A sunset view of Queenstown, New Zealand — the town and Lake Wakatipu beneath the snow-capped Remarkables mountain range.

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UCIC Global Student Awards and UC Dean's Awards

Not every Sri Lankan student who wants a New Zealand degree meets direct-entry requirements straight from A/Ls or a local qualification, and pathway colleges exist precisely for that gap. UCIC is the University of Canterbury's on-campus international college in Christchurch, delivering Foundation Studies, a Diploma in University Studies and Pre-Master's programmes that feed directly into UC degrees. Its funding comes in two layers. The Global Student Awards give a 10% tuition fee reduction to all students who meet the academic entry requirements for a UCIC programme — a broad award rather than a competitive one, covering the October 2026 and February 2027 intakes across all UCIC programmes. On top of that, the UC Dean's Awards reward progression: NZ$4,000 for undergraduate pathway students who complete Foundation Studies or the Diploma in University Studies with a B+ average, and NZ$8,000 for Pre-Master's students, assessed on a one-up principle where a B+ is required in place of the standard B entry grade. At NZ$8,000 that is roughly LKR 1.52 million towards your UC degree. What makes this route worth considering is what happens next: once you have been enrolled at UCIC for at least one trimester, you become eligible for University of Canterbury scholarships including the UC International First Year Scholarship and UC's regional high achievers awards for South Asia. In other words, the pathway is not a dead end for funding. Practical details: applications typically open around eight weeks before closing deadlines, UCIC provides free airport pick-up with 72 hours' notice, and enquiries go to admissions@ucic.ac.nz. The awards reduce tuition only — Christchurch living costs, insurance, flights and your student visa remain your responsibility.

Global Student Awards 2026/2027 cover the October 2026 and February 2027 intakes. Applications typically open around eight weeks before each closing deadline — confirm current criteria on ucic.ac.nz

University of Canterbury International College (UCIC)

University-funded

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Global Student Awards

10% tuition reduction

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UC Dean's Awards

NZ$4,000-8,000

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Route

Pathway into UC degrees

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Who awards it

University of Canterbury International College (UCIC) — 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 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.

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What it covers

10% Tuition Reduction + NZ$4,000-8,000 Progression Awards. 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.

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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

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All Students Meeting Entry Requirements

The Global Student Awards are open to all students who meet the academic entry requirements for a UCIC programme, across all UCIC programmes. There is no nationality restriction, so Sri Lankan applicants qualify.

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B+ Average for the Dean's Awards

Undergraduate pathway students need a B+ average on completing Foundation Studies or the Diploma in University Studies for NZ$4,000. Pre-Master's students are assessed on a one-up principle — B+ where B is the standard entry grade — for NZ$8,000.

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Unlocks UC Scholarships Later

After at least one trimester at UCIC you can access University of Canterbury scholarships including the UC International First Year Scholarship and UC's South Asia, China and Malaysia high achievers awards.

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A Pathway, Not a Direct Degree

UCIC programmes prepare you for entry to a UC degree; they are not degrees in themselves. Factor the extra time and cost of the pathway year into your total plan before committing.

account_tree Application Process

Check whether you need the pathway at all

If your A/L results or Sri Lankan degree already meet UC's direct entry requirements, apply to UC directly instead — it is faster and cheaper. UCIC exists for applicants who fall short of direct entry.

Apply to UCIC for the October or February intake

Apply through UCIC's admissions process with transcripts, English test results and passport. Applications typically open around eight weeks before each intake's deadline.

Confirm your Global Student Award

The 10% tuition reduction applies to students meeting academic entry requirements. Confirm it is reflected in your offer letter and fee schedule before you pay.

Perform for the Dean's Award

Aim for a B+ average through your pathway programme to earn the NZ$4,000 or NZ$8,000 progression award towards your UC degree.

Apply for UC scholarships once eligible

After a trimester at UCIC, apply for the UC International First Year Scholarship and the regional high achievers awards. Contact admissions@ucic.ac.nz to confirm what you qualify for.

Why UCIC and the University of Canterbury?

UCIC sits on the University of Canterbury campus in Christchurch, so pathway students use UC facilities and progress into UC degrees in engineering, science, commerce and the arts. Christchurch is one of New Zealand's more affordable cities for international students.

NZ$8,000

Max Dean's Award

10%

Global Student Award

On-campus

UC Christchurch

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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