New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships (Masters and PhD)

The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan (CSFP) is an international programme under which member governments offer scholarships and fellowships to citizens of other Commonwealth countries.
The CSFP was established at the first Commonwealth education conference in 1959 and is reviewed by education ministers at their triennial meetings. The CSFP is the only scholarship scheme in the world to receive such high-level recognition.
As part of the CSFP programme, New Zealand offers New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships to candidates from developing Commonwealth countries for postgraduate study (Masters and PhD) in New Zealand universities on a contestable basis. New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are highly competitive and for top level graduates.
New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme and managed and managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The selection process in New Zealand is managed by Universities New Zealand.

• Find out more about New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships (external link)

Each Commonwealth government has designated a national agency for the operation of Commonwealth Scholarships.

• Contact the national agency in your home country for more information (external link)

• Eligible Commonwealth countries
• Closing dates
• Eligibility
• Preferences
• How to apply
• Priority sectors
• Forms and conditions

Eligible Commonwealth countries

Region/Country	Priority Sectors
Africa	Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia
Caribbean	Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Asia	Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Pacific	Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Closing dates

The closing date for New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships is determined by each country’s Nominating Agency. Please contact your local Nominating Agency [PDF, 90 KB].  For more information please see ‘How to Apply’ below.

Qualification types

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships are available for the following postgraduate qualifications:

• Masters Degree (1 – 2 years)
• PhD (up to 3.5 years)

Eligibility

Candidates must meet all the scholarship eligibility criteria including:

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of commencing your scholarship.
• Be a citizen of the country from which you are applying for a scholarship and have resided in that country for at least the last two years.
• Agree to return to your home country for a minimum of two years on completion of the scholarship.

Read the full eligibility criteria

Preferences

• Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate strong academic ability, leadership qualities, and a commitment to the development of their home country.
• Preference is also given to candidates who are 39 years of age or younger at the time of commencing their scholarship.
• Preference will be given to candidates who apply to study in academic disciplines relating to priority sectors. 

For more information on priority sectors please see ‘Priority Sectors’ below.

Find a course

Search the Study in New Zealand database (external link)

How to apply

If you would like to apply for a New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship please note the following:
You may only apply using the New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship Application form as a hard copy.  Please note that applicants are unable to apply online.  You must submit your application to your local Nominating Agency.
The following steps can only be completed once the online application portal opens on 1 February 2016.

Step One: Confirm your eligibility

Before you start your application, check your eligibility against the requirements.

Step Two: Decide the type of institution and qualification

If you are eligible, decide the type of institution and qualification that is right for you. For more information, please see on our Frequently Asked Questions . For information about studying in New Zealand visit www.studyinnewzealand.com (external link).

Step Three: Apply for an Offer of Place

Once you have selected your institution and qualification, you will need to seek an offer of place at one of our New Zealand institutions.  Please refer to our list of New Zealand institutions for further information here.

Step Four: Apply for a New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship

Please submit your completed application to the Nominating Agency in your home country, including your offer of place. Failure to do so will result in your application being deemed ineligible. It is important to note that applications sent directly to MFAT or Universities New Zealand will be deemed ineligible.
The Nominating Agency in your country will then nominate the two strongest applications to be forwarded to Universities New Zealand to be assessed against all other nominated New Zealand Commonwealth applications from across the Commonwealth.

Documentation required
When submitting your New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarship application to your local Nominating Agency you must attach the following official documentation:
1. One of the following:

• Verified copy of passport
• Verified copy of birth certificate
• Verified copy of other official government issued ID

2. Copy of Offer of Place from New Zealand institution
3. Verified copies of relevant academic transcripts
4. Verified copies of relevant completion certificates
5. Contact details of most recent employer and two most relevant other employers
6. A non-verified copy of an IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) which will be verified by MFAT online using the TRF Verification Service OR An original copy of a TOEFL test result form.  Whichever is provided it must have been completed in the last 24 months.

Priority sectors

Region/country	Priority sectors
Africa	Agricultural Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Renewable Energy.  For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].
Caribbean	Agricultural Development.  For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Renewable Energy.  For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Disaster Risk Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].
Asia	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB].  Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Disaster Risk Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].  Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].  English Language Teaching
Cook Islands	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB].  Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB].  Infrastructure and resource management Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].  Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Business/Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].
Kiribati	Environment, infrastructure and climate change mitigation. Fisheries and maritime skills. Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB].  Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB].  Public Sector Management/governance. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].  Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].
Nauru	Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB]. Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here.  Infrastructure
Niue	Economic development and private sector development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB]. Infrastructure and engineering Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB].  Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB].  Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].
Papua New Guinea	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB].  Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Public Sector Management/development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB]. Environment Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB]. Health (post graduate only). For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB].  Civil Engineering
Samoa	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB]. Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Economic development and private sector development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].   Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Disaster Risk Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].  Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB]. Environment and resource management.
Solomon Islands	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB]. Disaster Risk Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].  Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB]. Environment/resource management Diplomacy/Foreign Affairs Health and community development. Engineering and infrastructure (Civil and environmental engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, transportation, geo-technical engineering, and engineering technology. – Postgraduate only).
Tonga	Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB].  Private Sector Development (tourism, small business). For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].  Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Transport Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB].
Tuvalu	Health. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 406 KB].  Education. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 425 KB].  Fisheries Public Sector Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Disaster Risk Management. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 411 KB].  Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].  Private Sector Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 405 KB].
Vauatu	Agriculture Development. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 422 KB]. Environment/ resource management Education and community development Public Sector Management/governance. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 427 KB].  Engineering and infrastructure Renewable Energy. For a list of relevant qualifications, please click here [PDF, 392 KB].

Forms

New Zealand Commonwealth Scholarships application form [PDF, 694 KB]

Original source of information

https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/aid-and-development/scholarships/types-of-scholarships/commonwealth-scholarships/ 


For more scholarships, Join

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1685338968416560/