Brief Description:

This prize is open to students and recent graduates of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury for an essay on a subject involving an exposition of some passage chosen from literature having reference to social ideals.

Value/Benefits: Financial assistance at a value of $1,000

Level of Study: Students and recent graduates of the University.

Closing Date: 11:59 pm (NZT) 30 September (Applications open approximately 8 weeks before this date.)

Tenure: Not applicable

Number Available Annually: One

Applicable Enrolment During Tenure: Applicants must:
a. be students of the University; or
b. have graduated from the University in the 36 months prior to the closing date for applications for the current round.

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: Not applicable

For more information, please click on the award name above. To read the regulations, click here.

Essay Topic for 2026:

Hollywood spends vast sums on creating frightening monsters. The studios seem to succeed, at least sometimes, because some horror movies do engender fear. Or do they? How can we fear something that we know does not exist? Discuss with reference to two examples of horror movies.

(Referencing is expected where appropriate and the length must not exceed 3,000 words.)

Application Information:

Applicants must submit an essay on a topic that is advertised here each year. The topic of the essay is set by the selection committee, and it involves the exposition of some passage chosen from literature having reference to social ideals. Essays must be no more than 3,000 words in length.

Additional Information:

The children of Ada Wells (Mrs W R Carey, Mrs Christabel Twyneham, Miss G A C Wells, and Mr J S Wells) established the prize in 1933 from a donation to Canterbury College in memory of their mother. Mrs Wells, née Ada Pike (1863–1933), was a student of Canterbury College in the 1880s. She is best remembered for her contributions to the women’s suffrage campaign in the 1880s and ‘90s, and for becoming in 1917 the first woman elected to the Christchurch City Council. A biography of Mrs Wells can be found in the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.

Contact Information:

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

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Begin Accepting Applications Date:

5 Aug 2026

Deadline Date (NZT Time Zone):

30 Sep 2026 11:59 PM

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