Ian Gordon Master’s Scholarship

History and purpose

The Scholarship was established in 2021 using funding from the Ian Gordon Trust Fund. The Fund was established in 2003 by the late Emeritus Professor Ian Gordon by way of a gift to the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation to support study in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics and the English Language in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington.

Professor Gordon graduated from the University of Edinburgh and taught there before being appointed to the Chair of English at Victoria University College, a position he held from 1936 to 1974. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of New Zealand from 1947 to 1952, Chair of the New Zealand Literary Fund from 1950 to 1974, and a Member of the University Grants Committee from 1961 to 1971, in addition to holding many academic and administrative posts. He was made a CBE and received several honorary doctorates.

As Professor of English at Victoria, Ian Gordon made a distinguished contribution to the study of English language and literature. He undertook much teaching, writing and broadcasting on the evolution of English, the writing of English prose, problems of usage and the teaching of English. He was known for his work on English prose style, Katherine Mansfield, and John Galt, and as a popular columnist for many years on the use of English. He edited dictionaries and encouraged the development at Victoria of a strong tradition of lexicography, which has continued through his students and through the establishment of the New Zealand Dictionary Centre. He was instrumental in the establishment of the English Language Institute in 1961 (now part of the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies), and he supported the introduction of the teaching of linguistics at Victoria University of Wellington from 1970, initially under the aegis of the Department of English, and later as a distinct discipline.

These scholarships are intended to support students undertaking a Master's degree by coursework in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. At least one scholarship will normally be targeted towards teachers returning to study.

Who is eligible?

• The purpose of the award is to assist postgraduate (full-time or part-time) students in the study of a Master’s of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL by coursework at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Selection criteria

• Applicants must be enrolled or intending to enrol, either full-time or part-time, in a Master's degree by coursework in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
• Applicant will be assessed on the basis of academic merit.
• Relevant prior experience may also be taken into account.

Application process

A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.

Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.

Scholarship specific documentation

• A personal statement outlining how you meet the criteria for this scholarship.
• A copy of your academic transcript.
• One academic reference (to be requested via the online application).

Selection process

The successful recipients will be selected by the Head of School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, or their nominee, in conjunction with relevant academic staff and the Ian Gordon Trust Fund Committee.

Additional information

The Ian Gordon Master’s Scholarship can only be awarded once to any applicant.

The successful recipients are expected to write a letter of thanks on receipt of the Scholarship and to provide a report after completing their Master's degree. These should be addressed to the chair of the Ian Gordon Trust Fund Committee at the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies.

Regulations and conditions

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
2. All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full-time will be at the level of points considered by Studylink as full-time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
6. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.

Contact

Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04