University of Auckland in New Zealand (Waipapa Taumata Rau) · Application cycle 2027/2028

University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship, Round Closing 1 November 2026

Applications open Fully funded? One day left

About this scholarship

A competitive scholarship for PhD students at the University of Auckland, with a tax-free stipend, tuition fees and health insurance for up to 42 months. It is awarded in four rounds a year, and there is no separate scholarship form.

Funding type

Covers: a stipend of NZD 35,468 a year at the 2026 rate, tax-free and adjusted each year for inflation, and tuition fees and the Student Services Fee, for up to 42 months of full-time study. For international students it also covers the single student health insurance compulsory charge. An international PhD student pays the same tuition fee as a New Zealand PhD student, which was NZD 8,847.60 a year in 2026, and the scholarship pays it. The page does not mention travel. The stipend for 2027 is not announced.

Tuition fees: Covered
Living costs: Covered
Travel: Not specified
Insurance: Covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities: All nationalities
Residence condition: No residence condition

Open to New Zealand and international students. Palestine is not named. For international students it covers the PhD only, not named doctorates such as the DClinPsy or EdD An international student must qualify for domestic fees: you live in New Zealand for the whole programme, and research overseas is limited to 12 months in total With a qualification from outside New Zealand: typically a GPE of 6.0 on the University's 0 to 9 scale, and an honours bachelor's or a master's degree with a significant research project such as a dissertation or thesis. The entry requirements page also names a University of Auckland B grade equivalent Not open to anyone who holds a doctorate, has received this scholarship before, or is already enrolled in a doctorate, except for the transfer cases in the terms Awards depend on how well the research fits the strategic priorities of the University and the faculty, and on each faculty's criteria

Minimum grade: Not stated
Work experience asked for: Not stated
Return condition: Return condition not stated
How to apply: Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

Language test required IELTS TOEFL iBT PTE Academic Waiver possible

The PhD page asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. The postgraduate requirements page also lists TOEFL iBT 90 with 21 in Writing on the old scale or 4.5 with 4.5 in Writing on the new 6-point scale, or PTE Academic 58 with no communicative score below 50. Results are valid for two years.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

There is no separate scholarship form. When you apply for the PhD you confirm in the application that you want to be considered. Do not enrol before you receive the scholarship decision. Rounds for 2027: apply by 1 November 2026 with offers by 1 February 2027, then 1 February 2027 with offers by 1 April, 1 May with offers by 1 July, and 1 August with offers by 1 October 2027. The time of day is not stated. An international student with an international qualification in the 1 November round enrols by one of the dates from 1 April to 1 September 2027 set in the award letter. The Faculty of Arts and Education advises international applicants who have never held a New Zealand student visa to apply in the 1 November or 1 February round because of visa times, and says their chances in the last two rounds are much lower. A doctoral application can take eight weeks or longer to decide.

Required documents

Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts Statement of Research Intent CV English test result from the last two years Details of two academic referees, one of them your thesis supervisor Your earlier thesis or publications if asked

Application steps

Check the doctoral entry requirements and look for a supervisor on the Find a supervisor page. Write the Statement of Research Intent using your faculty's template. Submit the PhD Application for Admission and confirm that you want to be considered for the scholarship. Apply by 1 November 2026, or by 1 February 2027 for the next round.

Requirement checklist

PhD Application for Admission Required

Apply through the Application for Admission system and confirm there that you want to be considered for the Doctoral Scholarship. There is no separate scholarship form.

Statement of Research Intent Required

It sets out your research area, intended topic, research and professional background, why you chose the area and what you plan to achieve.

Two academic referees Required

One should be your postgraduate thesis or dissertation supervisor. The Admissions Office contacts them after the first assessment.

English test result Required

From the last two years, if English is not your first language.

Supervisor endorsement Conditional?

Some faculties require it, such as Arts and Education before scholarship consideration, and Medical and Health Sciences before you apply.

Scholarship contacts

University of Auckland contact page (AskAuckland): Contact form (opens in a new tab)

Universities and contacts