Bursary

The New Zealand University Bursary or Bursary is New Zealand's standard secondary school leaving qualification gained at the end of NZ Form VII (= UK Upper Sixth Form). This name also refers to the examinations for the same award. The examination's original purpose was (and still is) to determine bursary winners to New Zealand universities.

Since 1989, the Entrance Scholarships awarded by a separate examination normally taken by brighter students has been awarded to the top 3-4% of Bursary candidates.

The examinations since 1998 have been named officially the University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examination, to refelct their use in awarding entrance to NZ Universities and scholarships in addition to bursaries.

For any monetary awards, an aggregate score of at least 250/500 out of the best five subjects must be achieved.

In 2004, the Bursary will be replaced by the NCEA at Level III and the Entrance Scholarship by the New Zealand Scholarship.