New Zealand Broadcasting School students join a global broadcast

Ara students gained practical experience creating content for a global audience. This highlights the institution’s emphasis on hands-on learning and industry-facing experience in media and broadcasting.

Ara strengthens partnership with a Chinese university

Ara announced further development of its partnership with Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, building on six years of collaboration. This reflects continuing international engagement and institutional partnerships

Research Week 2026 concludes

Five days of research presentations covered subjects including artificial intelligence, healthcare innovation, engineering, sustainability and the arts. Ara also held its inaugural Three-Minute Thesis competition, highlighting applied research across vocational education.

Earn as You Learn programme expands

Ara reported strong interest in its manufacturing Open Day, with more than 130 registrations and two additional Canterbury employers joining the programme. The model combines three days in the workplace with two days in class over 30 weeks. Applicants should confirm eligibility and availability for their intended course.

International partnerships in Japan

Ara staff visited 13 partner institutions in Japan to strengthen relationships and explore future programmes and exchanges. Ara reported that it attracted 52% of Japanese students enrolled across New Zealand’s vocational education sector in 2025, according to its institutional news report.

New Pacific Culture and Health course

Ara launched a Level 5 Pacific Culture and Health course developed with Pacific community leaders. It was introduced as a compulsory first-year paper within the Bachelor of Applied Science, with more than 90 students enrolled in the inaugural offering.

Key highlights for international students

• Practical, career-focused education: Many courses include projects, practical training, placements or workplace experience.

• Broad choice of study areas: More than 150 study options are advertised, covering vocational certificates through to selected master’s programmes.

• South Island locations: Students can choose from the main Christchurch campuses and Timaru, depending on programme availability.

• Industry connections: Workplace training and partnerships help students develop skills relevant to their chosen sectors.

• International student support: Ara offers dedicated support advisers and information about applications, orientation, accommodation and student life.

• Flexible delivery options: Selected programmes offer online, blended or part-time study, although availability varies by course.

• Scholarships: A wide portfolio exists, but most awards are restricted to domestic students. International students should focus on awards that explicitly state they are eligible, such as the Kathryn Fraser Scholarship and the Rama Family Trust Scholarship for Indian passport holders, subject to the next available application round. 

This scholarship recognises high-achieving international students who demonstrate strong academic performance and a commitment to internationalisation and contributing positively to Ara’s inclusive student community. The award is applied as a credit towards second-year tuition fees, not paid directly to the student as unrestricted cash.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants for the published 2026 round needed to:

• Be an international student applying for an eligible bachelor’s or master’s programme at Ara.

• Be a new applicant for a programme commencing in Semester 2, July 2026.

• Demonstrate excellent academic achievement in previous studies.

• Show a genuine commitment to internationalisation and contributing to Ara’s community.

• Meet the academic and English-language entry requirements for the selected programme.

• Hold a valid, approved New Zealand student visa for study.

Number and value of awards

• The page heading lists seven scholarships of NZ$5,000 each for the 2026 tenure.

• Its eligibility section specifies five scholarships for Semester 2.

• Because the published page contains this difference, prospective applicants should ask Ara to confirm the number of awards for any future round.

Applicants were required to submit:

• An online scholarship application form.

• A personal statement of no more than 500 words explaining why they are a suitable candidate.

• Academic transcripts showing previous academic achievement.

• Two referee reports commenting on academic potential and character. For applicants who have not previously studied at Ara, the published guidance requests two character referee reports, with at least one from a previous tutor.

Kathryn Fraser Scholarship

This scholarship honours Kathryn Fraser, a former Ara colleague, by promoting equity in education and helping students overcome barriers to tertiary study. The fund is scheduled to distribute NZ$10,000 annually among four learners for three years, from 2025 to 2028.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled full-time or part-time in a programme at Level 3 or above.

• Study at an Ara campus in Christchurch or Timaru.

• Explain how challenges they have experienced affect their educational goals. These may include financial barriers, ethnicity-related barriers or learning difficulties.

Documents required

• Completed application form.

• Personal statement of no more than one page, explaining the applicant’s chosen field of study, the impact of the challenges they face, and their future plans.

• Two character references.

The Rika Fund Scholarship

NZ$2,500

The Rika Fund Scholarship provides financial support to an Ara learner to help them achieve their educational goals. Ara’s current directory explicitly describes it as available to full-time domestic or international learners.

Eligibility and application considerations

• Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time learner at Ara, according to the current directory.

