Table of Contents
History
Born from a merger between two universities, the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal, University of KwaZulu-Natal would first open it’s doors in January of 2004, as the result of the restructures made to education by the government during the early 2000s.
Through it’s 2 original universities, KwaZulu-Natal has a history of excellence in the region, and a long time relationship with the opposition of apartheid in the country, making it an institution which has garnered the respect of the people, however the present day situation is not as optimal, and the institution is facing various controversies regarding it’s treatment of strikes and protests in it’s premises.
Programs Offered
Through it’s 4 colleges the University of KwaZulu-Natal offers a wide selection of undergraduate courses amounting to roughly 50 different programs, as such the following list is only a small sample of the full catalog offered at the university:
- Agricultural Economics
- Animal and Poultry Science
- Plant Pathology
- Applied Chemistry
- Biological Science
- Crop and Horticultural Science
- Geological Science
- Dental Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Sport Science
- Cultural & Heritage Tourism
- Music & Drama Performance
- Geography & Environmental Management
- Architectural Studies
- Laws
- Business Science
Admission requirements
Application at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is a rather straightforward process, application is handled online, and mainly requires your ID documents and your high-school qualifications, if you are an international student then you’ll also need proof that those qualifications are valid for South Africa, but outside of that there’s no more tricks to applying.
Student Life
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is dedicated to the creation and en environment that not only allows them to develop as the future professionals they want to be, but also build everlasting bonds with their peers as they advance together.
With this in mind the University of KwaZulu-Natal with it’s own selection of student organizations and sport clubs, and amusingly in a somewhat unexpected but useful note, all students can receive driving lessons directly from the institution, with the intention of facilitating their transportation.
Part-time work
The University of KwaZulu-Natal does offer some job openings to students enrolled into their courses, including positions such as research assistants, however this is largely done in person as the university does not directly count or promotes a student work portal, so it is recommended to also check for jobs outside of the institution before committing to getting an on-campus position.
Fees
On average students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal will pay R40,000 per year enrolled at the institution, however they might also incur in additional fees during their stay, application for example comes with it’s own fee, and those who need accommodation can expect on average R30,000 per year.
However these ultimately are specific fees and a large percentage of students wont come across them.
Ranking
The University of Kwazulu-Natal is currently ranked as 624th best college level institution in the world, making it the overall fifth best university in it’s home country of South Africa.
University Contact
Address: University Road, Westville, Private Bag X 54001, Durban, 4000
Phone: +27 31 260 1111
Email: [email protected]
Summary
The University of KwaZulu-Natal is a good institution in the country, with a robust course selection and manageable fees in it’s courses, however it has also been a target of multiple controversies along the years, particularly when it comes to their policies towards criticism, ultimately as with all things in life students must compare the perks of education at KwaZulu-Natal against what issues it might personally have for them, but on a purely educational front, it’s quality is a step above the average institution in the country.