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

New Zealand Applications open Closes 30 April 2027

New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA)

The New Zealand Excellence Awards (NZEA) are partial scholarships offered by Education New Zealand in partnership with all 8 NZ universities and selected institutes of technology. Awards typically range from NZD 5,000 to NZD 20,000 toward tuition for the July (Semester 2) intake. NZEA has historically been India-only; Sri Lankan students should check the current participating-country list each cycle, and several NZ universities offer parallel country-specific awards (the University of Auckland's NZEA also covers a Sri Lankan stream in some years).

2027 cycle: applications expected to open March 2027, close ~30 April 2027

Education New Zealand

Government-funded

emoji_events Award Overview

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Value

NZD 5,000-20,000

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Duration

1-Year Master's (tuition only)

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Intake

July (Semester 2)

info How this award actually works

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This is a separate, highly competitive application

Government awards like this one run their own selection round against applicants from across the world, and success rates are usually in the low single digits. Lanka Scholar does not administer it and cannot submit it for you. Treat it as a bonus on top of a funded study plan — never as the plan itself.

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Who awards it

Education New Zealand — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.

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How you are considered

Through a separate application round run by the funder, with its own forms, deadlines and shortlisting. You submit it yourself — it is not part of a university admission application.

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What it covers

NZD 5,000-20,000 Tuition Award. Read the terms carefully: even fully-funded awards rarely cover every cost, and any shortfall is yours to fund.

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Where we come in

We help you judge whether this award is worth your time, and build a realistic admission plan that works whether or not you win it.

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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Eligible Countries

NZEA is primarily aimed at students from India, with some participating universities extending to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam. Eligibility varies by university and year — confirm with your chosen institution before applying.

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Strong Academic Record

Excellent academic standing in your Bachelor's degree — typically first-class honours or equivalent. Each participating university sets its own academic threshold.

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University Offer Required

You must hold (or have applied for) an offer to a postgraduate programme at a participating NZ university for the July 2027 (Semester 2) intake.

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Self-Funded Status

Must be classed as an international, self-funded student. Candidates already holding a full government or external scholarship are typically excluded.

account_tree Application Process

Choose a participating university

Visit studywithnewzealand.govt.nz and pick a participating institution that lists Sri Lanka (or your eligibility region) for the current NZEA cycle.

Apply for admission

Submit your standard postgraduate application to the chosen NZ university for the July 2027 intake. Many universities consider you automatically for NZEA at this stage.

Submit NZEA application (where required)

Some universities run a separate NZEA application — typically a short form plus a personal statement. Closing dates vary; many close around 30 April 2028.

Award notification

Each participating university notifies successful candidates directly. Awards are usually credited against tuition for the first or both semesters of study.

About Education New Zealand

Education New Zealand (Manapou ki te Ao) is the NZ government's agency for promoting NZ as a study destination and managing scholarship partnerships with the country's universities and institutes of technology.

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NZ Universities Participating

Up to NZD 20k

Maximum Award Value

July

Semester 2 Intake

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.

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