Master’s program opportunities

Opportunity details

Who can apply

Open to Ugandan and other international students obtaining their first master’s qualification and enrolling in a thesis-based research master’s at the University of Otago. Selection is based mainly on academic merit and research potential. The scholarship supports only the thesis component for up to one full-time year. Current divisional availability applies; Commerce/School of Business funding is unavailable for 2026.

Key information

Field of study

Approved thesis-based research master’s fields; check current divisional availability

Intake / academic term

Rolling applications; reviews on 1 March, 1 June, 1 September and 1 November

Study format

On campus

Program duration

Thesis component only, up to one year of full-time enrolment

Tuition and funding options

NZD 18,204 stipend for one year plus a one-year thesis tuition fee waiver capped at NZD 35,000. Applicant pays any tuition above the cap, student services fee, insurance, visa, travel and additional living costs. No separate scholarship application fee stated. Affordability rating: B.

Academic requirements

Admission to a thesis-based research master’s, strong academic merit and demonstrated research potential. Applicants must be international students and this must be their first master’s qualification. A suitable research topic and supervision must be arranged under the chosen program’s rules.

Language / admission tests

Meet the University of Otago English-language and admission requirements for the chosen research master’s program.

Required application documents

Otago program and scholarship application through eVision, academic transcripts and qualification evidence, proposed research information and supervisor approval where required, English evidence, and other documents requested by the academic division.

About this opportunity

Otago offers international research master’s students a NZD 18,204 stipend plus a thesis tuition waiver of up to NZD 35,000 for one full-time year. Ugandan applicants are eligible if this will be their first master’s and they are entering a thesis-based program. Applications are rolling and reviewed four times yearly; the next review is 1 September 2026. Check divisional funding availability before applying—Commerce/School of Business funding is unavailable for 2026—and budget for fees above the waiver, insurance, visa, travel and living-cost gaps.