Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian Students (2027–2028 Intakes)

Last verified: 29 October 2026. Deadlines and values change between intakes, so confirm each award on its official page before applying.

Quick answer: Indian students can get scholarships in New Zealand, but most awards are partial. The New Zealand Excellence Awards fund 29 places for Indian students. University India awards reduce first-year tuition. PhD scholarships offer the nearest thing to full funding through a stipend plus domestic-rate fees. Manaaki is not confirmed open to India.

Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian Students: What Is Actually Available

What is a New Zealand scholarship for Indian students? It is a financial award that reduces tuition or pays a living stipend to an Indian citizen studying in New Zealand. Government bodies, universities and institutes fund these awards.

How many types exist? Indian students can access three funding tiers.

1. Government co-funded: the New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA).
2. University-funded: India-specific and general international merit awards.
3. Doctoral: research scholarships with a stipend and domestic-rate tuition.

Most awards for undergraduate and master’s study are partial. The table below compares the main options. USD values are approximate at an indicative 1 NZD = 0.58 USD.

Scholarship	Funder	Level	Value (NZD)	Approx. USD	Route	Key date
New Zealand Excellence Awards	Education New Zealand + 8 universities	UG, PG	5,000–20,000 per award	2,900–11,600	Separate application	Past rounds closed 30 April
Auckland India High Achievers	University of Auckland	Master’s	25% of first-year tuition	Varies	Invitation + short form	Form due 4 Nov 2026
Auckland International Student Excellence	University of Auckland	Master’s	25% of first-year tuition	Varies	Invitation + short form	Same cycle
Canterbury India High Achievers	University of Canterbury	UG, PG	5,000 (UG), 10,000 (PG)	2,900 / 5,800	Online form	Reported closed 23 Oct 2026
Waikato VC International Excellence (India)	University of Waikato	UG, PG	8,000–15,000 (UG), up to 10,000 (PG)	4,600–8,700 / 5,800	Check Waikato	Check Waikato
Victoria international scholarships	Victoria University of Wellington	UG, PG	15,000 (UG), 10,000 (PG)	8,700 / 5,800	Automatic	With admission
Doctoral scholarships	Auckland, Otago, Waikato, Wellington	PhD	Stipend about 30,000–35,468 per year	17,400–20,600	Supervisor-led	Varies by round

Why does the route column matter? The application route decides what you must do and when. Missing a route-specific step costs more students awards than low grades do.

Who Should Apply and Who Should Not Apply

Who should apply? Apply if you match an award’s nationality, level and academic rules and hold or can secure an offer from the right university.

Strong-fit profiles include:

• High-school toppers with board averages near the NZEA thresholds.
• Master’s applicants with a B+ or higher equivalent, aiming at Auckland, Canterbury or Victoria awards.
• Research-minded graduates with a clear PhD topic and a prospective supervisor.
• Applicants living in India at the time of application, because NZEA requires it.

Who should not apply? Skip an award when you fail a hard rule. Common cases:

• You rely on Manaaki without confirming India is on the current country list.
• You have no offer of place, because NZEA needs an unconditional offer.
• You are an Australian or New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, who are excluded from NZEA.
• You miss the academic thresholds listed in the next section.
• You want full funding for a bachelor’s degree. This is rarely available to Indian citizens.

New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) for Indian Students

What are the NZEA? The New Zealand Excellence Awards are partial scholarships created for Indian students. Education New Zealand and the country’s eight universities run them jointly, and the 2025 package offered 29 partial scholarships worth NZD 260,000 in total. That total is about 150,800 USD at the indicative rate. The New Zealand Excellence Awards official page lists the current round status and eligibility. (Source: Study with New Zealand)

Who is eligible?

Applicants must meet these rules:

• Be at least 18 years old at application.
• Hold Indian citizenship and not be a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia.
• Live in India when applying.
• Hold an unconditional offer for an eligible course.
• Meet Immigration New Zealand’s student visa requirements.

What academic thresholds apply?

The University of Waikato’s listing sets an undergraduate threshold of a 75 percent average over the best four subjects for ISC, AISSC and selected state boards (Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal), with at least 60 percent in English. Other state boards need 80 percent with 65 percent in English. Postgraduate applicants need a recognised bachelor’s degree at a B-/B average and IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Individual universities can add subject requirements. (Source: University of Waikato)

How much does each university offer?

