AUT New Horizons Scholarships (Decile 1 – 4 Auckland Schools)


Regulations [PDF, 245.4 KB]
Application Form
Closing date:01/09/2020
01/09/2021
Closes 1 September each year
Value of Award:$6,500 – see Additional Information
No. of awards:Varies
Tenure: The scholarship is awarded finitially for one year.  Scholars who pass all papers and achieve the required level will be eligible at the completion of their first year to apply for the AUT Undergraduate Scholarship (Fees) available for subsequent years of study in an AUT Bachelor’s degree under the above categories.  

In recognition of twenty years as a University, and to support students from Decile 1 – 4 secondary schools, Auckland University of Technology (AUT) offers undergraduate scholarships to reward student achievement for students from Decile 1-4 Auckland Region schools (see Appendix 1 of Regulations).



Students at Decile 1 – 4 Auckland Region schools, on the list appended, and who meet the eligibility criteria for this scholarship are invited to apply. AUT will select students who best meet the scholarship criteria and AUT’s strategic initiatives.

The initial basis of selection will be academic ability as attested by the applicant achieving the required rank score, motivation to succeed at University and the nominee’s level of preparedness for university study. Preference may be given to candidates who intend to enrol at the AUT South Campus and/or those who can demonstrate financial need.

Selection criteria:

• The applicant must be intending to enrol for the first time, in a full-time programme of study in Semester 1 of the year following application. Full-time will normally be 60 pts per semester.

• The applicant must have an AUT student ID number in order to apply. This can be obtained by commencing enrolment at AUT online www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/apply-to-aut

• The applicant must be studying an NZQA recognized qualification at a NZ secondary school (Decile 1 – 4 Auckland Region)in the year of application. • The applicant must be a NZ Citizen or permanent resident.

• The applicant must have demonstrated the potential for leadership/

• The applicant must have studied subjects relevant to their proposed tertiary course of study and will have as a minimum, one of the following:    – NCEA 250 rank score    – CIE a minimum of 180 points on the UCAS Tariff    – IB Principal’s indicative rank score 28 The rank score is calculated from university approved subjects (or in subjects leading to university approved subjects) studied in the year prior to application only and at Level 2 NCEA or AS (CIE) level or above.

A maximum of 24 credits only may be used in any one subject. Students who have been accelerated may use relevant subjects from the year prior to this providing only a total of 24 credits in each subject is used.

The Information to assist calculating the rank score is available from the on-line application portal and from www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/fees-scholarships-and-finance/scholarships/school-and-community-partnership Preference may be given to students enrolling at AUT South if the degree programme is offered at the South Campus.

General Information:

How do students apply?
A link to the application form will be available in July of the year prior to commencement from the AUT Scholarships database www.aut.ac.nz/scholarships .

Application is through the AUT online scholarship portal.  Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria and complete the AUT School Leaver Scholarship Application online via the link available through the AUT Scholarships Database. 

Applicants will be required to upload:

• A one-page personal statement explaining the reasons for wishing to attend AUT, the academic goals they hope to achieve and any career aspirations they have. Applicants should also state why they believe they merit the scholarship.

• A list of school, community, cultural and sporting achievements

• A current certified copy of their NCEA or CIE record of achievement. REFERENCES: Applicants must nominate two character references in support of their application. Nominated referees will be sent an email from the application portal CommunityForce.

• One referee should be from the school, cultural group, religious group, sports club, work place or a community organisation that the applicant is involved with who can attest to the applicant’s personal situation with regard to potential financial need if appropriate.



• The second must be from their Principal or Principal’s nominee. If the applicant is studying IB this should include the Principal’s predicted IB score. All documentation must be received by the closing date inclusive of reference statements or the application will be considered ineligible.
Regulations [PDF, 245.4 KB]
Application Form

Decision makers
• Selection will be based on academic ability at Level 2 or higher in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) or an equivalent qualification, as well as cultural or sporting participation, leadership potential, and likelihood to succeed in the chosen programme of study.

• The applicant’s level of preparedness for university study will be assessed by considering their performance to date in subjects relevant to their intended degree programme.

• Applicants may be considered for an alternative scholarship if they are not awarded this scholarship. However, it is advised that applicants apply for any other AUT scholarship where they meet the eligibility criteria.

How and when do students learn of the decision?
As soon as possible after the closing date. Applicants for this scholarship may also be considered for an alternative scholarship funded by the School or Faculty of the applicant’s nominated programme.  

What conditions are attached to acceptance of this award?
   • The award of this scholarship is conditional on the student gaining entry to an AUT undergraduate degree programme.

• Scholars will enrol in no less than 120pts  during the tenure of the scholarship. Permission to study less than 120pts will only be given in exceptional circumstances.

•The scholar may hold non fee based scholarships with the approval of the Scholarships Office.

• A condition of the Scholarship is that the student agrees to complete two progress reports each Semester of their first year of study. This is an integral part of the first year and may be extended to subsequent years. If an AUT Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded for subsequent study.

• Except in cases where there are compelling medical reasons or adverse personal circumstances beyond a student’s control, the uptake of scholarships cannot be deferred.

• Recipients must be enrolled continuously in their programme of study. Suspensions or Leave of Absence for students who have already commenced their degree will not usually be approved unless there are compelling medical or personal circumstances beyond the student’s control.

• Deferral and suspension requests must be made in writing to the Scholarships Office

• Renewal of the scholarship is conditional upon the student passing all papers and maintaining a minimum B grade average.

• Should a scholar who fails a paper successfully appeal to have the scholarship reinstated the scholarship will not pay for a resit of this paper.

• The Head of the Scholarships Office has the authority to terminate or suspend a scholarship on behalf of the Scholarships Committee if the office receives an unsatisfactory report on the academic progress of a recipient.

• Recipients who take up this Scholarship but do not complete at least two semesters of study at AUT may be required to pay back the full value of the sc

Additional information
An amount of $6,500 to support full-time study (no less than 120pts) in a degree programme at AUT. In the first year this will either be paid as:

Option 1: A contribution towards accommodation in an approved Hall of Residence to be paid directly to the relevant Halls of Residence; or   

Option 2: Payment into the student’s personal bank account in four equal instalments throughout the year commencing in mid-March. Scholars who pass all papers and achieve the required level will be eligible at the completion of their first year to apply for the AUT Undergraduate Scholarship (Fees) available for subsequent years of study in an AUT Bachelor’s degree under the above categories.  

Applicants for this scholarship may also be considered for alternative scholarships funded by AUT.  

For guidelines, application forms and more information about this award contact:Auckland University of Technology


Phone: +64 9 921 9837

Email: [email protected]