Published: 17 October 2013

Eligible institutions and study options

New Zealand Development Scholarships are available for study at the following institutions that offer programmes in the priority sectors:

• University of Auckland – Disaster Risk Management, Renewable Energy.
• University of Waikato – Agriculture, Renewable Energy.
• Massey University – Agriculture, Renewable Energy.
• University of Canterbury – Disaster Risk Management, Renewable Energy.
• Lincoln University - Agriculture

Published: 17 October 2013

English language requirements

New Zealand tertiary education institutions set their own admission requirements for English language proficiency. 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. All applicants should check the IELTS or TOEFL   score required for admission to their selected New Zealand education institution.

Applicants with an IELTS score 0.5 below the entry requirement and who have a strong academic record may be considered for bridging English Language Training of up to one Semester in length.  Failure to meet the IELTS requirement at the end of this bridging period will result in a termination or downgrade of their award.

It is mandatory for candidates to provide the original copy of their IELTS or TOEFL exam result as a pre-condition of placement. Results must be no older than 24 months at the time of the scholarship start date.

Published: 17 October 2013

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must meet the following NZDS eligibility criteria before their application will be considered against the selection criteria.

To be eligible to be considered for a NZDS, applicants must:

• be a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, or Trinidad & Tobago (i.e. permanent residents are not eligible to apply);
• not have citizenship or permanent residence status of New Zealand or Australia or another developed country excepting Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas or Barbados ;
• 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 except Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas or Barbados;
• be applying to commence a new qualification and not be seeking funding for one already commenced in New Zealand or another country ;
• satisfy the admission requirements of the New Zealand education institution at which the qualification is to be undertaken, including English language criteria;
• be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to the public or private or community sector (as relevant), and to their home country’s development in general; and
• be able to take up the scholarship in the academic year for which it is offered.

It is preferred that applicants:

• be residing in their country of citizenship, preferably for at least two years prior to application;
• be 40 years or under before the scholarship start date;
• 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; and
• have been working in their home country, preferably for at least two years prior to application, including since completing their highest tertiary qualification gained to date.

Applicants cannot:

• be studying full-time at post-secondary level;
• be transferring from another tertiary scholarship (either in New Zealand or in another country) to a NZDS;
• hold, or have held, a New Zealand Government or Australian Government scholarship in the 24 months preceding  the scholarship start date; or
• have been terminated from a New Zealand or Australian Government scholarship previously.

Applicants are expected to continue residing in their home country during the NZDS application and selection process. If offered a NZDS, candidates must:

• be able to satisfy Immigration New Zealand requirements for international student entry to New Zealand (i.e. medical checks and police clearances/character checks, etc);
• not hold another scholarship during the period of the NZDS; and
• agree in writing that they will 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 social or economic development.