UC International First Year Scholarship
The University of Canterbury's International First Year Scholarship offers up to NZD 20,000 off first-year tuition for high-achieving international students entering directly from secondary school. The award is tiered (NZD 10,000, 15,000, or 20,000) based on academic results, with the highest tier reserved for outstanding A/L, IB or equivalent grades. Canterbury sits in Christchurch on the South Island — one of New Zealand's most affordable cities — and is particularly strong in engineering, forestry, and antarctic studies.
University of Canterbury
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value (Tiered)
NZD 10,000 / 15,000 / 20,000
Duration
First Year Only
Eligibility
International School-Leavers
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
Direct from Secondary School
Open to international students entering a UC undergraduate degree directly from secondary school (within 2 years of completing). Applicants transferring from another university are not eligible for this specific scheme.
International Fee Status
Reserved for international fee-paying students. New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, and Australian citizens apply through separate UC scholarships.
Strong Academic Record
For NZD 10,000: A/L A grades and 2 B's, IB 32+, or Cambridge A Levels ABB. For NZD 15,000: 3 A grades / IB 34+. For NZD 20,000 (top tier): 3 A* grades / IB 38+ / all-A A/L.
Apply by the Round Deadline
You must apply for the scholarship by the round deadline tied to your intake — 31 October 2025 for Sem 1, 30 April 2026 for Sem 2.
account_tree Application Process
Apply to UC
Submit your UG application via canterbury.ac.nz/study by the scholarship round deadline. You need a UC student ID before applying for the scholarship.
Submit the scholarship form
Complete the International First Year Scholarship form via UC's scholarships portal — academic justification + supporting documents.
Round assessment
UC's International Scholarships Committee assesses all eligible applicants and allocates awards within 4-6 weeks of the round closing.
Award + acceptance
Successful applicants receive an award letter detailing the tier value. Accept via the portal and the discount is applied automatically to your Year 1 tuition invoice.
Why University of Canterbury?
UC is New Zealand's second-oldest university and one of the country's top three universities for engineering. Christchurch sits on the South Island near the Southern Alps — meaningfully cheaper than Auckland or Wellington for accommodation and food.
#261
QS World Ranking 2026
NZD 20k
Top-Tier Award
150+ yrs
Of Teaching Since 1873
Similar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
University of Auckland
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
University of Auckland
University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
University of Auckland