Deadline: July 31, 2018
Application for Commonwealth Scholarships for UK citizens to study PhDs at eight New Zealand universities is now open. Universities New Zealand – Te Pōkai Tara has invited the CSC to nominate eight candidates for Commonwealth Scholarships for doctoral study in New Zealand starting in early 2019.
The following universities in New Zealand are offering to fund one Commonwealth Scholarship each at varying values:
- Auckland University of Technology
- Lincoln University
- Massey University
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- Victoria University of Wellington
Eligibility
To apply for a scholarship, you must:
- Be a UK citizen (applicants with dual New Zealand/UK citizenship are ineligible)
- Have at least an upper second class honours undergraduate degree (by the time you take up your scholarship)
- Must not already be registered for a PhD at any New Zealand university
- Have thoroughly researched the research programmes and the supervisory capabilities in the departments and faculties of your preferred universities in New Zealand and be able to demonstrate that you have made contact with, and can show some degree of support from, a potential doctoral supervisor.
- Fully informed of the financial basis of the award being offered by the university
- An indication that you have received an offer of a place at your preferred New Zealand university would assist the assessment process but is not mandatory
Requirements
The following conditions apply to awards made by a New Zealand university under the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan for tenure from 2019:
- The scholar is expected to return to their home country at the end of the scholarship.
- The scholar is expected to complete the requirements of the PhD within the three years of the scholarship tenure. If the scholar will not complete the PhD within that time they must make early contact with the Scholarships Office at their university and with Universities NZ to discuss the situation.
- The scholar may not engage in paid employment during the period of the scholarship unless this is consistent with the conditions given in the document ‘Rules and Regulations for Commonwealth Scholars in New Zealand under the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan – Tenure from 2019’.
- The scholar will follow the full time programme of study/research for which they are enrolled and for which the scholarship is awarded.
- The scholar will comply with the rules and regulations of the university at which they are enrolled.
- All study and research will be carried out in New Zealand. If a scholar believes that overseas study/research is necessary then application must be made to and prior approval obtained from the Scholarships Committee at their university and from Universities New Zealand.
- An award under the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan will not normally be held at the same time as another award or scholarship.
- Scholars agree that as a condition of the award they will satisfy the English language proficiency and health check requirements of the awarding university.
- An award may be terminated at any time for unsatisfactory conduct, for a breach of any condition of the award or failure to make satisfactory progress in their study/research.
- Scholars may not hold, apply for or obtain Permanent Residency status in New Zealand during the tenure of the scholarship
Application
You must submit:
- One original application form You should specify at least two preferred institutions of study on the form
- One recent passport-size photograph, stapled to your application form in the space provided
- One signed copy of the terms and conditions form
- One certified copy of the relevant page of your passport, or other proof of UK citizenship. This should be attached to the original application form
- One certified copy of any undergraduate or postgraduate transcripts. (It is very important that these list the subjects passed and the grades of pass in each subject; academic records excluding such information cannot be assessed by the universities.) If you have yet to graduate, you should submit one copy of a letter from the university at which you are currently registered giving the details of your grades so far
- One copy of a letter or email from your prospective supervisor in New Zealand offering support for your application
In addition, supporting statements from three referees, two being academic referees with one from your most recent study should be submitted directly to the CSC by the referees themselves, either at the address below or to our email [email protected]. Referees cannot be from a family member. References must be written on an official letterhead, and must include your plan of study within the same document – you therefore need to send your plan of study to your referees.
All applications must be sent in hard copy with supporting documents to:
Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (KBM)
Woburn House
20-24 Tavistock Square
London
WC1H 9HF
For more information, visit Commonwealth Scholarships.
