Am I eligible for scholarships, and what are my chances of receiving one in New Zealand for a Bachelor's?
As an international student, your chances at fully funded government awards like Manaaki New Zealand are low to moderate, since they target specific developing countries and attract thousands of applicants. Your chances at university scholarships worth NZD $10,000 to $15,000 are moderate to high if your grades meet the threshold.
Your eligibility for a Bachelor's scholarship in New Zealand depends first on whether you are an international or domestic student, and your chances shift significantly depending on which type of award you target. Both routes are genuinely open to you.
Scholarship Types and Your Chances
| Scholarship Type | Example | Chances |
|---|---|---|
| Government Fully Funded | Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship | Low to moderate, highly competitive, targets specific developing countries |
| University-Specific | Otago, Auckland, AUT international entrance scholarships (NZD $10,000 to $15,000) | Moderate to high, often automatic if grades meet threshold |
| Domestic-Only | School-leaver scholarships, TeachNZ | Available only to NZ citizens or permanent residents |
What Improves Your Odds
If you are aiming for a prestigious government award like the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship, know that these are highly competitive and target students from specific developing countries, primarily across the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Your odds improve significantly with university-specific scholarships, since many New Zealand universities offer automatic international entrance awards once your high school GPA or IB scores meet their minimum threshold.
My Advice
Check your eligibility for Manaaki based on your home country first, since it is genuinely restrictive, then apply directly to universities like Otago, Auckland, or AUT for their automatic entrance scholarships, since your chances there are much stronger.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which NZ universities you still qualify for.
More Universities & admissions questions
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
- Can I pursue an MBA abroad after completing a Bachelor of Science degree?
- Is it possible to study computer science with specialization in artificial intelligence in UK/New Zealand for a Master's?
More New Zealand questions
- Can you add preferences for good digital marketing and performance marketing courses in New Zealand for a Master's?
- Is it possible for my son, who is currently in twelfth grade, to study in New Zealand next year for a Diploma?
- Which countries have less strict or different financial requirements compared to New Zealand, especially regarding funding duration?
- Have you discussed your abroad education plan with your parents in UK/Australia?
- Which master's specialisation suits a Pharmacy graduate with 70 percent marks applying to New Zealand for clinical roles?
- Will my work experience from a small company be accepted in New Zealand/Germany for a Master's?
- In New Zealand, how is the job market for HR? Are there good openings for HR or is it more for medical fields for a Master's?
- What is the cost and budget criteria for studying in UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and Singapore for a Master's?