UKZN online application 2025/2026, requirements, courses, prospectus, faculties

UKZN online application 2025/2026, requirements, courses, prospectus, faculties

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is among the premier institutions of higher learning in South Africa. The university is known for offering quality education for all. The UKZN online application process is fairly simple. Like other institutions, UKZN has digitised most of its processes.

The UKZN logo and name and UKZN graduates in their graduation dresses
The UKZN logo and name (L) and UKZN graduates in their graduation dresses (R). Photo: @ukzn1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key takeaways

  • UKZN was established in January 2004 after the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville merged.
  • The institution offers multiple programmes in various levels of academic learning and fields.
  • All prospective students must follow the UKZN online application process to get admitted into the university.

UKZN online application 2025/2026: All you should know

UKZN is a leading university in terms of quality academics and innovative research. The institute aims to empower students with a value-driven organisational culture.

UKZN online application 2025 opening date

UKZN opened its online application portal for the 2025 academic year on 9 January 2025. The official UKZN online application 2025 closing date was 24 February 2025.

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This means the university is not accepting new applications as of March 2025. Prospective students are encouraged to apply the next time the portal will be opened.

Application for the medicine undergraduate programme is open and closes on 30 June 2025. Applications for all the other UKZN undergraduate programmes for the subsequent intake will open again in April 2025 and close on 30 September 2025.

UKZN online application for 2025 (South African undergraduates)

The UKZN undergraduate online application process is normally done through the Central Applications Office's website (CAO). Below are the steps to follow to complete the application process.

  • Visit the CAO website.
  • Click Apply.
  • Click How to Apply through CAO and read the guide.
  • After learning what to do from the guide, click Apply now.
The CAO application page
The CAO application page. Photo: cao.ac.za
Source: UGC
  • Enter your South African ID or passport number and click Submit.
  • Fill out the CAO application form and follow the prompts until you complete the application process.
  • Remember to upload all the required documents and double-check your details before submitting your application.

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The CAO system generates a CAO number when applying online. Students can apply to multiple institutions using the CAO application form and number. You can also apply for residence accommodation and financial assistance using the CAO form.

UKZN graduates on their graduation day and members of the academic staff on the dais on the same graduation day
UKZN graduates on their graduation day (L) and members of the academic staff on the dais on the same graduation day (R). Photo: @ukzn1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

How to apply directly to UKZN (international students)

International students seeking admission to full-time undergraduate studies must apply directly to UKZN. Here are the steps they should follow.

  • Obtain the CAO application form and CAO Handbook from the CAO’s website or call CAO at +27 (0)31 268 4444. Alternatively, write to UKZN via enquiries@ukzn.ac.za.
  • Apply for the KZN course of your choice on the CAO application form. You can also apply for residence accommodation and financial assistance on the form.
  • Email a filled-out CAO application form, proof of application fee payment, and copies of the required documents to: Central Applications Office, Private Bag X06, Dalbridge 4014.

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What are the entry requirements for UKZN?

Although the UKZN online application for 2025 for undergraduate studies is closed in March 2025, prospective students can apply during the next intake period, scheduled for April 2025. Applicants should meet the following minimum academic qualifications/requirements.

  • Score at least 40% for Home Language
  • Score at least 50% for four other subjects, excluding Life Orientation
  • Score at least 30% for one other subject
  • Score at least 30% in the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) of the Higher Education Institution where you intend to study
  • Pass at least six out of seven subjects

NB: UKZN selection is based on academic ranking. The maximum APS obtainable is 48, while the minimum UKZN admission APS depends on the course. Therefore, selection starts from 48 downward and stops when all the available slots in a programme are filled.

As a result, meeting the minimum UKZN APS score for your selected course does not guarantee a place at the university. The school often receives more applications than it can accommodate, and places in a program may be filled before the published score is reached.

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Applicants must calculate their APS using Grade 11, mid-year Grade 12, or trial/mock results and only apply if they meet the requirements. Applicants with excellent results may be selected early (before final examinations).

Selections are final, provided the selected applicants obtain an NSC-Deg or equivalent and meet qualification entrance requirements and academic ranking in the final examinations.

Applicants possessing an NSC-Deg or the National Senior Certificate may also be offered places early.

A male UKZN graduate on his special day and a group of UKZN students engaging in a vibrant conversation
A male UKZN graduate on his special day (L) and a group of UKZN students engaging in a vibrant conversation (R). Photo: @ukzn1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Documents required for the UKZN application

Returning and new undergraduate and postgraduate applicants should upload the following documents (where applicable) during the application process.

