Tongarewa International Scholarship

Scholarship level: Master’s Research; Master's by coursework; All postgraduate; First year students; School leaver
Closing date(s): Trimester 1: 1 November; Trimester 2: 1 May; Trimester 3: 1 August
Tenure: One year
Award for: International
Number offered: Varies
Value: up to $10,000

Purpose

The Tongarewa International Scholarships celebrate the Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington's commitment to our international student community. We award a range of these scholarships to new international students each year.

This is a partial fee-based scholarship that will go towards tuition fees for one year of study. It is designed for new international students, who are entering their first year of undergraduate or postgraduate studies at Victoria University of Wellington.

Scholarships are awarded competitively on the basis of academic excellence. They apply to study in the year following application and will be credited to tuition fees.

Eligibility

Applicants must be:

  • International students who are paying full international fees
  • A holder of an unconditional or conditional Offer of Place for an eligible programme at Victoria University of Wellington
  • New students to Victoria University of Wellington
  • selected by the scholarship award panel (upon scholarship application)

Applicants are not eligible for this scholarship if they:

  • completed their secondary education at a New Zealand school;
  • completed the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation Studies programme;
  • are a Study Abroad or Exchange student or a Twinning student from one of our overseas partner universities;
  • are in their second trimester or year of study in the same degree programme (returning students) at Victoria University of Wellington.

Application process

Apply  here, T2 2025

Apply here, T3 2025

Scholarship specific documentation

The following documentation must be provided as part of the online scholarship application:

  • a personal statement of up to 500 words outlining why the applicant wishes to study at Victoria University of Wellington, their academic goals and why they merit the scholarship. Applicants should also include any leadership positions and details of their involvement in their school or community
  • an Offer of Place or a Conditional Offer of Place for an eligible programme at Victoria University of Wellington (failing to upload the offer with the scholarship application will result in the dismissal of the application)

Selection process

This is a partial fee-based scholarship which is awarded competitively based on academic excellence and the student’s personal statement. A panel comprising of appropriate Wellington University International staff will review the applications and award the scholarships.

Additional information

The amount will be awarded as either $2,500; $5,000; $7,500 or $10,000.

The scholarship amount will be credited to students’ accounts approximately two weeks after the programme begins, once the withdrawal period has ended. It cannot be paid out before this date.

Students must pay their tuition fees in full upfront and cannot deduct the scholarship from these fees.

Once the scholarship is awarded, the decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Regulations and conditions

  1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4:30pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation 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 at least 45) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met.
  3. Recipients may request approval to defer this scholarship to another intake within the same calendar year. This scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
  4. This 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. This scholarship is intended for international students. If a student’s fee status changes from international to domestic fees before the scholarship is credited to their account, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
  7. Recipients are expected to act as Ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
  8. 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