UKZN Archbishop Hurley Scholarship 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 13 March 2026
Provider: UKZN
Study level: University, Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The scholarship is advertised early in the honours year.

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship funds honours students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in memory of the Catholic Archbishop of Durban, a leading church voice against apartheid and a former Chancellor of the University of Natal. It rewards academic strength combined with leadership, community service and a commitment to go on to master’s and doctoral study.

Hurley Scholarship at a glance

For: South African honours students at UKZN in any field, from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Selection: academic record, leadership qualities, an ethical vision for society, community service and the intention to continue to master’s and PhD study.
Value: a contribution towards tuition and living costs for the honours year; the trust does not publish a fixed amount.

How to apply for the Hurley Scholarship

Download the application form from the UKZN student funding pages when the call is advertised.
Attach a CV of no more than five pages, your degree certificate, a full academic transcript, at least one referee report on your leadership and community involvement, a research abstract of up to three pages or a motivation for your research area, and a one-page motivation letter.
Email everything to the Financial Aid Advisor for your college with the subject line “UKZN Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship 2027” before the closing date.

Contact details

UKZN Student Funding: www.ukzn.ac.za, 031 260 1111

UKZN postgraduates should also see the UKZN Richard Turner bursary, the UKZN doctoral research scholarships and the DSI-NRF postgraduate scholarship.

FAQs

1. When does the Hurley scholarship close for 2027? +

The scholarship is advertised early in the honours year: the 2026 round closed on 13 March 2026. Expect the 2027 round to be advertised in February 2027 and close in mid-March 2027.

2. Who qualifies? +

South African honours students at UKZN in any field, from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, with strong results, leadership qualities, community involvement and the intention to continue to master's and doctoral study.

3. What does it cover? +

A contribution towards tuition and living costs for the honours year; the trust does not publish a fixed amount.

4. How do I apply? +

Email the completed form, a CV, degree certificate, full transcript, a referee report, a research abstract or motivation and a one-page motivation letter to the Financial Aid Advisor for your UKZN college.

Update note (checked September 2026): the scholarship is advertised early in the honours year. The 2026 round closed on 13 March 2026. Expect the 2027 round to be advertised by UKZN in February 2027 and to close in mid-March 2027. Our full guide is on the UKZN Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship page.

About UKZN

Public university

The University of KwaZulu-Natal came into being in 2004, when the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville merged. UKZN describes itself as building on more than a century of higher education in the province, and the…

Read the full UKZN profile →

Website: ukzn.ac.za

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.