Begin Your Undergraduate Journey with University of Canterbury Scholarships 2027
These scholarships are designed to support new students by recognising academic achievement, leadership, community service, sporting success, cultural contributions, financial need, personal resilience, and other exceptional qualities
The University of Canterbury offers a wide range of scholarship categories for eligible domestic and international applicants across numerous undergraduate programmes
Students are encouraged to apply for every scholarship they qualify for because successful applicants may be eligible to receive more than one award
Scholarship Details
Host Country
New Zealand
Host University
University of Canterbury
Scholarship Name
Incoming First-Year Scholarships 2027
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Scholarship Type
Partially Funded
Eligible Applicants
Domestic and International Students Depending on the Scholarship Category
Eligible Programmes
Undergraduate Degree Programmes
Application Method
Online
Applications Open
June 11, 2026
Application Deadline
August 6, 2026
Degree Level
The scholarships are available to students planning to enrol in their first undergraduate degree programme at the University of Canterbury in 2027
Applicants must satisfy the admission requirements for their selected undergraduate programme
Individual scholarships may include additional academic, personal, residency, financial, or programme-specific requirements
Available Fields of Study
Scholarships are available across a broad range of undergraduate academic disciplines offered by the University of Canterbury
Eligible areas may include Arts, Fine Arts, Music, Business, Law, Engineering, Forestry, Health Sciences, Education, Science, Commerce, Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, and Information Technology
Other undergraduate programmes offered by the university may also be covered by individual scholarship opportunities
Applicants should review the conditions of each scholarship because some awards are restricted to particular faculties, programmes, or academic disciplines
Scholarship Benefits
The financial value and benefits depend on the scholarship awarded
Successful applicants may receive financial assistance toward tuition fees
Some scholarships may provide support toward university accommodation or hall of residence costs
Funding may be available to help with living expenses during undergraduate study
Certain awards may support students relocating to Christchurch to begin their studies
Academic excellence scholarships recognise students with outstanding educational achievement
Leadership and community service awards support students who have created a positive impact through school or community activities
Sporting scholarships may recognise applicants with exceptional athletic achievement
Financial hardship scholarships may assist students experiencing economic challenges
Some awards recognise cultural contributions, personal resilience, or the successful overcoming of adversity
Eligible students may have the opportunity to receive more than one scholarship
Additional Advantages
Scholarship support can reduce the financial pressure associated with beginning university study
Recipients may experience increased academic motivation and improved student wellbeing
Students may gain access to valuable academic, social, and professional networking opportunities
Scholarship recipients can become more actively involved in university activities and student life
Receiving an award may also provide formal recognition of the applicant’s achievements, leadership, resilience, service, or talent
Scholarship Categories
General Undergraduate Scholarships are available for eligible incoming students
Academic Excellence Scholarships recognise strong academic performance
Leadership Scholarships support applicants who demonstrate initiative and leadership potential
Community Service Scholarships recognise meaningful involvement in community activities
Sporting Achievement Scholarships support students with outstanding athletic accomplishments
International Student Scholarships may be available to eligible applicants from outside New Zealand
Māori Scholarships are offered through selected scholarship categories
Pacific Student Scholarships support eligible students from Pacific backgrounds
Equity Scholarships are designed to improve access to university education
Accommodation Scholarships may assist with hall of residence or housing costs
Financial Hardship Scholarships support students experiencing financial difficulty
Some scholarships recognise students who have overcome personal adversity or significant challenges
The university may also administer external scholarships funded by other organisations
Eligible Nationalities
Eligibility depends on the conditions of each individual scholarship
Some awards are open to New Zealand citizens
New Zealand permanent residents may qualify for selected scholarship categories
International students may apply for scholarships specifically available to overseas applicants
Selected awards are available to Māori students
Pacific students may qualify for dedicated scholarship opportunities
Applicants must carefully review the citizenship, residency, cultural, and enrolment conditions of every scholarship before applying
General Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should plan to begin their first undergraduate degree at the University of Canterbury in 2027
Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their chosen academic programme
Strong academic performance may be required for merit-based scholarships
Leadership qualities or community involvement may be required for relevant awards
Applicants may need to demonstrate achievement in sports, arts, music, cultural activities, or other fields
Students applying for hardship-based scholarships must demonstrate financial need
Applicants must satisfy the citizenship or residency requirements of the selected scholarship
Programme-specific or faculty-specific conditions must be met where applicable
All scholarship applications must be completed and submitted before the relevant closing date
Students Who May Receive Special Consideration
Some scholarships are specifically designed for Māori students
Dedicated opportunities may be available to Pacific students
International applicants may qualify for selected first-year scholarships
Students who demonstrate strong leadership potential may be considered for leadership awards
Applicants experiencing financial hardship may qualify for needs-based support
Students relocating away from home to study in Christchurch may be eligible for accommodation or relocation assistance
Applicants who have overcome personal challenges, adversity, or difficult circumstances may qualify for selected scholarship categories
Required Application Materials
Applicants should prepare a completed scholarship application for each award they wish to be considered for
Academic transcripts or school records may be required
Applicants may need to provide information about their intended undergraduate programme
Personal statements explaining academic goals, leadership experience, community involvement, or personal circumstances may be requested
Evidence of sporting, artistic, cultural, or extracurricular achievement may be required for relevant scholarships
Applicants seeking financial hardship support may need to submit financial information or supporting evidence
References or recommendation statements may be requested for certain awards
International students may need to provide identification, academic, and admission documents
Additional materials may be required according to the conditions of each scholarship
How to Apply
Applicants should first identify the University of Canterbury scholarships that match their nationality, programme, achievements, personal background, and financial circumstances
Students should apply for admission to an eligible undergraduate programme beginning in 2027
Applicants should complete the online scholarship application for every award they are eligible to receive
All required academic records, personal statements, references, achievement evidence, and supporting documents should be prepared carefully
Applicants should provide accurate information and clearly demonstrate how they satisfy the conditions of each scholarship
Students are encouraged to apply for multiple suitable awards because receiving one scholarship may not prevent them from receiving another
Applications open on June 11, 2026
The complete application and all required materials must be submitted before August 6, 2026
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered
Take the First Step Toward Your Future in New Zealand
The University of Canterbury Incoming First-Year Scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for ambitious students to begin their undergraduate education with valuable financial and academic support
With scholarship categories recognising academic excellence, leadership, service, sport, culture, resilience, and financial need, eligible students can find opportunities that reflect their achievements and personal circumstances
A carefully prepared application could help reduce educational costs and open the door to a rewarding university experience in Christchurch