New Zealand Universities and Education New Zealand (ENZ) have jointly announced 35 scholarships for Indian students. These scholarships will be available for undergraduate or postgraduate studies in New Zealand in the fields of business, fashion and STEM-related programs (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). ENZ is New Zealand’s government agency for international education.

India is the second largest source of international students to New Zealand, after China. Indian students (and others) are helping NZ build its research capability and global linkages, to fill skill shortages and enrich the country’s culture.

Up to 35 scholarships will be awarded and each will be of NZD $5,000 (Rs 2.41 lakh approx) for the first year’s tuition fee. All applicants must be Indian citizens and at least 18 years old . They must hold a minimum equivalent grade point average of B+ in most recent or highest tertiary qualification and meet Immigration New Zealand requirements for student visa, including health, character requirements and evidence of financial support.

A minimum score of 6.0 in IELTS is required for admission at the first-year level. An alternative is TOEFL (iBT): minimum score 79-80. Each university can provide details of its own requirements.

All scholarship applications should be sent to scholarship@enz.govt.nz (with NZEA application in subject). Required documents for scholarship application include completed scholarship application form, evidence of (unconditional) offer of place at a NZ university, academic transcripts, CV, proof of Indian citizenship and proof of financial documents to support the remaining cost of education as specified by Immigration New Zealand.

The application deadline for the November 2016 intake is September 1, 2016 (to the relevant university). Scholarship applications must be submitted (to ENZ) by October 1, 2016.

For the February 2017 intake, university applications must be submitted (to the relevant university) by October 30, 2016 and to ENZ by November 30, 2016.