University of Otago New Frontiers Entrance Scholarship
| Value | Between $2,500 and $5,000 (dependent on the level of academic achievement at school) |
|---|---|
| Number offered | Varies |
| Opening date | 1 July |
| Closing date | 4 March for Semester 1 start |
Information
The University of Otago New Frontiers Excellence and Sustained Excellence Scholarships were established by the University of Otago in 2015, in order to recognise academic excellence in secondary school study.
Eligibility criteria
Application for all Entrance Scholarships are normally open to students who meet the requirements of 1.1 OR 1.2 OR 1.3, AND 2. Those who fit within 3 are ineligible.
1.1 Are New Zealand citizens, New Zealand permanent residents, Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents with domestic fee status;
Or
1.2 International students who have completed Year 12 and have completed or are in the process of completing Year 13 at a New Zealand school, or an equivalent foundation level course at a New Zealand tertiary institution;
Or
1.3 International students who have completed an internationally recognised qualification at an overseas high school, such as A Levels, International Baccalaureate, or ATAR, AND have achieved excellent grades MAY be invited to apply. Please do not ask to apply, an “Apply Now” button in eVision will only appear for invited applicants who are nominated by the International Office after completing enrolment at the University of Otago.
And
2 Are intending to enrol or have enrolled for the first time for first-year (100-level papers), full-time degree-level, undergraduate study at the University of Otago.
But
3 Those who have studied more than 0.4 EFTs at any University or tertiary institution at degree-level or higher are not normally eligible.
Specific eligibility criteria for this Scholarship
In addition to the above eligibility criteria, those intending to commence study in programmes such as Health Sciences First Year or the intermediate year of professional degrees not offered at the University of Otago (e.g. Engineering) are not eligible for this scholarship.
Application process
All applications for Entrance Scholarships are done through eVision, the University’s student management system. In order to apply for a scholarship, you will be required to go through the first stages of enrolment at the University of Otago to access the Entrance Scholarship online application.
For more information on the application process, as well as step-by-step instructions, please visit the apply for an entrance scholarship webpage.
Before going through the application process, it is important to ensure that you are adequately prepared to begin the application. What you will need to prepare for your application is listed on the scholarship application preparation webpage.
Selection of recipients
Applicants who have achieved highly in another official secondary school qualification or who have gained high pre-degree level tertiary grades may also be considered by, and at the discretion of, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement, or nominee.
Selection will be based on academic accomplishments, measured by official secondary school qualifications or pre-degree level tertiary Grade Point Average.
New Frontiers Sustained Excellence
An applicant who has achieved ONE of the following the academic standards set out in this section will be awarded a University of Otago New Frontiers Sustained Excellence Scholarship:
- NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Excellence AND NCEA Level 3 endorsed with Excellence while still enrolled at secondary school. Level 2 excellence credits must have been obtained while enrolled in Year 11 or 12.
- International Baccalaureate with a score of 37 points or more.
- Cambridge International Examinations with a University of Otago Cambridge International Exams Entry Score of 291 – 360.
New Frontiers Excellence
An applicant who has achieved ONE of the following the academic standards set out in this section will be awarded a University of Otago New Frontiers Excellence Scholarship:
- NCEA Level 2 with an Excellence Endorsement. Level 2 excellence credits must have been obtained while enrolled in Year 11 or 12.
- NCEA Level 3 with an Excellence Endorsement obtained while still enrolled at secondary school.
- International Baccalaureate with a score of 34-36 points.
- Cambridge International Examinations with a University of Otago Cambridge International Exams Entry Score of 240 – 290.
- Rudolf Steiner Level 3 School Certificate at the level of Highly Commended or Distinction.
Applicants who have achieved either or both NCEA Level 2 or Level 3 endorsed with a merit endorsement overall and a high proportion of excellence credits (or similar from other official secondary school qualifications or pre-degree level tertiary grades) may also be considered by, and at the discretion of, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement, or nominee.
Your Cambridge International Exams entry score is calculated on the basis of your UCAS Tariff score. Please note that in calculating the tariff score, an AS level qualification will only count if you have not completed an A level in the same subject.
Scholarship detail
The Scholarship Terms and Conditions can be found here. In addition, the following information applies to this Scholarship, subject to the specific provisions of the offer letter for the recipient:
New Frontiers Sustained Excellence
- Standard value of $5,000.
- Standard tenure is one year for those in a University of Otago or University-affiliated residential college.
- Those enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year or Engineering Intermediate programmes in their first year of study at the University of Otago are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Please note that, unless an exception is specified, other University of Otago Entrance Scholarships cannot normally be held concurrently with other Entrance Scholarships. The exception to this is the Dux Entrance Scholarship, which may be held concurrently at the value specified in its regulations.
New Frontiers Excellence
- Standard value of $2,500.
- Standard tenure is one year for those in a University of Otago or University-affiliated residential college.
- Those enrolled in the Health Sciences First Year or Engineering Intermediate programmes in their first year of study at the University of Otago are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Please note that, unless an exception is specified, other University of Otago Entrance Scholarships cannot normally be held concurrently with other Entrance Scholarships. The exception to this is the Dux Entrance Scholarship, which may be held concurrently at the value specified in its regulations.
Further information
You are likely to find the Frequently Asked Questions helpful and we recommend that you read them.
To find out more about Entrance Scholarships, please contact us:
Email entrance.scholarships@otago.ac.nz
Tel 0800 80 80 98 (callers within New Zealand only); or
64 3 479 7000 (callers outside New Zealand)
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If you have a University of Otago student identification number, please include this in your email.