Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship, Victoria University of Wellington, NewZealand

The Wellington Master’s by Thesis Scholarship is offered by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington to encourage postgraduate research. It provides a $15,000 tax-free stipend for one year plus tuition fees, with domestic fees for 120 points only. The Scholarships Office pays fees directly to the University, and international students other than those from Australia pay the difference between the full international fee and the domestic fee.

The scholarship is aimed at applicants who are eligible at the time of application, or who will become eligible by the start of Trimester 2 the following year, to enrol in a full-time Master’s degree by thesis worth 90 points or more. This includes a one-year Master’s programme with a thesis worth 90 points or more, or Part 2 of a Master’s degree with a thesis course worth 90 points or more. Portfolio courses worth 90 points or more under the University’s regulations are included; 60 points dissertation courses are not eligible.

Selection is based solely on academic merit by the University Research Scholarships Committee, a sub-committee of the University Research Committee. Applicants must intend to enrol full time at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and intend to enrol for a thesis worth 90 points or more within a Master’s degree.

Tenure is one year, and the scholarship is paid only for the period in which the student undertakes the thesis course (for some students, Part 2 of a two-year Master’s programme). The stipend is paid in monthly instalments, with the first payment made as soon as practicable after confirmation of enrolment. Recipients must accept the offer within four weeks, work full time on research (at least 35 hours per week), complete scheduled progress reports, submit the thesis for examination, and follow contract conditions including leave approval and reporting changes.

• Applicant must be eligible at the time of application, or become eligible by the start of Trimester 2 the following year, to enrol for a Master’s degree by thesis worth 90 points or more.
• Master’s degree must be by thesis worth 90 points or more, either as a one-year Master’s programme (thesis worth 90 points or more) or Part 2 of a Master’s degree (thesis course worth 90 points or more).
• Master’s thesis is usually with course code 591 or 592; portfolio course(s) worth 90 points or more administered under the University’s Master’s by Thesis regulations are included and normally have course code 593.
• Students taking a 60 points dissertation course are not eligible.
• Applicants must be intending to enrol full time at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
• Applicants must have completed an Honours degree or a Master’s degree Part 1 demonstrating academic achievement equivalent to a GPA of at least 7.0 from a New Zealand university.
• GPA of 7.0 is a minimum requirement; the University Research Scholarships Committee has discretion to use a higher bar if there are more applications than funding available.
• Applications must be submitted by the closing date/time; late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• International students other than those from Australia must pay the difference between the full international student fee and the domestic fee.
• Co-tenure with other awards that total more than $6,000 must be sought from the University Scholarships Committee.
• Approval must be obtained from the University Research Scholarships Committee before any period of leave is taken, other than reasonable annual holiday leave.

• $15,000 tax-free stipend for one year.
• Tuition fees (domestic fees for 120 points only).
• Fees will be paid directly to the University by the Scholarships Office.
• International students other than those from Australia are liable to pay the difference between the full international student fee and the domestic fee.
• Stipend paid in monthly instalments.

1. A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date.
2. Do not submit a late or incomplete application, as late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
3. Submit any required supporting documentation (including references) by 4.30 pm on the closing date so the application can be considered.
4. After submission, offers will normally be made in late December of the year of application.

• Personal statement.
• One-page research proposal outlining the proposed research topic.
• CV.
• One academic reference (to be requested via the online application).
• Academic transcript if previous study has not been completed at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.