Get Phd Scholarship at University of Otago New Zealand Commencing in 2027

If you are planning a PhD or eligible professional doctorate in New Zealand, the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship is one of the major funding opportunities to target for the September 2026 assessment round.

Both international and domestic students can apply, and successful scholars can receive a NZ$34,128 annual living stipend plus a tuition fee waiver for up to 36 months.

The important deadline for applicants targeting the September round is effectively 1 September 2026: your scholarship application must be submitted through eVision and the required departmental assessment must also be completed by the first day of the round month.

What Does the Otago Doctoral Scholarship Cover?

For PhD students, the scholarship provides:

• NZ$34,128 stipend per year
• Domestic tuition fees waived for 36 months
• Funding available to international and New Zealand students

For professional doctorates including DClinDent, DMA, DBA and EdD, recipients can receive the same NZ$34,128 annual stipend plus a tuition-fee waiver for up to 36 months, capped at the domestic tuition rate.

Student services fees and insurance are not included.

With up to 153 scholarships offered annually, this is Otago’s principal doctoral funding scheme.

Who Should Apply for the September 2026 Round?

You should consider applying if you are seeking your first doctoral qualification and have a strong academic and research profile.

Selection is based mainly on:

• Academic merit
• Research potential
• Suitability for doctoral-level research

The scholarship is open across eligible research areas rather than being restricted to one academic discipline.

Do International Students Get the Same Scholarship?

Yes. International applicants are eligible for the University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship.

However, the tuition component is described as a domestic tuition fee waiver. International PhD students at New Zealand universities can often qualify for domestic PhD tuition rates when meeting the relevant study conditions, while professional doctorate funding is specifically capped at the domestic rate.

Applicants should therefore check the exact fee position for their chosen doctorate before budgeting.

How Do You Apply?

You do not normally begin with a separate public Otago University PhD scholarship form.

First apply for admission to your University of Otago doctoral programme. Once your admission application is underway, you receive an alert through the eVision student portal inviting you to complete the doctoral scholarship application.

For the September 2026 scholarship round, do not focus only on pressing submit yourself. Your departmental assessment must also be completed by September 1, so applying several days or weeks earlier is far safer.

September 2026 Scholarship Deadline

For applicants wanting consideration in the September 2026 University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship round, the key date is 1 September 2026.

Applications technically remain possible throughout the year because Otago assesses doctoral scholarships in March, June, September and November rounds, but applications completed after the September cut-off may move into a later assessment round.

Questions Applicants Commonly Ask

Can international students apply?
Yes. The main University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship is open to both international and domestic candidates.

Do I need admission before applying for the scholarship?
You first apply for doctoral admission. The scholarship invitation then appears through your eVision portal.

Can I apply for a second PhD?
Normally, applicants are expected to be seeking their first doctoral qualification.

Is September 1 the only deadline?
No. Otago has several scholarship assessment rounds each year, but September 1 is the important cut-off for the September 2026 round.

What if I was previously rejected?
Reapplication is not automatic. You must contact the Scholarships Office and normally show meaningful new information before permission to reapply may be granted.

Unsure Whether You Can Make the September Round?

If you are confused about your GPA, previous degree, research proposal, supervisor, international eligibility or whether your departmental assessment can be completed before September 1, leave your question in the comments below this article with your academic background and intended PhD field. We can help you work out whether targeting the September 2026 round is realistic.