Scholarships for students from low socio-economic backgrounds

University of Auckland Academic Potential Scholarship - School Leavers

A Scholarship to support students who have achieved academically but are experiencing hardships that potentially limit their opportunities or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances. Awards are made in three different tiers, and our review committee determines which tier a successful applicant will be awarded under.

University of Auckland Academic Potential Scholarship - Pathway Programme Students

A Scholarship to support students currently enrolled in an approved University of Auckland pathway programme who have achieved academically but who are experiencing hardships that potentially limit their opportunities or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances. Awards are made in three different tiers, and our review committee determines which tier a successful applicant will be awarded under.

University of Auckland Waka Moana and Vaka Moana Scholarships

Scholarships to support Māori students and Pacific students enrolled in their final year of secondary school or kura who intend to enrol at the University of Auckland in either an undergraduate degree or a Tertiary Foundation Certificate or Certificate in Health Sciences followed by an undergraduate degree in the following year. The Scholarship includes catered accommodation for one year and a laptop.

360 International Award for Equity Students

An Award to provide support to University of Auckland students who are part of the University’s equity groups while on an approved student exchange.

Brian Boyd First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $8,000 pa for up to four years for a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who is the first in their family to attend university, and who is enrolling in the first year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland. Next available for 2027.

Brookfields Lawyers First in Family Scholarship

A $4,000 Scholarship to support a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident entering Part II of an LLB or LLB conjoint programme, who is the first in their family to attend university.

Business School Inspiring Futures Scholarship

A Scholarship to support a student from a Decile 1 to 3 school enrolling full-time in a BCom, BProp or associated conjoint degree.

Chew Liong Kim & Tan Chee Chin Scholarship

An $8,000 Scholarship to support an international or domestic student enrolling in the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree who has achieved academically but who is experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances.

Faculty of Arts Auckland Schools Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $5,000 for full-time enrolment in the first year of a BA or BA conjoint degree for students from Decile 1-4 secondary schools in the Auckland area.

Frank and Doreen Jones Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $10,000 to support an international or domestic student enrolling in the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree who has achieved academically but who is experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances. Consideration will be given to applicants who are the first in their family to attend university, the decile or Equity Index number of the most recent secondary school or kura attended, or if the appilcant normally lives, or attended secondary school or kura, in a rural area.

Freda and George Green First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $8,000 pa for an incoming first year student who is the first in their family to attend university. Next available in 2027.

Jennie and Arthur Loo First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $8,000 pa for up to 4 years to support a student who is the first in their family to attend university, and who is enrolled in the first year of a degree in Architectural Studies, Design, Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences or Science. Next available in 2027.

Martin Blythe First in Family Scholarship

An $8,000 Scholarship for students enrolling in the first year of an undergraduate degree who are the first member of their family to attend university.

Nauhria First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship of $8,000pa for up to 4 years for a domestic or international student enrolling in the first year of a BCom or BCom conjoint degree who is the first member of their family to attend university. Next available for 2029.

Onehunga High Business School Undergraduate Scholarship

A $4,000 Scholarship to support a student from Onehunga High School enrolling in the first year of a BCom or BProp degree.

Presbyterian Methodist Congregational Grafton Scholarship

A Scholarship covering the cost of accommodation in University of Auckland Halls of Residence for up to three years for first year students who are New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

Ralph & Eve Seelye Undergraduate Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $5,000 per annum for the duration of the first undergraduate degree for New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents currently enrolled in their last year at a high Equity Index secondary school or kura.

Rutherford Science High Achiever Undergraduate Scholarship

A Scholarship for students enrolled in the second year of an undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Science who previously applied for a Top Achiever Scholarship. Consideration may be given to students who are first in their family to attend university.

Scott Family First in Family Scholarship

An $8,000 pa Scholarship for up to four years to assist New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents who are the first in their family to attend university. Next available in 2027.

Seth and Flavia Rankin MBChB First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship to support a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident who are the first in their family to attend university, and who have been accepted into Part II of an MBChB degree. Next available for 2027.

Taitea Undergraduate Award in Creative Learning

An Award of up to $4,500 for New Zealand citizens or permanent residents enrolling in the first year of a practical creative undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Creative Arts and Industries who have demonstrated the potential to succeed but are experiencing hardships or who may have been disadvantaged due to personal circumstances.

University of Auckland High Performance Sports Scholarship

The $10,000 University of Auckland High Performance Sport Scholarship acknowledges that some talented students who are pursuing academia and sport may face significant barriers to tertiary education, and takes into account a number of factors that can impact on an individual’s ability to participate at university and their chosen sport simultaneously.

University of Auckland/Manurewa High School Business Academy Scholarship

A Scholarship to support a student from Manurewa High School Business Academy who is enrolling in the first year of a BCom or BProp degree.

University of Auckland Rongo Manusina Scholarship

A $5,000 Scholarship for Māori and Pacific students enrolling in any year of a Bachelor of Communication or associated conjoint degree. Consideration will be given to students who are the first in their family to attend university or students who normally reside in rural areas.

Weston First in Family Scholarship

A Scholarship of up to $8,000 for up to three years for a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident who is the first in their family to enrol at a university, and who is enrolling in the first year of an undergraduate degree in the Business School. Next available for 2027.

Whakaeke Tāmaki MinterEllisonRuddWatts First in Whānau Award

An Award to support Māori law students who are the first member of their
whānau tonu (immediate family) to enrol in an LLB and/or the first in
their whānau tonu attend university.

William, Betty and Jill Bell Award

For the first year of an undergraduate degree in Education or Social Work.

Wisdom Family Office Scholarship

A $10,000 Scholarship for a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident enrolled in the second or subsequent year of an undergraduate degree who may have been disadvantaged due to their personal circumstances.

Dr Christopher R. Bennett Award in Transportation Engineering

An Award of up to $10,000 to support a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident enrolled in Part III or IV of a BE(Hons) or a MCivilEng in Transportation Engineering. Consideration may be given to applicants who are the first in their family to attend university.

Mark Heard Scholarship

A $5,000 Scholarship to support full or part-time students enrolled in postgraduate Education or Social Work programmes.

Marie Pearman Educational Leadership Scholarship

The intention of the $10,000 Scholarship is to encourage and support students,
particularly those who have demonstrated the potential to succeed but
who are experiencing hardship or who may have been disadvantaged due to
their personal circumstances, to undertake postgraduate study or
research at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland related to
educational leadership.

Master of Design Diversity Award

A $5,000 Award for students from diverse backgrounds enrolling in a Master of Design programme.

Taitea Masters Award in Creative Research

An Award of up to $10,000 for New Zealand citizens and permanent residents from one or more of the University of Auckland’s equity groups who are enrolled in a research masters programme in the Faculty of Arts and Education or the Faculty of Engineering and Design with a substantial creative component.

Many other University of Auckland scholarships are open to students from low socio-economic backgrounds. Search our comprehensive scholarships database for an up-to-date list of all the scholarships and awards open to future and current University of Auckland students.