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Scholarship information and University and Secondary School rankings

New Zealand Development Scholarships

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Scholarship Overview

  • New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) give candidates from selected developing countries an opportunity to gain knowledge and skills through study in specific subject areas which will assist in the development of their home country. Awardees are required to return to their home country for at least two years after the completion of their scholarship to apply these new skills and knowledge in government, civil society or private business organizations.
  • NZDS are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme, the New Zealand Government’s overseas aid and development programme. They are managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).

Host School(s)

  • Study in New Zealand
  • A first-rate education institutions that offer world-recognized qualifications.
  • Successful applicants will have access to excellent academic knowledge in quality facilities.

Field(s) of Study – Preferences

  • Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the development of their home country.
  • Preference is also given to candidates who are 39 years of age or younger at the time of commencing their scholarship.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who apply to study in academic disciplines relating to one or more of the following:Agriculture development
    • Agri-business management, agricultural economics, agricultural systems and management, rural development, domestic supply chains and distribution, Natural Resource and Environmental Management
    • Biology, vegetable production, livestock/animal husbandry, crop management, sericulture (silk production), forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural pest management
    • Phytosanitary, bio-security, biotechnology, agricultural trade,
    • Food production, food sciences/technology, post-harvest processing, food storage and packaging, food safety

    Renewable energy

    • Geothermal, solar, hydro engineering and wind energy, renewable energy distribution systems

What does the scholarship cover?

Our scholarships provide the following financial support:

  • the full cost of your tuition
  • a fortnightly living allowance
  • an establishment allowance
  • medical and travel insurance
  • travel to and from your home country at the start and end of your scholarship
  • home leave or reunion travel for some scholars
  • assistance with research and thesis costs for many postgraduate research students.

The partners of students are eligible for a work visa that allows them to live and work in New Zealand for the duration of their partner’s study.

How many scholarships are given?

  • Every Country is different – check your specific country page.

Which countries are targeted?

  • African Commonwealth countries – Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
  • Africa – non-Commonwealth countries -Algeria, Angola, Dijbouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gambia, Senegal, Tunisia, Zimbabwe
  • Asia     Mongolia,  Nepal,  Timor-Leste
  • Latin America     Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Euador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela
  • Caribbean Commonwealth countries -Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Dominca, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines,
  • Caribbean non-Commonwealth countries – Dominican Republic, Haiti, Suriname

Am I Eligible to Apply?

Applicants from all eligible countries must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a New Zealand Scholarship:

  1. I will be at least 18 years old at the time I start the scholarship
  2. The country I am living in is in the list of eligible countries
  3. I am a citizen of the country I am living in
  4. I have been living in this country for at least the last two years (unless you are a member of the diplomatic corps or a dependent of a member of the diplomatic corps)
  5. I confirm that I am not currently serving in the military
  6. I want to study in New Zealand; or
  7. I want to study in the Pacific and I am from Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu or Vanuatu
  8. I want to study at a level that is listed as available for my country for the scholarship that I am applying for
  9. I expect to meet Immigration requirements for a student visa to New Zealand or the Pacific country I will study in (i.e. medical checks, etc.).
  10. I expect to meet the academic entry requirements (including English language ability) to get into my preferred programme of study
  11. I confirm that I have not been previously terminated from a New Zealand Government Scholarship because of poor academic performance or personal conduct
  12. I can demonstrate that the study I want to do will enable me to contribute to the sustainable development of my home country
  13. I am committed to return to my country for a minimum of two years at the end of my scholarship to contribute to my country’s development
  14. I have at least two years of work experience (part time or full time, paid or voluntary) unless I am applying straight from school or during my first year of tertiary study (for countries offered undergraduate study)

How to I Apply – Next Steps

Closing Date:

  • April 15th (paper application)
  • April 30th (online application)

New Zealand Aid Programme

How do I get more information?

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