The University of KwaZulu-Natal Distinguished Student Awards recognises academic excellence and outstanding community engagement or University service. The award covers postgraduate studies and their community engagement or university projects. Students are nominated by the University’s staff and students.

The award gives concrete expression to the values implicit in African Scholarship that underpin our University. Two awards are made to the most talented, caring and exceptional graduates and young leaders from final year undergraduate or honours level who have been judged as being most exemplary in embodying the ideals and attributes that the University seeks to create in every graduate.