Wellington PhD Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Applications are now open for the Wellington Doctoral Scholarship at Victoria University of Wellington, a fully funded doctorate opportunity for both domestic and international students. This scholarship supports doctoral (PhD) study across multiple disciplines including Architecture, Business and Government, Design Innovation, Education, Engineering, Health, Humanities and Social Sciences, Law, Music, Technology, and Science.

With three application rounds per year , approximately 110 scholarships are awarded annually, each providing a $32,000 annual stipend plus full tuition fees for up to three years. The scholarship is open to graduates from any university worldwide and does not require an application fee. Successful candidates are selected based on academic merit, research potential, and the quality of their academic record. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

Key Details:

• Degree Level: PhD
• Host Country: New Zealand
• University: Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington
• Application Deadline: Three rounds per year: 1 March, 1 July, and 1 November
• Open to All Nationalities: Yes
• Application Fee: No application fee required
• Funding Type: Fully Funded

What This Scholarship Offers:

• $32,000 per year to support your living expenses and research costs
• Domestic tuition fees are fully covered for the duration of your scholarship
• Financial support for up to three years of doctoral study
• Stipends paid directly to your New Zealand bank account, and tuition fees paid directly to the University
• Ability to undertake up to 600 hours of paid part-time employment per calendar year (with supervisor approval) to support your studies or gain additional experience
• Eligibility for scholarship suspension of up to 6 months or 12 months total during your first three years if needed
• Access to Victoria University of Wellington’s world-class research facilities, libraries, and graduate support services
• Opportunity to act as an Ambassador for the University and participate in university events and initiatives
• This is a scholarship, not a loan, no repayment is required

Also Check: Gates Scholarship at the University of Cambridge (Fully Funded)

Eligibility Criteria:

• Be a graduate of any university within or outside of New Zealand
• Intend to enrol full-time for a Doctorate (PhD) at Victoria University of Wellington, or have already commenced your doctoral study
• Be seeking to obtain your first doctoral qualification (applicants who already hold a doctorate are not eligible)
• Have completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with academic distinction equivalent to a First Class Honours degree at a New Zealand University (or equivalent)
• Be eligible to register as a candidate for a Doctoral degree at Victoria University of Wellington, or reasonably expect to become eligible within three months of your application
• Not be currently employed as academic staff at Victoria University of Wellington or any other university

Selection Criteria

• Your academic record and the quality of your academic references
• Your demonstrated potential for high-quality research
• Your record of publication in high-quality journals (commensurate with your experience and education)
• Alignment between your research interests and those of the School, Institute, or Centre
• Strategic value of your research, including potential collaboration with other institutions or business communities

Also Check: President’s PhD Scholarship ın United Kingdom 2026/2027

Fields Available:

• Architecture
• Business and Government
• Design Innovation
• Education
• Engineering
• Health
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Law
• Music
• Technology
• Science

Conditions of the Scholarship:

During Your Studies

• You must maintain full-time enrolment and devote yourself full-time to your research
• You cannot hold a position of emolument (primary paid employment)
• You may undertake paid employment for up to 600 hours per calendar year with supervisor and Head of School approval
• Domestic students with socially compelling reasons may apply for part-time status (pro-rated scholarship)
• You must submit six-monthly progress reports to the Faculty of Graduate Research
• You must inform the Faculty if you hold any other scholarships or awards

If You Need to Pause or Stop

• You may apply for suspension of your scholarship for up to 6 months, or 12 months total during your first three years
• If you withdraw from the University, partial repayment of the scholarship may be required
• You must notify the Faculty of Graduate Research in advance if you plan to withdraw

Scholarship Termination

• Do not proceed to full enrolment within 15 months of first enrolment
• Fail to make satisfactory progress in your research
• Violate the University Statute on Conduct
• Do not comply with the terms and conditions of your scholarship contract

Also Check: London South Bank University PhD Scholarships

Additional Information:

• Representing the University: As a scholarship recipient, you are expected to act as an Ambassador for Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and may be asked to participate in university events or marketing initiatives
• Other Awards: You may hold this scholarship in conjunction with other awards, but you must inform the Faculty of Graduate Research. Awards totaling more than one-third of this scholarship’s value may result in a reduction in your Wellington Doctoral Scholarship stipend
• Flexibility: The University’s Research Scholarships Committee reserves the right to modify or relax any terms and conditions in special circumstances or to avoid hardship

After You Submit Your Application:

• The Victoria Research Scholarships Committee will review all applications
• Decisions are made approximately 6 weeks after the closing date
• You will be notified by email of the outcome
• If you receive an offer, you will be required to sign a Wellington Doctoral Research Scholarship Contract with your primary supervisor

Starting Your Scholarship

• You must become fully enrolled in a full-time doctoral programme
• Your scholarship tenure will commence within 6 months (for domestic students) or 9 months (for international students) of your acceptance
• Payment will begin only after you are fully enrolled
• You must proceed from provisional to full enrolment within 15 months of your first enrolment, or your scholarship offer will lapse

How to Apply:

• Submit a completed online application form by 4:30 pm on the closing date
• Provide academic references (ensure referees submit these by the closing date as well)
• Include a copy of your academic record from all institutions where you have studied (if you have not completed all your study at Victoria University of Wellington)
• Ensure all supporting documentation is submitted by 4:30 pm on the closing date (late or incomplete applications will not be accepted)
• The Victoria Research Scholarships Committee will review your application and decisions will be made approximately 6 weeks after the closing date
• You will be notified by email of the outcome

Also Check: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation Doctoral Scholarship in Germany