Value per award depends on university and level. Typical figures reported for recent rounds:

University	Awards	Typical value (NZD)
AUT	3 (1 UG, 2 PG)	20,000 UG; 10,000 PG
University of Auckland	4 (2 UG, 2 PG)	10,000 each
Lincoln University	5 (1 UG, 4 PG)	10,000 UG; 5,000 PG
Massey University	4 (2 UG, 2 PG)	10,000 UG; 5,000–10,000 PG
University of Waikato	4 (UG or PG)	10,000 each

Treat this table as indicative. Values and numbers differ between sources and rounds, so confirm them on the official page.

When does the application open?

Recent rounds followed a pattern. The 2025 round ran from 18 March to 30 April 2025, and one guide reports that the 2026 round closed on 30 April 2026. The 2027 dates are unconfirmed. Plan for a March to April window and check the official page.

University Scholarships for Indian Students

What do universities offer? New Zealand universities fund India-specific and general international awards. Many are partial and apply to the first year only.

University of Auckland

What is the India High Achievers Scholarship? It is a tuition award for new Indian master’s students. Eligible students who receive an offer for Semester One or Quarter Two 2027 by 20 October 2026 are invited to submit a supplementary form by 4 November 2026. The award equals 25 percent of one year’s tuition fees and lasts one year. The university sends invitations on 21 October 2026. Many guides still say “up to NZD 20,000”, which is outdated. Use the official 25 percent figure. (Sources: University of Auckland, University of Auckland International)

University of Canterbury, Waikato, Otago and Victoria

• Canterbury: the India High Achievers Scholarship is reported at NZD 5,000 for undergraduates and NZD 10,000 for postgraduates, first year only. One guide reports the Semester 1 2027 round closed on 23 October 2026. (Source: Nbyula)
• Waikato: the Vice-Chancellor’s International Excellence Scholarship for India offers different amounts by level.
• Otago: 2024 reporting described a first-year award for full-fee international undergraduates and a postgraduate award for Indian students with a B+ average or higher. Confirm the current terms. (Source: RNZ)
• Victoria University of Wellington: international scholarships are assessed automatically from the programme application.

Which route does each award use?

Route	What you do	Examples
No application	Apply for admission only	Victoria international awards
Invitation + short form	Respond to a university email by the deadline	Auckland India High Achievers
Separate application	Submit a scholarship application with documents	NZEA
Supervisor-led	Secure a supervisor, then apply with a research plan	Doctoral scholarships

Doctoral Scholarships: The Closest Thing to Full Funding

Is a PhD in New Zealand cheap for Indian students? Yes. International PhD students pay the same tuition as domestic students, usually between NZD 6,500 and NZD 7,500 per year at most universities. Education New Zealand’s PhD package gives a range up to NZD 9,000. That is roughly 3,800–5,200 USD per year. (Source: FindAPhD)

Which doctoral scholarships accept Indians? Several universities fund international candidates.

University	Stipend (NZD per year)	Approx. USD	Tuition support	Tenure
University of Auckland	Up to 35,468	20,600	Domestic-fee eligibility	Up to 3.5 years or more
University of Otago	34,128	19,800	Domestic fee waiver	36 months
University of Waikato	Up to 33,000	19,100	Domestic fees + services fee	Up to 36 months
Victoria University of Wellington	32,000 (reported)	18,600	Tuition fees	Normally 3 years

The University of Auckland describes its doctoral scholarship as partial funding of up to NZD 35,468 per year for domestic and international PhD candidates. The University of Otago states that its doctoral scholarship, worth NZD 34,128 per year plus a domestic tuition fee waiver for 36 months, is open to both domestic and international students. The University of Waikato’s 2026 scholarship offers a living allowance of up to NZD 33,000 per year for as long as 36 months. (Source: Nomad Credit)

Stipends typically exclude health insurance, flights and accommodation deposits. Round dates vary, so check each university’s page.

How does the application work? The route is supervisor-led:

1. Identify a researcher whose work matches your topic.
2. Email a short research summary and your CV.
3. Obtain supervisor support.
4. Apply for the doctoral programme and scholarship in the same round.

