Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship

The Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship (formally the Sir Alan Stewart Postgraduate Scholarship) supports high achieving graduates of NZ tertiary education degree programmes enrolling in postgraduate coursework in any discipline at Massey University.

Scholarship overview

Status: Open

Key facts

Value: $2,000
Duration: One semester duration
Number available: Up to 80 awards per annum
Type of study: Full-time, Part-time, Postgraduate

Application dates

Applications open: 15 October 2025
Closing date: 15 January 2026

Restrictions

Eligibility restrictions: High achievement. Postgraduate coursework.

The Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship developed from an ambition for Massey University postgraduate students to shape the future of New Zealand. In 2004, the postgraduate scholarships were developed and named in honour of Sir Alan Stewart KBE (8 December 1917 – 1 September 2004), the principal of Massey Agricultural College from 1959 to 1963 and founding vice-chancellor of Massey University from 1964 to 1983. Sir Alan guided the institution's transition from an agricultural college to full university. He is noted for building the university's internationally recognised agricultural programme, as well as for greatly expanding the university's distance programme to make tertiary education available to rural New Zealanders. In 1940, Stewart was awarded Massey's second Rhodes Scholarship; however, his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II and Stewart served in the Royal Navy for the duration of the war. He was knighted in 1981 for services to education.

What you'll be studying

These are postgraduate scholarships, open to any discipline. You will be enrolling in postgraduate coursework in the upcoming semester.

Students enrolling in 90 credit or greater research courses, including at doctoral level, are not eligible to apply but may be eligible for other scholarships.

Eligibility criteria

You must:

  • be intending to enrol in postgraduate coursework at Massey University
  • have completed a minimum of 120 credits at a New Zealand tertiary institution at undergraduate or postgraduate level (NZQA Level 7 or above).

There are two selection rounds annually for the Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship, closing at the start of semester 1 and closing at the start of semester 2. Prior recipients are welcome to reapply.

Part time or full time applicants are welcome to apply.

Application checklist

Include the following with your application:

  • a copy of your complete tertiary level transcripts. If you have studied at multiple institutions you need to combine these transcripts into one document and upload this file.

Selection considerations

When choosing our recipients, we will consider your academic achievements in your New Zealand based tertiary study record. Consideration will normally be given to study with an A- GPA or better.