University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship 2023-24, New Zealand

Deadline for applications: 30 April 2023

The University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship (formerly the University of Waikato Masters Research Scholarship) was established in 1997 as part of the University’s commitment to graduate research. The Scholarship supports students undertaking a master’s thesis at the University of Waikato. The number of scholarships offered each year is based primarily on the total pool of funding available. There are two rounds each year closing on 31 October and 30 April. Applicants who have already started their thesis may apply.

Purpose

1.1. The Scholarship provides financial support for excellent students undertaking a master’s thesis in any discipline at the University of Waikato.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

2.1. To be eligible, applicants must:
2.1.1. be enrolled in, or intending to enrol full-time in their first master’s degree including a 593 (90 point thesis) or 594 (120 point thesis).
2.1.2. have had contact with a potential University of Waikato master’s thesis supervisor (the potential supervisor may be asked to confirm their involvement with the applicant’s research); and
2.1.3. have not applied for this Scholarship before, i.e., applicants may only apply once.
2.2. The Scholarship is open to NZ Citizens, NZ Permanent residents, NZ Resident Class Visa holders or Australian Citizens/Permanent Residents domiciled in NZ, and international students. International students must have completed at least 120-points of study at a New Zealand university (by the closing date of the round in which they are applying).
2.3. Applicants who have already begun their thesis may apply. However, if they are successful, the stipend portion of the Scholarship will be adjusted based on the number of months of thesis enrolment remaining after the date of the offer.
2.4. Applicants enrolled, or intending to enrol, part-time may apply (but note clause 3.3 for further
information on value).
2.5. Applicants must not be eligible for a staff fees-concession during the tenure of the Scholarship.
2.6. Selection is based on:
2.6.1. Academic merit, with an expected minimum grade average of ‘A-’ for their most recent 240-points of study. Where applicable, the Selection Panel may pay particular attention to results from 400- and/or 500-level papers.
2.6.2. Other factors possibly taken into consideration are the experience of the applicant (e.g., references, prior research and work experience, publications), knowledge of Mātauranga Māori and/or Pacific knowledges, alignment with the research priorities of the Divisions/Faculties/Schools and/or Research Institutes, financial hardship, and the strategic objectives of the University.
2.7. Preference will be given to applicants who have not yet commenced their master’s thesis enrolment and who do not have any other scholarship funding.
2.8. Ongoing eligibility and scholarship maintenance is contingent on:
2.8.1. The recipient enrolling in a thesis of 90-points or more2 within six months of the closing date of the round in which they applied. To be clear:
a. Those who apply in the 31 October round must commence their thesis by 30 April in the year following application.
b. Those who apply in the 30 April round must commence their thesis by 31 October in the year of application.
2.8.2. confirmation that the applicant has a University of Waikato supervisor in place for their master’s thesis.
2.8.3. The value of the scholarship will be adjusted according to clause 3 should the recipient reduce the points enrolled-in their thesis during the tenure of the scholarship

Value and Tenure

3.1. The Scholarship will have a value of up to $15,000 with the value dependent on the thesis type and points enrolled in at the time of beginning study and throughout the tenure of the scholarship, as follows:
3.2. Full-time thesis study$15,000 will be allocated to those studying full-time in a 120-point thesis and $12,000 to those studying full-time in a 90-point thesis, with:
3.2.1. $5,500 credited directly to the tuition fees (not including the Student Services Fee) of the master’s programme as soon as practicable after enrolment in the thesis paper has been confirmed.
3.2.2. The remaining funds paid directly into the recipient’s bank account in equal
monthly instalments over the 12 months tenure (i.e., $6,500 or $9,500), with the
final instalment withheld and paid on submission of the master’s thesis. The final
instalment will lapse if the thesis is not submitted by the due date of the thesis
paper enrolment.
3.2.3. Pro-rata payments will be made where the thesis component is spread over 18 months of study and the thesis enrolment is at least 60 points within a 12-month period. This normally occurs where a recipient is enrolled in their thesis and taught papers concurrently.
3.3. Part-time thesis study. Where a recipient is enrolled in fewer than 60 points of their thesis over 12 months they will receive $5,500 credited directly to the tuition fees (not including the Student Services Fee) of the master’s programme after enrolment in the thesis paper has been confirmed. Should the tuition fees be a lesser amount the remainder will be forfeit. No cash stipend will be awarded.
3.4. The tenure of the Scholarship is 12 months full-time study. When all or part of a recipient’s research does not take place within a 12-month period (see clause 3.2.3), some or all payments will be adjusted to better align them with the period(s) of research.

