These scholarships for new students in 2025 are now closed
This information will be updated for the 2026 year in 2025
This is a list of General Scholarships that are available for students who will be enrolling in their first year of any undergraduate degree at UC in 2025.
Each scholarship has different eligibility criteria so check the details of each one to find out if you're eligible.
We recommend you apply for all the scholarships you are eligible for, as it is possible to be awarded more than one scholarship at a time.
The following scholarships all closed on the 15th August 2024 unless otherwise noted.
Click on the Scholarship Name for the Scholarship Regulations.
NB: Please note that the following information is subject to change.
| Scholarship Name | Scholarship Overview |
| Outstanding Impact Scholarship | Purpose: For students with strong academic abilities who are aiming for significant achievements in their chosen field of study or research. This prestigious scholarship nurtures high-achieving students via networking and development opportunities to progress their education in innovative areas and make connections to advance their careers. Value: $7,500 plus the opportunity to participate in a UC-sponsored networking and development programme throughout a recipient's degree. Who is eligible: All prospective first-year undergraduate students who achieved Excellence at NCEA Level 2 or a corresponding level in an equivalent university entrance qualification. Applicants must be Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizens; holders of Aotearoa New Zealand residence class visas; or international students studying at secondary level in Aotearoa New Zealand. Other relevant information: Applicants must be commencing their first undergraduate year in the year following application. |
| Go Waitaha Canterbury | Purpose: For students with strong academic potential but facing challenges to affording university accommodation costs. Value: $15,000 towards accommodation fees plus educational outdoor recreational field trips and a personal and professional development programme in the first year of study. Who is eligible: Year 13 students or gap year students attending a school and/or living outside the Greater Christchurch area. Applicants must be eligible to receive StudyLink Student Allowance and recipients must be in receipt of a Student Allowance. Dependent on achievement of Merit or higher at NCEA Level 2, or an equivalent university entrance qualification. Other relevant information: Supports accommodation costs at a hall of residence recognised by the University, and priority consideration for a place in a hall. At least two scholarships are reserved for each of the following: students who identify as Māori or Pacific or Rainbow or disabled people and students who will be registering with the University’s Te Ratonga Whaikaha | Student Accessibility Service. |
| UC Haupatu Scholarship - for Sports | Purpose: This scholarship recognises the value of student athletes and sport in general to the well-being of the community of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury and aims to support top-performing players while they are studying at the University. Value: $7,500 towards tuition fees in the first year that fees are payable. Who is eligible: Applicants must be age-group regional and/or national representatives in sporting codes. Other relevant information: Open to students commencing their first undergraduate year in the year following application. |
| Empowerment Through Adversity Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship recognises and supports students who have faced significant barriers or personal challenges to entering tertiary education. Value: Tuition fees for up to 135 points of enrolment per annum, plus $5,000 per annum each year for up to 3 years and an opportunity to participate in a bespoke mentoring and development programme and curated opportunities to contribute to UC's Wellbeing Programme throughout a recipient's degree. Who is eligible: Applicants should be new incoming first-year undergraduate students who have achieved despite significant barriers or personal challenges. (This may include disabled people, or those with chronic health conditions, ongoing mental health challenges or neurodiversity, second chance learners and others who have shown resilience managing their personal circumstances.) Other relevant information: 10 scholarships in total are available. |
| UC Takere Scholarship | Purpose: To support Māori and Pacific students to successfully transition and flourish in university study and life at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Value: 'Takere Academy': inclusive of free catered accommodation in a student hall of residence for 5 weeks to assist the transition to university life; financial assistance of $1,000 paid as a fortnightly allowance of $300 during the 5 week 'Takere Academy'; and ongoing tailored support and assistance throughout the recipient's first year of university study. Who is eligible: First year undergraduate students intending to enrol full-time who have whakapapa Māori and/or Pacific. Other relevant information: Recipients must commit to the Takere programme, including participation in the 5-week live-in academy programme (Takere) from Sunday 5th January - Friday 7th February 2025. |
| UC Māpura Bright Start Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship supports academically able students who are entering tertiary study for the first time and whose financial or personal circumstances might have prevented them from considering entry to tertiary education in the absence of the scholarship. Value: Tuition fees and all compulsory fees charged by the University (excluding fees associated with summer courses, field-trip fees, penalty fees, late fees, and other optional external charges). Who is eligible: Applicants should be new incoming first-year undergraduate students who studied at secondary level in the year of application (or in the previous year if they are on a gap year); who are either Aotearoa New Zealand citizens or permanent residents (who have resided in New Zealand for at least the 12 months immediately preceding the closing date of applications); or holders of refugee status granted by Aotearoa New Zealand. Other relevant information: Preference is given to applicants with (a) whakapapa Māori; or (b) Pacific students; or (c) current or former holders of refugee status granted by Aotearoa New Zealand. |
| UC Kaitoko Māori Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship recognises leadership potential, involvement in community and cultural activities, and high academic achievement amongst intending first-year ākonga | students who have whakapapa Māori at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Value: $7,500 towards tuition fees in the first year that fees are payable, as well as an opportunity to participate in the UC Māori leadership programme, Paihere, and a UC sponsored general leadership programme. Who is eligible: Prospective first-year Māori undergraduate students who achieved Merit at NCEA Level 2 or a corresponding level in an equivalent university entrance qualification. Other relevant information: Open to students commencing their first undergraduate year in the year following application. |
