University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship is New Zealand's most generous PhD funding package at a top-100 university. It covers full international tuition fees plus an annual living stipend of NZD 35,000 (tax-free) for up to 3 years. Sri Lankan applicants with a strong research-Master's, publications, and a confirmed Auckland supervisor are competitive. The award covers most fields — engineering, sciences, humanities, business, and health — and there are typically 4 rounds per year, making timing flexible.
University of Auckland
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Stipend
NZD 35,000 / year (tax-free)
Tuition
100% International Fee Covered
Duration
3 years (PhD)
Awards
~200 / year (all rounds combined)
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Strong Research Master's
First-class or high second-upper Master's degree with a substantial research component (thesis-based). Coursework-only Master's typically need an additional Honours / research project.
Confirmed Auckland Supervisor
You must have identified and contacted a potential supervisor whose research aligns with yours BEFORE applying. The supervisor's written support is part of the scholarship application — Auckland will not assign one for you.
International PhD Applicant
Open to international and NZ applicants — Sri Lankan citizens compete in the international pool. There is no country quota; selection is on academic merit and research fit.
Apply Before the Round Cutoff
Auckland runs 4 scholarship rounds per year (March, June, September, December). Submit both your PhD admission application AND the scholarship application before the round cutoff for review in that round.
account_tree Application Process
Identify a supervisor & confirm interest
Search the University of Auckland's research profiles, email potential supervisors with your CV, transcripts, and a 1-2 page research outline. Secure written confirmation of supervision before applying.
Submit PhD application + scholarship form
Submit your PhD application via the Auckland online portal — this includes transcripts, references, research proposal, English-test (IELTS 6.5+) results, and your supervisor's support email. Tick the Doctoral Scholarship box in the same submission.
Round review & decision
The Doctoral Scholarship committee reviews complete applications submitted before the round cutoff. Decisions are typically released 6-8 weeks after the cutoff.
Accept + visa
If awarded, accept the offer and use it (with the supervisor's confirmation and admission letter) for the NZ Fee-Paying Student Visa application — the scholarship is sufficient proof of funds.
Why Auckland?
The University of Auckland is New Zealand's largest and highest-ranked university — consistently top 100 globally. It is the country's only U21-network member and hosts a substantial research community across Engineering, Health Sciences, Business, and the Arts.
Top 100
QS World Ranking 2026
#1
Ranked in New Zealand
46,000+
Total Students
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