Brief Description:

The purpose of this scholarship is to support academically able students entering tertiary study for the first time, whose financial or personal circumstances might have prevented them from considering entry to tertiary education in the absence of the scholarship.

Value/Benefits:
a. Tuition fees at the domestic rate (up to 120 points); and
b. Compulsory fees charged by the University of Canterbury*
*The value of the scholarship excludes fees associated with summer courses, field-trip fees, penalty fees, late fees, and other option external charges

Level of Study: Incoming First-Year Undergraduate

Closing Date: 11:59 pm (NZT) 15 August (Applications open approximately 8 weeks before this date.)

Tenure: One year

Number Available Annually: Up to fifteen (15)

Applicable Enrolment During Tenure: The scholarship is tenable during the first year of full-time study in an undergraduate degree programme at the University of Canterbury

Citizenship/Residency Requirements: Applicants must be:
a. citizens of Aotearoa New Zealand; or
b. holders of Aotearoa New Zealand residence class visas who have resided in Aotearoa New Zealand for at least the 12 months immediately preceding the closing date for applications; or
c. holders of refugee status granted by Aotearoa New Zealand

For more information, please read the regulations for this award: click here.

Application Information:

Selection will be based on:

personal or financial circumstances restricting the applicant's ability to undertake tertiary education; and
academic achievement.

Preference is given to the following:

Those with whakapapa Māori
Pacific students
Current or former holders of refugee status granted by Aotearoa New Zealand.

Special Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must:

not have participated in a programme at any tertiary education institution*
have studied at secondary level in the year of application (or in the previous year, if on a gap year).

*Participation in STAR courses, community education courses offered by tertiary institutions, orientation or general interest programmes run by tertiary institutions for secondary school students, or programmes designed to prepare a student for entry into tertiary education (i.e. foundation programmes) does not preclude application for the UC Māpura Bright Start Scholarship. However, students who will be beginning study at the University at 200-level after having been enrolled in an undergraduate programme at the UC International College are not eligible to apply.

Additional Information:

The CTEMT Canterbury Bright Start Scholarship was established in 2001 by the Canterbury Tertiary Education Millennial Trust for students from the Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson, and Marlborough regions who had the ability to succeed in tertiary study but who were experiencing financial or significant personal hardship. The scholarship was for tenure at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Lincoln University, and the University of Canterbury. In 2104, the University of Canterbury established the Canterbury Bright Start Scholarship. This and subsequent scholarships have been for study at the University of Canterbury only, and they have been funded by donations to the University of Canterbury Foundation. In 2017 the estate of Miss Lindsay Helen McDowall was added to the fund for the scholarship, and in 2018 the fund was further enhanced by the estate of University of Canterbury graduate Miss Amy Jamieson, who had been a librarian at the University. In 2015 the scholarship was replaced by the UC Bright Start Scholarship, which extended eligibility to students from any region of New Zealand, and in 2020 this UC Māpura Bright Start Scholarship replaced that scholarship.

The scholarship must be taken up in the year following the year of application. Deferrals are not considered.

Recipients agree to provide, through the Tumahana | UC Foundation, a letter of thanks to the supporters of the scholarship.

Contact Information:

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

Search Filters:

Level of Study

Incoming First-Year Undergraduate

Faculty/School

General (Any Faculty/School)
Arts
Business
Law
Education
Health
Engineering
Science

Domestic/International Students

Domestic

Subject of Study

Any (I would like a general award)

Equity Awards

Financial hardship
Maori students
Pacific students

Award Type

Any
Scholarship

Application Closing Month

August