UC International First Year Undergraduate Scholarships

Overview

The UC International First Year Scholarship is awarded by the University of Canterbury (UC) in Christchurch, New Zealand, to high-achieving international students beginning their first year of an undergraduate degree at the university. It provides NZD $15,000 toward first-year tuition fees — a meaningful reduction on UC's international fee rates, which typically range from NZD $30,000 to $40,000 per year depending on the programme.

UC is one of New Zealand's leading research universities, ranked among the top 250–300 globally, and is particularly well regarded for engineering, science, law, and business. Christchurch, the South Island's largest city, is known for its affordability relative to Auckland and Wellington, making it a practical choice for Nepali students managing study costs.

• Open to all full-fee-paying international students, including Nepali citizens
• Applicable to any undergraduate degree programme at UC
• Up to 25 scholarships awarded per year across all international rounds
• Scholarship is for the first year only — continuation of funding is not guaranteed
• Multiple international rounds run per year (April, August, October) depending on your study background
• You can hold this scholarship alongside other UC awards

⚠️ Partial funding note: This scholarship covers only first-year tuition fees partially. It does not cover living costs, accommodation, visa fees, or tuition in subsequent years. Nepali students should factor in the full cost of study in New Zealand — including the mandatory proof of funds required for a student visa — when planning their finances. New Zealand student visa requirements include demonstrating NZD $15,000 per year in living funds in addition to tuition.

Which Application Round Applies to Nepali Students?

Most Nepali students applying directly from Nepal (having completed their +2/A-levels or equivalent in Nepal) fall under the Offshore round. There are two offshore intakes per year:

• April round (Semester 2 start) — for students beginning at UC in the second semester of the year
• October round (Semester 1 start the following year) — for students beginning at UC in February/March

If you are currently enrolled in a New Zealand secondary school completing NCEA or another NZ qualification, you apply under the August round instead.

Eligibility

Who is Eligible

• International student status: Must be a full-fee-paying international student. Nepali citizens qualify.
• Not a NZ or Australian citizen: Must not hold New Zealand or Australian citizenship, or a New Zealand residence class visa.
• Qualification completed offshore: For the Offshore round (relevant to most Nepali applicants), must have completed, or be completing, a university entrance qualification outside New Zealand — such as Nepal's NEB +2, A-levels, IB, or equivalent — that meets UC's undergraduate admission requirements.
• Applied for admission: Must have applied for admission to UC before the scholarship closing date for the relevant round.
• First-year enrolment: Must be commencing the first year of an undergraduate degree programme at UC. The scholarship cannot be used for a second or later year of study.
• Full-time enrolment: Must enrol full-time in the degree programme.
• Can hold multiple scholarships: UC permits recipients to hold this scholarship alongside other UC awards simultaneously.

Who is Not Eligible

• Citizens or permanent residents of New Zealand or Australia, or holders of NZ residence class visas.
• Students who have already started or completed a year of undergraduate study at UC — this is strictly a first-year-entry scholarship.
• Students applying to part-time enrolment.
• Students who have not yet applied for admission to UC by the scholarship closing date.
• Students completing their secondary qualification at a New Zealand school who apply under the Offshore round — they must use the August (NZ Incoming) round instead.

How to Apply

1. Confirm your admission eligibility at UC. Check that your +2/A-level or equivalent qualification meets UC's undergraduate entry requirements. UC accepts NEB Grade 12 results. Visit UC's admission page to verify your qualification is recognised.
2. Apply for admission to UC first. Submit your university admission application through the myUC portal. You must have submitted your admission application before the scholarship closing date — admission and scholarship are separate processes, but admission must come first.
3. Identify your correct scholarship round. Nepali students applying from Nepal use the Offshore round: April deadline (Semester 2 start) or October deadline (Semester 1 start the following year). Check the official UC international scholarships page for exact opening and closing dates for each round.
4. Access the scholarship application. Applications open approximately 8 weeks before the closing date. Forms are available through UC's CommunityForce scholarship portal. Create an account if you don't have one.
5. Prepare your supporting documents. These typically include academic transcripts, your university entrance qualification results, a personal statement, and evidence of leadership or extracurricular involvement. Check the specific regulations for the Offshore round on the portal for the exact document list.
6. Submit the scholarship application before the closing date. The April round closes on 15 April; the October round closes on 31 October. Do not wait until the last day — the portal can be slow under load.
7. Await notification. Scholarship decisions are typically communicated within several weeks after the closing date. If selected, you will receive a formal offer from UC's International Relationships Office.
8. Accept and arrange your student visa. Once you have a scholarship offer and confirmed enrolment, proceed with your New Zealand student visa application. Remember you will need to demonstrate proof of living funds (NZD $15,000/year) separately — the scholarship covers tuition only.