Unitec International Excellence Scholarship
Unitec is Auckland's largest institute of technology, teaching applied degrees and diplomas in construction and the built environment, engineering technology, computing, business, nursing and social practice, healthcare and automotive and trades. International tuition of roughly NZD 24,000-28,000 a year sits below New Zealand university rates, and the excellence scholarship takes NZD 3,000-5,000 off that for new international enrolments. The honest framing matters here: Unitec awards applied qualifications, not research degrees, and it suits students whose goal is a practical, employable skill set in Auckland's construction, engineering and healthcare sectors rather than an academic pathway. Auckland is also New Zealand's most expensive city, so the tuition saving needs to be weighed against higher living costs than Christchurch or Hamilton.
Semester intakes in February and July; scholarship assessed with enrolment
Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Award
NZD 3,000-5,000 (~LKR 570,000-950,000)
Tuition
~NZD 24,000-28,000/yr
Strengths
Construction, Engineering Tech, Computing, Health
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland — 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 3,000-5,000 Tuition Reduction for New International Students. 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
New International Student
Open to new international enrolments in eligible programmes. Sri Lankan passport holders qualify; continuing students are generally not eligible.
Academic Merit
Sri Lankan A-Levels or an equivalent recognised qualification for degree-level entry. Applicants with relevant Sri Lankan diplomas or trade certificates should request a credit assessment, which can shorten the programme.
Confirm Post-Study Work Eligibility
New Zealand's Post Study Work Visa rules depend on qualification level and, for sub-degree qualifications, on whether the field appears on the relevant occupation lists. Verify eligibility for your exact programme in writing before enrolling — do not assume a diploma qualifies.
English Proficiency
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for degree entry, lower for some diplomas. English-medium Sri Lankan A-Level study may support a waiver — confirm with Unitec admissions.
account_tree Application Process
Match the programme to your intended outcome
Decide first whether you intend to work in New Zealand after study, then check the NZQA level of the programme and its post-study work eligibility before committing.
Submit the enrolment application
- Certified A-Level or equivalent results and transcripts
- Passport copy
- English proficiency evidence or Medium of Instruction letter
- CV and any trade or diploma certificates for credit assessment
Scholarship assessment
The excellence scholarship is assessed with enrolment and stated in the offer of place. Confirm the exact award value in writing before paying tuition.
Student visa
Apply to Immigration New Zealand with the offer of place, tuition receipt, proof of NZD 20,000 in living funds for the year, and medical and police clearances. Allow six to ten weeks from Sri Lanka.
Budget for Auckland
Auckland accommodation and transport are the highest in New Zealand. Model living costs at NZD 22,000-26,000 a year rather than the NZD 20,000 visa minimum, and factor the 20-hours-a-week work rights that student visas permit.
Why Unitec?
Unitec Institute of Technology teaches around 17,000 students across its Mount Albert and Waitākere campuses in Auckland and is part of New Zealand's public vocational education network. Its programmes are built around applied practice and industry placement, with particularly established provision in construction, engineering technology and healthcare.
~17,000
Students
Auckland
New Zealand's Largest Job Market
20 hrs/wk
Permitted Work During Study
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.
Ara Institute of Canterbury International Excellence Scholarship
Ara Institute of Canterbury
University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
University of Auckland
UC International First Year Scholarship
University of Canterbury