School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations Te Kura Aro Whakamuri, Rapunga Whakaaro, Matai Tōrangapū me te Ao

Apply now

PSIR prizes and scholarships

See prizes and scholarships available to students of Political Science and International Relations at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Scholarships

The following postgraduate scholarships are of particular interest to students of Political Science and International Relations:

  • Terence O’Brien Scholarship: International Relations or Strategic Studies. To recognise and encourage top Honours and Master’s students in International Relations and Strategic Studies who are studying international governance and/or some aspect of multilateral diplomacy or multilateral cooperation in the political, economic or security areas. It is hoped that the Scholarship will help equip those who may have a career interest in professional diplomacy. Closing date: 30 June.
  • Laywood & Joyce Chan Award. Established to encourage students going on to postgraduate study with a focus on China, the Chinese language, and/or the contribution of the Chinese community to New Zealand. The awards are made to postgraduate students (Honours, Masters or PhD) intending to undertake research in Chinese history, politics or international relations; and to postgraduate students in Chinese language.
  • Sir John Marshall Scholarship awarded (by application) to a student enrolled in 200 level POLS or INTP courses and who is intending to major in Political Science or International Relations.

Prizes

  • Alan Robinson Memorial Prize awarded to the best student completing an Honours degree in Political Science or International Relations, or a Master of Political Science.
  • Asian Politics Prize awarded to both the undergraduate student and/or postgraduate student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of Asian politics
  • Bernard Randall Prize (previously the Mike Moore Prize), awarded to the top student completing the MIR degree.
  • Beryl Hughes Prize awarded for the most outstanding undergraduate or honours essay in the area of women’s studies
  • Diplomatic Corps Prize awarded to the top undergraduate student in International Relations.
  • Embassy of Israel Prize awarded to the student submitting the best undergraduate or postgraduate essay or thesis on Israel or the Holocaust. This can be won by either a History or Political Science and International Relations student.
  • European Union Prize awarded to the undergraduate or postgraduate student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of European politics.
  • Geoffrey Davies Memorial Prize awarded to the MIR student submitting the most outstanding thesis in International Relations.
  • Jeya Wilson Prize awarded to the undergraduate or postgraduate student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of race relations.
  • John F Kennedy Prize awarded to both the undergraduate student and/or the postgraduate student for the most outstanding essay or thesis on an aspect of American government, politics, or international relations.
  • K J Scott Memorial Prize awarded to the student completing their BA with a major in either Political Science or International Relations, with the most outstanding academic record in Political Science and/or International Relations over their entire undergraduate course of study.
  • Margaret Clark Prize awarded to the Honours student in Political Science or International Relations submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on an aspect of New Zealand politics.
  • NZIIA (Wellington) Prize awarded to the student submitting the most outstanding essay in the first year course in International Relations (INTP 113).
  • Pacific Politics Prize awarded to the student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of Pacific Islands' politics.
  • Political Theory Prize awarded to the student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of political theory.
  • Prime Minister's Prize in Strategic Studies awarded to the top student completing the MSS degree.
  • Roderic Alley Prize awarded to the undergraduate or postgraduate student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of human rights.
  • Sir Desmond Todd Memorial Prize awarded to the students completing the most outstanding MA and PhD.
  • Sir Walter Nash Prize awarded to the student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis related to peace, conflict resolution or the improvement of relations between different nations and peoples.
  • Jonathan Hunt Memorial Prize (formerly the Speaker’s Prize) awarded to the top student in the postgraduate parliamentary internship programme (POLS 428).
  • Stephen Levine Prize awarded to the undergraduate or postgraduate student submitting the most outstanding essay or thesis on any aspect of the following topics: political leadership; electoral systems; voting behaviour; legislative behaviour; African politics; politics and sport; politics and the arts; counterfactuals in political discussion.
  • Toorpaki Ulfat Human Rights Prize awarded to the top student in the undergraduate course in human rights (INTP 363)