University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Canterbury (UC) Doctoral Scholarship is the university's main funding award for PhD candidates, offering a tax-free annual stipend (around NZD 28,000) plus tuition fees for up to three years. Crucially, international PhD students in New Zealand pay the same domestic tuition rate as locals, so the cost barrier is far lower than for taught degrees — and the scholarship covers it. UC is strong in engineering, sciences, and Antarctic and environmental research, based in Christchurch on the South Island. For Sri Lankan Master's graduates with research credentials, a UC Doctoral Scholarship is a well-funded, affordable route into a New Zealand PhD, with post-study work rights available to doctoral graduates afterwards.
Rolling/competitive rounds through the year — apply alongside PhD admission once you have a supervisor
University of Canterbury (UC), Christchurch
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Stipend
~NZD 28,000/yr (tax-free)
Tuition
Covered (domestic PhD rate)
Duration
Up to 3 years
Eligibility
Domestic & international PhD students
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Canterbury (UC), Christchurch — 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 28,000/yr Stipend + Tuition (3 years). 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
Strong Research Background
A research Master's (or first-class Honours) with a strong thesis and good grades. Sri Lankan applicants with research experience and publications are competitive.
Confirmed Supervisor
You need a UC academic willing to supervise your PhD before applying. Email potential supervisors with your CV and a research proposal as the practical first step.
English Proficiency
Meet UC's English requirements (IELTS or equivalent) unless waived. Many Sri Lankan English-medium graduates qualify with standard tests.
Open to Internationals
The Doctoral Scholarship is open to both domestic and international PhD candidates, including Sri Lankans, with international students paying the domestic PhD tuition rate.
Research Proposal
A clear, well-scoped research proposal aligned with your supervisor's group is central to both admission and scholarship success.
account_tree Application Process
Secure a supervisor
Identify a UC research group in your field and email potential supervisors with your CV, transcripts, and a draft proposal. Supervisor agreement is essential.
Apply for PhD admission and the scholarship
Submit your PhD application with the agreed research proposal and supervisor support, and apply for the UC Doctoral Scholarship in the same process.
Selection
Applications are assessed competitively on academic record and research potential through the university's scholarship rounds.
Award and enrolment
Successful candidates receive a stipend and tuition offer, complete New Zealand's student-visa process, and begin their doctorate.
About the University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury, founded in 1873 in Christchurch, is one of New Zealand's leading research universities, with particular strength in engineering, the sciences, and Antarctic and environmental studies. New Zealand's policy of charging international PhD students the domestic tuition rate makes UC an unusually affordable, well-supported doctoral destination for Sri Lankan researchers.
1873
Founded
Domestic Rate
International PhD Tuition
3 yrs
Scholarship Duration
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.
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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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