Auckland University Of Technology Phd Scholarship

Auckland University of Technology offers Doctoral Scholarships in order to attract highly achieving doctoral research students to AUT and to encourage and stimulate doctoral studies in areas that enhance the University’s research capability.



The University awards scholarships to high achieving candidates applying to an approved doctoral programme at AUT.

What is the value of the scholarship?

Each Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship consists of an annual stipend of NZ$25,000 plus tuition fees and student services levy for up to three years. AUT Doctoral Scholarships normally consist of the following:

  • Tuition fees (at the domestic rate) plus the compulsory student services fee; and
  • An annual stipend of NZ$25,000 per annum.

However, applicants for the AUT Doctoral Scholarship will also be considered for one of the following faculty or school funded options:

  • A Full Fee Scholarship
  • Full fees plus an annual stipend of either $15,000, $20,000 or $25,000.

If a recipient is already enrolled in their PhD the three-year tenure will be adjusted by deducting the number of months between first enrolment date and scholarship closing date plus a three-month grace period.

Who can apply for AUT Doctoral Scholarships?

All recipients of an AUT Doctoral Scholarship will normally have the equivalent of first-class honours.

Applicants must meet the admission criteria for a doctoral programme, ie a relevant master’s degree or a bachelor’s (honours) degree with first or second class (first division) honours and have completed the application for admission process as outlined below.

International applicants must meet the English language proficiency requirements.

Consideration will be given to all applicants’ research experience and publication record and previous study should include evidence of research methodology papers and an independent research project, including the writing of a report on that research.  Preference will be given to new applicants to the PhD programme.



How do I apply for this scholarship?

  • If you have not already applied for admission into the PhD programme at AUT you must complete both steps of the combined application process outlined below.
  • If you are an existing PhD student or already have an offer of place go directly to step 2.

1) Apply for admission into the PhD programme at AUT

The holding of this scholarship is conditional on acceptance into the AUT doctoral programme. Applicants who have not completed the process of applying for admission into the PhD programme are not eligible to apply. As the admissions process may take up to two months to complete it is essential that applicants allow at least two months prior to applying for this scholarship.

For information on how to commence your application for admission to the PhD programme contact the Graduate Research School [email protected]

2) Apply for an AUT Doctoral Scholarship



It is strongly advised that you complete an application for admission prior to applying for the scholarship. Application for the scholarship will be through the AUT scholarship application portal (CommunityForce).

  • Download the Scholarship Regulations from the links below and familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and the conditions of acceptance.
  • Apply through the Online Scholarships Application portal available from the link below.
  • You will be asked to upload a two-page statement outlining your proposed research. Please note this must be a maximum of 1,000 words only (plus references). A longer document will not be accepted.
  • You will also be asked to upload a brief CV (maximum three A4 pages)
  • You will be asked to provide details of your two academic referees and request via the portal them to submit a confidential report directly to the online portal by the closing date.
  • If your proposed AUT primary supervisor or Head of School is not one of your referees, you will be asked to provide a letter or evidence of AUT faculty support. If your supervisor is also a referee they need to provide only one statement covering both purposes. Your application will not be provided to the panel unless you can demonstrate that the AUT faculty support your application.
  • Submit your completed application to the Scholarships Office via the online portal. It is essential you submit your application once you have completed all the required sections; this can be done before your referees have submitted their reports.