New Zealand offers record number of scholarships for Vietnamese school students

Applications for the NZSS 2026 open on January 5 and close on March 22, according to ENZ.

The program is open to Vietnamese students currently in grades 8, 9, and 10 in Vietnam, with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 8.0 and English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 5.0 or higher.

Required application materials include academic transcripts, an international English-language certificate where available, and a 1.5-minute personal video. 

In addition to IELTS, NZSS accepts equivalent qualifications such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge B1 Preliminary, and the Duolingo English Test.

Applicants who do not submit an English certificate at the time of application may provide one later during the selection process or may be required to attend an interview or sit an English proficiency assessment, depending on individual school requirements.

As in previous years, NZSS 2026 applies a dual-track selection mechanism aimed at maximizing scholarship opportunities for Vietnamese students.

Under the scheme, students will be assessed for NZSS based on two preferred school choices listed in their applications.

Applicants who are not selected for NZSS may still be considered for other school-specific scholarships offered independently by New Zealand secondary schools.

Since its launch, the NZSS program has awarded nearly 80 scholarships, creating study and development opportunities for talented students across Vietnam.

Over the years, many recipients have achieved strong academic and extracurricular results, gone on to pursue higher education at leading universities in New Zealand and abroad, and entered the New Zealand labor market under post-study work policies for international graduates.

Ben Burrowes, regional director for Asia at ENZ, said NZSS has become a prestigious and highly sought-after scholarship program among Vietnamese parents and students, with the number of awards expanding each year.

“With 56 scholarships available in 2026, Vietnamese students will have a wider range of school options aligned with their academic ability and personal goals when applying for NZSS,” he said.

56 schools join NZSS

The NZSS 2026 program features 56 high-quality secondary schools located across different regions and cities in New Zealand, including public and private schools, the country’s distinctive single-sex schools, and coeducational institutions.

Participating schools deliver the National Certificate of Educational Achievement, the main qualifications for secondary school students in New Zealand, as well as international programs such as Cambridge and the International Baccalaureate.

All schools share a focus on improving educational quality while offering a wide range of region-specific extracurricular activities designed to support students’ holistic development, including life skills and academic growth.

Parents and students can find detailed information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, and the full list of 56 participating schools on the program’s official website.