Mountain landscape reflected on Lake Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand.

New Zealand Semester intakes in February and July; scholarship assessed with the enrolment application

Ara Institute of Canterbury International Excellence Scholarship

Ara Institute of Canterbury is one of New Zealand's larger vocational and applied-education providers, teaching in Christchurch and Timaru across engineering technology, construction, IT, nursing, hospitality and culinary arts, business and creative industries. It is worth understanding what this is and is not: Ara awards diplomas and applied Bachelor's degrees rather than research degrees, and international tuition of roughly NZD 22,000-27,000 a year is materially below the NZD 38,000-45,000 charged by New Zealand universities. For Sri Lankan students whose priority is a practical qualification, a hands-on trade or technology skill set, and access to the post-study work visa, that trade-off can be the right one. Christchurch also has a lower cost of living than Auckland or Wellington. The excellence scholarship reduces tuition by NZD 3,000-5,000 for new international enrolments.

Ara Institute of Canterbury

University-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Award

NZD 3,000-5,000 (~LKR 570,000-950,000)

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Tuition

~NZD 22,000-27,000/yr (below university rates)

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Post-Study Work

Available for Level 7 Bachelor's Graduates

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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New International Student

Open to new international enrolments — students already studying at Ara are generally not eligible. Sri Lankan passport holders qualify.

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Academic Merit

Sri Lankan A-Levels or a recognised equivalent with good results for Bachelor's-level entry; O-Levels plus relevant experience may support diploma entry.

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Check Post-Study Work Eligibility Carefully

New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa rules differ by qualification level and field. A Level 7 Bachelor's degree normally qualifies; lower-level diplomas frequently do not, or qualify only in listed occupations. Verify eligibility for your exact programme before enrolling — this is the most consequential detail in a vocational pathway.

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English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for degree-level entry, lower for some diplomas. English-medium Sri Lankan A-Level study may support a waiver — confirm with Ara admissions.

account_tree Application Process

Choose a programme with your outcome in mind

Work backwards from whether you want to work in New Zealand after study. Confirm the programme's NZQA level and whether it appears on the relevant Green List or qualifies for post-study work rights.

Submit the application

Certified A-Level or O-Level results and school transcripts
Passport copy
English proficiency evidence or Medium of Instruction letter
CV where relevant experience supports entry

Scholarship assessment

The excellence scholarship is assessed with the enrolment application; there is normally no separate essay. Confirm the award amount in your offer of place before paying tuition.

Student visa

Apply to Immigration New Zealand with the offer of place, evidence of tuition payment, proof of NZD 20,000 in living funds for the year, and medical and police clearances. Allow six to ten weeks from Sri Lanka.

Arrival and insurance

Comprehensive medical and travel insurance is compulsory for international students in New Zealand for the full duration of study, and must be arranged before or on arrival.

Why Ara?

Ara Institute of Canterbury is part of New Zealand's public vocational education network and teaches around 20,000 students across Christchurch, Timaru and satellite campuses. Its strengths are applied and hands-on: engineering technology, construction, culinary arts, nursing and IT, all taught with industry-standard facilities and work placements.