University of Otago
University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship
Otago's main PhD funding, open to domestic and international students alike. It pays a living stipend for three years and waives tuition at the domestic rate, which is what international PhD students at New Zealand universities pay. There is no closing date: you're assessed by your academic division when you apply for the PhD, mainly on academic merit and research potential.
Application round
You can apply at any time through the PhD application. International applications go to divisional panels that meet in late March, June, September and November; your application and the departmental assessment must be in by the first day of the meeting month.
The IELTS requirement
The scholarship has no IELTS score of its own; you need to meet Otago's English requirement for PhD admission, which is commonly IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (check your department, as some ask for more). The scholarship is assessed with your PhD application, so in practice the score has to be ready when you apply.
Where is your IELTS score now?
Your university sets the IELTS score for this scholarship. Take the free level test to get an estimated band for each skill before you apply.
What it covers
- A stipend of NZ$32,544 a year, raised to NZ$33,624 a year from 1 January 2025
- A domestic-rate tuition fee waiver for 36 months (capped at the domestic rate for professional doctorates such as the EdD or DBA)
- Student services fees, insurance, travel and living costs beyond the stipend are not covered
Who can apply
- Domestic or international student, so Thai applicants are eligible
- Enrolling in a PhD (or an eligible professional doctorate) at Otago, normally as your first doctoral qualification
- Selected mainly on academic merit and research potential; up to 164 scholarships a year
- International applications are considered by divisional selection panels that meet four times a year
Key facts
- Provider
- University of Otago
- Where you study
- New Zealand
- Study level
- PhD
- Funding
- Partly funded
- Application round
- Open now; the deadline depends on the course or institution (see below)
Already know your score?
Build an IELTS plan for this scholarship
We've preselected 6.5, a typical requirement for this scholarship's courses. Check your own course and press Next to keep it, or choose a different score.
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What band do you need?
Your overall IELTS target.
We checked these details against the provider's official page on November 1, 2026. Rules and dates change every round, so confirm them there before you apply.
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