The Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship application portal is NOW OPEN!

Successful scholarship applicants must meet both the academic entry requirements and the English language requirements determined by the applicant’s preferred education institutions.

PhD applicants should look for a supervisor as soon as possible

From an early stage, PhD scholarship applicants should identify and contact suitable PhD supervisors at New Zealand universities. PhD scholarship applicants who make it to the interview stage will need to provide evidence at the interview that they have either secured a supervisor or are in active discussions with a potential supervisor.

Check you meet academic entry requirements and English language requirements

As part of the application process you need to choose your preferred education institution and preferred courses. Scholarship applicants don’t need to apply for admission to their preferred education institution and courses until they are notified that they are a preferred candidate for a scholarship. However, scholarship applicants do need to check that they are likely to meet the minimum academic requirements and the minimum level of English required for their courses before applying for a scholarship.

To note, Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships are only available for specific subjects. Please check your country/region page to determine eligible subjects prior to researching available degrees and entry requirements.

General level of English expected for postgraduate and undergraduate study

Each university or education institution sets the minimum level of English required, so check their websites for information. Generally, to study for a postgraduate qualification, you must have at least:

• an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and no band less than 6.0
• a TOEFL score of 90 on the internet-based test with a writing score of 21
• an overall PTE Academic score of 58 with no communicative skills score less than 50
• a Cambridge Academic English (advanced) overall score of 176 with no bands less than 169.

Generally, to study for an undergraduate qualification, you must have at least:

• an overall IELTS score of 6.0 and no band less than 5.5
• a TOEFL score of 80 on the internet-based test with a writing score of 21
• an overall PTE Academic score of 50, with no communication skills score less than 42
• a Cambridge Academic English (advanced) overall score of 169 with no bands less than 162.

Note: The information above is a guide only. Some courses have higher minimum English level entry requirements than those outlined. It is your responsibility to check what the minimum English language entry requirements are for your desired course and institution.

Only shortlisted applicants need English language test scores

You do not need to provide English language test scores when you apply for a Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship for tertiary study. Candidates who are shortlisted for a scholarship to undertake tertiary study in New Zealand must provide an English language test score. This does not apply to candidates who are applying for tertiary study in the Pacific. English language testing takes place during the final stages of our scholarship selection process. We accept test scores from these four English competency testing systems:

• IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) OR
• TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) OR
• PTE Academic (the Pearson Test of English Academic) OR
• Cambridge Academic English (advanced).

If you have passed one of these approved tests to the required level during the last 12 months, then your university or education institution may accept these test scores. If you are a shortlisted applicant and do not have IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Cambridge Academic English (advanced) test scores from the last 12 months, we will tell you when you need to sit one of these English competency tests.

Who organises and pays for the English language tests?

We organise and pay for the IELTS test for shortlisted applicants from the following countries:

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Lao PDR
• Nauru
• New Caledonia
• North Pacific (Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands)
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa (except Samoa Foundation applicants)
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu

All other shortlisted applicants will need to organise and pay for their own English language tests. If you are shortlisted you will need to book your English language testing as soon as possible, as the testing process can take several weeks. Shortlisted applicants will need to book a test with a company who does English language testing close to their location.

If you are selected for a Manaaki scholarship, your tertiary education institute will reimburse you the cost of your test upon arrival in New Zealand.

IELTS applicants need valid passports

All IELTS test applicants must have a valid passport. All IELTS applications must include a digital colour copy of your passport. If you don’t have a valid passport, in some situations you may be given special permission to use another form of official identification. English training for preferred candidates with a test score just under the required level

A Manaaki scholarship may cover costs for English language training for some preferred candidates who have a current English language test score that is almost at the required level for entry into their chosen programme. After completing this English language training, you must meet the English language entry requirements for your preferred course. If you do not meet the requirements, then your scholarship will cease. If you are a preferred candidate, you will be told if you are eligible for this English language training.

• Preferred candidates from Pacific and Timor-Leste may be eligible for up to one year of English language training in New Zealand.
• Preferred candidates from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Indonesia may be eligible for up to one year of English language training in their home country.
• Preferred candidates from all other eligible countries may be eligible for up to one semester of English language training in New Zealand.

Please note that English language training is not available for scholars applying for PhD studies.