Awarding and Further Conditions

4.1. The Scholarship offer must be accepted by the date indicated in the offer, or the offer will lapse.
4.2. The thesis should normally be completed within a 12-month period, although dispensation will be made in cases where the applicant is concurrently enrolled in a number of additional papers or two programmes of study.
4.3. Recipients wishing to change their enrolment (e.g., suspension, part-time, reduction in thesis points) must seek approval via the Variation Request form. .
4.3.1. Changes in enrolment may affect Scholarship eligibility, which could necessitate the University to recoup awarded funds or reduce the value of the scholarship.
4.3.2. Recipients who increase their thesis points after the Scholarship has been applied will not be eligible for an increase in Scholarship value.
4.4. Recipients are not eligible to receive Scholarship funds during periods of suspension of enrolment for any reason including suspension related to parental, medical, or compassionate leave.
4.5. In accepting the Scholarship, the recipient will be deemed to have read, understood, and accepted the conditions of the Scholarship and the Scholarships Policy.

Application

5.1. The closing dates for applications are 31 October (for Round 1) and 30 April (for Round
2) annually.
5.2. As part of the online application process, each applicant must provide the name of their proposed University of Waikato Supervisor, and submit the following:
5.2.1. A Personal Statement (using the template provided) that outlines:
– the applicant’s motivation for enrolling in a research master’s degree;
– the proposed research topic;
– future study and/or career plans;
– any significant achievements; and
– any other relevant details, such as financial hardship, knowledge of Mātauranga Māori and/or Pacific knowledges, etc.
5.2.2. A CV (maximum two A4 pages in length) detailing any prior research experience, employment history, and any publications (if applicable).
5.3. As part of the application process, the applicant must request one academic reference from either their (proposed) master’s thesis supervisor or a member of the academic staff at the institution at which they obtained the qualification that defines their eligibility to enter the master’s programme.

Selection Panel and Process

6.1. The Selection Panel is the University of Waikato Scholarships Committee.
6.1.1. Applications are ranked by a pre-selection committee appointed by the relevant academic area, and overseen by the Scholarships Committee representative for that academic area. All rankings are approved by the relevant PVC/Dean.
6.1.2. The Selection Panel considers the rankings and propose recipients at meetings held in November/December (for Round 1) and June/July (for Round 2) each year.
6.1.3. The proposed recipients will then be ratified by the Scholarships Executive.
6.2. The Selection Panel may refrain from making any offers if it finds no applicant(s) of sufficient merit.
6.3. The Selection Panel’s decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into following the selection meeting.

Other Conditions

7.1. The Scholarship may (rarely) be held in conjunction with the University of Waikato Taught Postgraduate Scholarship. It may also be held with any other scholarship or award, provided that the regulations of the other funding do not preclude this.
7.2. Should the recipient hold another fees scholarship for their master’s thesis, the University of Waikato Research Masters Scholarship will pay the balance of any tuition fees (up to $5,500); the recipient will forgo any unused balance of the tuition fees portion.
7.3. Recipients should seek independent financial advice about any tax implications of their Scholarship.
7.4. If, during the tenure of the Scholarship, a recipient’s circumstances change in such a manner that their continued eligibility for the Scholarship may be affected, they must inform scholarships@waikato.ac.nz immediately.
7.5. Recipients may not be eligible for a staff fees-concession.
7.6. The Scholarships Committee may terminate a Scholarship at any time, and recoup any funds disbursed, if the holder withdraws from the University of Waikato during the tenure of the Scholarship, brings the Scholarship or the University into disrepute3 , or is otherwise not complying with the regulations governing the Scholarship. The holder of a Scholarship will have the right to appeal to the Scholarships Executive against any decision to terminate the award.
7.7. By accepting a Scholarship, the recipient agrees to participate in any publicity concerning the Scholarship arranged by the University of Waikato.
7.8. The Scholarships Committee may vary these regulations from time to time, provided that there is no departure from the main purpose of the Scholarship

Source / More information: Official Website HERE.