Te Pukenga Wai Master’s Thesis Scholarship

History and purpose

This scholarship is funded by the Faculty to support the recruitment, retention, and success of research students from priority groups.

Who is Eligible?

• Open to Te Pukenga Wai—Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences Master’s students
• Priority given to students who are Māori, Pasifika, or from a refugee background who are not holders of a Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Master’s Scholarship
• Preference given to students currently enrolled in thesis component of a master’s degree with six months or more to go or intending to enrol before 1 July 2026.
• This scholarship must be allocated in 2026.

Selection Criteria

Awarded on basis of:

• Academic merit (i.e. transcript)
• Brief statement from student stating how the scholarship would help them to pursue master’s research
• Brief supporting statement from supervisor or potential supervisor
• Consideration of equity and under-represented groups e.g., Māori, Pasifika, Refugee Background

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 brief personal statement
• A reference from supervisor (to be requested via the online application).

Selection process

The successful recipient will be selected by Associate Dean Postgraduate Research Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences in consultation with other appropriate academic staff.

Conditions

1. 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.
2. 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 Studylink 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.
3. The Scholarship cannot be deferred to a later year.
4. The Scholarship may be held in conjunction with other awards.
5. 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.
6. Recipients are expected to act as ambassadors for Victoria University of Wellington and participate in appropriate events or marketing if requested.
7. 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