• International students should confirm that their programme and study circumstances meet the current rules.

• The current listing gives an award value of NZ$2,500.

• The 2026 listing shows an opening date of 1 May 2026, and the round is now closed.

• Ara’s published information sheet has previously specified final-year degree study, at least two years of study at Ara, financial need and an average B grade. As the current directory and older information may reflect different rounds, confirm the applicable criteria for the next application period.

• The published application materials have included a personal statement and two references, one from an Ara tutor.

Rama Family Trust Scholarship — International Indian

NZ$1,000

The Rama Family Trust Scholarship is designed to support high-achieving international students holding an Indian passport. Ara’s scholarship directory lists the award at NZ$1,000.

Published eligibility conditions

• Applicants must hold an Indian passport and be international fee-paying students.

• The published criteria require completion and passing of one academic year of a programme lasting at least two years at Ara.

• The award is intended for students progressing into the second or third year of an eligible programme.

• Applicants should demonstrate strong academic achievement, leadership skills or an inspirational approach to study.

• The published listing describes three recipients per semester.

• The award does not cover course-related costs.

Documents previously specified

• Personal statement.

• Academic transcript.

• Two referee reports, including one from an Ara tutor.

Other scholarships to investigate carefully

Ara’s directory includes many additional awards. The following are worth knowing about, but they should not be presented as confirmed scholarships for international students unless Ara or the provider verifies eligibility.

• Southern Cross Nursing Scholarship: The current directory lists at least NZ$6,500 per recipient, plus additional benefits, for Ara Bachelor of Nursing students. Its listed deadline is 30 November 2026. International eligibility is not established by the general listing.

• FAME Emerging Practitioner Award: NZ$10,000 for a performing arts learner. Ara’s current directory lists a deadline of 25 October 2026, so the round is particularly time-sensitive. The general listing does not confirm that international students qualify.

• Legends Global Scholarship: NZ$5,000, with up to 40 awards globally for eligible undergraduate students. Ara lists the 2026 round as closed. Check the external provider’s current nationality and programme rules for any future round.

• WeMakeScholars external funding: Ara links to this funding platform for students from India. It lists opportunities that may cover tuition and living expenses, but it is a search and funding service rather than one Ara scholarship. Eligibility, award type, deadlines and whether funding is a scholarship or loan vary by provider.

• Zonta Young Women in Leadership Award: US$5,000, with a listed deadline of 30 October 2026. It recognises young women aged 16–19 for leadership, volunteer work and civic engagement. Confirm eligibility through the relevant Zonta award programme; its presence in Ara’s directory does not guarantee eligibility for every international applicant.

• Ara Foundation Outbound Exchange Grant: NZ$10,000, with a listed deadline of 30 October 2026. This supports Ara students participating in outbound exchanges with partner institutions, so it is generally intended for students going abroad from Ara rather than new overseas students arriving in New Zealand.

General scholarship application requirements

Ara’s official scholarship guidelines explain how its funding works. These rules are important when helping international students plan their finances.

What scholarships cover

• Most Ara scholarships are fee-based and cover eligible course tuition fees only.

• They generally cannot be exchanged for cash or transferred to another programme.

• Student levies and other course-related costs are normally excluded unless the individual award states otherwise.

• Experiential scholarships may fund eligible conference fees, travel and accommodation for an activity related to the student’s study.

• Completion grants and hardship funds may be available at Ara’s discretion.

Common eligibility conditions

• Applicants must meet the entry requirements for the associated programme.

• Ara generally requires the student to have received an offer of place and confirmed enrolment before awarding a scholarship.

• Many scholarships require full-time study, unless otherwise specified.

• Some awards require a particular year of study, academic result, campus, course, nationality, residency status or other personal circumstances.

• An interview may be required.

• Students may apply for multiple scholarships, but Ara generally permits only one fee-based scholarship per applicant per year. Where several applications succeed, the approval panel normally awards the highest-value eligible scholarship.

• If a student changes from full-time to part-time study or withdraws from their programme, Ara may adjust or end the scholarship.

Documents to prepare

Depending on the scholarship, international applicants may need:

• Academic transcripts and certificates.

• An offer of place or proof of enrolment.

• A personal statement explaining academic goals, motivation and suitability.

• Two referee reports, often including one from a tutor or lecturer.

• Evidence of financial hardship or other relevant circumstances, if required.

• Proof of nationality or passport details, where the scholarship has nationality-specific eligibility.

• Any additional course, study-year, project or experience evidence specified by the provider.