Mātātoa International Sport Scholarship
History and purpose
The purpose of the Mātātoa International Sport Scholarship is to support high performing international athletes who are wanting to study in New Zealand at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. This scholarship supports the international student athlete to retain a healthy balance of focus and commitment toward their programme of study, sporting commitments, and their own wellbeing, resulting in a rewarding and successful university experience.
The scholarship is open to any international athletes from all sporting and academic disciplines who are intending to enrol in their first year of an undergraduate degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Scholarships are valued at $10,000 for the first year of study as a contribution towards tuition fees. As a Mātātoa scholarship recipient you will have free access to a suite of support services that include allocated recreation staff, fitness facility access, and an ambassador welcome pack.
Who is eligible?
- Applicants must be international full-fee-paying students.
- Applicants must be enrolling in their first year of their first undergraduate degree.
- Applicants must be at a minimum, age-group regional, state and/or national representatives in their chosen sport.
Selection criteria
Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of sporting achievement (state, regional or national representation), academic merit, leadership contributions in sport s and other personal circumstances.
Application process
A completed online application must be submitted by 4.30 pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4.30 pm on the closing date in order for the application to be considered.
Applications will normally open one month prior to the closing date. If no application link is provided below, check back again closer to the closing date. Contact us if you have any queries.
Scholarship specific documentation
- A personal statement outlining goals and performance planning.
- Evidence of sporting performance and results within the last year.
Selection process
Selection will be made by the Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Undergraduate Scholarship Committee in consultation with a panel of University staff chaired by the Head of Sport and Recreation. The decisions of the Committee are final.
Additional information
All recipients of the International School-Leaver Excellence Scholarships are guaranteed an offer of a place in one of our Halls of Residence, provided an accommodation application is received by University Accommodation Wellington by 1 October.
Award recipients are expected to be:
- An active member of the Student Athlete Network.
- A member of a Victoria University of Wellington registered sport club.*
- Available to represent Victoria University of Wellington at University and Tertiary Sport New Zealand Championship events.
* Where it is more appropriate for the recipient to be playing for a non-university club, or be excused from UTSNZ selection, the recipient may apply for exemption (decision to be made by the Sports Manager).
Scholarships will be paid in one instalment (after the enrolment completion period) and will be conditional upon the recipient adhering to the terms of this scholarship.
Regulations and conditions
- A completed online application must be submitted by 4:30pm on the closing date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any required supporting documentation (including references) must also be received by 4:30pm on the closing date for the application to be considered.
- All offers of the Scholarship will be conditional upon the recipient being fully enrolled in a full-year programme (full time will be at the level of points considered by Immigration New Zealand as full time) within the stipulated criteria and tenure of the scholarship. No payment of the Scholarship will be made until this condition is met. Exceptional circumstances need to be discussed with the Sports Manager and approved by the Undergraduate Scholarship Committee.
- All scholarship offers must be accepted by the date specified in the award letter, otherwise it will expire. The University reserves the right to reallocate the Scholarship.
- Scholarships will be awarded at the value of $10,000.
- This scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
- Should the recipient withdraw from Victoria University of Wellington during the tenure of this scholarship or fail to achieve a satisfactory progress, partial repayment of the Scholarship will normally be expected. Recipients must advise the Scholarships Office if they intend to withdraw.
- This scholarship is intended for international students. If a student’s fee status changes from international to domestic fees before the scholarship is credited to their account, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
- The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
- Mātātoa International Sport Scholarship recipients are ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and are expected to always represent the values of the University. Our sporting ambassadors will be active and vocal supporters of the University, our clubs, university sport, and their student peers. Recipients are expected to participate in any marketing and communication opportunities that are presented.
- The recipient must be an active, registered member of the applicable sports club of Victoria University of Wellington.
- Scholarship recipients are automatically registered in the Student Athlete Network and are expected to be active members and participants within this community.
- At the discretion of the Deciding Authority, the application of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship may be modified in special circumstances or to avoid hardship to any candidate for the Scholarship.
Contact
Scholarships Office
scholarships-office@vuw.ac.nz
Phone 0800 04 04 04