Scholarships

Explore the variety of scholarships available to provide financial support for students taking part in the exchange programme.

Victoria University of Wellington scholarships and grants

Wellington International Leadership Programme grant

The WILP grant is available to participants in the Wellington International Leadership Programme who are also taking part in a Wellington Global Exchange programme. Students who complete the listed requirements on the programme website prior to their exchange will receive funding in addition to the regular Wellington Global Exchange grant, up to a maximum total of $2,000. The WILP team recommend that students allow at least two full trimesters (one academic year) to complete these requirements before going on the Wellington Global Exchange programme.

Faculty-specific scholarships

Visit individual faculty and school websites as they may have scholarships available for outgoing exchanges.

Scholarships database

Search our scholarships database for scholarships you may be eligible for.

Prime Minister’s Scholarships for Asia and Latin America

Asia

The Prime Minister's Scholarship for Asia is a scholarship programme funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao. The scholarship is awarded to individuals, with multiple awards each year, and can support both short and long-term programmes in Asia, including study abroad / exchange, internships, postgraduate study, and language programmes.

The scholarships cover tuition fees for offshore institutions (not NZ fees), flights, and a contribution towards internship fees, living, accommodation, visa, and insurance costs. There is one application round per year for individuals, around the middle of the year.

Applications for 2024 are open. Learn more and apply online.

Latin America

The Prime Minister's Scholarship for Latin America is a scholarship programme funded by the New Zealand Government and administered by Education New Zealand Manapou ki te Ao. The scholarship is awarded to individuals, with multiple awards each year, and can support both short and long-term programmes in Latin America including study abroad / exchange, internships, postgraduate study, and language programmes.

The scholarships cover tuition fees for offshore institutions (not NZ fees), flights, and a contribution towards internship fees, living, accommodation, visa, and insurance costs. There is one application round per year for individuals, around the middle of the year.

Applications for 2024 are open. Learn more and apply online.

Country and university-specific scholarships

Austria

Two scholarships of 550 Euros per month are available for Victoria University of Wellington students heading to Johannes Kepler University Linz. Contact the Wellington Global Exchange team to find out more.

China

Chinese Government Scholarships are available for exchange students heading to China University of Political Science and Law, East China Normal University, Fudan University, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, Nankai University, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Wuhan University or Xiamen University.

In addition, Victoria University of Wellington manages a separate scholarship fund specifically for students heading to Nankai University. Contact the Wellington Global Exchange team to find out more.

Germany

German language students can search DAAD New Zealand for scholarships available.

The Baden-Wurttemberg Scholarship for universities in the South-West region of Germany are often available, but funding differs yearly. Students will be informed of the application procedure once the student has been nominated to go on exchange and the university has confirmed the availability of this scholarship.

The University of Konstanz reserves one scholarship for a Victoria University of Wellington student, amounting to approximately 700€ per month for 5-6 months. The recipient of this scholarship will be determined by the Wellington Global Exchange office.

Japan

Japan Student Services Organization scholarship

Japanese language students are eligible to apply for a Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) scholarship for 80,000 yen per month up to 12 months and 80,000 yen for setup costs. To apply for this scholarship, the Wellington Global Exchange office submits a JASSO nomination form with the student's application to the host university. Some host universities offer alternative scholarships to JASSO.

As JASSO scholarship winners are often notified only after arrival at the Japanese host university, students must ensure they have sufficient guaranteed funds to continue their exchange if their JASSO application is unsuccessful.

New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme

The New Zealand Japan Exchange Programme encourage understanding and cooperation between Japan and NZ through promoting educational and cultural exchange programmes. There are two rounds of grant applications assessed per year: closing 31 March and 31 October.

Asia New Zealand Foundation study grants

The Asia New Zealand Foundation has Study Grants to Japan available each year to senior secondary and undergraduate students in New Zealand who have been accepted on exchange programmes to Japan.

Korea

For Korea University, students are able to apply for one of three scholarships—an Admissions Scholarship of KRW 300,000 per month for the first four months of their stay, a Travel Scholarship to help students meet basic travel costs (a one-off payment of up to KRW 1,000,000), or a Merit Scholarship of KRW 300,000 for the four months of the second semester, awarded on the basis of academic merit of the student's first semester.

United States of America

Go Overseas offers a Study Abroad Scholarship if you are studying on exchange in the USA.

Other sources

Wellington North Rotary Scholarship Trust awards scholarships to students in the Wellington region which can be used for study in any institution. The award may cover aspects of overseas study. The amount of a scholarship varies and is at the discretion of the Wellington North Rotary Scholarship Trust. There are three types of scholarships; a general grant and two grants for undergraduate/postgraduate Electrical Engineering studies.

Different Rotary Club branches also offer Ambassadorial or similar scholarships, and Universities New Zealand offers a database of awards, scholarships and grants for New Zealanders.