What You Need to Know About UKZN
UKZN sits across five campuses in Durban and Pietermaritzburg, formed in 2004 when the University of Natal merged with the University of Durban-Westville. It's known for strong Medicine, Engineering, and Commerce programs, plus solid options in Agriculture and Health Sciences. Getting into competitive courses like Medicine or Engineering takes serious marks, but there are also more accessible degrees if your APS sits lower.
This isn't a university you coast into for the flashy programs. If you want MBChB or BSc Engineering, you need top marks in Maths and Science from matric. For everything else, from Nursing to BCom General, the bar is more reachable.
What APS Do You Need?
UKZN uses its own point system. It takes your best 6 subjects on an 8-point ladder, excluding Life Orientation, so the maximum you can score is 48 APS.
Most degrees start around 30 to 32 APS. Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Agriculture need 30 APS, while Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Bachelor of Administration need 32 APS. Bachelor of Commerce General wants 35 APS, but Accounting jumps to 38 APS with at least Level 5 Maths.
If Medicine is the goal, you need 45 APS, and Engineering degrees across Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Computer streams all need 40 APS with strong Maths and Physical Science marks. Maths Lit locks you out of Engineering, Commerce, and most Science degrees at UKZN, so double check what your subjects allow before you apply.
Fees and Funding
Money stress is real, and UKZN isn't cheap. Minimum registration fees sit at R7,300 for tuition and R6,800 for residence. Your full annual costs depend on your specific program, so check the official UKZN Student Fees booklet for exact numbers.
NSFAS covers qualifying South African students, and you apply for it separately through NSFAS, not through UKZN. If you don't qualify for NSFAS, look into other funding like the CSIR Bursary Programme if you're doing Science or Engineering.
Life on Campus
UKZN runs five campuses: Howard College and Medical School in Durban, Edgewood in Pinetown, plus Westville and Pietermaritzburg. Each campus houses different faculties, so where you stay depends on what you study.
Not sure if your marks are enough to get in? Use our free APS calculator to check where you stand before you apply.
