Fund Details
Betty Wignall Scholarship in Chemistry
Award Amount
$5,000 per 120 points of enrolment

Brief Description:

The purpose of this scholarship is to support students for study towards a PhD in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Canterbury.

Value/Benefits: Financial assistance with the costs associated with university study, at a value of $5,000 per 120 points of thesis enrolment

Level of Study: Doctoral

Closing Date: 11:59 pm (NZT) 15 May in years that the scholarships is available 

Tenure: Up to 360 points of enrolment

Number Available Annually: There may be only one holder of the scholarship at a time

Applicable Enrolment During Tenure: Full-time or part-time enrolment in a programme for a PhD degree in Chemistry at the University of Canterbury

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: Not applicable

For more information and to view the regulations, click here

Special Eligibility Requirements:

Selection will be based on:
  1. academic achievement;
  2. ability and willingness to contribute positively to science-based activities in the community and/or student experiences in Chemistry within the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences; and
  3. financial need.

Additional Information:

The scholarship was established in 2011 with a gift from Ngaire Elisabeth (Betty) Wignall. Mrs Wignall was born on 27 March 1927 in Sumner, near Christchurch and spent her childhood there before attending secondary school at Columba College in Dunedin. She spent one year at the then Canterbury College in 1945, studying Medical Intermediate, prior to completing her degree in Home Science at the University of Otago. She then taught science and clothing at Waikato Diocesan School for Girls (1949– 51). After a year working at the Hammersmith Hospital laboratory in London, Mrs Wignall returned to New Zealand, where she worked briefly in Christchurch and then, for four years, with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in Wellington. She returned to Christchurch in 1958 to marry and raise her children. In 1974 Mrs Wignall became Administrative Secretary for the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry under the guidance of the late Denis Hogan, a highly recognised New Zealand Chemistry personality. Although working from home during her time with the Institute, Mrs Wignall spent many hours with the University of Canterbury’s Department of Chemistry, liaising with various members of the Chemistry fraternity. All three of Mrs Wignall's children were students of the University, with her daughter, Anne Wignall, studying Chemistry there. Following the Christchurch earthquakes, Mrs Wignall wanted to assist the Department of Chemistry in any way that she could, and, after consultation with the University, this scholarship was established. Mrs Wignall died in Christchurch on 20 December 2014, survived by her children Trevor, Anne, and Keith.

When the award was established in 2011 it was for students within the Department of Chemistry. In 2017 the Department of Chemistry merged with the Department of Physics and Astronomy to form the School of Physical and Chemical Sciences.


Contact Information:

For questions about this application, please contact Scholarships Office at scholarships@canterbury.ac.nz

Search Filters:
Level of Study
  • Doctoral
    Domestic/International Students
    • Domestic
    • International
      Subject of Study
      • Chemistry
        Equity Awards
        • Financial hardship
        • Part-time study
          Faculty/School
          • Science
            Application Closing Month
            • May
              Award Type
              • Any
              • Scholarship
                Begin Accepting Applications Date:
                20 Mar 2022
                Deadline Date (NZT Time Zone):
                15 May 2022 11:59 PM