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.
Semester intakes in February and July; scholarship assessed with the enrolment application
Ara Institute of Canterbury
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Award
NZD 3,000-5,000 (~LKR 570,000-950,000)
Tuition
~NZD 22,000-27,000/yr (below university rates)
Post-Study Work
Available for Level 7 Bachelor's Graduates
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Ara Institute of Canterbury — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
NZD 3,000-5,000 Tuition Reduction for New International Students. This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
New International Student
Open to new international enrolments — students already studying at Ara are generally not eligible. Sri Lankan passport holders qualify.
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.
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.
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.
~20,000
Students
Christchurch
Lower Living Costs Than Auckland
Applied
Industry-Facing Qualifications
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat NZ actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for NZ, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
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