Applying for graduate study at a New Zealand University

Before you apply for the NZAS scholarship, you must secure an UNCONDITIONAL OFFER from a New Zealand university first. I mentioned the participating universities in my previous post.

I applied at the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington, and got accepted to both, but chose to study with the former.

In this post, I will discuss the application process at the University of Auckland.

The first thing to do is visit the university's on-line application page. Everything is there. 

Choose your degree. 

Choose your course. 

Then fill up the on-line application form, press the send button and wait for the International Office's response. It's very simple.

The next step is to prepare your supporting documents. They are:

• Standard passport photograph
• Verified copy of passport
• Certified copy of official academic transcript
• Certified evidence of diploma

You will actually be asked to upload a scanned copy of these documents during your on-line application, but you will have to send the hard copies as well.

Do NOT send the hard copies though, until you get a go signal from the International Office. I sent mine via DHL and it cost me about PhP1,500.00.

After you send your supporting documents, you wait. The waiting period varies from university to university. Some, like Massey University, respond within 2 weeks. For the University of Auckland, my unconditional offer was emailed to me after more than a month.

You have to apply as early as possible, so that you can get the unconditional offer. Only when you have that offer from the university can you submit your application for the scholarship.

PS: Strangely, unlike colleges in the US or Europe, both the University of Auckland AND Victoria University of Wellington did NOT ask for referee (or recommendation) letters. I assume it's the same for other universities in New Zealand. I guess the Kiwis focus more on an applicant's academic credentials than his references.

The New Zealand ASEAN Scholarship

The New Zealand government is offering post-gradute scholarships to take up development-related studies at selected universities in New Zealand. For official information, click on this link.

I am one of its recipients for school year 2013, and in this blog, I will share my experiences, as well as other important information, you can use in your pursuit of studying in the country that gave us Sir Edmund Hillary, women suffrage and the Lord of the Rings.

First, right off the bat, what kind of degrees and courses are covered? 

The scholarships cover post-graduate certificate (PG Cert), post-graduate diploma (PG Dip), masters degree and PhD.

As for the courses, they vary. As long as you can prove that your course will be able to aid you in contributing to the development of the country, then you're good. This year, a lot of us are taking up development studies. But there are others studying tourism, food science, business, international relations, geothermal energy, public health, agriculture and veterinary medicine.

Next, let's talk about eligibility. Who are eligible for this scholarship? 

The minimum requirements are:

• Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines
• Not more than 40 years old at the start of the scholarship
• Not have citizenship or permanent residence status in New Zealand OR Australia
• Not hold, nor have held in the preceding 2 years, a New Zealand OR Australian government scholarship
• Apply to commence a NEW programme of study
• Apply for a higher-level qualification
• Have at least 2 years work experience relative to chosen career
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to the development of the Philippines
• HAVE an UNCONDITIONAL OFFER for a post-graduate course at a PARTICIPATING New Zealand university
• Can take up the scholarship in the calendar year the scholarship is offered
• Agree to return to the Philippines for 2 years following completion of the scholarship

Third, what New Zealand universities are participating under this program? 

They are:

• University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology (AUT)
• Lincoln University
• Manukau Institute of Technology
• Massey University
• Unitec
• University of Canterbury
• University of Otago
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Waikato

Finally, what are the important dates to remember?

July 15, 2013: Deadline for applications, including ALL documents required.

August 2013: Screening, Shortlisting and Panel Interviews

September 2013: Shortlist submitted to regional committee

October 2013: Results and letters of offer sent to successful applicants

October-December 2013: Pre-departure arrangements

January-February 2014: Pre-departure briefing and departure for New Zealand

So if you're like me and interested to study development in New Zealand, then you better start the application process. Good luck!