Government Scholarships That Do Not Apply to Indians: Myth Check

Is Manaaki open to Indian students? Current evidence says no. A Hotcourses guide states India is not covered by the scholarship. Another guide says India does not appear on the eligible country list. Older guides still list India because they use outdated country lists. Confirm the current list on the official New Zealand Scholarships website before building any plan around Manaaki. (Sources: Hotcourses Abroad, Abroad Gateway)

Other scheme names appear on Indian listings but target other groups. The New Zealand-ASEAN awards focus on ASEAN nationals, and Fulbright exchange awards target US citizens. Verify nationality rules before spending time on an application.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

How do you apply for a New Zealand scholarship from India? Follow these steps in order.

1. Choose your intake and programme. New Zealand universities run Semester One (February/March) and Semester Two (July) intakes.
2. Identify each award’s route. Use the route table above to see whether you need a form, an invitation or a supervisor.
3. Secure your offer of place. NZEA needs an unconditional offer. Auckland needs an offer before its cut-off date.
4. Complete the scholarship step. Submit the NZEA application, return the Auckland supplementary form or contact your doctoral supervisor.
5. Prepare your documents. Use the checklist in the next section.
6. Track dates and emails. Invitations and results arrive by email, so monitor spam folders.
7. Accept the offer and scholarship terms. Read conditions on enrolment, tenure and combining awards.
8. Apply for your student visa. Use the scholarship letter as supporting evidence of funds.

Key Dates for Semester One 2027 Intake

Date	Event
By 20 Oct 2026	Auckland offer needed for India High Achievers invitation
21 Oct 2026	Auckland invitation emails sent
23 Oct 2026	Canterbury round reported closed
4 Nov 2026	Auckland supplementary form due
From 30 Nov 2026	Auckland outcomes announced
Mar–Apr 2027 (expected)	NZEA round, based on past patterns, unconfirmed

Because deadlines fall close together, apply for admission early. Offers drive almost every scholarship timeline.

Required Documents Explained

What documents do scholarships need? The core set is similar across awards. NZEA applications ask for evidence of an offer of place, a CV, academic transcripts, proof of Indian citizenship and the names and emails of two referees. (Source: StudySpy)

Document	Purpose	Common pitfall
Offer of Place	Proves admission	Applying with a conditional offer when unconditional is required
Academic transcripts	Proves grades against thresholds	Missing semesters or unclear grading scale
Proof of citizenship	Confirms eligibility	Passport name differs from transcripts
CV	Shows achievements	Generic, unfocused layout
Referee details	Provides references	Referees not warned and not responding
English test (IELTS or equivalent)	Meets PG language rule	Band below the required minimum
Personal statement	Shows motivation	Reused statement not tailored to the award
Research summary (PhD)	Shows fit with supervisor	Topic too broad

What India-specific issues occur? Four problems repeat:

• Board marks: convert and present them as the award specifies.
• Name spelling: keep it identical across passport, transcripts and forms.
• Certified copies: provide them only when requested.
• Referee delays: brief referees weeks in advance.

How Scholarship Selection Works

What do selectors look for? Selection depends on the route.

• Threshold-based awards: you qualify by meeting set grades and requirements, as with several India High Achievers awards.
• Committee-based awards: a panel compares applicants. Auckland awards its India scholarship on the recommendation of a faculty or university committee. (Source: University of Auckland)
• Doctoral awards: supervisors and faculty judge research potential, track record and fit.

What do panels reportedly weigh for NZEA? Panels reportedly consider academic merit, leadership potential, extracurricular activity and the personal statement. Universities such as Canterbury and Victoria publish no fixed cut-off, so a strong profile helps beyond the minimum.

What happens after selection? You receive an offer and must accept it. Awards usually require full-time enrolment and compliance with the scholarship regulations. Failing to meet conditions can lead to withdrawal.

