Hey, if you’re planning to study in New Zealand in 2026, you’re picking an awesome spot. New Zealand has stunning nature, top-quality education, safe campuses, and a very welcoming vibe for international students. Tuition for non-EU/EEA students (including Pakistanis) is usually NZ$30,000–NZ$45,000/year for undergrad and NZ$35,000–NZ$50,000 for Master’s, but scholarships can cover most or all of it — plus living costs in many cases.
Most scholarships are university-specific or through the New Zealand government (Manaaki program). English-taught programs are everywhere, and many waive IELTS if your previous degree was in English. Here are the **top 6 scholarships** for 2026 intake (mostly starting February or July 2026 — New Zealand has two main intakes).
1. Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships (Best Government Scholarship)
This is the flagship scholarship from New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs — fully funded and very prestigious.
- Coverage: Full tuition + living allowance NZ$491/week + travel allowance + health insurance + establishment allowance
- Who can apply: Citizens of developing countries (Pakistan included) for Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD
- Fields: Priority: climate change, agriculture, renewable energy, disaster risk, private sector development
- Application period for 2026: Usually February–April 2026 (check manaaki.nz in early 2026)
Super competitive — strong academics + clear development impact in Pakistan = best chance. Pakistan has good allocation every year.
2. University of Auckland International Student Excellence Scholarship
Auckland is NZ’s #1 university (global top 100) — this is their top scholarship for internationals.
- Coverage: Up to NZ$10,000 per year (partial tuition waiver) — can be renewed
- Who can apply: Non-NZ citizens for undergraduate or postgraduate (taught Master’s)
- Application: Automatic consideration during admission (deadlines: April/May 2026 for July intake, Oct/Nov for Feb 2027)
Auckland is a vibrant city with lots of Pakistani community — great for networking and jobs after study.
3. University of Otago International Excellence Scholarships
Otago (in Dunedin) is beautiful, historic, and very student-focused.
- Coverage: NZ$10,000–NZ$30,000 per year (tuition reduction) + some full waivers for top applicants
- Who can apply: International students for undergraduate or postgraduate
- Application: Separate form or automatic (deadlines vary — usually April–November 2026)
Dunedin is cheaper to live in and has a strong research focus — perfect for sciences, health, humanities.
4. Victoria University of Wellington Tongarewa International Scholarships
Wellington (capital city) — great for policy, law, film, creative arts.
- Coverage: NZ$10,000–NZ$20,000 tuition reduction (one-time or renewable)
- Who can apply: New international students for undergraduate or Master’s
- Application: Separate application during admission (deadlines: June 2026 for Trimester 3, Oct/Nov for 2027)
Wellington is artsy, windy, and full of government/international orgs — good for internships.
5. University of Canterbury International First Year Scholarship
Canterbury (Christchurch) — strong in engineering, sciences, business.
- Coverage: NZ$10,000–NZ$20,000 for first year (renewable in some cases)
- Who can apply: New international undergrads (high academic merit)
- Application: Automatic during admission
Christchurch is rebuilding and modern — lower living costs, great outdoor lifestyle.
6. Lincoln University International Taught Master Merit Scholarships
Lincoln (near Christchurch) is the specialist land, agriculture, environment university.
- Coverage: Up to NZ$10,000–NZ$20,000 tuition reduction for Master’s
- Who can apply: International students in taught Master’s (agriculture, environment, food science, tourism)
- Application: Automatic or separate (deadlines vary)
Perfect if you’re into agriculture, sustainability, or food tech — Lincoln has excellent industry links.
Quick Comparison (2026 Intake)
| Rank | Scholarship / University | Coverage | Monthly/One-time Help | Deadline (2026 intake) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAWA Banach / Manaaki NZ | Full tuition + stipend | €350–450/month | Feb–Jun 2026 | Developing countries |
| 2 | Poland My First Choice | Full tuition + stipend + relocation | €450/month | May–Jul 2026 | Master’s & PhD |
| 3 | University of Warsaw | 50–100% tuition | Up to €220/month | Feb–Jul 2026 | Social sciences, law |
| 4 | Jagiellonian University | Full/partial tuition | Up to €350/month | Spring–Summer 2026 | Prestige, humanities |
| 5 | Warsaw University of Technology | 30–100% tuition | Up to €450/month | Jan–Jul 2026 | Engineering, IT |
| 6 | Lincoln University | Up to NZ$20,000 tuition reduction | — | Varies | Agriculture, environment |
Quick Tips for 2026 Applications
- No IELTS needed in many cases — English MOI letter often works.
- Application round: Winter intake (apply Feb–July 2026 for October start).
- Living costs: €500–900/month (Kraków & Wrocław cheaper).
- Part-time work: 20 hours/week allowed — easy in cafes/IT.
- Visa: Poland D-type student visa — high approval rate.
- Official site: studyinpoland.pl
Start Your Poland Journey 2026!
Official guide: studyinpoland.pl
NAWA portal: nawa.gov.pl
Deadlines coming soon — bookmark and apply early!
