New Zealand Development Scholarships

Deadline: Timeline for application process vary depending on the country
Open to: Candidates from developing countries listed in the post bellow
Scholarship: The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares.

Description

The New Zealand Development Scholarships 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).
The purpose of the scholarships is for candidates to gain knowledge and skills through post-graduate study in specific subject areas that 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.
Successful applicants will have access to excellent academic knowledge in quality facilities.

Scholarship

The scholarships include financial support for tuition, living costs while in New Zealand, and airfares. 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. As well, there are four types of scholarships which you can review here.

Eligibility

1. be a citizen of an New Zealand Development Scholarships participating country (permanent residents are not eligible to apply)
2. be residing in your country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application
3. not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand, Australia, or another developed country*
4. not be married or engaged to be married to a person who holds, or who is eligible to hold, citizenship or permanent residence of New Zealand, Australia or another developed country
5. be aged 17 or over before the scholarship start date
6. be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for a qualification already in progress in New Zealand or another country
7. not have completed, or nearly completed, a qualification at a similar level (i.e. applicants must apply for a higher level qualification than any previously attained), unless strong developmental relevance is demonstrated
8. satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand education institution at which the qualification is to be undertaken, including English language criteria
9. have been working in your home country since completing their highest tertiary qualification gained to date, preferably for at least two years prior to application
10. be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the relevant sector in your home country, and to your country’s development in general
11. be able to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered.

*A developed country is defined as a country not included on the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee’s list of aid recipients.
As well,  students will not be funded to continue a qualification they have started outside their home country. The funding of qualifications being studied in the home country by self-sponsored, part-time students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Furthermore, all applicants should check the IELTS (International English Language Testing System, academic stream) or TOEFL (Testing of English as a Foreign Language) score required for admission to their selected New Zealand education institution. As a guide, most New Zealand education institutions require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0, for postgraduate level study. Some postgraduate qualifications may require a higher score.
Eligible countries
Applications for New Zealand Development Scholarships are welcome from the following countries. For information specific to your country, including priority sectors, follow the links below to your country’s scholarship information page.
Africa: Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Asia: China, Mongolia, Nepal and Timor-Leste
Latin America and the Caribbean: Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile (including Rapa Nui), Columbia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyanar, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Application

Application processes and timelines can vary depending on the country. For information about the application process please see the scholarship information page for your home country.
All applicants who are offered a New Zealand Development Scholarships will be required to sign a contract with the New Zealand Government declaring they will comply with the terms and conditions of the scholarship.
All awardees are required to return to their home country for a minimum period of two years following completion of their scholarship in order to contribute to their country’s economic and social development.
For more information please visit the official website.