Before you apply for any scholarships, you'll need to get a few things sorted. Use this guide to help you work through the process. This may seem like a lot of work, but it's worth it to have a shot at our valuable scholarships.
What to prepare
Below we've outlined all of the information you'll need to have on hand in order to complete each section of the application.
Education
You must complete this section. You will need to provide:
- The education system(s) you studied in and your candidate number (if applicable)
- Name and contact details for the teacher in charge of the IB programme at your school (if applicable)
- Issues that may have negatively affected your Year 12 results (if applicable)
Leadership
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- School and community leadership roles (if applicable)
- Short statements (max 200 characters each) that demonstrate 3 examples of your school or community leadership activities within the past 2 years
- Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your leadership activities (only applicable if you were not enrolled at a New Zealand high school in the past 2 years). You may use the same referee more than once.
Academic achievement
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- Short statements (max 200 characters each) that describe outstanding academic achievements. The University will automatically receive a copy of your academic transcript so provide information beyond what is included in that document.
Sport and cultural
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- The name of your high performance sporting or cultural activity
- Short statements (max 200 characters each) that outline 3 examples of significant activities that demonstrate your excellence in your chosen performance activity
- An indication of whether you intend to continue to participate in your chosen performance activity while at Otago
Extra-curricular activity
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- Short statements (max 200 characters each) that demonstrate 3 examples of your extra-curricular activities within the past 2 years
Māori
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you*. You will need to provide:
- A statement (max 1,500 characters) that demonstrates your involvement with taha Māori
- A statement (max 1,500 characters) that outlines your personal, professional and career aspirations
- Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your answers in this section. You may use the same referee more than once.
*Applicable to individuals who whakapapa Māori.
Pacific
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you*. You will need to provide:
- A statement (max 1,500 characters) that demonstrates your involvement with Pacific communities
- A statement (max 1,500 characters) that outlines your personal, professional and career aspirations
- Name and contact details for a referee who can comment on your answers in this section. You may use the same referee more than once.
*Applicable to indigenous Pacific peoples only.
Financial circumstances
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines your family's financial circumstances
- A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines the impact a scholarship will have on your ability to study at the University of Otago
- Name and contact details for a parent or caregiver who can provide information about your family's financial circumstances. You may use the same referee more than once.
- Information about paid work in the 12 months prior to submitting your application
Family circumstances
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- A statement (max 200 characters) that outlines any family circumstances that may impact your ability to study at the University of Otago
- Your family's refugee status
- Whether you are first-in-family to attend university
- If you are care experienced
Disability
Complete this section only if it is relevant to you. You will need to provide:
- A statement (max 200 characters) about your disability, impairment or medical condition
- Name and contact details for a referee who can review and comment on your answers in this section
Declaration/submit
There is a declaration that you must agree with before you can submit your online scholarship application.
Is it relevant?
If you're still not sure whether you should be providing further information in a particular section, use the information below to help you decide. The chart indicates which scholarships will factor your answers to a particular section into their selection considerations. That being said, we really do encourage you to complete as many sections as possible – as long as they are relevant to you.
| Scholarship application sections | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create eVision account | Education | Leadership | Academic achievements | Sport and cultural | Extra-curricular | Māori | Pacific | Financial circumstances | Family circumstances | Disability | Declaration / submit | |
| Academic Excellence | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||
| Leaders of Tomorrow | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| Māori | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| Pacific Peoples' | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| 150th | Yes | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | |||||||
| Donna-Rose McKay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||||||||
| Performance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||
| New Frontiers | Yes | Yes | Yes | |||||||||
| Ralph and Eve Seelye Academic Excellence | Yes | Yes | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | |||||||
- Required
- Complete either the Financial or Family circumstances sections.
When to apply?
In order to be considered for as many scholarships as possible, don't delay in submitting your scholarship application. You will only be considered for scholarships that are open on the date you apply. Use the information below to help you decide when is best to get your application sorted.
| Scholarship | NZ dollars (1-to-3 year tenure) | Opening date | Closing date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | Typically around $40,000 | 1 July | 15 August |
| Leaders of Tomorrow | $7,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| Māori | $16,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| Pacific Peoples' | $16,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| 150th | $16,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| Donna-Rose McKay | $16,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| S & G Higgs | $6,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| Performance | $7,000* | 1 July | 15 August |
| New Frontiers | $2,000 or $4,000 | 1 July | 4 March |
| Dux | $6,000** | No application or closing date | |
| Alumni Appeal | $6,000 | To be advised | To be advised |
| Alumni in America Inc. | $6,000 | To be advised | To be advised |
| Law Alumni | $6,000 | To be advised | To be advised |
| 71-73 Frank Leong Alumni | $8,000 | To be advised | To be advised |
| Callis Trust Performance | $6,000 | To be advised | To be advised |
| Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship | Varies | No application or closing date |
- *
- Exceptional applicants may be offered this scholarship at a higher value and a longer tenure.
- **
- Value is reduced if held in conjunction with another Otago Entrance Scholarship.
Full scholarship details
If you'd like to know more about any of our entrance scholarships – including full rules, regulations and selection criteria – you are welcome to read the full details available in our Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships Database.
A full list of available entrance scholarships can be found here.
Frequently asked questions
Our FAQs should help address any remaining questions you might have before applying.