The University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship is a prestigious award designed to attract high-achieving international talent to New Zealand’s top-ranked university. Known in Māori as Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland provides this scholarship to support new students entering undergraduate or postgraduate programs.
Scholarship Overview: 2026 Intake
This scholarship is merit-based and targets students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance in their previous studies.
| Feature | Details |
| Host Institution | University of Auckland, New Zealand |
| Value | Up to NZD 10,000 |
| Number of Awards | Up to 50 per cycle (Awarded bi-annually) |
| Tenure | One Year |
| Eligible Levels | Undergraduate, PGDip, and Master’s degrees |
Financial Benefits
The scholarship acts as a “Tuition Fee Credit,” meaning the funds are applied directly to your university account to reduce your costs.
- Support Amount: Up to NZD 10,000 toward compulsory tuition fees.
- Duration: It is a one-off award for the first year of study.
- Recognition: Being an “Excellence Scholar” at New Zealand’s leading research institution significantly boosts your global employability and academic profile.
Key Application Dates for 2026
The university awards these scholarships twice a year to align with the two main intake semesters.
| Intake | Opening Date | Closing Date |
| Semester 2 / Quarter 3 & 4 | 19 February 2026 | 2 April 2026 |
| Semester 1 / Quarter 1 & 2 | October 2026 | November 2026 |
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the NZD 10,000 award, you must meet the following strict requirements:
- New Student Status: You must be a new international student (not currently enrolled at the University of Auckland).
- Offer of Place: You must have already received a conditional or unconditional Offer of Admission to an eligible program.
- Academic Merit: Selection is primarily based on your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE) calculation from your previous institution. Usually, a GPE of 6.00+ is required.
- Full-time Enrollment: You must enroll in at least 120 points of study for the year.
- Exclusivity: You cannot hold this award if you are already receiving a full-tuition scholarship from another source.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
The application for the scholarship is separate from your application for admission.
- Secure Admission: First, apply for your chosen degree via the University of Auckland Application Portal.
- Receive Offer: Once you have your Student ID number and an Offer of Place, you can access the scholarship portal.
- Submit Scholarship Application: Log in to the Scholarships Portal during the application window (starting Feb 19).
- Written Statement: You may be required to provide a brief statement (approx. 500 words) outlining your academic achievements and your potential contribution to the university community.
- Await Notification: Results for the April deadline are usually released by late May.