Society Awards 2026/27
The Society Awards are launching for the 2026–27 academic year to celebrate the incredible work our societies do to enhance student life. They are an opportunity for the Students’ Association to recognise the commitment, creativity, and impact of societies and their members.
All awards will be decided through a nomination process and assessed by the Students’ Association. The number of nominations received will not influence the outcome; instead, nominations will be judged on how well they meet the criteria for each award and the evidence provided to support them.
The nomination form will go live in January and will close March 31st.
Nomination Criteria
Each person can nominate as many people/clubs as they like, however:
- You can ONLY make ONE nomination per Award
- Society Colours can have multiple nominations; however, only committee members can be nominated for these
- You can nominate ANY society/individual – whether you are a member of the same society or not
- ONLY nomination forms containing full nominator and nominee details will be considered
- ONLY nominations with a supporting Statement will be considered.
PLEASE NOTE: All award nominations must have a minimum 200 words supporting statement. The content of your statement could be the difference in achieving the award, so please consider the statement carefully taking the criteria of the award into account. We understand that non-committee members may not have knowledge of all the criteria, so this will be taken into consideration. We suggest talking about real experiences and events that happened throughout the year rather than just talking generally about the nominated society/individual for a better chance of winning!
List of Awards
Individual Awards
Society Colours Award
The Society Colours Award recognises the dedication, commitment, and leadership demonstrated by society committee members throughout the academic year. It celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution to their society while upholding and implementing the Abertay Student Association values – connect, belong and thrive.
Eligibility: Current society committee members only.
Judging Criteria:
- Commitment to their committee role and responsibilities.
- Contribution to the growth and sustainability of the society.
- Positive impact on members and the wider society experience.
- Uphold and implement Abertay Students Association values – Connect, Belong and Thrive.
- Consistent contribution throughout the academic year.
Recipients: Multiple recipients may be awarded Society Colours each year.
President's Award
The President's Award recognises an individual who has gone above and beyond in their contribution to a society. This award is intended to celebrate exceptional commitment, dedication, and impact.
Eligibility: Any current society member or committee member.
Nomination Process: Each Society President may nominate one individual from their society.
Judging Criteria:
- The President's awards can only be awarded once by every society President and only the presidents can nominate for this award.
- No one knows the members of a society better than their leaders! This award celebrates the special member of a society that has gone the extra mile, being recognised by the society’s leaders as fundamental.
- REMEMBER: This award is NOT for your President, it’s from the President to one of their members
Recipients: One recipient per society.
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognises an outstanding first-year student who has made a significant positive impact within their society during their first year at Abertay.
Eligibility: First-year students only.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Enthusiasm and commitment to society activities.
- A high level of commitment to their society in their inaugural year.
- A high level of attendance at events and meetings.
- A positive attitude towards ASA societies, the society committee and the wider student body.
- To act as a positive ambassador for the society, ASA, and the University
- Adherence to society policies and procedures
- Any other significant areas of the individuals significant contribution to their first year.
Recipients: One recipient.
Society Champion Award
The Society Champion Award celebrates a society member who has gone above and beyond to support their society and its members. This may include leadership, volunteering, organising activities, creating an inclusive environment, or consistently contributing behind the scenes.
Eligibility: Any current society member.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Outstanding achievement, contribution and dedication to their society.
- Enhancement and development of the reputation of their society within ASA or externally.
- Maintaining a professional attitude and being an asset to ASA.
- Involvement and commitment going over and beyond their agreed hours or role.
- Any other significant information highlighted in the nomination will be considered.
Recipients: One recipient.
Group Awards
Best New Society
New societies start their activities all throughout the year, offering new opportunities to the Abertay students and opening new roads for them to explore. This award celebrates the sport or society that, starting in the last 12 months, has done the best job at offering new opportunities to its members.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Being a new society, having start regular activities in the last 12 months
- Offers to the Abertay students a new option, a range of activities that were not available to them in the 2025/2026 academic year
- Have run regular meetings, socials and events since the creation of the society
- Keep good communication with the ASA
- Have a good social media presence
- Offers opportunities to grow to their students, both in the university and outside
Recipients: One society.
Most Improved Society
This award recognises a society that has demonstrated significant development and progress over the past academic year.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Improvements in organisation and governance.
- Increased member engagement and retention.
- Growth in activities, events, or initiatives.
- Enhanced member experience.
- Evidence of learning, development, and continuous improvement.
Recipients: One society.
Community Award
This award celebrates the society which has created a community from a group of people with shared interests. We want to hear about your members’ thoughts and opinions about the environment created by their society. Has your society created a space you feeling you can foster connections, find belonging and thrive?
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Their members’ university journey being positively impacted by being part of the Society
- Give examples of the good environment created during both sessions/meetings and during social events
- Have had a good attendance at most ASA and other society events run throughout the year
- Reference to how this society has championed ASA values – Connect, Belong and Thrive.
- The members spend time together even outside of Society-organised events
Recipients: One society.
Inclusivity Award
This award recognises a society that has gone above and beyond to create a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive environment for all students.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Efforts to reduce barriers to participation.
- Promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Accessibility of activities and events.
- Creation of a welcoming and supportive culture.
- Reference to how this society has championed ASA values – Connect, Belong and Thrive.
- Evidence that members feel valued and represented.
Recipients: One society.
Top Fundraiser
This award recognises a society that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to fundraising.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Total funds raised.
- Creativity and innovation in fundraising activities.
- Member participation and engagement.
- Impact of the funds raised.
- Commitment to charitable or community causes.
Recipients: One society.
Committee of the Year
This award celebrates a society committee that has demonstrated outstanding teamwork, leadership, and dedication throughout the academic year.
Nomination Process: Anyone may nominate.
Judging Criteria:
- Effective teamwork and collaboration.
- Strong leadership and governance.
- Delivery of successful activities and events.
- Support provided to members.
- Ability to overcome challenges and drive society success.
-Recipients: One committee.
Society of the Year
Society of the Year is the highest society award and recognises a society that has excelled across all aspects of society life throughout the academic year.
Nomination Process: Society committees only.
Judging Criteria:
- Member engagement and satisfaction.
- Quality, variety, and consistency of activities.
- Community impact and contribution to student life.
- Commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
- Effective leadership and organisation.
- Innovation, growth, and sustainability.
- Reference to how this society has championed ASA values – Connect, Belong and Thrive.
- Overall contribution to the Abertay student experience.
Recipients: One society.
