University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship is the university's main funding award for PhD candidates, open to both international and domestic students on equal, merit-based terms. It provides an annual living stipend of around NZ$29,000+ (LKR ~5.4m+) plus payment of tuition fees, tenable for up to three years (with a possible short extension), and — importantly for international students — PhD candidates at New Zealand universities pay domestic-level tuition, which the scholarship covers. Otago, in Dunedin, is New Zealand's oldest university and a research leader in health sciences, biomedical and life sciences, public health, and the humanities. For Sri Lankan graduates with a strong research Master's (or an excellent honours degree) and a clear project matched to an Otago supervisor, this is a competitive, fully funded PhD route. Award numbers, exact stipend and application rounds are set by the university, so confirm the current terms and rounds on the Otago Doctoral Scholarship page.
2026 intake: the Otago Doctoral Scholarship is assessed in regular rounds through the year — confirm the current round dates on otago.ac.nz
University of Otago
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
NZ$29,000+/yr + Full Fees
Duration
Up to 3 years
Basis
Academic Merit
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
NZ$29,000+/yr Stipend + Full Fees (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 with high grades, or a first-class/upper-second honours degree, in a relevant field from a recognised Sri Lankan university. The scholarship is competitive and ranked on academic and research merit.
Supervisor and Project Match
You need PhD admission with a confirmed Otago supervisor and research project. Contacting potential supervisors early to secure support is essential before the scholarship can be awarded.
Open to International Applicants
International PhD candidates are eligible on the same merit basis as domestic students and pay domestic-level tuition, which the scholarship covers. Sri Lankan applicants are eligible.
English Proficiency
Otago requires English evidence such as IELTS ~6.5 for PhD entry. Sri Lankan applicants from English-medium degrees may qualify via an accepted MOI/exemption route — confirm with the Otago Graduate Research School.
account_tree Application Process
Secure a supervisor and PhD admission
Identify and contact an Otago supervisor in your field, agree a project, and apply for PhD admission through the Otago Graduate Research School.
Apply for the Doctoral Scholarship
Submit the doctoral scholarship application (often integrated with the PhD application) with transcripts, research proposal, CV and references, for a scholarship assessment round.
Merit-based selection
Otago ranks candidates on academic and research merit and awards scholarships to the top applicants in each round.
Accept and apply for the NZ visa
Accept your PhD place and scholarship, then apply for the New Zealand student visa using your offer, scholarship confirmation and financial evidence.
Why University of Otago?
Otago is New Zealand's oldest university and a research powerhouse, especially in health, biomedical and life sciences, based in the student city of Dunedin. Its Doctoral Scholarship — full fees plus a solid stipend, open to internationals on merit — makes a New Zealand PhD genuinely fundable for Sri Lankan researchers.
1869
Founded
NZ$29k+
Annual Stipend
Health
Research Strength
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.
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