University of Otago International Master's Research Scholarship
The University of Otago International Master's Research Scholarship is a stipend-plus-domestic-tuition award for international students undertaking a one-year research-based Master's (e.g. MA, MSc, MAppSc by thesis) at Otago. The award provides a NZD 17,500 living stipend and reduces tuition to the domestic rate — making the package roughly NZD 30,000 in value over the year. Sri Lankan applicants with research experience and a published or near-published paper are competitive; the scholarship is highly suited to those planning to progress to a PhD afterwards.
Open year-round for entry within 12 months; assessment in three rounds (April, August, December)
University of Otago
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
NZD 17,500 + Domestic Tuition
Duration
12 Months (Research Master's)
Awards
Around 20 per Year
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Otago — 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 17,500 Stipend + Domestic Tuition Rate. 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 a Research Master's at Otago
You must be applying to or admitted to a thesis-based Master's programme at Otago — typically a one-year Master's by research where 100% of the assessment is a thesis (or a 90-credit equivalent research project).
Strong Honours / Bachelor's Record
Typically a Bachelor's with first-class honours or a four-year Bachelor's with A average (or international equivalent). Sri Lankan applicants from Colombo, Peradeniya, or Moratuwa with first-class honours typically clear this bar.
Supervisor's Endorsement
You must identify and contact a potential Otago supervisor before applying. The supervisor's support letter is part of the scholarship application — applications without one are typically not advanced.
English Proficiency
Meet Otago's standard postgraduate English requirement — typically IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 95+. Some research areas (e.g. health sciences) require higher.
account_tree Application Process
Find a supervisor and proposal
Identify Otago academics whose research aligns with your interests. Email them with a CV and a 1-page proposal. Allow 4-8 weeks of back-and-forth refining the proposal before they confirm supervision support.
Apply for admission + the scholarship
Submit your Master's application through the Otago eVision portal. The scholarship application is integrated into the postgraduate admission application — tick the box and upload the supervisor's support letter, research proposal, and CV.
Three assessment rounds per year
Applications are assessed in three rounds (April, August, December). Submit at least 6 weeks before your preferred round. The scholarship committee ranks applications by research merit and supervisor strength.
Outcome and enrolment
Successful applicants receive a scholarship letter alongside their offer of admission. The stipend is paid monthly across the 12 months, and the domestic tuition rate is applied to the student account.
Why University of Otago?
Otago is New Zealand's oldest university (founded 1869) and consistently sits in the top 250 globally. The Dunedin campus is one of the most traditional, residential university experiences in NZ — with strengths in health sciences (Otago Medical School), biological sciences, marine science, and humanities.
#214
QS World Ranking 2026
1869
Founded (NZ's oldest)
12 mo
Research Master's
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
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship
University of Auckland
AUT Vice-Chancellor's Doctoral Scholarship
Auckland University of Technology
Lincoln University Doctoral Scholarship (New Zealand)
Lincoln University