Category Archives: Scholarships

Applications now open for 2026 ‘UC Doctoral Scholarships’

 

The ‘UC Doctoral Scholarships’ are a collection of centrally-funded scholarships for which students mostly apply on the one form. In this application round the following scholarships are being offered:

  • UC Doctoral Scholarship (UCDS)
  • UC Matariki Doctoral Scholarship
  • UC Pacific Doctoral Scholarship
  • Rātā Foundation Scholarship
  • UC Doctoral Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (separate application required)

Students who submit an application for the above are also automatically considered for the Prestige / Recognition scholarships below which are awarded at the end of the year (no separate application is required):

  • Brownlie Scholarship
  • Ngata Centenary Doctoral Scholarship
  • Roper Scholarship in Science
  • William and Ina Cartwright Scholarship
  • Canterbury Scholarship

Applications are now open and close 20 October 2025 – see our ‘UC Doctoral Scholarships’ webpage for details.

This application round is for students planning to start their doctoral studies in 2026 before 1st July 2026. Students planning to start 1st July to 1st November 2026 are recommended to apply in the April 2026 application round (specific opening and closing dates TBC).

‘UC Essay Prizes’ are now open for applications

Have a go at entering one or more of our three Essay Prizes and get yourself some extra cash!

Applications are now open and close 30th September

Upcoming Postgraduate Scholarship Opportunities

Are you thinking of Postgraduate study in 2025? We have a number of Postgraduate Scholarships closing mainly between 15 October and 2 December for study in 2025.

You can begin your search on our website, choosing criteria such as Level of Study and Faculty/School depending on what you are planning on studying. You’ll find regulations which give details on eligibility and the online applications under the individual scholarships which come up in your search. Scholarships will open for applications approximately eight weeks prior to their closing dates, if they are available.

For study at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury:

Dr Richard P Garland Scholarship
$30,000 per annum per 120 points of enrolment to support organic chemistry research in students undertaking full-time PhD studies in the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences.

Stan and Jessie Holland Memorial Scholarship in Ecology and Environmental Science
$21,000 for Māori and Pasifika Master’s students in Ecology or Environmental Science.

Sir Neil Isaac Scholarship in Environmental Science
$20,000 for Master’s or PhD research on the environment.

Contel Charitable Trust Masters Scholarship
$28,750 to support full-time enrolment in a Master of Engineering degree programme in Mechanical, Electrical or Sortware Engineering or a Master of Science degree programme in Computer Science.

Kevin Spring Memorial Graduate Scholarship in Civil Engineering    $40,000 to support research Master’s students in Civil Engineering at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Fire Engineering Scholarship $20,000 per annum for the Master of Engineering in Fire Engineering (MEFE) or Master of Engineering Studies in Fire Engineering (MEngSt(Fire)) degree programme.

Ngau Boon Keat Postgraduate Scholarship in Mechanical Engineering
$25,000 per annum for Part-time or full-time enrolment in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University in a programme for a Master of Engineering degree, a Master of Engineering Studies degree, or a Doctoral degree.

Tait Communications Master’s and Doctoral Research Scholarships
$15,000 for Master’s research and $30,000 for Doctoral research related to Critical Information and Communications Technology (CICT).

Ethel Rose Overton Scholarship
Between $3,000 and $30,000 for BA(Hons), BFA(Hons), MA(Part I and Part II), MFA and PhD study in Art History, Art Theory or Fine Arts.

For graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury to support study overseas:

Lord Rutherford Memorial Research Fellowship
Up to $100,000 per annum to support full-time postgraduate study, at an overseas institution.

Tytheridge Travelling Scholarship in Arts
$55,000 per annum to support full-time postgraduate study, at an overseas institution.

Sir William Hartley Scholarship
$20,000 per annum to support female Doctoral students at a European university. Preference is given to those who will be studying at the University of Cambridge, the University of London, or the University of Oxford.

Rutherford Visiting Studentship at Darwin College Cambridge Admission fees and academic fees for a Visiting Studentship at the University of Cambridge, plus specified privileges at Darwin College.

Robert Bell Travelling Scholarship in Journalism
$15,000 for travel overseas to pursue enquiries and conduct research into news media and other like means of public communication.

Ethel Susan Jones Fine Arts Travelling Scholarship
Up to $10,000 for graduates of the School of Fine Arts to further their study by visiting other countries.

For more information please contact: scholarships@canterbury.ac.nz