University of Otago Undergraduate Scholarships
The University of Otago offers a range of Entrance Sholarships. These scholarships are for students who have not previously been admitted to the University of Otago and who are planning to undertake undergraduate study. Apply for a University of Otago Entrance scholarship.
University of Otago Postgraduate Scholarships
Typically our PhD students apply for a University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship, awarded on the basis of academic excellence, with a duration of three years, and open to all nationalities. Applications for these scholarships can be made at any time during the year. The scholarship pays a generous stipend in addition to the tuition fees. Students find they can live comfortably in Dunedin on the stipend.
Domestic students seeking a Master's degree are eligible for University of Otago Research Master's Scholarships, which are awarded to candidates in their thesis year of study based on academic merit, include a stipend for up to 1 year, the payment of the fees at domestic level, and partial thesis expenses. Note that Master's students who are not New Zealand residents or Australian are required to pay international fees, and a Master's scholarship covers only part of the fees.
Scholarships offered within the Department
A number of scholarships may be offered within the Department by academic staff members who have external research grants. Contact the academic staff involved in the research for more information.
Physics Department Prizes
Agnes Randall Blackie Memorial prize
Established in 1978 from funds collected by a group of previous students of Agnes Randall Blackie, Lecturer in the Department of Physics from 1919 to 1958, in her memory. The prize has a value of $100 and shall be awarded by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sciences), to those students achieving the highest level of attainment in Physics at 100-level and who, in the year in which the award is made, intend to proceed to a higher level of study in one of the Biological, Health or Life Sciences. Up to three prizes may be available in any one year, but if in any one year there are insufficient candidates who have reached a sufficiently high standard, fewer prizes shall be awarded.
Robert Jack Institute of Physics prize
The prizes were founded in 1948 by members of the Physics staff and by former students of Robert Jack MA DSc LLD(Glasgow) PhD(Gottingen), to commemorate his work as Professor of Physics in the University of Otago from 1914 to 1948. Two prizes of $250 are awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sciences). One prize is awarded to the best student of Physics at 100-level, and one to the best student of Physics at 200-level.
Otago Institute Prize (RSNZ Otago)
This prize of $250 is awarded annually to the student adjudged to have demonstrated outstanding ability in the final year of the course for the degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours or in the Postgraduate Diploma course in Science, as measured by performance in the annual examinations and in particular the research exercise or component.
Keith Dawber Prize
Established in 2000 by colleagues and friends, in memory of Keith Dawber MSc(NZ) SM(MIT) DSc(Otago), a lecturer in the Department of Physics from 1959 to 1997, and a pioneer in wind energy research. The prize of $200 is to be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) and the Head of the Department of Physics, to the student of Physics who shows most promise in the study of the physics of Energy and the Environment. A further 3 prizes of $200 may be awarded to the best students in PHSI191. The prize shall not be awarded in any year in which there is no candidate of sufficient merit.
Oien Prize in Energy Management
For the most outstanding EMAN student of the year – established in 2010 in memory of Jon and Noel Oien by former graduate Dr Ann Marie Oien via the Alumni of the University of Otago in America. The prize of $500 will be awarded to the outstanding EMAN student of the year. It will normally go to a student at 400-level. If there is no outstanding student at 400-level the prize could be awarded to the outstanding student at 300-level. If there is no outstanding student at 300-level then the prize could go to an outstanding 200-level student. If there is no outstanding student at any level the prize would be withheld for that year.
Oien Prize in Physics
Established in 2021, through a generous donation from Dr. Ann-Marie Oien, the Oien Prize in Physics is in memory of the donor's father-in-law, Derek B. Philips, who passed away in December 2019. The Prize, normally of $500, will be awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of Head of Physics, to the the best student at 300-level Physics.
Gordon Jupp Memorial Prize
Founded in 1944 by a gift of £50 from the Rev. George Jupp and Mrs Jupp in memory of their son, Sergeant Pilot Gordon Archibald Jupp (RAF) BSc BE AOSM, who lost his life on active service in Libya in 1941. The prize has a value of $250, and was awarded triennially until 2000, when it became an annual prize. The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Sciences), to the best student of Physics at 100-level who, in the year of the award, intends to proceed to a degree in Arts, Science or Engineering.
Douglass D Crombie Award in Physics
Established in 2012 by the University of Otago Council in memory of Mr Douglass D Crombie. This award has been made possible by a generous bequest from the late Mr Crombie for the purpose of encouraging postgraduate research in Physics. This award has a value of $7000 and will be offered to an outstanding University of Otago Physics graduate intending to undertake a PhD in Physics at an overseas university.
Otago University Prizes
Prince of Wales Prize
The prize of $1500 is awarded annually by the University Council through delegated authority to the Scholarships and Prizes Committee to the most outstanding student completing an undergraduate or honours degree.
Stuart Prize
This prize of $300 has a three yearly rotation across English, Philosophy and Physics. Founded in 1894 by a bequest of £100 under the will of the Rev. D.M. Stuart DD, Chancellor of the University from 1879-1894. The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sciences) as appropriate, as follows: In 2002 and thereafter triennially to the best student of English at 100-level. (2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, etc) In 2003 and thereafter triennially to the best student of Philosophy at 100- level. (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, etc) In 2004 and thereafter triennially to the best student of Physics at 100-level. (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, etc)