The New Zealand University Bursary or Bursary was 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 to determine bursary winners to New Zealand universities.

From 1989 to 2003 the Entrance Scholarships which before 1989 were awarded by a separate examination normally taken by brighter students, was awarded to the top 3-4% Bursars.

From 1998 to 2003 were 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.

To gain a Bursary, an aggregate score of at least 250/500 out of the best five subjects must be achieved. Candidates who fail Bursary (ie not gain a monetary award) can have their Bursary examination scores count toward University Entrance provided their subjects scored at least 46% (an Entrance credit pass).

In 2004, the Bursary was replaced by the National Certificate of Educational Achievement at Level 3 and the Entrance Scholarship by the New Zealand Scholarship.

This qualification was awarded by the New Zealand Universities Entrance Board until 1990 and then was awarded by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority until the Bursary's abolition in 2003. The University of New Zealand has never awarded this "NZ University Bursary" as such though it has awarded other bursaries for study.

See also: A-level