PhD scholarships
For details of all scholarships, please visit the University's Scholarships Finder.
Acorn Foundation Eva Trowbridge Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Oct 2023
For students who are 25 years of age or older who are currently living in the areas administered by Tauranga City Council or Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and in 2024 will be studying at the University of Waikato Tauranga campus.
Acorn Foundation Kenneth Perszyk Snr. Adult Learner Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Oct 2023
This Scholarship provides financial assistance for adult students (40 years and over) who currently live in the Bay of Plenty area and are enrolled, or intending to enrol, at the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus in undergraduate or postgraduate level study. Awards will be based on motive and personal and financial circumstances.
China Scholarship Council (CSC) scholarship
Closing date: Closing dates are provided by the CSC
The programme aims to foster long-term research cooperation between the University of Waikato and Chinese universities. Students who receive a scholarship are provided with a living allowance as prescribed by the Chinese government for the term of the scholarship, return airfare to New Zealand by the most economical route, student visa and the cost of health insurance.
Energy Education Trust NZ Masters Scholarship
Closing date: 31 Mar 2024
For students who are currently enrolled full-time in a their first year of a 500-level thesis of 90 points or more at the University of Waikato in the field of science, engineering, economics, law or related fields with a specific interest in energy matters in New Zealand and are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
Flower Agribusiness Conference Participation Award
Closing date: 01 Apr 2024
The Award was established to encourage and reward students who engage with the agribusiness community through attending conferences.
Michael Baldwin Memorial Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Nov 2023
For citizens of any South Pacific Nation (excluding New Zealander and Australian citizens), who can demonstrate a need for financial support in order to undertake study. Candidates must be enrolled or intending to enrol in approved full-time study. The scholarship is valued up to $10,000.
New Zealand Excellence Awards for India
Closing date: Closing dates are provided by Education New Zealand
Up to 4 Undergraduate and up to 4 Postgraduate Scholarships will be awarded, with a total of 4 overall in one year.
TAPA (Tertiary Achievement in Pacific Ako) Awards
Closing date: 24 Apr 2023
For students who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents and are of Pacific Island descent to pursue tertiary studies at the University of Waikato for a full academic year.
The Thomas Pay-it-Forward Scholarship
Closing date: Not offered in 2023
For NZ citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate financial and/or personal hardship and who, in the coming year, will be enrolling in the final year of their first undergraduate degree at the University of Waikato OR will be a student completing the final 12 months of either a Masters or a Doctorate programme at the University of Waikato.
The University of Waikato Academic Pathway Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: 31 Jul 2024
For candidates of Māori and/or Pacific descent who are NZ Citizens or permanent residents and will be enrolling full-time in a doctoral qualification. Candidates must be planning to undertake their doctoral qualification either at the University of Waikato but with a viable plan to spend at least one year of study at another University or at a University other than the University of Waikato.
The University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship for Pacific Peoples
Closing date: 30 Apr 2024
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the Doctoral application to enrol. Before you submit a formal application to enrol, be sure to read the doctoral application process here. By clicking the 'Next Steps' button, you will be taken to the application to enrol.
The University of Waikato Māori Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Apr 2024
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the Doctoral application to enrol. Before you submit a formal application to enrol, be sure to read the doctoral application process here. By clicking the 'Next Steps' button, you will be taken to the application to enrol.
University of Waikato Alumni Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Dec 2023
For students who are returning Alumni of the University of Waikato and who are 25 years or older and have not studied at the University of Waikato in the past two calendar years.
University of Waikato and HMS Trust Award
Closing date: 01 Feb 2024
The University of Waikato and HMS Trust Award was established in 2023 to support migrant former refugee clients of the Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust (HMS Trust) to gain a degree from the University of Waikato. The Trust partnered with the University to provide support for tuition fees and course materials for up to four students each year.
University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Apr 2024
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the Doctoral application to enrol. Before you submit a formal application to enrol, be sure to read the doctoral application process here By clicking the 'Next Steps' button, you will be taken to the application to enrol.
University of Waikato International Progression Bursary
Closing date: No closing date
The UoW International Progression Bursary was established in 2022 to support international students to progress from undergraduate to postgraduate level study for the first time at the University of Waikato. No application is required for this Bursary.
University of Waikato Partnership Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: No closing date
The University of Waikato Partnership Doctoral Scholarship is offered via partnerships developed by academics of the University of Waikato, with external organisations; numbers are dependent on the pool of partnership funding available. Please read the doctoral application process here
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Apr 2024
For students enrolled, or intending to enrol, in a 500-level thesis of 90-or 120-points as part of their first master's degree. International students must have completed at least 120-points of study at a New Zealand university in order to be eligible for this Scholarship.
University of Waikato Seeker Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: No closing date
The University of Waikato Seeker Doctoral Scholarship supports excellent doctoral candidates to undertake research in key strategic research areas at the University of University of Waikato; numbers are dependent on the pool of funding available. Please read the doctoral application process here.
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for China
Closing date: Applications for 2024 can be submitted at any time
This Scholarship is intended to support talented international students from China who are enrolling for the first time into undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato. The Scholarships have a value of up to NZD$15,000, and will be awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate excellent academic achievement.
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for India
Closing date: Applications for 2024 can be submitted at any time
This Scholarship is intended to support talented international students from India who are enrolling for the first time into undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato. The Scholarships have a value of up to NZD$15,000, and will be awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate excellent academic achievement.
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for Malaysia
Closing date: Applications for 2024 can be submitted at any time
This Scholarship is intended to support talented international students from Malaysia who are enrolling for the first time into undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato. The Scholarships have a value of up to NZD$15,000, and will be awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate excellent academic achievement.
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for Vietnam
Closing date: Applications for 2024 can be submitted at any time
This Scholarship is intended to support talented international students from Vietnam who are enrolling for the first time into undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato. The Scholarships have a value of up to NZD$15,000, and will be awarded to successful applicants who demonstrate excellent academic achievement.
Wilf and Ruth Malcolm Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date:
From 2025, the scholarship is awarded annually to a student awarded a University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship in the previous year who has the highest GPA and/or is most meritorious. The Scholarship will have a value of up to $4000 per year for up to 36 months with payments aligned to the awarded University doctoral scholarship, plus provision for application for a 3-month extension.
WSU John Houstoun Memorial Scholarship
Closing date: 30 May 2024
For students who are enrolled part- or full-time in their 2nd or subsequent year and have completed at least 120-points of study at Waikato and can demonstrate outstanding academic diligence and contribution to the student, cultural and sporting life of the University.
WSU Sole Caregiver Award
Closing date: 30 May 2024
For students who are enrolled part- or full-time at the University of Waikato and are the sole primary caregiver in their family. Students must also have completed at least one year of study (120-points) at the University of Waikato.