Universities New Zealand - William Georgetti Scholarship for New Zealand postgraduates

What you get

For a full-time postgraduate course, you will receive around 2,270 euros or more per month, for up to three years. The total amount is capped at around 68,000 euros (135,000 NZD). The annual amount depends on where and what you are studying: up to around 11,300 euros per year (20,000 NZD) for a master’s degree programme in New Zealand, up to around 17,000 euros (NZD 30,000) for a PhD programme in New Zealand, and up to approximately EUR 25,500 (NZD 45,000) if you are studying abroad. You can study any subject at any university in New Zealand or abroad. ‘Universities New Zealand’ administers the scholarship and generally awards it to between three and seven people per year, and sometimes to as many as twelve.

Who can apply

• Where you come from: You have lived in New Zealand for most of the five years prior to the selection year. This means a total of at least 1,350 days and at least 240 days in each of those years. Periods spent abroad for study purposes may be taken into account in your favour.
• Your degree: You already hold a bachelor’s degree or a higher qualification from a university in New Zealand or another country.
• What you study next: You are about to start, or have just started, a full-time Master’s or PhD programme.
• Timing: As at the reference date, you still have at least nine months of your degree course remaining, and you have not been studying for more than nine months.
• Field of study: All topics are open. The committee gives preference to projects that contribute to New Zealand’s social, cultural or economic development.
• Where you study: Any university, whether in New Zealand or abroad.
• Age: There is no fixed age limit; however, preference will be given to applicants who are 26 years old or younger by the closing date for applications.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the ‘Universities New Zealand’ scholarship portal. The application period runs from 1 October to 1 February. If you have obtained your degree from a New Zealand university, your application will first be assessed there and forwarded. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Wellington in May for a face-to-face interview; no scholarship will be awarded without this interview.

How realistic are your chances?

This is one of the most sought-after postgraduate scholarships in New Zealand, and as only a handful are awarded each year, competition is fierce. Successful applicants typically have excellent academic results (an average grade of over 8 on the 1–9 scale) as well as a clear, well-reasoned study plan. If you have an outstanding academic record and can demonstrate that your work is of significance to New Zealand, apply early in your postgraduate studies, whilst you are still able to meet the deadlines.