Awards and scholarships

The School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies has prizes and scholarships available for students who show academic excellence.

Applied Linguistics prize

Prize awarded annually to the best student of the year at graduate level in Applied Linguistics. The amount of the award is approximately $500 for the purchase of books.

Ian Gordon Master’s Scholarship

These scholarships are intended to support students undertaking a Master's degree by coursework in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics or TESOL at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. At least one scholarship will normally be targeted towards teachers returning to study

Ian Gordon Prize in Linguistics

The Ian Gordon Prize(s) are awarded annually for the best piece(s) of completed research (essay, project, or thesis) by Honours or Master’s students in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies. Up to two prizes may be awarded in any year. If the research selected is a thesis (90 points or above), the prize awarded shall be called the ‘Ian Gordon Thesis Prize’. If the research selected is an essay or project completed as part of a course that is less than 90 points, the prize shall be called the ‘Ian Gordon Research Essay Prize’.

Janet Holmes Prize

This prize was established in 2026 using funds donated by Professor Janet Holmes, via the Victoria University Foundation. The purpose of this prize is to encourage students interested in sociolinguistics at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington to complete a major in Language Sciences and to then continue to postgraduate study. It recognises the top student in Languages in the Life of Aotearoa New Zealand and Asia-Pacific (LSCI 210) in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies.

JPK Prizes in Applied Linguistics

These prizes were generously established by JPK a Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington alumnus to encourage postgraduate study in applied linguistics.

Language Sciences Prize

This prize arises from a fund donated in 1985. The prize is awarded annually to the best student completing a Bachelor's degree (or Graduate Diploma in Arts) with a major in Language Sciences or Linguistics who, in the opinion of the Head of the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, is the best student of the year and worthy of the award. The Head of School will consult Language Sciences programme staff in deciding the award. Recipients will be asked to write a letter for thanks, which will be forwarded appropriately.

Linguistics Taught Postgraduate Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to assist students to undertake the degree of BA (Hons) or Master of Linguistics at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. One scholarship will be awarded each year.

Wellington Doctoral scholarships

These scholarships are intended to encourage and support doctoral study (PhD) at Victoria University of Wellington.

To find out more about what PhD and postgraduate scholarships are on offer and how to apply, visit the postgraduate and doctoral scholarships page at the scholarships office site. Or visit the scholarships website for further information on all available prizes and scholarships.

Previously offered scholarships

Graeme Kennedy Masters Scholarship in Applied Linguistics/Linguistics

This scholarship was awarded annually and was offered from 2018 to 2020.