| UC Kaitoko Pacific Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship recognises high academic achievement, as well as leadership potential and involvement in Pacific community and/or Pacific cultural activities, amongst intending first-year Pacific students at the University of Canterbury. Value: $7,500 towards tuition fees in the first year that fees are payable, as well as an opportunity to participate in a UC-sponsored leadership programme. Who is eligible: Prospective first-year Pacific undergraduate students who achieved Merit at NCEA Level 2 or a corresponding level in an equivalent university entrance qualification. Other relevant information: Open to students commencing their first undergraduate year in the year following application. |
| Te Kakau a Māui Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship recognises and supports undergraduate students who demonstrate alignment to UC’s commitment to producing students who are engaged, empowered, and prepared to make a difference. The scholarship aims to broaden the pool of students who receive financial support from the University, by recognising applicants with a demonstrated and significant commitment to creating positive change in the world. Value: Tuition fees for up to 135 points of enrolment per annum for the duration of a full-time undergraduate degree programme. Who is eligible: Prospective first-year undergraduate students intending to enrol full-time in a programme for a three-year or four-year undergraduate bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be eligible to receive StudyLink Student Allowance and recipients must be in receipt of a Student Allowance. Other relevant information: Open to students commencing their first undergraduate year in the year following application who, in the year of application, attended a school in the Canterbury region. |
| AIMS Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship recognises high-achieving secondary-level students who have completed the course MATH 199 AIMS – Advancing in Mathematical Sciences at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Value: $5,000 Who is eligible: First-year undergraduate students who have completed MATH199 AIMS – Advancing in Mathematical Science in 2024. Other relevant information: The scholarship will be offered to all eligible candidates who received an A+ grade in the course MATH199 AIMS – Advancing in Mathematical Sciences. NO APPLICATION REQUIRED. |
| Dr John Innes Scholarship | Purpose: To encourage and support students from Te Kāreti Kōhine o Wairau | Marlborough Girls’ College and Te Kāreti Taitama o Wairau | Marlborough Boys’ College to study at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Value: $5,000 per annum for 3 years. Recipients in a four-year undergraduate programme or intending to enrol in a post-graduate programme may apply for a fourth year of tenure. Who is eligible: Applicants must be current pupils of either Te Kāreti Kōhine o Wairau | Marlborough Girls’ College or Te Kāreti Taitama o Wairau | Marlborough Boys’ College who plan to enrol full-time in any undergraduate degree programme in 2025. |
| Helen Macmillan Brown Bursary | Purpose: To support female students residing in a hall or village that the University of Canterbury recognises as being affiliated with the University. Value: The scholarship provides financial assistance at a value of NZ$2,500 per 120 points of thesis enrolment; for one year. Who is eligible: Applicants must be female and resident in one of UC's affiliated halls of residence in the year of tenure. |
| Jim Wakefield Scholarship | Purpose: To support old boys of Timaru Boys’ High School at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury. Value: $5,000 per annum for up to 4 years. Who is eligible: Applicants must be either current pupils of Timaru Boys’ High School, or past pupils of Timaru Boys’ High School on a gap year; who intend to enrol full-time in any undergraduate degree programme in 2025. |
| Rotary Club of Belfast-Kaiapoi Disability Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship supports undergraduate students at the University of Canterbury who have a disability. Value: $3,000 Who is eligible: First-year undergraduate students who have a disability. Other relevant information: Applicants must have a disability that would qualify them to be registered with the University’s Disability Resource Service. Preference is given to applicants whose last year of secondary education was in North Canterbury. |
| Rotary Club of Christchurch Blackgrove Scholarship | Purpose: This scholarship supports students intending to study at the University of Canterbury who face challenges that might otherwise prevent them from considering entry to tertiary education. Value: Up to $5,000 Who is eligible: First-year undergraduate students who have resided in the Canterbury region for at least 12 months immediately preceding the closing date for applications, or preceding the start of a gap year. Other relevant information: Applicants would be facing financial and/or personal challenges entering tertiary education. Preference will be given to applicants who have been educated within the Christchurch city area. |
| UC Alumni Scholarship | Purpose: The scholarship supports first-year undergraduate students at the University of Canterbury. Value: $5,000 Who is eligible: First-year undergraduate students. |
| UC International First Year Scholarship (NZ Incoming First-Year) | Purpose: To recognise and support top-achieving international students who have completed, or are currently completing, a university-entrance qualification at a New Zealand secondary school, and will be commencing an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Canterbury. Value: $15,000 towards tuition fees Who is eligible: First-year, full fee-paying, international undergraduate students who are currently studying at a secondary school in Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are studying offshore or at UCIC, please refer to the listing if the October/March application round below. Applicants may not be a citizen of Aotearoa New Zealand or Australia, hold an Aotearoa New Zealand residence class visa, or be a Permanent Resident of Australia. |
| UCSA Lloyd Lilley Scholarship | Purpose: To support students at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury who studied at Southland Boys’ High School or Southland Girls’ High School. Value: $1,200 for one year. Who is eligible: Applicants must be enrolled (or previously enrolled if on a gap year), at either Southland Boys’ High School or Southland Girls’ High School. Applicants must be studying for a University Entrance qualification or equivalent and intending to enrol full-time in any undergraduate degree programme at UC for 2025. |
