qualification. After completing this English language training, you must meet the English language entry requirements for you preferred course. If you don’t meet the requirements, then your scholarship will cease and you must return home.For preferred candidates from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and IndonesiaWe may pay for up to nine months of English language training for some preferred candidates from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Indonesia.This English language training occurs in your own country. Our representative will contact you to organise this English language training for you at an agreed time and location in your own country.After completing this English language training, you must meet the English language entry requirements for you preferred course. If you don’t the requirements, you can’t have a scholarship.For preferred candidates from Timor LesteWe may pay up to 12 months of English language training for some preferred candidates from Timor Leste.This English language training is part of you scholarship. It takes place in New Zealand, immediately before you start studying your qualification. After completing this English language training, you must meet the English language entry requirements for your preferred course. If you don’t meet the requirements, then your scholarship will cease and you must return home.For preferred candidates from other eligible countriesOccasionally for preferred candidates from other eligible countries, we may pay for up to one semester of English language training in New Zealand.This English language training is part of your scholarship. It takes place in New Zealand, immediately before you start studying your qualification. After completing this English language training, you must meet the English language entry requirements for you preferred course. If you don’t meet the requirements, then your scholarship will cease and you must return home. 
• Scholars must contribute to their country’s developmentThe purpose of a New Zealand Scholarship is to fund the training of citizens from developing countries, so they can positively impact on their country’s development by sharing new skills and knowledge gained from their study.We expect scholars to contribute to their country’s social or economic development for two years after completing their scholarship study.That is why we expect all scholars to return home after their scholarship for at least two years to contribute to the social and economic development of their own country.When shortlisting scholarship applicants, we prefer applicants who can clearly describe on their application form, how they will improve their country’s social and economic development after their scholarship. 
• Work experience requirements for New Zealand ScholarsPostgraduate scholarship applicants or applicants, who finished high school a few years ago, must have relevant work experience.When assessing scholarship applications, we prefer applicants who want to study courses that align strongly with their current work experience. We prefer applicants who will continue working in their current job sector after they finish their scholarship.On their New Zealand Scholarships application form, applicants must describe how their previous work experience relates to their proposed courses or career. Postgraduate applicants or applicants who finished high school a few years ago must have the following work experience:
  • One year of fulltime work experience (i.e. 30 hours or more per week), OR
  • Two years of part-time work experience (i.e. up to 29 hours per week).
  Work experience can be either paid, unpaid or voluntary.Exception for school leavers and first year undergraduate students: These two types of scholarship applicant do not need work experience:
  1. Applicants who are in their final year of Secondary School, OR
  2. Applicants who are in their first year of tertiary study that was started in the academic year immediately after completing Secondary School.

If you are not eligible, you can research other scholarships in New Zealand

If you do not meet all of the eligibility criteria, then you cannot apply for a New Zealand Scholarship on this government website.

The Study in New Zealand website lists other full scholarships available to international students (external link)

Direct Link