University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship
The University of Waikato Doctoral Scholarship is Waikato's flagship PhD funding award, providing an annual stipend (around NZD 27,500) plus tuition fees for up to three years of full-time doctoral study. As with all New Zealand universities, international PhD students pay the same domestic tuition rate as locals, so a Waikato doctorate is far more affordable than a taught international degree — and the scholarship covers it. Waikato, in Hamilton, is strong in environmental science, computing, management, and Māori and indigenous studies. For Sri Lankan Master's graduates with research experience, a Waikato Doctoral Scholarship is a well-funded, accessible PhD pathway, with post-study work rights for doctoral graduates after completion.
Two main rounds per year (typically closing around 1 May and 1 November) plus rolling consideration
University of Waikato, Hamilton
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Stipend
~NZD 27,500/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 Waikato, Hamilton — 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 27,500/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. Sri Lankan applicants with research experience and a clear publication or thesis record are competitive.
Confirmed Supervisor
Secure a Waikato academic willing to supervise your PhD before applying. Email potential supervisors with your CV and a research proposal early.
English Proficiency
Meet Waikato's English requirements (IELTS or equivalent) unless waived. Many Sri Lankan English-medium graduates qualify with standard tests.
Open to Internationals
The 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 well-defined research proposal aligned with your supervisor's expertise underpins both PhD admission and scholarship selection.
account_tree Application Process
Secure a supervisor
Identify a Waikato research group in your field and approach 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 proposal and supervisor support, and apply for the Doctoral Scholarship by the round deadline (around 1 May / 1 November).
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 Waikato
The University of Waikato in Hamilton is a research-active New Zealand university recognised for environmental science, computing, management, and Māori and indigenous studies. New Zealand's domestic-rate PhD tuition for international students makes a Waikato doctorate an affordable, well-supported research route for Sri Lankan graduates.
Domestic Rate
International PhD Tuition
3 yrs
Scholarship Duration
Hamilton
North Island Campus
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.
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Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for NZ, in LKR as well as local currency.
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Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
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