University of Otago in New Zealand · Application cycle 2027/2028

University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship

Applications closed Fully funded?

About this scholarship

A doctoral scholarship at the University of Otago in New Zealand, open to domestic and international students. It pays a living stipend and the PhD tuition fees at the domestic rate for three years, and up to 153 are given each year.

Funding type

Covers: a stipend of NZD 34,128 a year and a waiver of tuition fees at the domestic rate for 36 months. International PhD students pay domestic fees while they are based in New Zealand for their study, so the waiver covers their fees. Up to one year overseas for research is allowed. International students in a professional doctorate get a waiver capped at the domestic rate and pay the rest of the international fee. Does not cover: the Student Services Fee and insurance. Otago is reviewing its doctoral scholarship scheme, and the terms may change.

Tuition fees: Covered
Living costs: Covered
Travel: Not specified
Insurance: Not covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

Open to domestic and international students. The page names no nationality limits Applicants are usually seeking their first doctoral qualification A place in a PhD or professional doctorate at Otago, with the support of a department and supervisor Selection is mainly on academic merit and research potential. Most successful applicants have grades in the A range, 8 on the Otago scale

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required IELTS TOEFL iBT PTE Academic Duolingo English Test Cambridge English Waiver possible

For postgraduate study: IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Other accepted tests include TOEFL iBT 4.5 with writing 4.5, or 90 with writing 21 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, PTE Academic 58 with no skill below 50, Duolingo 120 with no subscore below 95, and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176 with no band below 169. Some programmes ask for higher scores. The test must be no more than two years old when you start. Earlier university study in English in listed countries may be accepted instead of a test. The list is on the language requirements page.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

You can apply at any time. Applications are considered in quarterly rounds in March, June, September and November. For a round, your application must be submitted in eVision with a completed departmental assessment by the first day of the round month. The next rounds close on 1 November 2026 and 1 March 2027. The time of day is not stated. There is no deadline for the PhD application itself. You confirm a start date with your supervisor, and the official start date is normally the first day of a month. Rounds now include divisional recommendations based on your research experience, your project and the supervision available for it. The page names no intake year.

Required documents

Academic record and transcripts Your CV A preliminary research outline of about 500 words Contact details of referees. References are needed for a scholarship, and your department collects them English test result if needed A course-by-course credential evaluation (ECE), for some international applicants Research evidence such as a publication, optional

Application steps

Find a department and supervisor in your field and email them your research interests, academic record, CV and past thesis or dissertation. If they support you, complete the formal PhD application in eVision. Make sure the scholarship application is in eVision and the department has finished its assessment by 1 November 2026, or by the first day of a later round month. Write to scholarships@otago.ac.nz with questions about the scholarship.

Requirement checklist

Contact a department or supervisor Required

Email your research interests with your full academic record, your CV and your past thesis or dissertation.

PhD application in eVision Required

Apply after the department agrees. The departmental assessment must be complete by the first day of the round month.

Research outline and referees Required

A preliminary research outline of about 500 words, and contact details of referees. References are needed for a scholarship, and your department collects them.

Transcript Conditional?

If your most recent year of study was at another university, upload it with your programme application. It is then included in the scholarship application.

English test result Conditional?

For postgraduate study: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or an equivalent.

Research evidence Optional

For example, the front page of a publication or a conference presentation.

Scholarship contacts

University of Otago Scholarships Office: scholarships@otago.ac.nz

Otago International Office, for international fee questions: international.admissions@otago.ac.nz

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