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Ministry of Education New Zealand
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Applications for 2026 scholarships are now open.

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 16 November.

We will notify you of the outcome of your scholarship application in late November.

Who the scholarship is for#

The TESSOL scholarship is for registered teachers with a current practicing certificate who are employed at state or state-integrated schools or kura, and early learning services.

People employed as teacher aides are not eligible for this scholarship.

What the scholarship covers#

The TESSOL scholarship covers fees for up to 60 credits of a qualification. Which courses you take depends on the qualification you are studying towards. The scholarship is for a duration of up to 2 years.

The qualifications we fund courses for are at:

  • the University of Auckland | Waipapa Taumata Rau
  • the University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
  • Massey University | Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa
  • the University of Waikato | Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato.

These documents have more information about the qualifications the TESSOL scholarship applies to.

Who can apply#

New Zealand-registered teachers who are currently employed at a state or state-integrated school, a kura or early learning service can apply.

You must have at least 2 years of teaching experience and be a New Zealand resident or citizen.

You can be employed full-time or part-time.

Examples of teachers who can apply are:

  • a subject or class teacher
  • an early learning teacher
  • a teacher in bilingual and immersion settings
  • a specialist English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) teacher
  • a member of the senior leadership team
  • a Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
  • a learning support coordinator (LSC)
  • a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB).

More than 1 teacher at your school can apply for a scholarship.

If you have received the TESSOL scholarship before, you are not eligible.

How to apply#

Before you apply, you need to ask your school or early learning service for:

  • their school or early learning service number
  • the number of students enrolled
  • the number of staff with TESSOL qualifications
  • the number of ESOL-funded students
  • the number of ESOL-funded students from a migrant and former refugee background
  • the number of ESOL-funded students from a Pacific background
  • the number of international fee-paying students.

You must also fill in the supplementary information form below to include with your application. This must be signed by your principal or early learning service director.

You can then apply for the scholarship.

TESSOL scholarship application form

Applications close at 5pm on Sunday 16 November.

Mōhiohio anō

More information

For more information about the scholarships or your application, email us.

Email: [email protected]

If you have questions about a qualification or course, contact the tertiary provider directly.

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