Common Mistakes Applicants Make

Mistake	Consequence	Fix
Ignoring the invitation email or form	Lose an automatic-eligible award	Check email daily after your offer and note the form deadline
Applying without an unconditional offer for NZEA	Application ineligible	Meet offer conditions first
Assuming “up to NZD 20,000” means the full amount	Budget shortfall	Use the official figure, such as 25% for Auckland
Trusting outdated country lists	Wasted effort on Manaaki	Check the official scholarships website
Weak or generic personal statement	Lower committee ranking	Tailor each statement to the award
Late referee requests	Incomplete application	Contact referees early
Treating a scholarship as visa approval	Unexpected refusal	Prepare full financial and genuine student evidence
Mismatched name or dates across documents	Verification delays	Cross-check every document before submitting

Scholarships and Your New Zealand Student Visa

How does a scholarship relate to the visa? A scholarship letter can support your proof of funds. It does not replace the visa assessment.

What does Immigration New Zealand require? Tertiary students must show NZD 20,000 per year in living costs, or NZD 1,667 per month for courses shorter than a year, and eligible students can work up to 25 hours per week from 3 November 2025. At the indicative rate, NZD 20,000 is about 11,600 USD. Check current fees and rules on the Immigration New Zealand website. (Source: AdmitKard)

Sample First-Year Budget (Illustrative)

Item	NZD	Approx. USD
Master’s tuition (assumed)	35,000	20,300
Auckland India High Achievers (25%)	−8,750	−5,100
Net first-year tuition	26,250	15,200
Living funds for the visa	20,000	11,600
Total to plan for	46,250	26,800

This example excludes insurance, flights and the visa fee. Confirm with the university’s international office how your tuition invoice reflects any discount.

Previous Years’ Trends

How has the picture changed? Three trends matter.

1. The government co-funded pool shrank. The 2023–24 NZEA package was NZD 320,000, with awards between NZD 10,000 and NZD 20,000, and the programme has supported over 200 Indian students since 2016. The 2025 package was NZD 260,000 across 29 awards. The headline pool fell about 19 percent, from roughly 185,600 USD to 150,800 USD. (Source: Dinamalar)

2. Indian enrolments surged, then stabilised. Education New Zealand data showed enrolments from India rising from 7,930 in 2023 to 10,640 in the first eight months of 2024. ICEF reports nearly 12,000 Indian students in New Zealand in 2025, stable after growth of 99 percent in 2023 and 49 percent in 2024. India accounted for 14 percent of New Zealand’s international enrolments in 2025, second to China. (Source: Business Today)

3. Universities added India-targeted discounts. Auckland’s India High Achievers award began in 2022, and Otago’s Global Scholarship began in 2024. Rules for working students also loosened when work rights rose to 25 hours per week in November 2025.

What does this suggest for 2028? Competition for NZEA places should stay high because the pool is small. University awards may grow as institutions compete for Indian applicants. Treat this as a reading of the trend, not a forecast.

Research Notes: What We Verified and What Conflicts

We compared official pages with guides and found several conflicts. Read these before you rely on any figure.

Topic	What we found	How we handled it
Manaaki and India	Two recent guides say India is not eligible. An older guide lists India.	Treated as not eligible. Confirm the official list.
Auckland India value	Official page: 25% of first-year tuition. Many guides: “up to NZD 20,000”.	Used the official page.
NZEA value and size	Official: 29 awards, NZD 260,000 (2025). Waikato: NZD 7,500–15,000. Others: NZD 5,000–20,000.	Gave a range and told readers to confirm.
NZEA application route	Waikato says no application required. Other listings describe a documents-based application.	Described a separate application. Confirm on the official page.
NZEA 2027 dates	Not confirmed.	Based timing on 2025 and 2026 patterns.
Canterbury deadline	One source reports 23 Oct 2026 for Semester 1 2027.	Marked as reported.
Visa fee	Sources disagree on the fee amount.	Did not state a fee.
Indian student numbers	One guide claims over 120,000. ICEF reports nearly 12,000.	Used ICEF.
Doctoral deadlines and stipends	Third-party dates and amounts vary.	Gave rounded stipends and told readers to check each university.
Te Pūkenga awards	A 2025 offer of 20+ awards worth NZD 10,000 was reported.	Left out because current status is unknown.

How should you verify an award? Open the funder’s official page, check the nationality rule, the route, the deadline and the value, and screenshot the page for your records.

