Massey University Vice-Chancellor's Doctoral Scholarship
The Massey University Vice-Chancellor's Doctoral Scholarship is one of New Zealand's most generous PhD funding packages — a NZD 27,000 annual stipend plus full domestic tuition fees for up to three years. International candidates pay domestic-fee rates rather than international rates, which is a significant additional benefit (NZ PhD students universally pay domestic fees). Awards are made twice yearly across all Massey research areas.
Two rounds per year — 2026 Round 2 closes 1 October 2026; 2027 Round 1 closes 1 April 2027
Massey University
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Living Stipend
NZD 27,000/yr (tax-free)
Duration
Up to 3 Years
Tuition
Full Domestic-Fee Coverage
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Massey University — 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 27,000/yr Stipend + Full Tuition (3 yrs). 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
Admission to Massey PhD
You must have applied for or hold an offer for a Massey PhD programme. Supervisor support is essential — secure a confirmed supervisor before the scholarship application.
Strong Research Background
Equivalent to a New Zealand First-Class Honours degree or Master's degree with distinction. Research publications, conference presentations, or a strong honours/Master's thesis materially improve your ranking.
Open to All Nationalities
Open to domestic and international applicants. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are eligible and pay the same domestic-fee rate as NZ students for the PhD.
English Proficiency
Meet Massey's PhD English language requirement — typically IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 (higher thresholds apply for some research areas).
account_tree Application Process
Identify a Massey Supervisor
Browse the Massey research staff directory, shortlist potential supervisors, and email them with your CV and research proposal. Securing supervisor support is essential before applying.
Apply for the Massey PhD
Submit your Massey PhD application via the online portal — research proposal (2-3 pages), supervisor confirmation, transcripts, two academic references, English-test result.
Submit Doctoral Scholarship Form
Apply via the Massey Doctoral Scholarships portal alongside (or shortly after) your PhD application. Submit your research proposal, full CV, references, and a personal statement.
Selection Panel Decision
The Doctoral Research Committee ranks all applicants on academic record, research potential, and supervisor strength. Outcomes are typically released 6-10 weeks after each round deadline.
Why Massey University?
New Zealand's only university with a presence across the entire country (Auckland, Wellington, Manawatu), Massey is recognised globally for veterinary science, agriculture, food technology, aviation, and design. NZ doctoral programmes allow PhD candidates' partners and dependent children to live and work freely in NZ.
#239
QS World Ranking 2026
5-Star
QS Overall Rating
Top 100
QS Agriculture & Veterinary
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.
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