  • A copy of your ID/passport
  • A copy of your Matric Certificate (or O/A Levels certificate or any other relevant school leaving certificate)
  • International applicants must upload proof from Universities South Africa (SA's matriculation board) showing they qualify for admission to degree studies in the country.
  • An applicant who has studied at any tertiary institution must present certified copies of degree certificates, a full academic record, proof of financial clearance, and a certificate of conduct from that institution.
  • International applicants from non-English speaking countries must upload proof of English proficiency.
  • International applicants with SAQA qualifications obtained at foreign universities (outside South Africa) should upload their SAQA/USAF documents.
  • Anyone applying for a Master's or PhD program should upload a research proposal/proposed title of the dissertation/thesis.

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Before applying to this institute, read the UKZN prospectus for more information about the online application process and academic qualifications/requirements for each course.

Additionally, ensure you upload all the necessary documents and use reference APPN (followed by your UKZN student number) when paying the application fee. Lastly, allow the UKZN system 24 to 48 hours to capture and update your payment details.

How much is the UKZN application fee?

The required UKZN application fees are as follows:

South African applicants

  • UKZN on-time applications fee: R210
  • UKZN late application fee: R420

International applicants

  • All students from SADC and other African countries: R490
  • All students from outside of Africa: U$153
  • No late applications are allowed for international students.
A group of UKZN graduates in red academic dresses
A group of UKZN graduates in red academic dresses (L and R). Photo: @ukzn1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

How do you pay the UKZN application fee?

Pay the UKZN application fee using these banking details:

South African applicants

  • Name of Account: UKZN Main
  • Bank: Standard Bank
  • Type of Account: Business Current Account
  • Account Number: 05 308 0998
  • Branch: Westville
  • Branch Code: 045426
  • Reference: APPN (followed by your UKZN student number)

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International applicants

  • Name of Account: UKZN Foreign Deposit
  • Bank: Standard Bank
  • Type of Account: Business Current Account
  • Account Number: 05 308 2826
  • Branch: Westville
  • Branch Code: 045426
  • Reference: APPN (followed by your UKZN student number)

Online money transfers from SA Standard Bank accounts and payments made directly at a local Standard Bank branch are updated on a student's fee statement within the same day of payment, provided the correct UKZN student number (beneficiary reference number).

Payments from non-South African bank accounts take at least two weeks to reflect on the student fee account. Therefore, students should make early payments to get timely financial clearance notifications.

UKZN scholarships

UKZN helps needy and deserving students with excellent academic results to access financial aid. You can apply for NSFAS aid, the Cecil Renaud and Victor Daitz Undergraduate Merit Awards aid, or a contract bursary.

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UKZN graduates in black academic dresses on their convocation day
UKZN graduates in black academic dresses on their convocation day (L and R). Photo: @ukzn1 (modified by author)
Source: UGC

How much is the UKZN 2025 fee?

Check the fees booklets for local students and international scholars to learn how much tuition fees you will be charged for your course. UKZN academic fees are charged per module on a semester basis.

How to obtain the UKZN fee statements

You will receive a financial clearance notification via SMS after completing all the payments. To check your UKZN fee statement:

UKZN online application
A screenshot of the UKZN student portal login page. Photo: sc.ukzn.ac.za
Source: UGC
  • Log into the UKZN student portal using your student number.
  • Click SELF HELP after logging in.
  • Choose Student I-Enabler.
  • Click Student Enquiry on the left.
  • Click Summarize Statement of Account.
  • Your fee balance will appear.
  • Click FEE to get a full statement.

UKZN faculties

UKZN offers globally competitive courses. The university has five campuses, none of which offers all programmes. Instead, UKZN courses are grouped into colleges assigned to each of the campuses. Below is the list of the four UKZN colleges.

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  • College of Humanities
  • College of Law and Management Studies
  • College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science
  • College of Health Sciences

UKZN courses

The university offers a variety of courses. The CAO handbook provides detailed information on programmes available at UKZN.

UKZN undergraduate courses

The undergraduate prospectus lists the following programmes and their admission APS ranges:

College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science

ProgrammeAPS range
B.Sc. Eng. Agricultural 48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Chemical48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Civil48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Computer48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Electrical48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Electronic48-33
B.Sc. Eng. Mechanical48-33
B.Sc. Land Surveying48-33
B Sc Agric. (Extension and Rural Resource Management)48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Agricultural Economics48-28
B.Sc. Agricultural Management48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Agricultural Plant Sciences48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Agribusiness48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Plant Pathology48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Soil Science48-28
B.Sc. Agric. Animal & Poultry Science48-28
B.Sc. Stream (LES) Life and Earth Sciences48-28
B.Sc. Stream M (Mathematics)48-30

