University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Faculties and Requirements 2026
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is one of South Africa’s leading public universities, known for academic excellence, research and a wide range of qualifications across many fields of study. It has five campuses and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes via four main academic colleges.(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
🎓 UKZN Faculties (Academic Colleges)
UKZN’s academic structure is organised into four colleges, each housing multiple faculties, schools and disciplines.(Wikipedia)
📍 College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science
Focuses on scientific and technological disciplines, including:
- Agriculture and food systems
- Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, electronic, agricultural)
- Biological, earth, environmental and mathematical sciences
- Computer science, information technology and biotechnology areas.(StudentRoom.co.za)
📍 College of Health Sciences
Offers degrees in health and medical fields such as:
- Medicine (MBChB)
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Occupational therapy
- Audiology and speech-language therapy
- Dental and oral science programmes.(Registration)
📍 College of Humanities
Covers social sciences, humanities and education including:
- Arts, social sciences, psychology and related disciplines
- Education and teacher development
- Languages, history, sociology and development studies.(College of Humanities)
📍 College of Law and Management Studies
Includes areas such as:
- Law (LLB and legal studies)
- Commerce, business administration and economics
- Accounting, finance and management subjects.(University of KwaZulu-Natal)
Together, these colleges provide a broad range of academic pathways leading to undergraduate (Bachelor’s), Honours, postgraduate diplomas, Masters and Doctoral degrees.(College of Law and Management Studies)
🧑📚 Undergraduate Requirements
📌 General Entry Requirements
To study at UKZN at undergraduate level, applicants must meet general academic criteria:
National Senior Certificate (NSC) with degree endorsement (NSC-Deg)
- You must hold an NSC (South African Matric) with university admission (Bachelor’s degree level) or equivalent.(StudentRoom.co.za)
- A pass in English at the required level is needed — generally English Home Language or First Additional Language.(StudentRoom.co.za)
Life Orientation
- A pass in Life Orientation is typically required at degree level.(StudentRoom.co.za)
Minimum Academic Performance (APS)
- Each programme has a minimum Academic Point Score (APS) based on your Grade 12 results; meeting the APS does not guarantee admission because spaces are limited and applicants are ranked.(StudentRoom.co.za)
- Certain programmes require specific subjects — for example, science and health degrees may require Mathematics or Physical Sciences, while humanities may require languages or social sciences.(Superprof)
Application procedure
- South African applicants apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and must submit required documentation (ID, NSC certificate etc.).(Study@UKZN)
📍 Example Entry Requirements (Selected Programmes)
Here are some programme-specific requirements to illustrate how they can vary:(School of Education)
📘 Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Must have NSC with degree endorsement.
- Subject requirements differ by teaching phase (e.g., Foundation, Intermediate, FET).
- Example: English, isiZulu, Mathematics or Math Literacy at specified levels for different streams.(School of Education)
⚖️ Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- NSC with degree endorsement.
- English Home Language or FAL at specific levels.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at required level.
- Minimum APS threshold (often around APS 32).(School of Law)
Other programs such as Engineering, Commerce, Health Sciences and Sciences have their own subject and APS combinations you need to check in the official prospectus. Meeting these minimums does not always guarantee a place due to high competition.(UKZN: Applications Office)
🧠 Selection Process
Prospective students are first assessed using Grade 11 and early Grade 12 results to make conditional offers. Final selection is based on final Grade 12 results and programme requirements. Applicants are advised to submit certified copies of all documentation early.(UKZN: Applications Office)
🌍 International Applicants
- Must meet the English performance expectations.
- The APS system does not apply to international applicants, but specific subject or qualification criteria must be met.
- Successful applicants receive documents required for study visas.(UKZN: Applications Office)
🧑🎓 Summary: Faculties & Requirements
Faculties (Colleges):
✔ College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science
✔ College of Health Sciences
✔ College of Humanities
✔ College of Law and Management Studies
(Each college hosts multiple schools and degree programmes)(Wikipedia)
General Requirements:
- NSC with degree admission or equivalent.(StudentRoom.co.za)
- Pass in English and Life Orientation.(StudentRoom.co.za)
- Minimum APS required per programme.(StudentRoom.co.za)
- Programme-specific subject requirements (varies by degree).(Superprof)
Application:
- Apply via CAO for undergraduate study.(Study@UKZN)
- Submit certified documents (ID, NSC, etc.) for assessment.(UKZN: Applications Office)
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