Wellington, New Zealand city skyline and harbour at sunset with high-rise buildings beside the water.

New Zealand Rolling/competitive rounds through the year — apply alongside PhD admission once you have a supervisor

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.

University of Canterbury (UC), Christchurch

University-funded

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Stipend

~NZD 28,000/yr (tax-free)

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Tuition

Covered (domestic PhD rate)

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Duration

Up to 3 years

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Eligibility

Domestic & international PhD students

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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.

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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.

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English Proficiency

Meet UC's English requirements (IELTS or equivalent) unless waived. Many Sri Lankan English-medium graduates qualify with standard tests.

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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.

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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.