Scholarships
The University of Otago offers numerous scholarships for undergraduate study. There are many scholarships and awards for study across all disciplines as well as a number of scholarships and awards for study within a specific discipline.
Scholarships at the University of Otago
Prizes in History
We award prizes to top students annually.
HIST 100 level
Reda Ross Prize in History
Established in 2019 by the University of Otago and the Ross family to commemorate Mrs. Reda Ross. In 1929, when she was in the equivalent of year 12, Mrs. Ross was allowed to sit the scholarship examinations in English and History. She won the Lissie Rathbone Scholarship, beating her future husband, Angus Ross in the process. As a result, whilst still at Columba College, in 1930, she was allowed to attend university and take first year History and English. Professor Angus Ross and Mrs. Ross were the joint-authors of the section on the gold rushes in the official Centennial History of New Zealand published in 1940.
The prize will be awarded to the best student in first year History. To be eligible for the prize the student should take at least two 100-level History papers in the same year. To be eligible to receive the remuneration of the Reda Ross Prize in History, the student who receives the prize, must enrol at the University of Otago in the following year, in a full-time 200 level course majoring in History towards a Bachelor of Arts degree.
An award will not be made in any year in which there are no candidates of sufficient merit.
The award may be given concurrently with other awards. The prize is valued at $750.
HIST 200 level
John Omer-Cooper Prize
Established in 2001 from money donated by colleagues, former students and friends, in memory of Professor John D Omer-Cooper BA(Cantab) MA(Rhodes), one of his generation's outstanding scholars of African history and Professor of History from 1973 – 1995.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), to the best student over three papers in History at 200 level (including ENVI211) in the same year.
Toitū Otago Settlers Prize in Local History
Established in 2005 by the Otago Settlers' Association in order to promote the study of local history.
The Prize shall be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) to the best history major student in second year history.
The Prize in Local History shall comprise a paid Summer Internship of six weeks duration tenable at the Toitu Otago Settlers' Museum.
HIST 300 level
Angus Ross Prize
Established in 1991 by former colleagues and students of Angus Ross OBE, MC and Bar, ED Ariston Andrias, MA (NZ), PhD (Cantab), distinguished soldier, scholar, and Professor of History from 1965 to 1977.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council, on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), to the best student in at least four 300-level History papers in the same year.
Otago University Press Prize
Established in 2006 by Otago University Press, publisher of a wide range of non-fiction books on New Zealand, the Pacific and Asia, including the Otago History Series.
The Prize shall be awarded annually by the University Council, on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), to the best student in HIST353 – Practising History.
The Otago University Press History Prize shall consist of Otago History Series books to the value of $200.
HIST 400 level
William Downie Stewart Prize in History
Established in 2000 from funds donated to the University by American historian David Hackett Fischer in honour of William Downie Stewart (1878-1949), eminent Dunedin lawyer, benefactor, soldier, Member of Parliament (1914-1935) and historian.
The prize shall be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), to the student who presents the best History dissertation at 400 level.
James Clark Prize in History
In the early 1900's the late Mrs Clark, widow of the Rev. James Clark of Palmerston, left a legacy of 500 Pounds to the Presbyterian Church for the promotion of sound learning in the University of Otago. The interest of the legacy is devoted to providing five annual prizes in books (of which, one for a History student). The prizes shall be awarded by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities), to the most distinguished student at 400 level.
Public History Prize
Established in 2003 by donation from the Centre for Public History.
The Prize shall be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) to the candidate who achieves the highest standard in a 490 dissertation pertaining to public history.