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ProgrammeAPS range
B.Sc. Geographic Information Systems and Earth Observation48-30
Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry48-28
Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences48-28
B.Sc. Chemistry and Chemical Technology48-28
B.Sc. Computer Science and Information Technology48-30
Bachelor of Science in Crop and Horticultural Science48-28
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science48-28
Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Earth Science48-28
Bachelor of Science in Geological Science48-28
Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Applied Biotechnology48-28
Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology48-28
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Human Nutrition48-28
Bachelor of Science in Augmented Program48-26
Bachelor of Science in Engineering AccessN/A

College of Health Sciences

ProgrammeAPS range
Bachelor of Audiology48-30
Bachelor of Speech-Language Therapy48-30
Bachelor of Dental Therapy48-30
Bachelor of Medical Science Anatomy48-30
Bachelor of Medical Science Physiology48-30
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy48-33
Bachelor of Optometry48-30
Bachelor of Oral Hygiene48-33
Bachelor of Pharmacy48-30
Bachelor of Physiotherapy48-30
Bachelor of Sports Science48-30
Bachelor of Nursing48-30
Bachelor of Medicine & SurgeryN/A

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College of Humanities

ProgrammeAPS range
Bachelor of Education (Foundation Phase)48-28
Bachelor of Education (Intermediate Phase)48-28
B.Ed. (Senior Phase/ Further Education & Training)48-28
Bachelor of Arts (General Studies)48-28
Bachelor of Arts in Cultural & Heritage Tourism48-28
Bachelor of Arts in Music28
Bachelor of Arts in Music Foundation22
Bachelor of Social Science (General Studies)48-28
Bachelor of Soc. Sc. Geography & Environmental Management48-28
Bachelor of Social Science (Housing)48-28
Bachelor of Architectural Studies48-30
Bachelor of Social Work48-28
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics & Law48-30
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies48-30
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Art48-30
Bachelor of Soc. Sc. Government, Business & Ethics48-30
Bachelor of Theology48-30
Bachelor of Humanities Extended Curriculum20/27

College of Law and Management Studies

ProgrammeAPS range
Bachelor of Laws48-32
Bachelor of Laws (p/t)48-32
Bachelor of Administration48-28
Bachelor of Business Administration48-26
Bachelor of Business Science in Economics48-33
Bachelor of Business Science in Finance48-33
Bachelor of Business Science in Investment Science48-33
Bachelor of Commerce (General)48-30
Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting)48-32
Bachelor of Commerce 4 General (Extended Curriculum)48-26
Bachelor of Commerce 4 Accounting (Extended Curriculum)48-28

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When is the UKZN online application deadline?

The deadline for 2025 applications was 24 February 2025.

Does UKZN offer postgraduate courses?

The UKZN postgraduate prospectus lists honours degrees, postgraduate diplomas, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees the institute offers.

Is UKZN open for 2025 applications?

Application for the medicine undergraduate programme is open and will close on 30 June 2025. Applications for all the other UKZN undergraduate programmes will open again in April 2025 and close on 30 September 2025.

Does UKZN accept international students?

The institute enrols international students from SADC countries, other African countries, and nations outside Africa.

How many campuses does UKZN have?

UKZN has five campuses in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. These campuses are Edgewood (Pinetown), Howard College (Durban), Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine (Durban), Pietermaritzburg, and the Westville (Durban) campus.

How many students does UKZN accept?

Approximately 8,600 first-year places are available in UKZN for every annual intake.

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Can you register at UKZN without paying the registration fee?

You must pay the registration fee before admission. The UKZN registration fee is payable by all students who do not have 100% funding for their annual fees.

Is UKZN funded by NSFAS?

UKZN offers student funding through bursaries administered by the NSFAS, including UKZN loan funding and final-year student funding.

Is UKZN a private or public university?

The University of Kwazulu-Natal is one of the top public universities in South Africa.

What does NSFAS cover for UKZN students?

The NSFAS funding at UKZN covers the actual cost of tuition plus prescribed learning materials. Nonetheless, note that the tuition fee NSFAS covers depends on your field of study (e.g. engineering, medicine, art, history, etc.)

The UKZN online application process is relatively easy. For more details about the application process, download and read the UKZN prospectus.

Briefly.co.za recently published all the details about the University of Limpopo online application process. The University of Limpopo was established in January 2005 after a merger between the former Medical University of Southern Africa and the University of the North.

Since then, the institution has become one of the best South African universities. The university aspires to be a leading African University focused on the developmental needs of its communities and epitomising academic excellence and innovativeness.

Source: Briefly News

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