- New Zealand offers a record 56 government scholarships to Vietnamese students for the 2026 intake under the Secondary School Scholarship (NZSS) programme.
- Scholarships open to students in grades 8-10, with applications accepted from January 5 to March 22, focusing on academic merit and English proficiency.
- Selected students to study across 56 New Zealand secondary schools, gaining early access to globally recognised curricula and holistic education.
New Zealand has announced that it will offer 56 government scholarships to Vietnamese students for the 2026 academic year under its Secondary School Scholarship (NZSS) programme, marking the highest number of awards ever extended since the initiative began. The scholarships are open to students currently studying in grades 8, 9 and 10 in Vietnam and are aimed at providing young learners with early access to New Zealand’s globally recognised secondary education system.
The New Zealand Education Agency (Education New Zealand- ENZ) said the application window for the 2026 intake will run from January 5 to March 22. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, with a minimum grade point average of 8.0, and possess an English proficiency level equivalent to IELTS 5.0 or above. The programme is designed to identify motivated and capable students who can benefit from New Zealand’s student-centred and holistic approach to education.
Ben Burrowes, Regional Director for Asia at ENZ, said the steady increase in the number of NZSS scholarships reflects New Zealand’s long-term commitment to Vietnamese students. He said the expanded intake allows applicants to explore a broader range of secondary schools that align with their academic strengths, interests and personal goals. According to him, the initiative also highlights New Zealand’s focus on offering well-rounded international learning opportunities that support both academic excellence and personal development.
As part of the application process, students are required to submit academic transcripts, international English language certificates if available, and a short personal video of up to one and a half minutes. ENZ said the video component gives students an opportunity to express their individuality, creativity and motivation beyond grades and test scores.
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While IELTS is the preferred benchmark, ENZ said it will also accept other recognised English qualifications such as TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge B1 Preliminary and the Duolingo English Test. Importantly, proof of English proficiency is not mandatory at the time of application. Students who do not submit a certificate initially may be invited for an interview or a language assessment during later stages of the selection process.
Applicants will be assessed for government scholarships based on their two preferred secondary schools in New Zealand. ENZ clarified that students who are not selected for a government-funded award may still be considered for additional scholarships offered directly by individual schools, providing further opportunities for study.
The 2026 NZSS programme will involve 56 high-quality secondary schools located across different regions of New Zealand. These include public and private institutions, as well as single-sex and co-educational schools. The participating schools offer diverse academic pathways, following either the New Zealand National Curriculum or internationally recognised programmes such as Cambridge and the International Baccalaureate. Officials said the wide selection ensures that Vietnamese students can find learning environments that best suit their aspirations while experiencing New Zealand’s inclusive and supportive education culture.
