Fund your study
Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) offers a range of scholarships to prospective students who display the potential for academic excellence in specific areas of digital design. To apply, simply complete the scholarship application form for your chosen scholarship.
Click on the scholarships below to see whether you're eligible to apply:
Undergraduate Scholarship (2025)
If you’re a New Zealand secondary school student with a strong track record of high achievement, you could be eligible for our Undergraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship.
This scholarship awards $3,000 towards one year of undergraduate tuition fees for students with outstanding academic potential in digital design.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Are applying for the first year of one of the following:
- Bachelor of Art and Design
- Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art)
- Bachelor of Information Technology
- Bachelor of Media Design (February intake only)
- Bachelor of Software Engineering (AI)
- Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming)
(One MDS Academic Excellence Scholarship will be awarded for each of these qualifications.)
You’ll need to demonstrate academic excellence by providing your academic transcript and attendance record.
If applying for the Bachelor of Creative Technologies, Bachelor of Media Design, or the Bachelor of Art and Design, you must also supply a portfolio showing your artistic ability.
How recipients are selected
Applications are reviewed by MDS’s Academic and Admissions Panel, including representatives from the relevant degree programme and the Admissions team. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and the strength of any required portfolio. The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Email domestic@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Academic transcript
- Attendance record
- Letter of intent (include your academic achievements in digital design or related subjects)
- Portfolio (if required for your chosen programme)
Postgraduate Scholarships (2025)
If you’re a current MDS student enrolled in a Graduate or Postgraduate programme and have a strong track record of high achievement, you could be eligible for our Postgraduate Academic Excellence Scholarship.
This scholarship awards $3,000 towards one year of postgraduate tuition fees for students with exceptional academic performance in digital design.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Have been enrolled in a GradCert, PGCert, or PGDip at MDS in the last 12 months.
- Have achieved academic excellence, been recognised for effective leadership skills, and maintained at least 90% attendance in the previous 12 months.
How recipients are selected
Applications are reviewed by MDS’s Academic and Admissions Panel, including representatives from the relevant degree programme and the Admissions team. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and the strength of any required portfolio. The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Email domestic@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Academic transcript
- Attendance record
- Letter of intent (include your academic achievements in digital design or a related field)
If you’re an MDS graduate from a 3-year degree programme with a strong track record of high achievement, you could be eligible for our Alumni Scholarship.
This scholarship provides a 25% reduction in tuition fees for one year of further study in an MDS Graduate Diploma (Level 7), Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Masters programme.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Have successfully completed an MDS 3-year degree programme.
- Achieved exceptional academic performance in that degree.
- Have been recognised for effective leadership skills.
- Maintained at least 90% attendance during your degree.
How recipients are selected
Applications are reviewed by MDS’s Academic and Admissions Panel, including representatives from the relevant degree programme and the Admissions team. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and the strength of any required portfolio. The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Email domestic@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Portfolio
- Academic transcript
- Attendance record
- Letter of intent (include your academic achievements in digital design or a related field)
International Scholarships (2025)
30% Scholarship for 2025 intakes
From May 2025, MDS is offering a 30% scholarship for all international students enrolling in 2025 intakes. This covers the following programmes:
Programme | New Tuition Fee |
Bachelor of Art & Design | NZD $24,185 Year One or First Year of Study |
Graduate Diploma in Creative | NZD $24,185 Total duration of the programme |
Postgraduate Diploma in Design | NZD $24,570 Total duration of the programme |
Master of Design | NZD $24,570 Total duration of the programme |
If you have any questions, please contact us at international@mediadesignschool.com
If you’re an MDS graduate from a 3-year degree programme with a strong track record of high achievement, you could be eligible for our Alumni Scholarship - International.
This scholarship provides a 30% reduction in tuition fees for one year of further study in an MDS Graduate Diploma (Level 7), Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Masters programme.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are an International student.
- Have successfully completed an MDS 3-year degree programme.
- Achieved exceptional academic performance in that degree.
- Have been recognised for effective leadership skills.
- Maintained at least 90% attendance during your degree.
How recipients are selected
Applications are reviewed by MDS’s Academic and Admissions Panel, including representatives from the relevant degree programme and the Admissions team. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and the strength of any required portfolio. The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Email international@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Portfolio
- Academic transcript
- Attendance record
- Letter of intent (include your academic achievements in digital design or a related field)
Special Scholarships (2025)
In memory of the late Matthew Hogarth, this scholarship covers one year of tuition fees for an MDS Games student each year and includes an industry mentorship.
Matthew was a Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art) student who, despite battling cancer, showed courage, commitment, and passion for creating games. This scholarship honours his impact and supports students who push boundaries.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are currently enrolled in an MDS Games programme and are eligible to progress into Year 2 or Year 3.
- Have not previously received an MDS scholarship.
- Demonstrate core MDS values: courage, commitment, and passion to push the boundaries.
How recipients are selected
- Student Admin collates completed questionnaire responses and supporting evidence (grades, attendance, portfolio) and submits them to faculty.
- Gaming faculty select three finalists for consideration.
- Final candidates are presented to the Programme Director and Associate Dean for final selection.
- The successful candidate is informed in writing prior to classes commencing.
How to Apply
Email domestic@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Completed questionnaire
- Portfolio
- Academic transcript (grades)
- Attendance record
Terms and Conditions
- If you are already receiving other financial support towards your fees, or have previously received an MDS scholarship, you are not eligible.
- By accepting the scholarship, you agree to participate in all classes for your enrolled programme; failure to do so may affect ongoing eligibility.
- All applications are reviewed and awarded at the discretion of the MDS Scholarship Panel.
- Scholarships are awarded upon the successful applicant’s offer of place and acceptance.
- Scholarships cannot be deferred. If you postpone your study, you will need to re-apply with no guarantee of success.
- No refund is available if you withdraw from your programme.
- Applicants must be New Zealand Citizens or Permanent Residents.
As Unity’s exclusive Training and Certification Partner in New Zealand, MDS offers $3,000 towards first-year tuition to one aspiring Game Development student.
Eligibility & Selection
You’re eligible to apply if you:
- Are a New Zealand Citizen or Permanent Resident.
- Are applying for the first year of one of the following:
- Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art)
- Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming)
- Demonstrate the potential for academic excellence by providing your academic transcript.
- If applying for the Bachelor of Creative Technologies (Game Art), supply a portfolio demonstrating your artistic ability.
How to Apply
How recipients are selected
Applications are reviewed by MDS’s Academic and Admissions Panel, including representatives from the relevant degree programme and the Admissions team. Selection is based on demonstrated academic excellence and the strength of any required portfolio. The Panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
How to Apply
Email domestic@mediadesignschool.com with:
- Academic transcript
- Portfolio (if applying for Game Art)
- A brief note highlighting your academic achievements in games/digital design or a related field
