PhD scholarships
For details of all scholarships, please visit the University's Scholarships Finder.
Acorn Foundation Adult Learner Scholarship for Women
Closing date: 15 Oct 2022
For female students who are 25 years or older who are currently living in the areas administered by Tauranga City Council or Western Bay of Plenty District Council, and who in 2024 will be studying at the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus.
Acorn Foundation Eva Trowbridge Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Oct 2022
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 2022
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.
Dr Zena Daysh Fellowship in Sustainable Development
Closing date: Not offered in 2023
For students enrolling or intending to enrol in a PhD at the University of Waikato with a research interest in a field relevant to sustainable development. Candidates may come from a range of academic disciplines, provided their research aligns with Dr Zena Daysh's mission to promote an holistic, integrative, and sustainable approach to development.
Energy Education Trust NZ Masters Scholarship
Closing date: Next closing date expected 31 Mar 2024
For students who are currently enrolled full-time in 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: 20 Sep 2023
The Award was established to encourage and reward students who engage with the agribusiness community through attending conferences.
Freemasons Postgraduate Scholarship
Closing date: 01 Oct 2022
For students who, in the year following application, will be enrolled full-time in Postgraduate Diploma, Masters degree or Doctoral degree.The scholarship will have a value of $10,000.
HOPE Foundation Scholarship for Research on Ageing
Closing date: 15 Nov 2022
This scholarship is for students who are enrolled or intending to enrol full or part-time in a Masters or Doctoral thesis at the University of Waikato in a topic related to ageing. Applications will be accepted from a wide range of disciplines in line with the HOPE Foundation's philosophy of encouraging eclectic research into ageing and its effects on individuals and society.
Michael Baldwin Memorial Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Nov 2022
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.
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 Hamilton Club Scholarship in Health
Closing date: 01 Nov 2022
For domestic students who will be enrolled full-time in 2023 in either a graduate degree or the second year or above of an undergraduate degree in any division/school/faculty at the University of Waikato. Candidates for this scholarship must be undertaking a programme of study in a health-related area that will contribute to the NZ health sector.
The Thomas Pay-it-Forward Scholarship
Closing date: 15 Nov 2022
For NZ citizens and permanent residents who demonstrate financial and/or personal hardship and who, in 2023, 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 2023
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 Sep 2023
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the application to enrol process. This is why the 'Next Steps' button below goes to the application to enrol page. When applying to enrol in a PhD, DHSc, DMA, EdD, or SJD, prospective students will be able to indicate that they wish to be considered for one of the University's Doctoral Scholarships.
The University of Waikato Māori Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Sep 2023
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the application to enrol process. This is why the 'Next Steps' button below goes to the application to enrol page. When applying to enrol in a PhD, DHSc, DMA, EdD, or SJD, prospective students will be able to indicate that they wish to be considered for one of the University's Doctoral Scholarships.
University of Waikato Alumni Scholarship
Closing date: 01 Feb 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 Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Sep 2023
It is only possible to apply for this Scholarship as part of the application to enrol process. This is why the 'Next Steps' button below goes to the application to enrol page. When applying to enrol in a PhD, DHSc, DMA, EdD, or SJD, prospective students will be able to indicate that they wish to be considered for one of the University's Doctoral Scholarships.
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; no set number are available each year as numbers are dependent on the pool of partnership funding available.
University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship
Closing date: 30 Apr 2023
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 areas of research at the University of University of Waikato; no set number are available each year as numbers are dependent on the pool of funding available.
Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship for China
Closing date: No closing date
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 2023 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 2023 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 2023 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.
Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Dr Vivienne Cassie Cooper Award
Closing date: 30 Apr 2023
To enable women returning to study (full- or part-time) after a period in the paid or voluntary workforce or caring for family, to enrol in their first Masters degree.
Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Masters Study Award
Closing date: 30 Apr 2023
To assist women students who are New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents for at least 2 years, who at the time of the application are enrolled full- or part-time in a masters thesis worth at least 90 points.
Waikato Graduate Women Educational Trust Merit Award for Doctoral Study
Closing date: 30 Apr 2023
To assist women students who have been New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents for at least 2 years, and have attained confirmed enrolment status, in their first PhD, in the 12 months before the closing date for the Award.
Wilf and Ruth Malcolm Doctoral Scholarship
Closing date: There is no closing date, and no application process.
Last awarded in 2019, the scholarship is normally awarded every three years to a recipient of the University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship who has the highest GPA and/or is most meritorious. The Scholarship will have a value of up to $29,000 pa, plus full (domestic) fees, student services levy, and a research allowance of $2,000 pa for up to 36 months.
WSU John Houstoun Memorial Scholarship
Closing date: 30 May 2023
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 2023
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.