FAQs

1. Can Indian students get a fully funded scholarship in New Zealand?

Full funding exists mainly at doctoral level. Universities such as Auckland, Otago and Waikato offer PhD scholarships that combine a tax-free stipend with domestic-rate tuition, and international PhD students are eligible. Undergraduate and master’s awards for Indians, including the New Zealand Excellence Awards, are partial and reduce tuition rather than cover every cost.

2. Is Manaaki open to Indian students?

Not on current evidence. Several 2025–2026 guides say India is outside the eligible country list for Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade funds. Country lists change between intakes, so check the official New Zealand Scholarships website before planning an application around Manaaki.

3. What are the New Zealand Excellence Awards and who can apply?

The New Zealand Excellence Awards are partial scholarships for Indian students, funded jointly by Education New Zealand and eight universities. Applicants must hold Indian citizenship, live in India, be at least 18, hold an unconditional offer for an eligible course, and meet Immigration New Zealand’s student visa requirements.

4. Do I need to apply separately for the Auckland India High Achievers Scholarship?

The University of Auckland does not require a standard scholarship application. Eligible Indian master’s offer holders receive an invitation to complete a supplementary form. For Semester One 2027, invitations went out on 21 October 2026, and forms are due 4 November 2026. Check your email, including spam folders.

5. What marks do I need for the NZEA?

For undergraduate study, Waikato’s listing asks for a 75 percent average across the best four subjects in ISC, AISSC or selected state boards, with 60 percent in English. Other state boards need 80 percent and 65 percent in English. Postgraduate applicants need a bachelor’s degree at B-/B average and IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each band.

6. Can I get a PhD scholarship in New Zealand as an Indian student?

Yes. Doctoral scholarships at the University of Auckland, University of Otago and University of Waikato are open to international applicants as well as New Zealanders. Applicants usually need a strong research record and a supervisor willing to support them. Stipends reported for 2026 range from about NZD 30,000 to NZD 35,468 per year.

7. Do international PhD students pay domestic fees?

Yes. New Zealand lets international doctoral students pay the same tuition as domestic students, typically between NZD 6,500 and NZD 9,000 per year at most universities. Education New Zealand promotes this as part of its PhD package. Some universities apply conditions, so confirm the fee policy of your chosen institution.

8. Which New Zealand university offers the most scholarships to Indians?

There is no verified ranking of universities by total awards to Indians. Auckland, Canterbury and Waikato run India-specific schemes, Otago and Victoria Wellington offer broad international awards, and the New Zealand Excellence Awards spread 29 places across eight universities. Compare award value, application route and your programme rather than relying on a ranking.

9. Do scholarships cover living costs?

Most do not. Excellence awards and India High Achievers scholarships reduce tuition only. Doctoral scholarships include a stipend for living costs, but they do not usually cover health insurance, flights or accommodation deposits. Most Indian students still need to show NZD 20,000 per year in living funds, which a scholarship letter can help evidence.

10. Does a scholarship improve my visa chances?

A scholarship does not guarantee a visa. It can serve as evidence of funds. Immigration New Zealand still assesses the genuine student requirement, your financial documents and your course choice. Submit accurate, verifiable evidence alongside the scholarship letter, and keep tuition payment records consistent with your offer.

11. Can I work while studying in New Zealand?

Eligible international students on a New Zealand student visa can work up to 25 hours per week during term time, an increase from 20 hours that took effect on 3 November 2025. Work rights depend on your visa conditions and course type, so check your visa label and Immigration New Zealand guidance.

12. Can I combine two scholarships?

Sometimes. Each scholarship’s regulations decide whether awards can be combined. Some schemes exclude holders of similar awards or cap total funding. Read the terms of every scholarship you apply for, and ask the university scholarships office to confirm in writing before you accept an offer.

Conclusion: Your Next Step

Scholarships in New Zealand for Indian students are real but mostly partial. The New Zealand Excellence Awards and university India awards reduce tuition. Doctoral scholarships come closest to full funding. Confirm each award on its official page, align your offer with the scholarship deadline and prepare visa evidence early.

Related guides for Indian students:

• Scholarships in Japan for Indian Students: 2027–28 Guide
• Scholarships in Italy for Indian Students
• Scholarships for MBA in UK for Indian Students (2027 Intake)