Join a university known for "Inspiring Greatness." This comprehensive guide provides the essential University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Application Dates and a detailed breakdown of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Courses Requirements to ensure your University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 online application is successful.
Quick Guide: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Online Application Steps
- Choose Your Campus and Programme: UKZN operates across five campuses (Edgewood, Howard College, Medical School, Pietermaritzburg, and Westville). You can select up to six choices in your application.
- Check Minimum Requirements: Ensure you meet the National Senior Certificate (NSC) requirements for a degree or diploma and the specific Academic Performance Score (APS) for your chosen field.
- Apply via CAO: All first-time undergraduate applications for UKZN must be submitted through the Central Applications Office (CAO) at www.cao.ac.za.
- Pay the Application Fee: The CAO administration fee is R250 for on-time applications and R470 for late applications.
- Submit Supporting Documents: You must provide a certified copy of your ID and your Grade 11 results (or final NSC results if already matriculated) to the CAO.
- Track Your Application: Monitor your status on the CAO website or the UKZN self-service portal using your CAO number.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Application Dates
UKZN has strict deadlines, and certain programmes (especially in Health Sciences) do not accept late applications.
| Milestone | Date |
| Applications Open | 1 March 2026 |
| Closing Date: Medicine (MBChB) | 30 June 2026 |
| Closing Date: All Other Undergraduate Programmes | 30 September 2026 |
Note: It is highly recommended to apply by the September deadline to avoid late fees and to ensure consideration for high-demand courses.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Courses Requirements
Admission to UKZN is competitive and based on your Academic Performance Score (APS) and specific subject requirements.
Understanding the APS (Academic Performance Score)
UKZN calculates your APS using your six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation.
| NSC Level | Percentage | UKZN Points |
| 7 | 80%–100% | 7 |
| 6 | 70%–79% | 6 |
| 5 | 60%–69% | 5 |
| 4 | 50%–59% | 4 |
| 3 | 40%–49% | 3 |
| 2 | 30%–39% | 2 |
Faculty-Specific Requirement Highlights
- College of Health Sciences: MBChB is a high-selection programme requiring exceptional marks in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences.
- College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science: UKZN is the only university in SA offering a fully accredited degree in Agricultural (Bioresources) Engineering. Most engineering degrees require a high APS and a minimum of Level 6 (70%) in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
- College of Law and Management Studies: Programmes such as BCom Accounting require high performance in Mathematics (Level 5 or higher).
- College of Humanities: Requirements vary across Education, Social Sciences, and Arts, but strong results in English are generally mandatory.
Important Admission Rules
- Ranking: Applicants are ranked according to their APS, and places are filled from the highest-scoring applicants downwards.
- Mathematics vs. Maths Literacy: Most degrees in Science, Engineering, and Commerce require Mathematics. Maths Literacy is accepted for specific Humanities and Education degrees.
- Final Results: Offers based on Grade 11 are provisional and only become firm once final Matric results meet the required standards.
For further application assistance, contact the UKZN Enrolment Services at 031 260 2212/7877 or visit www.ukzn.ac.za.
This guide provides straightforward insights for your 2027 studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), based strictly on the official undergraduate prospectus.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) 2027 Application Strategic Insights
Applying for a UKZN online application requires using the Central Applications Office (CAO) system, which is different from most other South African universities.
- The CAO System: You do not apply directly to UKZN. You must apply through the CAO, which allows you to select up to six choices across different institutions in KwaZulu-Natal for a single fee.
- Ranking Matters: UKZN ranks applicants based on their Academic Performance Score (APS). For high-demand degrees like Engineering or Medicine, the university fills places from the highest-scoring students downwards.
- Mathematics Requirements: UKZN is strict about Mathematics. Most Science, Engineering, and Commerce degrees require Mathematics (not Maths Literacy). UKZN is notably the only SA university offering a fully accredited degree in Agricultural (Bioresources) Engineering.
- Campus Specialisation: UKZN has five campuses. Each campus focuses on specific fields (e.g., Edgewood for Education, Howard College for Engineering/Law, and Westville for Science/Commerce).
- Medicine Deadlines: If you want to study Medicine (MBChB), your application must be in by 30 June 2026. This is much earlier than the general closing date.
Important UKZN 2027 Application Dates
- 1 March 2026: Applications open via CAO.
- 30 June 2026: Closing date for Medicine (MBChB).
- 30 September 2026: Closing date for all other undergraduate programmes.
2027 Admission Comparison: UKZN vs Other Universities
The table below shows how UKZN compares to the WITS online application steps and dates and the University of Pretoria (UP) online application steps and dates.
| Feature | Univ. of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | WITS University | University of Pretoria (UP) |
| Application Fee | R250 (via CAO) | R100 (SA) | R300 |
| Application Method | CAO (Centralised) | Direct Online | Direct Online |
| Closing Date | 30 September 2026 | 30 September 2026 | 30 June 2026 |
| NBTs Required | No (General) | Only Health Sciences | No (General) |
| Max Choices | 6 Programmes | 3 Programmes | 2 Programmes |
By comparing these, you can see that UKZN gives you more programme choices (6) than the UCT online application or Stellenbosch University (SU) online application steps and dates. This makes UKZN a great strategic choice if you want to apply for several different fields at once. Always verify the 2027 Courses Requirements for each specific campus before you submit your CAO form