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Te Whatu Ora Canterbury West Coast Scholarships in Oral Health
Scholarship details
| Study levels | Degree |
|---|---|
| Value | Up to $25,000 |
| Close date | Tuesday, 30 June 2026 |
| Domestic/international | Domestic Only |
About the scholarship
Established in 2025 by the University of Otago, in partnership with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Waitaha Canterbury and Te Tai o Poutini West Coast District. This scholarship is intended to support up to seven students each year enrolled in the Bachelor of Oral Health programme who are willing to work on a full-time basis as Registered Oral Health Therapists in the Community Dental Service in the Canterbury, South Canterbury or West Coast Districts on completion of their degree. While academic achievement is important, the scholarship also has an equity focus, and students with strong personal links to the Canterbury, South Canterbury or West Coast regions in particular are encouraged to apply. The scholarship thus aims to support and develop a dental health workforce both representative of and committed to the population that it serves.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be:
- a New Zealand or Australian citizen, or New Zealand Residence Class Visa Holder
- enrolled full-time (120 points) in any year of study towards the Bachelor of Oral Health degree at the University of Otago, or may be enrolled part-time in Year 1 or 2 of the degree if granted recognition of prior learning for any Year 1 or 2 papers
- willing to enter an employment contract with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) as an Oral Health Therapist on completion of their degree, in the Canterbury, South Canterbury or West Coast Districts, as directed by the Community Dental Service.
In alignment with the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022, which aims to improve health outcomes and achieve health equity, applications for this scholarship are encouraged from candidates from ethnic groups underrepresented in the oral health workforce in the Canterbury, South Canterbury and West Coast Districts. Applications are also encouraged from candidates who come from, or have a significant personal connection to, any of these three regions.